The Apparition || Bad Omens || Noah Sebastian

Chapter six

Noah was driving slowly, the photo of Ruby and Michael swaying behind the rearview mirror, a constant reminder of the bond that now tied him to that girl. A bond he hadn’t chosen, yet felt the need to honor. Ruby was no longer alive, that much was certain, yet her presence still lingered beside him. Every now and then, a shiver would run down his spine, as if she were there, silently watching his every move.

The sensation of having an invisible observer by his side had become a constant, and though Noah had tried to get used to it, he couldn't fully accept it. Ruby hadn’t spoken much about her life since her soul had become linked to him. It was as if she were waiting for something, as if her very existence was suspended, awaiting an answer.

"Ruby, I know you're here."

The girl appeared seated in the passenger seat, and Noah jumped in fright. He would never get used to it.

“Damn it, don’t do that again.”

“You called me,” said the ghost with feigned innocence.

Noah waved it off. “I know what's keeping you here: your father. He hasn’t accepted your death, and he wants to take legal action. He’s right, to be honest, but maybe all this resentment towards the world is what's stopping you from moving on.”

Ruby nodded thoughtfully. Noah found himself thinking that he would do anything, pay any price, to get inside her mind. He wondered what it was like to be dead and remember nothing of the days leading up to your departure.

“I was thinking of going to your school. Your mother told me that some of your colleagues are organizing a memorial for you. You were very loved, from what I understand.”

Ruby scoffed, a sarcastic expression on her face. “I’m sure many of them can’t wait to show off in front of the town with this nonsense. I have no use for memorials or some bulletin board full of pictures of me with my students. That’s not what’s going to bring me peace.”

As she said this, her dark eyes fixed on the photo of her and Michael. Noah looked at her with admiration. In death, Ruby remained tied to the one she had loved the most, and perhaps that was her curse.

They arrived in front of the school, and Noah took the photo between his fingers.

"Maybe I have an idea to help you."

A faint breeze touched his arm, and by now, he had understood what it meant. It was Ruby’s way of physically communicating with him. “Be careful in there. Not everyone’s a good person.”

“Then come with me. You can tell me who I can trust.”

He got out of the car and felt Ruby’s presence behind him. He entered the school and headed toward the first adult he could see amidst the chaos of children and colorful backpacks.

“Excuse me, I’m Noah, a friend of Ruby’s. Her mother, Katie, sent me here to help with the project to commemorate her.”

Standing before him was a woman around Ruby’s age, but unlike Ruby, she was blonde with eyes the color of a morning sky.

“You’ve picked a good one, I see,” said Ruby behind him. “That’s Becca, and not a day went by when I worked here that she didn’t make my life difficult.”

The woman smiled warmly, and Noah felt the ghost pretend to gag. “Damn, she thinks you’re cute. Now you won’t be able to shake her off.”

And so it was. Becca led him around the school, promising to introduce him to some colleagues who knew more about the project for Ruby. Noah felt like he had walked through the same hallways two or three times too many.

“Can’t you tell she doesn’t even know where she’s going? Ditch her before she tries to slash your tires too.”

Noah had to stifle a laugh at Ruby’s words to avoid looking crazy in front of everyone.

A woman noticed Noah’s lost expression and approached, greeting Becca with a strained smile. She had beautiful long black hair, just like Ruby, but her eyes was green like olives.

He saw Ruby smiling beside the girl. "You found Emma. You’re in good hands, man"

"He says he's a friend of Ruby’s and wants to join the commemoration," Becca explained, throwing him suggestive glances.

"Noah, of course. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? You can go now, Becca. I’ll take it from here."

Noah was surprised to hear his name come out of a stranger’s mouth, but Emma was Ruby’s best friend, so it made sense the girl had talked to her about Bad Omens.

Once Becca left, the smile on Emma’s face disappeared, replaced by a probing look.

"What are you doing here?"

Noah handed her the photo he was still holding, and Emma took it with a reverent touch. Maybe seeing that picture hurt her more than a stab wound.

"Katie sent me here. I’d like to help with whatever project you’re doing to commemorate Ruby. I feel like I owe it to her."

"Is this a way to clear your conscience?" Emma asked, shifting her gaze from the photo to him. "Her family doesn’t deserve any more pain. I don’t want you involved. You were her favorite singer, but you didn’t know her."

"Believe me, I’m not trying to promote my band in any way from this. I... I saw her, while the paramedics were trying to revive her. I... I can’t sleep at night anymore. It’s like she’s a constant presence in my life now."

He saw Ruby’s face darken. He hadn’t meant to offend her with those words, much less make her feel like a burden in his life.

"I didn’t know her, but from what I know now, I’m sure I would have adored her. There aren’t many people like her in the world."

Ruby smiled at his words.

Emma’s expression twisted, somewhere between pain and disbelief. "Well, now there’s one less."

She handed him back the photo and gestured for him to follow her.

"I’ll take you to the principal. She knows everything, and since you’re so eager to participate, make sure you make a good impression." She knocked on the door labeled 'Principal’s Office' and gave him a sarcastic smile. "We’re a small school. We need all the help we can get. Even open your wallet if needed, rockstar."

She patted him on the shoulder and left him alone.

Finally, someone opened the principal’s office door, where he found himself face-to-face with Principal Sullivan, a woman close to retirement, with beautiful gray curls. The school’s idea was to dedicate a new art lab to Ruby.

The big problem was that there wasn’t enough funding to complete the project. The plan was lovely, and Noah noticed the emotional expression on Ruby’s face.

They wanted to renovate and repaint an entire section of the school and cover the walls with drawings by Ruby’s students. They had also thought of a mural depicting her with her students.

“I can help if needed,” the singer offered, making the principal’s face light up. “I mean it, I can make a donation and handle the labor. I have a lot of artist friends.”

Sullivan thanked him a thousand times, and Noah could sense the love the elderly woman had for the now-dilapidated school and how much she had appreciated the work Ruby had done while she was alive.

Noah pulled the photo from his pocket and handed it to her. “Could I ask you for some information about this boy’s family? I know Ruby was particularly fond of him. I’d like to help them if I can.”

Sullivan’s wrinkled face grew sharp. “It’s quite a complicated story, young man. I’m happy to accept your help for the school, but I wouldn’t advise getting involved with those people.”

“Why? Did something happen with Michael’s parents?”

The principal nodded. “Michael’s mother… Well, she assaulted Ruby.”