The Apparition || Bad Omens || Noah Sebastian

Chapter fourteen

The sound of hammers and saws filled the air, mingling with the chatter of the volunteers. The wing of the school they were renovating was taking shape, but Noah couldn’t focus. His eyes kept searching for Brendon, who moved through the crowd with an air of apparent normalcy, oblivious to the tensions he ignited in him and John.

As Noah tried to look away, he caught the echo of Michael’s father’s voice mentioning Ruby to a group of parents. Brendon was telling a story, his tone hid melancholy behind an air of cheerfulness "Ruby was truly amazing. I couldn’t believe how wonderful she was. I've known her for so long... She was like a light. I don’t know what we would have done without her. My family owes her so much,"

The words hit Noah like a punch to the stomach. He noticed John, Ruby’s father, who was arranging some materials nearby. John’s eyes narrowed, his face darkening like an impending storm. Noah tried to grab his arm, but John was already heading toward Brendon, his muscles tense, his eyes filled with deep rage.

"John, please!" Noah shouted, but his voice got lost in the buzz. The older man, however, didn’t stop. John grabbed Brendon by the collar of his shirt, pulling him forcefully towards him. "How dare you speak about my daughter?" he growled, teeth clenched. "After what you did to her?"

Brendon took a step back, looking at John with innocent eyes, as if he were utterly bewildered. "What? I have no idea what you’re talking about," he said, shrugging, an expression of dismay painted on his face "I was just remembering a dear friend."

The crowd of volunteers paused, their gazes fixed on the two men. Noah pushed his way through, with Nick, Jolly, and Nicholas following, ready to intervene. "Calm down, John! This isn’t the time!" he tried to say, but the tension in the air was escalating.

Brendon, instead of calming down, seemed pissed off "Oh, come on! She was my best friend growing up, you know that, John. Why shouldn’t I talk about her?"

John’s face turned even redder. "Because you have no right to! Why don’t you talk about the time that crazy wife of yours attacked her in front of everyone because you couldn't take it in your pants?"

Just then, Brendon shoved John away with a sharp gesture, pushing him back. John staggered in Noah’s direction. Instinctively, Noah stepped forward, extending a hand to catch him and prevent him from falling. "Careful!" he exclaimed, but Noah’s eyes were already on Brendon, a fire burning in them that he had to quell.

"Don’t ever speak about my wife again," Brendon said in a threatening tone. John composed himself, breathing heavily. "You should be thanking my daughter that you’re still alive, and you know it. With all that drug crap you were into in high school, Ruby saved your life, raised your son while you and Jen were busy getting high on coke. And how did you thank her?"

Brendon was on the verge of exploding, his fists clenched as if ready to strike the older man standing before him.

Instinctively, Noah placed an arm in front of where he knew Ruby’s ghost lingered, as if to shield her. A small gesture that no one noticed, not even himself.

Jolly and Nick stepped closer, their eyes carefully assessing the situation. "We need to do something," Jolly murmured. "If we don’t stop this fight now, it could end badly."

Nicholas approached them and, with a commanding tone, forced Brendon to leave. The crowd dispersed, as if no one wanted to get involved, but they all knew that every ear was tuned to the next words that would be spoken.

Ruby suddenly appeared beside him, her presence bringing a sense of calm. Noah felt a tightness in his chest. "I don’t want you here, Ruby. Not at a time like this," he whispered so the others wouldn’t hear, taking advantage of the confusion that had erupted. Ruby looked at him once more, and Noah felt a brief gust of wind brush against his face before seeing her disappear. Her way of touching him when they were confined to reality.