The Haunted’s Kiss of Regret and Repentance

I suddenly woke up screaming. It was all just a nightmare within another nightmare. Rian was nowhere near me, and I wasn’t in my room or the flat. However, I was at the library this time, and my classmates looked at me with weird expressions while the others shushed me. I shakingly took all of my things and walked out of the library with hurried footsteps while avoiding everyone in the hallways.

“You should really consider getting slimmer before you accidentally injure someone when you bump into them.” A voice said as big hands held both my arms to stop me from mindlessly running away from the library. I looked up and saw dark eyes staring at me, filled with worry.

“What happened? Why are you running away? Did something happen? Was it a bad dream again?” Randy asked as he led me to the nearest bench near the field. “You should really stop thinking about that guy. He’s gone now, and he won’t find you. You’ve been having nightmares more often these days, and it really shows.” Randy said as he rubbed my back while I tried to calm down my racing heart.

“How did you know I had a bad dream about Rian again? Are you a mind reader or something?” I asked while trying to drink from the water bottle I took out of my bag. Randy has always been that annoying yet good friend to me for three years. It’s great to have someone in your twisted life who actually knows what’s happening to you despite your silence.

“You’re not someone who easily gets shaken up, and lately, you’ve been on edge. The only thing that could cause you to get really shaken up is when you get random texts or calls from that stupid ex you have back in your hometown.” He started taking something small out of his bag and handed me a tissue. “You should really learn how to cry like a normal girl and not look like a mother who just got divorced. Wipe your face, and let’s go to the publication office. Your EIC is waiting for you.”

I wiped my tears, and we both walked for three minutes to get to the publication office. However, as if hallucinating, I saw a man near the school gate from the corner of my eye. When I looked at him, he was gone.

Was that Rian? I asked myself as I did a low sweep of the area and the possible routes he could have taken to hide. Am I losing my mind? Or was this because of that dream I had? I kept repeating the unclear image of the man outside the gate as I entered the office. I felt all the hair in the back of my head was standing as I tried to ignore my racing heartbeat.

“Shyne. Are you listening? What’s going on with you?” My Editor-in-Chief spoke louder than she usually did. I snapped out of my train of thoughts as I looked at her straight in the eyes. “I need you to focus on this one, Shyne. You know we can’t get this magazine done without you.” she sighed. “Are you alright? Is this because of too much stress and studies? Do you need to go to the clinic or something?”

“No. Don’t worry, I’m fine. It’s just that I’ve had bad dreams these past few days, so I couldn’t get any sleep.” I tried to ignore the twelve sets of eyes staring worriedly at me and began typing on my laptop. “You guys can stop staring, and let’s proceed with the meeting.”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I tried my best throughout the entire day to ignore the man I saw earlier staring at me outside the school gate. It was impossible for Rian to suddenly know where I was currently studying. I left everything behind when I went to college. I left my past and started a new life here as a better person.

Three weeks later…

“Mom, I’m leaving!” I yelled as I left the house to go to the bus station. As I was closing the gate, I suddenly saw a figure standing near me. It was the exact figure I saw outside the entrance of our school three weeks earlier.

A chill went up to my spine as I turned around and saw nothing but a white cloth hanging near me. The uneasiness still remained as I looked at my mom, who was now looking at me questioningly.

“What’s wrong? I thought you said you were in a hurry?” She asked as she slowly approached me. “You look like you just saw a death eater .” My heartbeat increased its speed, and I thought I saw the exact figure on the reflection of the car’s window near the gate.

“Mom, you ever get that feeling like you’re being watched?” I asked as the figure again disappeared from the window of the car when I looked at it. “I just couldn’t shake the feeling of uneasiness. It’s like something is not right,” I said honestly while trying to stop my voice from shaking.

“Are you sure you’re alright? Do you want to skip school and just stay here in the city for now? You can just be absent for a day.” She began to open the gate again so that I could come in.

“No. I really need to get to the office. The school publication needs me to function properly.” I said my goodbyes once again and went straight to the bus station. I couldn’t shake the terrible feeling of being watched. I decided to take a quick nap to get rid of the odd feeling.

“Long time no see, honey.” My eyes snapped open, and I turned pale as I was now looking at a familiar face. “You look like you just saw doomsday. Don’t tell me you don’t remember me.” He laughed awkwardly as he tried to sit beside the empty seat by my side.

“By the look on your face, it seems like you’re not that thrilled to see me. I guess seeing an ex who still calls you honey would really make anyone pale.” He continued talking, but the awkwardness was still there. “You really don’t feel like talking to me, huh? Sorry if I called you honey, I thought it would be fun, but I guess I was wrong.”

“I’m sorry. I was just overthinking about something, and I’m a bit shaken.” I said finally after I composed myself. “It’s nice to see you again, Rex. I thought you were still out of the country. It’s nice to see you’re back.”

“Thanks. It’s nice to see you again too. What did you think that made you look that pale? I’m sorry if I’m nosy. I guess even if we’re separated, I couldn’t help but be worried when you looked terrified for a second.” He stared straight into my eyes, and I suddenly remembered why we only dated for a year. These eyes held so much love for me back then that I chickened out. I couldn’t give him the love he deserved, and now I’m suffering the consequences after leaving him.

“It’s nothing, don’t mind me. So what’s up with you? I haven’t heard from you for years. Did you get the dream course you wanted?” Rex and I talked usually. The bus stopped, and as I was about to forget about the figure I kept seeing, I saw it again in the corner of my eye.

When I looked at it where it was standing outside the bus, it disappeared again. “Are you alright, Shyne? Is something wrong?” I looked up at Rex, and Rian’s pale face was staring back at me. His eyes were black, his neck was bloody, and his face held a smirk.

“I finally found you, my love.” I felt my body losing its strength, and I saw Rian’s face change back into Rex’s face. People from the bus were now crowding me. “You’re mine.” A man’s voice whispered as I completely blacked out.