1. A Marra's Tale

It was a stormy evening, and the house was loud. Mam was crying as she was giving birth while Dad was doing everything he could to deliver a child safely. As Mam tries to push, she loses her strength to do so. Every push is making her weaker and weaker. However, Mam didn't give up just yet. She still pushed and forced herself to push a child out so that child could live—and she did. I was born.

"It's a girl! Everett my love, it's a girl!" Dad said proudly and happily to Mam while he holds me with tender loving care. "Look at her, Everett. Isn't she a beauty?" Dad added.

"She is, Elis. Quite beautiful she is." Mam replied in a frail and tired manner, she's beginning to lose her breath. As if like Mam was dying.

Dad finally realized what was about to happen, and he was not prepared for it. Dad saw Mam dying while holding me. "Oh, Everett. Please don't give up just yet!"

"I'm sorry, love. I'm so tired." Mam said while breathing heavily. "But I'm happy to see our girl. Raise her well, alright?"

Dad began dropping tears from his eyes. He put me safely and gently in a basket, he then put me beside Mam and held her hand with his. "Please Everett, what can I do? I can't lose you, especially right now that our child is born!"

"Elis, I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough for her." Mam replied, now breathing heavier than before and her eyes began to close. But before the time, Mam has one more request for Dad.

"Name her Enide. She has a pure soul, I can tell." Mam utters to Dad.

"Enide, such a lovely name." Dad replied while holding Mam's hands to his cheeks filled with trails of tears. At the final moment, Mam smiles at Dad and thanked him for their memories together. Afterwards, Mam departed her life. That stormy night, life and death were at the same house. My Mam died. And I, Enide Ellis, was born.

I grew up in a small village in Wales with my Dad. He was a hardworking father. Dad works almost every day in the farm, planting and harvesting wheat, rapeseed and barley. And I also help by herding sheep. Dad was also an aspiring writer, he wrote short poems and stories whenever he has free time. He tried to publish his works in hopes for success, yet to no avail.

Every birthday of mine, me and Dad celebrate on the cemetery alongside with my Mam's grave—it was also her death-anniversary. Every time we're there, Dad always told me their love story. Dad said that my Mam was loving, strong and brave. Unfortunately, I don't have the opportunity to see her, but judging by the photos and her story, I'm certain that Mam was a great person.

Moreover, Dad was also unequivocally loving and caring towards me. I was her priceless jewel, he said. Dad said that I have a loving and pure soul and he can see it in my eyes. When Dad was not working in the farm nor writing, he took me to road trips, sightseeing, visiting cities, or we just stay at home and watch our favorite show on the telly with crempogs and juice on the table. To put in on short, Dad was simply just the best father in the world.

However, happy moments with my father were cut short. One day, Dad went to Cardiff to buy some products. He said that he'll be back and we'll be having fast-food for dinner. I never tried fast-food before, hence I was excited. I waited for him for hours, imagining the taste of a fast-food chicken and that popular soda-pop everyone's drinking in the cities. I was simply excited, I am a villager after all.

I waited patiently for him. Cardiff is a long drive after all, and I understand that going back and forth will be a long trip. So, I sat in the sofa, eating bread while watching the clock's second hand moving. It has been seven hours and Dad is still not home, I have become bored and decided to turn on the telly. The first thing that popped in was the news broadcast, a breaking news to be more particular. There it reported that there was a road accident in Cardiff and three people were killed. I took a careful look at the screen and I saw a decimated car that looks similar to ours. At first, I was skeptical about it, yet then realization comes in. As soon as I realized who was one of the victims, my Grandmother rushes in to our house, dropping tears in her eyes. As soon as I saw Grandma, I began to cry as well. At age seven, my father departed me.

My Dad… died.

After the funeral, my Grandma told me that she will take care of me from now onward. I don't have problems living with Grandma, she is as caring and loving as my father. She is a bit conservative, however. She decided not to use modern technology such as phones, but she doesn't berate people who use it either. And I think that's alright.

We moved to another town, leaving my old home for rent. I was sad to leave the village, of course. I had a lot of memories in that village. Our new home was a more than an hour drive from our previous one, it is far more distant to bigger cities. Nevertheless, I was still excited.

