Author's Note: Hello and welcom back! I hope you enjoyed the recent chapter. As of now, I'm working on thickening the plot. Honestly I started this on a whim lol, basically I didn't really have a plot to work with, but I think I've been developing it nicely along the way. So, this chapter may seem like it digresses away from my current plot line, but it will play a significant piece for what is to come. Like my other chapters, I hope you will enjoy this one too!
In this chapter, we will move away from Yellow for a bit, but don't worry we won't be too far, it has significance even if you can't see it, so please read this too.
And so, it was another normal day for normal people. And by normal, that excludes some few residents in the Junior dorm, more specifically, the western side of the Junior Hall.
"Oh, the weather looks great today, don't you think honey?" asked a girl to her companion.
"Yes, it's lovely, but not as lovely as you," said the man next to the woman.
"Aww, you're so sweet, my cookie bunch," the lady swooned.
"Not as much as you, my little sugar jar," the man cooed.
As the couple proceeded with their mushy talk, the girl suddenly came up with an idea.
"Say, why don't we go outside, the breeze is absolutely magnificent, we just have to take a walk. It would be good exercise and we could…" the man hushed her with his fingers and inched closer to her face. Crowning her chin with his hands, he whispered to her.
"Shh...That's not necessary. In this tiny space, there exists only us. Let nothing, even the outdoor scene bother our fragile world." The woman blushed. The man knelt down to capture her lips, but before he could reach it…
WHOOSH.
There was sudden draft.
"Honey, did you feel that?" asked the woman slightly alarmed.
"Hmm, that's weird, the windows aren't open. Maybe we were just imagining things, haha. Guess we were so lost in our own world, we thought the same thing," the man replied.
"Oooh! Aren't we just the loveliest couple?" the girl squealed.
"My thoughts exactly, my dear. Now, shall we continue?"
As they proceeded once more, there came another draft.
WHOOSH.
And again they stopped.
"I-I'm getting scared, sweetie…" the girl clutched the man harder.
"N-now now, it's probably just our imagination getting the better of us…"
WHOOSH.
And again, but this time there was a flash of a shadow.
"I'm scared! Let's leave, I don't want to be here anymore!" screeched the terrified girl.
"O-okay, calm down, I got you. The exit's this way." The man held on to his companion's hand and began rushing to the exit. As they got closer, several tiny objects flew past them so quickly, it was almost as if they didn't see anything at all. But suddenly the area started to fog, cloudy and white.
"Y-you know how wild imaginations can-" The man coughed while trying to calm down the nearly tearing girl.
As they coughed into the white haze, there was a black shadow inside growing bigger and bigger, getting closer and closer. They stood petrified.
WHOOSH.
The shadow tore in between them and through the haze.
"AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The couple screamed a shrill scream and darted out of the Junior dorm as quickly as possible. Residents in the area winced when they heard the eardrum breaking screech.
"What the hell is going on?" screamed the dorm floor advisor. He quickly ran to the area in where he heard the screams. When he got there, there was nothing, well almost. The white haze had lifted leaving a trail of white on the walls and the floor.
And so, the haunting of the Junior Hall begins.
"Hm? That's weird, I've never heard anything about a haunting until now. Why do you ask?" said a middle aged man to a teenage girl.
"But father, there are rumors of shadows appearing followed by flying objects in the Junior dorm. A few people say they are witnesses of the account. Not only that, some people say that they see a pale ghost in the dark corners of the halls. It seems like those spirits are in agony and are trying to reach out to the students. They've been so scared that many of the residents refuse to leave their room unless they absolutely need to."
"Is that true? Have you asked your friends about it? Some of them are residing there am I correct."
"No and yes correspondingly, father."
"Well, even if it's true, why are you so concerned Platina?" said the man to his daughter.
Platina stood up straight and looked her father in the eyes.
"I wish to investigate it, with your permission of course."
"Nonsense, child! Do you have any idea of what you'll be getting yourself into? If the rumors happen to be true, oh, I don't even want to think about what might happen to you! It's absolutely too dangerous." The man put his hand on her shoulders and softly shook them, hoping maybe she would absorb some sense.
"Father, I am perfectly able to care for myself and I won't be doing this alone. My friends will also help me if need be. Also I have experience in exorcism."
"What? When did you have time for something like that?" he inquired aghast.
