That Monday morning, SIS was filled with an unusual atmosphere. Whispers echoed along the corridor, and even the sound of footsteps seemed quieter than usual. Gabriela felt something was off as she approached the entrance to the main hall. A group of students gathered in front of the announcement board, their faces filled with shock and whispers of panic filled the air.
Lisa, who was walking beside her, pulled Gabriela's arm. "What's going on?" "Why is it so crowded this early in the morning?"
Gabriela shook her head, although her curiosity was also growing stronger. As they approached, a student's voice was clearly heard in the midst of the crowd.
"They said Arina... passed away," said a student with a choked voice.
Gabriela stopped in her tracks, her body tensing. "What?" she asked softly, barely able to believe what she had just heard.
"He was found in the music room," the student continued. "Hanged himself. The music teacher found him this morning."
Lisa covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes widening in shock. "Oh my god... seriously?" But why?"
Gabriela did not answer. Her memory went back to their meeting in the canteen a few days ago. The dark aura surrounding Arina now seemed more understandable, as if it were a clue to this tragedy. But... did Arina really end her own life?
The atmosphere in the classroom felt heavy. Mrs. Lydia, their homeroom teacher, stood at the front with a pale face. "Children, I know this is a difficult morning." Arina is our friend, and I hope we can all pray for the best for her. If any of you feel the need to talk, the guidance counselor is ready to listen.
Lisa nudged Gabriela gently. "Gabi, you had a chance to talk to him, right?" Has she ever told you anything?"Has he ever told you anything?" Gabriela shook her head slightly. "No. He just... seems quiet."
Gabriela shook her head slowly. "No. He just... seems quiet."
However, Gabriela couldn't shake off the strange feeling that was starting to creep into her mind.
Recess
During recess, the school atmosphere remained filled with whispers. The news of Arina's death spread like wildfire, with various rumors emerging. Some say Arina was stressed due to academic pressure, while others whispered about her family problems.
Gabriela sat on a bench in the schoolyard, trying to ignore all of it. But her mind couldn't let go of this incident. There was something that felt wrong.
At that moment, the wind blew softly, carrying a faint sound that sent shivers down his spine. As if someone was calling her name. Gabriela turned towards the silent music building at the end of the field, her heart pounding.
Lisa, who was sitting next to her, turned as well. "What's wrong, Gabi?"
"No... it's nothing," Gabriela replied quickly, though her eyes were still fixed on the building.
There was an urge she couldn't explain. Gabriela felt like she had to go there, even though she knew it might not be a good idea.
Gabriela stood in front of the silent music building. The police tape stretched across the door, giving a stern warning not to enter. However, there was something pulling him there, a compulsion he couldn't ignore.
His steps felt heavy as he entered the corridor of the music building. The dim light from the small window above cast strange shadows on the floor. The atmosphere was so quiet that the sound of his own footsteps echoed.
Suddenly, the air around her felt cold. Gabriela stopped in front of the music room, the place where Arina was found. The police tape stretched across the door, but no one else was there.
However, when Gabriela approached, she saw something. From the corner of her eye, a figure was hanging in the middle of the room. He blinked, trying to make sure of what he was seeing. That was Arina. Her hair was loose, her body hanging weakly from the rope.
Gabriela stepped back in shock, but when she looked back into the room, the figure was gone.
However, just a few seconds later, the scene repeated itself. This time it was clearer. Gabriela saw Arina hanging, her body swaying slowly as if blown by the wind. Gabriela tried to speak, her voice trembling.
"Arina... what happened to you?""Arina... what happened to you?" Arina did not answer.
Arina did not answer. Her face was pale, her eyes were closed, and her body kept swaying gently. The scene felt so real that Gabriela felt a bone-chilling cold.
"Why are you doing this?" Gabriela tried again, hoping for a response.
However, instead of answering, the scene repeated itself. Gabriela saw Arina climb the chair, wrap a rope around her neck, and jump. The sound of the chair falling to the floor echoed in the empty room.
Gabriela covered her mouth, feeling nauseous. This is not just a vision. This is a message. But what message does Arina want to convey?
The incident keeps repeating, like a tape being rewound. Gabriela finally stepped back, but her eyes remained fixed on the room. A feeling of despair mixed with fear filled her.
"What do you want me to see, Arina?" he whispered.
Suddenly, Gabriela felt something moving behind her. She turned quickly, but the corridor was empty. However, the terrible cold still enveloped her, as if warning her that she had not yet understood everything.
Gabriela was still frozen, her eyes gazing towards the music room. Arina's figure kept appearing and disappearing like a faint shadow being replayed. The incident was like holding her in place, locking her mind in unanswered questions.
However, a sudden shout broke the silence.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" Get out quickly!
Gabriela jolted, as if just waking up from a nightmare. She turned and saw a security officer standing at the end of the hallway, his face looking angry and slightly anxious.
"I... I'm sorry, I just..." Gabriela stammered, trying to find an excuse.
"This is a restricted area." There is already a police line! "You can't be here," the officer cut in while walking closer. His gaze was sharp, making it clear that he would not accept any excuses.
Gabriela hurriedly stepped back, holding her breath for a moment to calm herself. "Yes, I... I don't know. Sorry, Sir."
"Get out quickly before I report you to the teacher or the principal," the officer said again, his voice sounding more authoritative.
Gabriela had no choice but to comply. She quickly stepped out of the music building, but her mind was still grappling with what she had just experienced.
Outside the building, the air felt a bit lighter, although the shadows from within still lingered in her mind. Gabriela wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and looked around, making sure no one else was watching.
However, she knew one thing...there was something wrong. And whatever it is, Arina wants him to know.
Gabriela sat on her bed, looking at the half-open window of her room. The cool night air should have been calming, but her mind was still filled with the image from the music building that morning.
He clearly remembered Arina's figure hanging, her body swaying gently like a lifeless doll. Not only that, the incident that kept repeating like an endless recording sent shivers down his spine every time he imagined it.
"Why did he show that?" she murmured softly. Gabriela clutched the pillow, as if trying to find a sense of security that was hard to come by.
The warm room light seemed insufficient to chase away the cold that had been following her since she left the music building. Gabriela glanced at her study desk, where several textbooks lay untouched. Even school assignments couldn't distract her tonight.
He closed his eyes, trying to think of an answer. Is it true that Arina committed suicide? Or is there something more to it? Gabriela didn't know for sure, but one thing she was certain of was that this was not a coincidence. Arina, or perhaps something that remains of her, is trying to say something.
Suddenly, a gentle breeze entered through the window, making the white curtains sway slowly. Gabriela opened her eyes and turned her head. There was nothing strange, but there was a feeling as if she was not alone in the room.
She grabbed her phone, hoping to escape her thoughts through the small screen. But when she opened the gallery unconsciously, she saw a photo she didn't remember ever taking of the music room.
The picture was blurry, but Gabriela could easily recognize the room. In the middle of the photo, a rope hanging above the stage is faintly visible. Gabriela dropped her phone, fear quickly spreading throughout her body.
"How could this happen..." her voice was barely audible, drowned out by the ticking of the wall clock in her room.
His mind went back to when he was in the music building. Could something have followed her out?
Gabriela shivered, trying to fight the growing fear. She didn't want to believe that what she was experiencing was real, but all signs pointed to one thing... Arina's spirit wanted something from Gabriela... what did she want??