We finally arrived at Grandma's house, it was certainly a lovely home and the town looked nice. A lot of greenery surrounding the place, and the ambience was just simply serene. I immediately went to my new bedroom, but then Grandma stopped me. She told me that she never saw me with friends back at the old village. And that's true, perhaps I never made a single friend back at the old home. Grandma told me to interact with the kids outside first before going to my new bedroom. And I guess having friends is a wonderful thing, so I went outside with having hopes of making my first friend.

I took a stroll on the town's main street, and on the other side there were kids who were at my age. They looked like they're wealthy. Nonetheless, I still approached them. By the time I arrived at them, I took the liberty and greeted first. I smiled at them wholeheartedly, hoping that I could make friends with these kids. However, things didn't go so well.

I could see that the kids don't like me, and they actually don't. One girl said to me that she doesn't make friends with filth and some of the boys laughed on my outfit that I'm wearing. And there, my smile turned upside down—they don't like me. Just because I'm not rich doesn't mean I'm a filth, and just because I prefer to wear traditional clothes doesn't mean I look funny. These kids have no good manners and right conduct, they're toxic. And as they laugh at me, I slowly back off and ran back to the house.

As I went inside, I cried. Grandma saw me crying. She asked me what's the matter. I told her everything that happened outside. Grandma was mad, she even wanted to confront those kids. But I told her not to and it's not necessary. I said to Grandma to just bless their hearts and hopefully their temperaments will change, and that I forgive them, even after what they've done to me. After I said that, Grandma hugged me with a smile on her face, and told me that forgiveness is always a key to love, and what I did was right. And then, took me to my bedroom.

Years have passed, and I learned how to live without having a single friend besides my Grandmother. Even at school, I never made a friend for the reason that literally all of the students there never interacted to me. But that's alright, I still treated them with love even though they purposely ignored me.

One day, I found an app on my phone. It was an app that could let you interact with people from around the world. And out of curiosity, I installed the app and created an account. I scrolled around and found these people from different countries with different friends. And as I was about to close my phone, one message popped out from that app—a boy messaged me… and wanted me to be his friend.

A boy? From that app? From another country, wanted to be my friend? At that point, I was filled with hope. Hope that I could make my first friend, online. I was anxious. "Should I reply to his message? What if he's going to ignore me like the others?" I thought. But I sucked up my anxiety and messaged him.

"Do you really want to be my friend?" I messaged.

"Actually, yes. Umm, hello!" He replied.

I was filled with joy when he said that. Finally, someone wanted to be my friend. We introduced ourselves. He said that his name is Zhark Dave Espartero, and he lives in the Philippines. And of course, I returned the favor and introduced myself, too.

"Enide, that's a beautiful name." Zhark said. And I was flattered when he said that. We chatted for a while, he shared his life in the Philippines, and I also shared my life here in Wales. We had a blast chatting with each other.

I told Zhark that he was my first friend ever, literally. And Zhark was flattered as well. For the first time, I finally have one. I only dreamt of having one. Yet now, I finally made a friend overseas.

It has been two years since me and Zhark first chatted, and our online friendship has become stronger over the course of those two years. Things between us had been promising lately. During my eighteenth birthday, Zhark said that he will save money so that he could go to Wales and meet me in person. And I was surprised. He's willing to go here just to meet me. But I said to him that I will go there instead.

Zhark was as surprised as I am. "Are you really sure?" He chatted. And I replied with a yes, for I could actually afford a travel to the Philippines because of my savings. And if I work more time in the farm, I could add that to my savings and use it to buy myself a ticket. Zhark was happy about it. I have to tell my Grandmother, of course. I told her my plan to go to the Philippines, and surprisingly she approved. She told me that I'm old enough to make my own decisions and travel the world as I wish. And I was happy, yet in angst. I'm worried about leaving my Grandma behind, she's frail and needed care. Yet, Grandma told me that my uncle will take care of her, and that I don't need to worry. She then gave me a smile, that was reassuring. I thanked Grandma for allowing me to go somewhere at my own will.

