GALEMETRYO

Chapter 8: You're too good to be gone

Not much happened throughout the day. Our main plan was to head back to the classroom. Everything is fine for now. Liz and I had some paperwork to finish, specifically related to scholarships, and the deadline was today. So, we decided to put our heads down and focus on getting it done as quickly as we could.

Before we went to the classroom, Liz and I were taking a walk. Then I spotted the guy in the hoodie again. It had to be him, right? So, I told Liz to go ahead to the classroom, and I'd follow her in a bit. She didn't say much; she just nodded and continued on her way. She was probably busy, which gave me the opportunity to trail that guy.

Ever since I first met him, he has given off a strange and somewhat dangerous vibe. I felt like I knew him somehow. It was as if I had to see what he was up to. My heart started racing as I followed him. I was so nervous that I was shaking, making it hard to walk. Being close to him felt different, though I couldn't put my finger on why.

He walked down the hallway, taking a left turn, and kept going until he reached an area that was under construction. The place was dimly lit and filled with construction materials and scaffolding. It was an odd place to go.

As I followed him, I couldn't help but feel that there was a mystery surrounding this guy. The closer I got to the construction area, the stronger my urge to find out more about him became. What was it about him that had piqued my curiosity? What secrets were hidden in that unfinished part of the school building? What was going to happen next, and how would this encounter with the guy in the hoodie change the course of my day?

In my head, I had lots of questions. Why did I follow him into this forbidden place? It didn't make sense, but my curiosity pushed me forward. I gave myself a light slap on the face, just to gather some courage. I'd come this far; turning back now seemed pointless. I continued trailing him into a place that seemed to defy all reason.

My silent companion, the shadow that clung to me, had guided me down this eerie path. How could he be so fearless? The place was filled with spooky stories and rumors. People said it was home to ghosts, evil spirits, and demons. I couldn't help but shiver, remembering the tale from just last year of a burial in this very place.

"Come on, Ben," I whispered to myself. I tried to be rational. These were just rumors, right? But my skin still crawled with fear. I had to keep going. I had to see this through.

The scene that unfolded was intense. The guy in the hoodie stood there, unmoving, talking to someone who wasn't there. I hid behind a massive, ancient pillar, giving me a good view. These pillars were common in the school's foundation, a silent part of its history.

Suddenly, he cried out, his tears mixing with the despair in the air. But there was no one to comfort him. He was alone. I strained to hear what he was saying, but it made no sense.

But the strangest thing was the object he held. In the dim light, it gleamed—a knife, sharp and menacing. He brought it close to his skin, and I couldn't understand why he would do that. Why hurt himself like that? The blood began to flow, staining the stone beneath him. It was gruesome, and I couldn't look away.

I was disgusted and shocked. My hand went to my mouth to stop myself from screaming. Who could witness something like this and not be horrified? This man was deeply troubled. His cries were filled with agony, like an entire lifetime of pain coming to the surface.

As I watched him, I couldn't help but cry too. My tears fell silently, but I had no idea why. Maybe it was because I felt so helpless, or maybe it was just the sheer sadness of it all. This nightmarish sight was etched into my memory, a dark story I'd carry with me forever.

He suddenly shouted, "Why did you have to die instead of me? You're too good to be gone." I'd been wrong not to believe you earlier; I thought you were joking. "I should've listened when you said something's wrong. You didn't have to go that far," he muttered to himself. Tears welled up in his eyes, and it was clear how lonely and pained he felt.

I couldn't bear it any longer, so I slipped away, ignoring his words and mentions of someone I didn't know. My only concern was getting out of there.

In the bathroom, I tried to wash my tear-streaked face and compose myself. I didn't want Liz to worry; she might if I showed I wasn't okay.

I walked straight up to the fourth floor, my mind swirling with the disturbing scene I'd witnessed. It was not my imagination; it had really happened.

Entering the classroom, Liz waved from the back, where she'd saved me a seat. She asked why I took so long. Trying to make light of the situation, I jokingly said I'd been to the restroom. Surprisingly, she believed it, and her concern touched me.

Sitting next to Liz, I concealed my turbulent emotions. The teacher hadn't arrived yet, granting me a moment of respite. But the echoes of his cries still resonated in my mind, reminding me of life's fragility and unpredictability, forever changing our path.

As the school time ends, Liz and I had plans to head to the mall, but as we were about to leave, I hesitated and said, "You know what? Let's save it for another time." Liz looked puzzled and asked, "Why the change of heart?" I replied with a sigh, "I'm just feeling a bit drained from all the activities we did earlier." She nodded in understanding and agreed to reschedule our outing. We said our goodbyes, and I decided to pick up dinner on my way back.

I found a small food vendor near the school, where I settled on a simple yet satisfying meal of tocino and egg in a takeout container. As I crossed the pedestrian lane, a humorous thought crossed my mind: better safe than sorry, right? After all, you never know what could happen.

Instead of walking, I opted to take a jeepney to my apartment, even though it was within walking distance. The events of the day were weighing on my mind, and I needed a moment to decompress. Life had been throwing quite a few curveballs my way recently, and I was feeling the weight of it all.

By the time I reached my apartment, it was 6:00 p.m. My thoughts briefly flashed back to a dream I'd had, where I arrived home late at night. I shook off the eerie feeling and reminded myself that dreams were just dreams. I was safe now, back in my familiar surroundings.

After a quick dinner, I decided it was time to tidy up my apartment. As I swept the floors, a sense of orderliness and calm began to settle in. With the apartment looking spick and span, I allowed myself to unwind. I locked the door not just once but twice, a habit that brought me extra peace of mind. There's something comforting about knowing you've taken every precaution.

As I lay down, I told myself there was no need to overthink things. Sometimes, you need to listen to your body and mind, and today was a day to prioritize self-care and relaxation. The world could wait; for now, it was just me and the quiet comfort of my apartment.