Chapter 2: Fear

Aiko seemed absent-minded. She gazed outside the window but there was nothing. She had scribbles on her notes but the words were nonsense. Then she received a text message.

Mika: Can’t go to school today, still not feeling well.

Aiko: You sure you don’t want to go to the clinic?

Mika: No need. I just need rest.

Aiko: Alright. I’ll drop by after last period.

Before she can even put her phone back, someone slumped beside her. It was Goo.

“Don’t you have classes?”

“I feel sick. I already took Tylenol this morning.”

Aiko placed her palm to feel his forehead. “You’re hot.”

“I know.” He sniffed.

“Literally hot.”

“And figuratively.”

She wasn’t able to get back to him. Her phone rung. It was Rina. She threw a quick glance at Goo before she swiped to answer.

“Finally, you called.”

“Yes, we’re waiting for the professor.”

“With Goo.” She turned to look at Goo. He suddenly straightened on his chair and mouthed the name Rina.

“He’s sick. Yeah. But I think he’s good now. Haha.”

“I’m envious that you can talk to her.” Goo intentionally made Rina hear him.

Aiko handed the phone to Goo. The guy suddenly had puppy eyes and excitedly grabbed the phone from her.

“Yeah. I’m o-okay. Yes…Yes…Yes. No worries. Sure…sure. Yeah, bye. T-take care of yourself.”

The call ended.

“I miss you.” Goo uttered to the disconnected call.

Aiko took the phone from him. “What’s with the stutter? And why splatter your saliva all over my screen? Tsk.”

Goo looked at him in disgust. “You know what? You’re mean. You and your sister.” Goo walked out. But not because he’s mad, the professor just came in.

She took out his phone before she stepped out of the room. She only had one notification, it’s a friend request from Kalli. She accepted it and put the phone back.

She was crossing the pocket forest on her way to the library when she felt a chilling wind touched her nape. It was just three in the afternoon, the sun was still above the horizon. She resumed walking but she heard someone call her name from a distance. But no one around her was actually paying attention to her. Instead of the library, she took a turn to go to the bus stop. She’s nauseous. But she needed to buy medicine and supplies for Goo and Miya who are both sick.

She reached the city before four. She was able to buy what she went there for and was in a hurry to go back to the boarding house. A lot of people are occupying the sideways moving in opposite directions, when she took the left turn, the light coming from the sun was blocked by dark clouds. Street lights were still off so it made her feel like it was already night. There was this defeaning silence again that she experienced when she and Kalli were at the festival. She pivoted, only to see that the people who were walking with her seconds ago were gone. The buildings were empty and it greyed like the walls were decaying.

She tried to move her legs but she stumbled. She was able to survive her previous experience but she was with Kalli. She hasn’t been sleeping well since then. She was still trying to outlive the trauma she couldn’t tell anyone. Now, she is drawn back to this again.

Then, she heard the sound of footsteps. She struggled to get up but she managed. She can’t find anything she could hide with. She ran instead but the sound of footsteps grew louder. They're closer!

When she looked behind her, she saw the entities on white tunic. They followed her and were about to grab her when a man in his black coat appeared before her. The white entities turned around and walked away. When she looked back at the hooded man, he already disappeared.

Aiko picked up her belongings. She’s still not safe. There are other white beings floating up in the air. She walked for few meters when she saw a fast-moving motorcycle on the road. It halted when the rider spotted her.

The guy removed his helmet and it was Kalli.

She breathed a sigh of relief. “Kalli!”

“I felt it."

“It’s happening again.” She took a look around. “I was sucked here. And I thought I’ll be alone. And the guys with melted faces were after me. Someone appeared who frightened them away.”

Kalli placed his hand on her shoulder to calm her. “I’m here too.”

Aiko realized what he said and nodded. “You’re sucked in too. What’s happening to us?”

Just when she said that, the car horns and human noises went back.

They both checked their environment.

“Let’s go.”

The motorcycle ride helped her calm her nerves.

“How did you know I was there?” She asked Kalli as he handed her the spare helmet.

“I was driving when it suddenly went dark. Then, I felt you…It’s like I knew you were nearby.”

Silence. She did not feel Kalli’s presence, she felt alone in the other world. After a while, she tried to act normal.

“I’ll go to your dorm later to check on Goo. I’ll give this to Miya first.”

Kalli held her hand lightly. "Are you really okay?”

Aiko gave him a shy smile and nodded. She didn’t notice that Kalli was burning hot too.

Miya was asleep so she just put the things she bought for her on the bedside table. Her temperature already went down to normal. She’s probably just sleeping to recuperate.

On her way down to her floor, she saw that the motorcycle was still parked outside. She went near Kalli who didn’t even flinch when she touched him.

“Kalli?”

The guy seemed like he’s fast asleep. His motorcycle is leaning on its stand. “Kalli?”

He opened his eyes.

“You’re hot."

“Ahhum...I know. So they say.”

“Literally hot." Remembering her conversation with Goo, she decided to cut whatever he is about to say. "Okay, I already saw this.”

She called a friend in the boys’ dorm and asked for help to bring Kalli back.

“Madam, I’ll just give the medicine to brother Goo and give some to Kalli too.”

“I already told you, girls are not allowed here. You want the school to be notified about this?”

“Madam, don’t act like you don’t know me. I’ve been Goo’s friend since were kids. We’re like brothers. I can’t just leave him when he’s sick. You know his parents are abroad and he’s alone. You know that. I was the one bringing his things here since he enrolled. You’ve seen me. You can trust me."

The old woman sighed. “Okay, go up for ten minutes. But no one should know about this, Aiko, okay?”

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Aiko hurriedly climbed up the stairs and went directly to Goo’s room. He shares his room with a guy who also knows her anyway.

“You care about me?”

“You’re the only sick person who still has the audacity to be sarcastic…Take this one later at midnight. I bought porridge and noodles in case you don’t like the food in the pantry.”

“Thanks. How’s Miya?”

“Doing better than you. Your athletic body has no match against Miya’s. Haha.”

“Such a happy kid.”

“But Kalli’s also sick. You think this is infectious?”

Aiko met Goo’s roommate’s gaze. “Just kidding.” She said even though she really suspects it’s contagious.

“Give some of my medicine to Kalli. His room is just at the corner. He doesn’t have a roommate. I know you’re safe with him, I just don’t know if he’s safe with you.”

Aiko slammed his head. “Wanna die?"

“I’ll go now. The old lady just gave me ten minutes. Text me if you need anything.”

“Thank you sis.”

She closed the door carefully and knocked at the door of the corner room. No one answered but the knob was not locked. She entered and found the guy lying on the couch just beside the bed.

“Kalli. I brought some medicines and porridge.”

Unlike the other two, Kalli’s temperature was over 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Aiko?” He said softly.

“Yes, it’s me. Take this.” She put the medicine in his mouth and gave him water.

“Thanks.”

“I’ll leave this here. You take the same one at midnight. I have to go down because the old woman might be looking for me.”

Kalli nodded.

Downstairs, Aiko slumped in front of the old woman.

“Madam, do you think we should call the clinic? Three of my friends are sick.”

“I already did. They’ll get blood samples later.”

Aiko smiled. Goo is scared of injections. If only she could witness his reaction and post it on social media, that would be hilarious. Hihi.