For months, I worked double the time and hard. I spent more time working in the farm, I became a part-time cook in the school, serving crempogs and juice just like my Dad used to make. I also made errands around the town, I mowed other people's yards, became a milkmaid and sell dairy, and also became a part-time caregiver towards the elders in our town. And after that hard work, I finally managed to get enough money to travel to the Philippines. I also studied the country beforehand. I discovered that the country is culturally diverse, and the festivals are colorful. And I liked it. I particularly searched up Zhark's city, which is called "St. Francis". He said that it's a rapid growing city, and they recently have an international airport. And the city seems huge considering its rapid growth. I was excited to go and meet Zhark and at the same time explore the country. And without hesitation, I booked a flight to the Philippines.

The day finally came. We're at the airport, my bag is packed, the flight's leaving in minutes, and I'm prepared to go. But before that, I of course said farewell to my loving Grandma. She said that I could stay there I find love and happiness in that country. She smiled again and hugged me. My Uncle told me not to worry, for he will take good care of Grandma. And I trust my Uncle, he's a professional caretaker and also a genuinely nice person. I'm happy that I have such a loving and caring family. I kissed my Grandma farewell. And off I went to the plane, departing from Wales to the Philippines. I just did this so that I could meet my online friend.

The flight was approximately fourteen hours long from London to St. Francis. While flying, I gazed upon the window and took a sight in the clouds beside the plane and the lands and seas beneath us. Nothing special happened during the flight, and eventually I decided to take a rest.

After the fourteen hour-long flight, we finally arrived at the Philippines. I could see the city lights illuminating in the evening from the window, and the seemingly busy streets filled with cars and people. We landed safely. And as they opened the doors, I stepped out first and finally stepped foot on a foreign country; the Philippines, particularly St. Francis city. The night breeze was warm, even warmer than home's afternoon. I was feeling the breeze at first, and then I realized something—I forgot to tell Zhark that I was coming here. So, he has no idea that I finally arrived. And I can't chat him now for the reason that I don't have the right SIM card for the phone signals here. Therefore, there is no other choice but to explore the city, find a store and buy a SIM card.

I went out from the airport to find a taxi. Yet I only saw these tricycles. This must be their own version of a taxi, so I called one. I told the driver to take me to the city center. It was a loud, bumpy, yet a fun ride. Eventually, I finally saw the downtown and it was huge, crowded, and filled with light. Traffic from the roads, plenty of people walking in the pavements, and street foods and restaurants at buildings. I was dumbfounded, this city is bigger than any city that I've been on except London. The driver told me that the traffic is too bad that we can't go any further, he then gave me a half-refund and advised me to just read the street signs so that I won't get lost. I did follow the driver's advice, however I'm still in surprise on how big and crowded this place is. There's still traffic at night and the streets are so lively, Zhark said it's a rapid growing city after all.

I walked at the pavement alongside with plenty of people, finding a store that sells SIM cards. After minutes of walk I finally found one. I was relieved considering I was starting to get nauseous with these crowded pavements. I went inside, and the first thing I saw was a lady in a ladder that was about to tumble. It did, the lady began to fell, however I immediately rushed to her to help and catch her. And fortunately, I did. I saved that dear lady from falling.

She thanked me, and I smiled to her in response. She then realized that I am a foreigner, and she can tell that I'm lost.

"You're a foreigner, aren't you?" She said. "And are you lost?"

I responded with yesses. I told her that I was lost and that I need to contact someone, yet I don't have the local SIM to communicate. And there I told her that I would like to buy one. But before I even finished my sentence, the lady offered me a free SIM card. She said that it was her payback for saving her. I was surprised that she offered me a free SIM, but I refused and wanted to pay. However, the lady kept telling me that it's alright and it's purely free. And she doesn't stop offering it, so I accepted it and thanked her hugely. I inserted the SIM and immediately contacted Zhark that I'm finally here. He was utterly surprised, and immediately told me his address.

"My address is 1644, P-4, Brgy. Juimne." He chatted. "Sorry, phone lowbatt. Gotta charge." That was his last message before he went offline. I guessed that his phone really was dying at that time. But I was left with a question: where is Brgy. 'Juimne?' Is that even a name or a word? I was baffled, so I asked the lady if where was Brgy. Juimne located.