"I have been practicing secretly and have recently used my powers to reject an evil nearby. Although I can't say that the war is over, I can promise that I will not lose to such a demon."
As funny as it sounded to Mr. Berlitz's ears, her facial expression was so serious, he couldn't laugh.
"…I see…even so, I don't like the idea of you hanging around evil spirits. At least have Crystal go with you."
"That is not possible father, sister is busy with studying and exams as we speak. I can not hinder her activities with a problem that I am capable of dealing with myself."
"But Platina, you are-"
"The chairman's daughter of a haunted college. If things get out of control the Berlitz name will be tainted. I ask you again for permission, not because I am your little girl but because I am the Berlitz' daughter."
Sigh. "Fine, but you must promise me that you will not go on this alone."
"Yes father, I swear it on my pride as a Berlitz."
"So…you're investigating the rumors going around the dorm…" spoke Red slowly.
"Inside the dorm" Platina corrected.
"Right, so…there's a ghost haunting the halls and stuff, is that what you're saying?" he questioned.
"Correct. As the rumors go, there have been spottings of ghosts near the western side and northern corners of the hall. They say a white figure appears to be trying to reach out to the students while moaning in agony. Another said that they'd see shadows rush pass them and instantly disappear as quickly as it came. Something also comes flying towards them, but it disappears and leaves behind white dust."
"Wow…this is the first time I've heard of it."
"First time for me too," answered Green.
"…Me, too," followed Yellow quietly.
"Same for me," finished Blue.
Platina looked at them in shock, while the others looked at each other in mild surprise. It was quite strange that none of the 4 residents had heard a single thing about it even though it was the biggest topic at the college, and even then it had spread to high schools and below. Seeing as they were near the scene of the encounter, she came to consult them.
"That's incredible since you guys are staying here. Where've you been the whole time?"
Blue, Red, and Yellow grimace. They knew exactly why they had been so oblivious to recent events.
"Studying," replied Green with a flat tone, "and might I add, we still have 2 more days of testing."
They were taking a break in the lounge room so they could talk with Platina. They stood huddled together at the center to briefly discuss the events as of late.
"Wait, don't you have tests, too, Platina?" questioned Blue.
"I keep to my daily schedule, so I don't have to worry about my studies. Also, I've arranged it so that I have time to investigate as well," she replied.
"I see. It's good to know you're on top of things," commented Blue.
"That sounds weird since it's coming from you," added Red.
"Oho? Was that an insult coming from a monkey? I didn't know they learned to talk! Why don't you go climb a tall tree and jump off to see how far the distance is to the ground, next?" retorted Blue.
"I'll tell you once you get your head checked, better yet, get your eyesight checked first!"
Before the two could throw another insult, the room had darkened. A chilling shiver ran up their spines as they turned beside them to locate the source. Green showered them with an icy glare that meant one thing. .
"G-Green, you know…w-we're just playing…r-right, buddy?" cowered Red.
"R-right…buddy…" said Blue through her gritted teeth.
His glower dropped below their eye level. Instantly, his hand swished and something darted at them causing them to scamper away.
I-It missed… Or so they thought. There was a light THUD against the ground. Platina felt her jaw drop. Green had definitely aimed at them, but the 'them' he threw at was…
"Holy mother of-!" cried Red.
"Y-you killed Yellow!" shrieked Blue.
The room fell into darkness once more. They didn't even need to look at him to see what his glare said, they could feel it underneath their skin.
"She was dozing off half way through our talk. If you guys don't want to be punished, then come along quietly. If you don't…" Green turned to Yellow's limp form. They gulped, and it did not go unnoticed.
"Sorry, Platina. We've got our hands full at the moment. When we have time, we'll help you investigate. But if you need anything, we'll be in the southern hall, third room." With that, Green picked up Yellow, although his face said 'Ishouldjustdragher,' like a perfect gentleman and signaled the other two to follow suit. They waved goodbye to Platina weakly before hastily following Green.
She waved them off too before going her own way.
"Alright, so, what clues do we have so far?" asked Pearl sitting beside Dia. They had recently arrived and were now being briefed by Platina.
"Well, according to the data I've collected, it seems only the Junior hall is being targeted. The other floors of the dorm say they haven't experienced any haunting, but sometimes while walking down the Junior Hall, they feel a negative presence. So far, the evidence concludes that this first floor is the only one surrounding the haunting. The first experience occurred about two days ago near sunset. The witness was a couple enjoying their evening."
