Science or Shadows

Chapter 3

Ghosts. They were real. And they were haunting me.

I left the bathroom, my mind reeling.

I didn't reach for my calming pills. This wasn't anxiety. This wasn't a bad mood. This was something else entirely. Something... supernatural.

I needed proof. I needed to know for sure. If the lights flickered again, if the shadows danced across the walls, if the blood reappeared on the mirror... then I'd know. I'd know it wasn't a prank.

But what if it was? What if Thomas or Haden went to the tree at 7pm, like the message said?  What if they were playing a prank on me? What if they were making fun of me?

If that happened, then I'd know that science was right. Ghosts weren't real. It was all just a cruel joke.

I needed to know, so I could be at peace. This uncertainty, this fear, it was making me unravel. I couldn't live like this.

The classroom buzzed with chatter as I dropped into my chair.  Livia's seat was empty.  My heart sank.  Yesterday, she'd said something about her dad... something about him not being well.  Panic tightened in my chest.  What had happened?

I fumbled for my phone, my fingers clumsy as I typed a message to Livia: "Are you okay? What's going on?" 

I needed to know.

I close my phone. I had to focus.  My notes lay open on the desk, a mountain of missed lessons staring back at me.  I needed to catch up, to get back on track.

Suddenly, a cold splash of water jolted me from my thoughts.  A bottle sat on my desk, condensation dripping down its sides.  I looked up, my eyes meeting Haden's.  He stood there, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Peace offering," he said.

I glared at him, my anger simmering.

Haden's chair scraped against the floor as he pulled it closer to mine. He leaned back, his gaze fixed on me.  I refused to meet his eyes, my focus on the mountain of notes in front of me.

"What?" I snapped, finally losing my patience.  He was staring at me like I was some kind of puzzle he was trying to solve.

" 'Wag kang pumunta," he said, his voice low and urgent.

I froze.  'Wag pumunta?  What did he mean?  Why was he telling me not to go?

"Itigil mo na 'yan," he added, his eyes unwavering.

The pieces clicked into place.

He knew.

"How did you know?" I asked, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and fear.

"Andyan na si prof!" someone shouted, shattering the tense silence.

Haden retreated to his seat.  I watched him, my mind racing.

Everyone stood up, greeting the professor as he entered.  But my eyes were glued to Haden.  How did he know?  Was he somehow involved?

The class ended, the bell a welcome release.  Haden was already at the door, his back to me.  I stood up, my heart pounding.  I had to know.  I followed him out of the classroom.

"Haden!" I called out, my voice echoing in the hallway. He turned, a surprised look on his face, but there was something else there too, something I couldn't quite place.

"Did you plan it all?" I asked, my voice shaking. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of anger and fear bubbling up inside me.

He just stared at me, his eyes intense.

"Can you explain it to me?" I begged, my voice softer now. "What's going on?"

He stayed silent, his gaze unwavering.

"'Wag ka na lang  pumunta," he finally said, turning away. But I was too quick. I grabbed his hand, forcing him to look back at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my voice urgent. "What's going on?"

"'Wag mo na ipahamak sarili mo, Hylen," he said, his voice tight with urgency.

"I don't get you," I said, frustration building.

"Stop it," he repeated, his tone hardening.

"Stop what?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

This was ridiculous. I was getting nowhere. "I'm getting lost in your words! Can you just explain?" I said, my voice laced with exasperation.

Suddenly, we found ourselves in cafeteria. The cafeteria was nearly empty, the air thick with the smell of old coffee and leftover fries.  A few students were scattered around, talking in hushed tones.  I glanced at the clock.  I was going to miss a lesson because of this.

"Hindi ako inutisan ni Thomas," Haden said, his voice low.

"Totoo nakikita mo.  Maniwala ka sa hindi.  Totoo ang mga multo," he added.

Haden leaned closer, his gaze fixed on me.  "At alam kung ikaw na ang pinagtitripan nila."

My brows furrowed.  "But they asked for help."

He looked at me, his expression unreadable.  "Tutulungan mo ba sila?"

I stayed silent, my mind racing.  I would help if it would bring me peace.  But...it wasn't my problem.  Why should I meddle??

"Ramdam mo kung maayos ang intensyon nila sa iyo o hindi."

His words made me reflect on what I felt earlier.  It wasn't good.  It was...uneasy.

"Ikaw...takot ka." 
"May tinatago ka ba?"

Did he know?  Did he see something in me?

Could ghosts know my secrets?  Would they?

The tension between us was thick, giving me goosebumps. 

He shouldn't know about me. 

They shouldn't know about my secret. 

I had already buried it deep, hidden it away.

"What should I hide?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"Gagamitin nila iyon sa iyo, para makuha nila ang gusto nila," he said, his gaze unwavering.

This was getting ridiculous.  I clutched my skirt tightly, feeling that familiar tightness in my chest, the panic rising.  No...

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stop the rising fear.  Thankfully, I could. 

For now.

"Do you have a third eye?" I asked, my voice a little shaky.  "I know it sounds lame, but do you?"

He didn't respond, just stared at me.  I realized what it meant.  "You do, huh?"

"You saw what I saw, right? The blood, the shadows, and..."

"Oo," he said, his voice low.

I sighed.  "Why did you lie?"

"Akala ko hindi ka na nila guguluhin," he said.

"How can you say they wouldn't mess with me?" I asked, my frustration growing.

He didn't answer, but his eyes...they were different.  They were calm, almost soothing.  Why did his eyes change when he talked to me?

"Haden," I called, my voice softer now.

"Are you telling the truth?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

He looked at me. Before he could answer, I said, "Because I'm going to trust you."