CHAPTER TWO: Darkness

SERRA

Seeing my room number attached to the wall made me want to break the door.

“Six six six,” I bitterly whispered.

666 was known to all medius as a beast’s number and was purportedly used to invoke Satan. Some mormians also avoid this number especially in their businesses because according to them it was bad luck.

“Is there something wrong?” the caretaker asked.

I just shook my head and after that, she left. I thrust the key in the knob and twisted it after. I opened the door and cold eerie wind kissed my skin. Something was odd in this room.

“You feel it too?” the ghost asked and I just nodded.

We didn’t have a choice but to enter. We were welcomed by a cream wall filled with paintings of every part of the school. We continued and what we saw next astonished us.

This room was four times bigger than my apartment and the walls and ceilings were painted with shades of cream with gold embroideries on the edges. The floor was tiled with a wood-like style. The moment we entered we saw first was the flat-screen TV attached to the wall. Under it was a long cabinet made of wood and filled with books and different ornaments. I wandered my sight with amusement. There were two queen-size beds and a night table in between. Above the night table was a brown lampshade embroidered with gold.

On the right side of the room was a three-door wardrobe and on the left side was a cabinet filled with random things and a sofa set with a round glass table. At the right corner of the room, there were two doors. One on the front wall and the other on the right wall. I opened the doors and the rooms were bathroom and kitchen and dining room in one.

I put my bag on the floor before sitting on the bed and it was comfy and soft. My body lowered because of the thick brown mattress. The entire place was sophisticated but gives off a dark energy. I could hear soft creaks behind the walls. There was something shady inside this room.

“Aren’t we in the wrong room?” the ghost suspiciously questioned.

“That’s not possible. It was the caretaker who led our way,” I responded.

I went towards the wardrobe with my bag and emptied it. I organized my things inside the wardrobe space with my name.

“So I’ll be having a roommate,” I murmured. “By the way, what am I going to call you? Do you still remember your name?” I asked the ghost while still fixing my things.

“I don’t. You can call any name you prefer,” she answered.

A paused for a while and thought for a name. “I’ll call you Gugu.”

“Does that mean–” she exclaimed appearing inside the cabinet.

“Fuck!” I cursed slamming the cabinet’s door and reached for my chest. I glanced at her and I immediately walked backward seeing her face slipped through the door.

It’s been years since the last time I befriended a ghost. After my last ghost-friend got reaped I decided to stay away from any ghost.

“Sorry,” she apologized and passed through the cabinet’s door.

“It’s okay... I think I need to get used to it and yes you’re allowed to stay.” I opened the cabinet and placed the last group of my folded clothes.

“Really?” I saw her extended her arms and floated in my direction fast.

I felt a cold wind washed through me and made the fine hairs on my nape rose.

“Sorry... I’m just so happy that I forgot the fact that I’m a ghost.” She giggled.

I smiled back at her and went to the bed. I lied down and stared at the ceiling.

“When are we going to meet the reaper again?” She floated in front of me in a horizontal position.

“When we need him. Just like what he said.” My eyelids were getting heavier so I closed my eyes.

“Goodnight and happy birthday, baby.” I heard someone whispered in my ears before drifting to sleep with a smile on my lips.

I woke up and searched for my ringing phone. I immediately put off my alarm and went to the closet for a towel. I searched for Gugu but she was not around so I immediately headed to the bathroom and did my thing. After that, I prepared my things for my class.

The whole class yesterday was suspended because the moving-in of the students was effective right away after the announcement. When I opened the door I saw Gugu standing right in front of me.

“When I was strolling last night I met Laura’s mom and she wanted to thank you,” she continuously said.

“She can see you?” I asked bedazzled and continued on my way.

“Yes, she’s a see-er and she saw me with you so she assumed that we’re friends.” She nibbled her lower lip confusing me. “Aren’t we?” she added and shyly looked away.

A smile painted my lips. “Yes, we are.”

Upon hearing that she whirled in glee while humming a lullaby. My pace decreased synchronized with her lulls. My brows drew together because her lullaby hit a sense of familiarity in me. I heard that song somewhere.

“Laura’s mom is in a difficult situation. She’s a see-er with strong vitality but her daughter Laura is weak. If ever I have a daughter I’ll protect her even if it will cost my soul.” Her words pulled me back to reality.

