Decay In Her Bones

CHAPTER 8

The yellow outline of Mylene's uniform stood out among the crowd of students that walked around the quadrangle like chaotic ants. The uniform of the practice teachers appeared like a drop of blood in a blue sea. Although it deviates from the usual white uniform of the students, the design of their clothing made them look like real teachers already. Also, because of this they got a certain degree of respect, even from students of other programs. The population of education majors in their school was relatively small, but because of how they looked in their uniform, they were finally getting the recognition in the campus that their program indeed did exist.

Mylene made her way towards the catwalk where she saw Bobby waiting. It was a straight space that ran across the center of the cemented field with chairs and tables on both sides. Since time in memoriam, it served as a waiting shed for students, parents, and visitors. That day, as usual, it was filled with noisy college students. Some of them were making projects and other paper works while some were just laughing and eating with friends. Luckily, Bobby was able to secure a table for himself.

Mylene sat in front of him without saying anything.

Bobby spoke first.

"Hey."

Mylene replied, "Hey."

"How's your class."

"Tiring."

Mylene placed her bag beside her and spread two huge books on the table. She opened them and began rummaging through her notes. Bobby noticed this, for she was in front of him, but knew better.

He finally asked, "Are you mad?"

Mylene tried to sense what she was actually feeling that moment. She knew she wasn't angry. Maybe, she just wanted Bobby to speak, to tell her what's really happening to him. "No."

Bobby said, "I'm sorry about this morning."

The one-million-peso question came. "What was it all about?" Mylene looked down. "I don't know what's happening to you. Tell me, at least."

Bobby, who was wearing a serious glare, eyed Mylene even when she had her eyes cast down. "I'm scared. I really don't know what's happening."

"What was it you saw?"

His reply was uttered in the slowest pace. "I saw the old lady inside the bus."

"You mean, the one the conductor was helping?"

"Yes."

"You saw her inside the bus and outside at the same time?"

"Yes. Just like yesterday."

At last, Mylene raised her head and returned Bobby's serious stare. She knew him very well to know that he would not lie about this, and she had sensed that he was really scared and confused. "You mean to say, you're really seeing ghosts?"

"Yes."

"Since the incident about the Bloody Mary?"

"Yes."

Mylene instantly became confused. Was it the fault of Bobby's friends? Was it her fault? She was part of it, wasn't she? But then, she thought, she could not even imagine that it actually had worked ― that the Bloody Mary indeed appeared to Bobby. What's more, she couldn't imagine that other apparitions would follow the incident. She was trying to think for an explanation, but none came. She had not given much thought on ghosts until then.

"Are you sure they're ghosts you're seeing?"

"Mylene." Bobby seldom called her in her name since she became his girlfriend. "I'm seeing two identical people in one place, like an exact copy of the other. I know what they are. They're called doppelgangers. I'm sure about it. The question is why am I seeing them now."