That morning felt like a normal day for Gabriela. With relaxing steps, she entered the schoolyard, enjoying the fresh morning air accompanied by the sound of the low chatter of the students. The incident that happened to Arina seemed to be a fading memory. However, the tranquillity was soon disturbed.
As Gabriela passed through the school gate, her gaze was unintentionally drawn to the large tree that stood majestically in the corner of the courtyard. Underneath the tree, stood a figure that immediately caught her attention. It didn't take Gabriela long to realise that the figure was not human.
The figure looked like a young woman with a face full of wounds and blood flowing down her school uniform. Gabriela's eyes only had time to look at him for a moment before she quickly looked away, pretending not to see anything. She quickened her pace, trying to act like everything was fine.
However, Gabriela felt something different. The figure seemed to realise that it could see her. Gabriela tried to ignore the feeling and continued walking up the stairs to her classroom.
Just as she was about to reach the top floor, the figure suddenly appeared right in front of her. The bloodied face was so close, and the figure's eyes stared at Gabriela intensely. A heavy, hoarse voice came from its mouth.
'You can see me...'
Gabriela gasped. Her heart was beating fast, and her body almost lost its balance. However, she quickly pretended to slip, holding tight to the banister while muttering a simple excuse.
'Ah, the floor is slippery,' she said in a flat tone, trying to ignore the fear running through her body.
The figure paused, seeming to hesitate for a moment, before slowly disappearing from Gabriela's sight. She didn't know if the spirit believed her pretence or just chose not to insist.
Gabriela continued her walk, entering the classroom with a calm face. However, in her heart, she knew something was wrong. The spirit's presence felt different from before. It was not the usual spirit of a tragic death, but carried a strong aura of vengeance.
All morning, Gabriela tried to focus on her lessons, but her mind kept drifting. The spirit must have had a reason for appearing before her. She wondered what it really wanted from her.
When break came, Gabriela decided to go back to the big tree in the courtyard. She thought, if the spirit was still there, maybe she could get some answers. However, as she approached the tree, the atmosphere around her was strange. The wind blew softly, and the air felt colder than usual.
When she stood under the tree, the same heavy voice sounded again, this time right behind her.
'You have to help me...'
Gabriela turned around, and the figure appeared again, now with a more defined body. The blood flowing from the wound looked fresh, and the angry eyes stared at Gabriela unblinkingly.
'What happened to you?' Gabriela finally got the courage to ask.
The figure looked at Gabriela with eyes full of anger and deep hurt, then in a stifled voice she said, 'I was probably killed...'
Gabriela felt her hair stand on end at this confession. She knew this was the beginning of a new mystery for her to solve. The figure before her clearly needed her help, but was she ready to face a truth that might be darker than ever?.. she didn't know...
Gabriela sighed, trying to put aside the fear that still surrounded her. She looked at the figure more calmly. 'How can I help you?' she asked slowly, her voice filled with sincerity.
The figure remained silent for a moment, as if considering something. 'I... don't know,' he replied finally, his voice sounding tired.
Gabriela nodded slowly, then asked again, 'What's your name?'
The figure seemed to be thinking, her eyes looking off into the distance as if searching for a lost memory. Finally she answered hesitantly, 'I'm... Catherine. Yes, that's the name I remember. Catherine.'
Gabriela noted the name in her mind, then asked again, 'Can you remember what happened to you?'
Catherine shook her head slowly, her face filled with confusion. 'I don't know... I'm just... suddenly here.'
Gabriela let out a long breath. 'If you don't know what's going on, I can't help you much either,' she said, her voice as calm as possible. She glanced around, making sure no one was watching. If anyone else was watching, they would just assume Gabriela was talking to herself about something she didn't want to explain to anyone.
'I'll try to help,' Gabriela continued quietly, 'but you should also try to remember anything that might help us understand this.'
Gabriela gave Catherine a serious look. 'In the meantime, try to remember. If you can remember anything, I might be able to help you figure out what really happened.'
Catherine looked doubtful for a moment, then nodded slowly. 'Alright... I'll try.'
Gabriela thought for a moment, then asked, 'By the way, did you go to school here? If so, what grade?'
The figure looked at Gabriela blankly for a moment before answering. 'Grade 11.'
Gabriela was stunned at the answer. 'Grade 11... but there are so many eleventh graders,,' she said as she glanced around once more to make sure no one was paying attention. 'We'll talk later, if you remember anything.'
Gabriela gave Catherine a stern look as she spoke in a low voice, 'Meet me later, but not in this place. People will think I'm crazy for talking to myself.'
Catherine nodded slowly. 'Okay. Where should I meet you?'
Gabriela thought for a moment. 'Behind the music building, after the last lesson is over. Not many people go that way.'
'Okay, I'll wait for you there,' Catherine replied before her figure simply disappeared, leaving Gabriela to take a deep breath to calm herself. 'What else is going to happen after this?' Gabriela muttered as she stepped towards her class.
After the last lesson bell rang, Gabriela hurried to the back of the music building. The place was quiet, with only the wind making the leaves on the trees sway gently.
Catherine's figure was nowhere to be seen. Gabriela waited for a while, her eyes occasionally scanning the surroundings, making sure no one else had noticed her.
However, after several minutes passed, Catherine still did not appear. Gabriela sighed softly, feeling both relieved and confused. 'Maybe she forgot, or... maybe she's not ready,' Gabriela thought as she left.
On the way home, her mind was filled with questions. Was this the way she should go? Are her abilities really meant to help the trapped spirits? Or would this only bring her into greater danger?
Gabriela took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She knew that choosing to help a spirit like Catherine would not be easy, especially if she had to dig further into their mysterious past. 'Do I have what it takes?' she murmured softly.
With slow steps, Gabriela left the school, carrying a myriad of unanswered questions.