"Did the ghosts do anything to the people?" asked Dia. Platina shook her head.
"No, nothing. All, that's happened so far were flying objects coming at them, but then disappearing into thin air, or white haze to be precise. Followed by a shadow and vanishing all together. The second experience was yesterday night, a girl was walking down the hall after finishing her studies when she felt the room fill with sadness. She said she was so scared that she barely saw it, but down the hall, in the dark end, was a white body."
Their eyes widened.
"If you're surprised, wait 'til you hear this. The body didn't hover…it was laying across the ground slowly moving towards her while moaning… 'help'. The girl was so afraid, she took off running and didn't turn back after she got to her room. By then, it seemed that the spirit had stopped following her. My judgement is, it looks like the ghosts might be in pain and are trying to reach out…maybe even possess."
The boys gasped.
"Y-you can't be serious!" exclaimed Pearl. His little brother seeing his expression, asked.
"Brother, what's possess?"
Looking into Emerald's eyes, he swatted his forehead for mistakenly bringing the little boy along.
"Ah, don't worry 'Rald! You don't need to know something like that."
The boy just stared at the elder who only frowned.
"Arrggghh! Sorry Missy! I'm gonna take Emerald home, I don't want him involved."
"No!" screamed Emerald before dashing off on his own.
"Wait, don't run! Darn, Missy we gotta go after him."
Nodding, the three teens ran after the younger child. Although the boy was tiny, he was quite fast for his age. Around ten minutes had passed and none of the teens could find the little boy. The longer they spent the more worried they became. They'd searched every side of the Junior Hall, but to no avail.
"Hah…hahh…huff..I'm so…tired…" complained Dia while running and panting heavily.
"W-we can't…huff…stop yet…hahh…"
"Pearl's right…huff huff…we need to…find him…quick…" answered Platina who was also panting heavily. She was putting as much effort as she could epecially since her body was not used to extranious activities.
"I know…huff, but can't we take…a break…?" asked Dia, his breath shakey.
"I..I'm afraid…hah, that we won't …make it in…time…!" wheezed Platina.
"Wha…do you..me..an…?" questioned Pearl barely able to make out his own words.
"…huff, they say…that young children…have higher capabil…ities…to see…ghosts…which mean…huff…might…huhh…them" informed Platina. Her words were broken, but the message was clear. Emerald was in danger.
If their hearts weren't beating fast enough, it suddenly got faster. They picked up their pace racing against time and their own heart beat.
Five minutes later.
How is it that we can't find a single child on a single floor? Thought Pearl. Not a second later, they found Emerald in the middle of the lounge room and nearly smacked their own foreheads fo not checking there sooner
. So that's why we couldn't find him! He came back the this room while we went around all the corners. He was simply sitting on the ground humming to himself and bobbing his head away.
"Rald!" they called out to the boy. He turned his attention to them. Placing a finger to his lips, he shushed them and they stopped running.
"Rald?" called Pearl out slightly panicked.
"Shhh!" shushed Emerald, looking slightly frantic.
"You're annoying the people…" he almost whispered. The teens' eyes bulged.
What people?
"Studying!"
THUNK.
"Waaahhh!" cried Emerald. Pearl had knuckled his fist onto the little boy's head.
"Don't scare us like that!" scolded Pearl. "Sorry guys, we wasted a lot of time looking for him. There's not much time left so…I think we should head home before it gets too late."
"Yeah, I'm too tired to work anymore. Walking is gonna be a pain." stated Dia releasing a heavy sigh.
"It's alright, I'll have my chauffer take us home. We can continue this tomorrow," offered Platina.
"...Yeah...thanks Missy..." Dia and Pearl agreed in unison.
With that, they took the little boy and took off, slowly dragging their exhausted bodies to the exit. However, before completely abandoning the room, the small boy turned back for a last glimpse. Had they stayed a moment longer, they may have notice just how important the area was where they found the child.
Oohhhh mystery! Well, what do you guys think?
Anyways, I think I'm gonna start using double lining to end the chapters. This way you can tell that it's the end.
Oh yes, the next chapter is almost done as well so you can expect it soon too! Although I don't know how soon soon is.