See-er is a type of medius who could see ghosts but could not hear and feel them. Medius who could hear the ghosts are called hee-er while those who could feel them are called fee-er. I was capable of the three and I don’t know what type of medius I am or what I am called.

“You know what this place is creepy.” She brushed her palms against her arms.

I shook my head in disbelief. She was right though but those words coming from a ghost? Just weird.

I scanned the place. We were walking in a huge, quiet, and long hallway that seemed to be endless. On our sides were rooms in line. The wall was painted white but the lights were a bit dim. Walking here gave me a horror movie vibe.

We reached the end of the hallway that directed us towards the elevator. I pressed the button and entered. The door almost closed when I heard a shout.

“Hold it!” The voice was followed by rushing steps.

I pressed the button again to stop the door from closing and I saw Bruce Collins running in our direction. He reached the elevator panting. He leaned down putting his hands on his knees to support his weight as he gasped for air. The door shut closed before he averted his gaze to me.

“Thank you, brave girl.” He stood straight with a smile. My sight glued to him because of what he called me. “I saw your video saving a little kid on the street. Sadly it was removed immediately just because you’re a medius. It would have been a good reason for creatures like you to be accepted in society,” he added while staring at the elevator’s door.

Bruce Collins was one of those rare mormians who accepted creatures like us and I don’t know why. The elevator stopped and opened when we reached the ground floor. I saw Amara Beltran waving her hands from afar.

“I’ll go ahead, brave girl,” he bid goodbye and went out first to head towards his girlfriend’s direction.

Amara and Bruce were known couples on the campus and the kindest I’ve ever met. They didn’t treat me like I don’t belong. They’re also from a rich and famous family. All students in Silverio University are elites except for me of course. I was not an outcast here just because I was a medius but also because I was poor. I was able to enroll in the only university on the island because of a scholarship. I was the only scholar of the school so far.

I stepped out of the elevator and was stunned feeling the darkness slowly raised. I stared at the couple’s back. I could feel darkness latching on Bruce. I’ve never felt such intense darkness before. This amount of darkness was the result of the most intense emotion, rage.

“You feel it too, right?” Gugu asked worriedly.

My strides increased as I run after them. I was about to call for their attention but a lady appeared in front of me from nowhere.

“Hi!” A sweet smile drew on her lips.

I tried to pass by her but she kept on blocking my way.

“Are you in a hurry? I’m sorry for disturbing you.” She scratched her neck gently and let me pass through.

I looked behind her but the couple was already out of my sight.

“It’s okay. What can I do for you?” I asked in confusion not only because someone approached me except the couples but also because the person before me right now is the last person I expected to talk to me.

“I was there,” she blurted in a serious tone. Her words made my forehead knit. “You were beautiful when you saved that little girl.” I couldn’t read her eyes. There was a hint of amusement and something else I was not sure of.

I could remember very well. She was indeed there with Beatrice that she called Bea.

“Wait... I haven’t introduced myself yet. Do you know me?” She again scratched her neck awkwardly.

Who wouldn’t know the Governor's daughter? I just nodded at her as a response.

“See you around!” She waved her hand with those sweet smiles on her lips again. She then passed me by.

I heaved a sigh and headed to the university’s cafeteria. I was welcomed by mouth-watering dishes on the menu that made my stomach rumbled. The place was pretty huge that it can accommodate hundreds of students. Rectangular wooden tables are everywhere. Each table was surrounded by eight chairs. I ordered two sets of food and drinks and brought them towards the table at the corner of the room.

“Grab some breakfast, Gugu,” I offered and placed a spoon and a fork in front of her.

She roamed her sight, hesitant.

“Nobody’s here, Gugu. Rich kids wake up late,” I assured.

She grabbed the utensils and started eating. Ghost could eat foods and held things offered to them. I couldn’t stop staring at her. She was eating like she hadn’t eaten for ages.

“Slow down, Gugu.” I chuckled and ate my food too.

I was able to eat such luxurious food because of my scholarship. Before we moved in food was not free so I have to pack a lunch with me. I was glad that they considered giving me free food. After eating we immediately headed to my first class. As usual, I was the first student to get here.