"Brgy. Juimne? I think you meant Brgy. Jaime, ma'am." She said. And maybe perhaps what Zhark was trying to type was 'Jaime', yet due to his dying phone battery he rushed to type, resulting a typo. That's what I thought. And as I was about to head out, a little tween girl comes in. She was running towards the lady with a big weird-looking board.

"Ma, I just found out that marras and other spirits had their own color auras depicting their personality!" She uttered to the lady. But perhaps that lady was her mam. And what was she talking about? Marras? Spirits?

"Yvonne, what are you saying?" The lady said. "I'm sorry ma'am about my daughter. You must be weirded out."

"Oh no, it's perfectly alright." I responded. "As a matter of fact, I am quite curious on what marras are actually." I told the girl named "Yvonne". She told me that marras are types of spirits that roam at night. And to be frank, I was fascinated by her explanation. I don't know if what she said was true or not, yet one thing's for sure was what she said was nice. I thanked both Yvonne and her mam for giving me a free SIM card and a nice little story, and off I went back to the busy streets.

It was nine in the evening, and the busy streets began to ease. The moon shone bright in San Juan street, And I couldn't take a ride because there are no more tricycles driving on the road. I told the driver that I need to go to Brgy. Jaime. And the driver drove me there, however I can see it on his face that the driver seems at angst. I don't know why.

We arrived there, in a street with no people in sight and houses were pitch black. And as I disembarked out of the tricycle, the driver asked me something quite peculiar.

"Are you sure that you're going into that street alone, ma'am" He said. I told him that yes, I will walk into that street alone. In response, he said "Ok, good luck." And then he drove away. I was weirded out on what the driver just said. Nevertheless, I still went into that street. I walked for at least a minute. Houses here seemed abandoned, and the street lights were flickering. Is this where Zhark is living? Am I in the right barangay? I'm just a tourist here, and I am not supposed to go to streets that are so unknown to me. Yet, it's too late to back out now. I'm now here, so I must keep on moving forward and find Zhark's place. As the place went dark, someone called me.

"Are you lost, miss?" It's a voice of a male. I turned back to look who called me, but the place was just too dark that I couldn't even see some houses.

"Hey! Over here!" I looked to the side, and there I saw the man. He was taller than me, and skinny. But what worried me was that he looked so… sinister.

"I'm going to ask again, miss. Are you lost?" He asked me again. I replied with a yes. He then slowly walked towards me. He was holding a bottle of beer, and… is that a knife in his pocket? As soon as I saw a knife, I felt worried… and scared,

"What are you doing here all alone, darling?" He asked me as he lends me the bottle. I politely refused, and I told him that I was looking for a person named Zhark.

"Zhark? I don't know any Zhark here." He said. I told him that he lives in Brgy. Jaime as what Zhark told me. And in response, he said "I think he lives in Brgy Juan, not Jaime."

Oh no, that's what Zhark was trying to text. That "Juimne" was not Jaime, it was Juan. I was genuinely afraid after I realized that. I'm in the wrong place and there's a creepy man in front of me. I slowly backed off, until he just suddenly gripped his hand unto mine.

"Wait a minute, darling." He said "We just met and now you're leaving me? Plus, you're hot for a foreigner."

I struggled to get my arm back and I politely asked him to please let me go, but to no avail. I looked at him straight in the eye, and there I can see what he's planning to do—and I began to panic and struggled even harder. Unfortunately, he was stronger. This is bad.

He then forcefully held me, covered my mouth, and carried me. I never bothered to scream considering that it's kind of useless. But internally, I was crying. Why did this man decided to commit something heinous?

He then took me to an abandoned building, which he would like to call "The Spoliarium." He then tied me to a rope and placed me in a 'vulnerable' position. He was excited for it, like a wild animal that is so hungry that it couldn't wait any longer to eat its prey.

"Why are you doing this? Why?" I asked him while I was dropping tears "Please, this is just so immoral!"

"Wanna know why?" The man said "It's because I love it! And you're actually my first victim!" From there I know that this person was psychotic. I could see it in his eyes, and I could definitely see it in his behavior. Moments later, he began to undress. And then… he pounced and began to ravish me.

He was abusing me. He… raped me.

As he was enjoying his heinous pleasure, I just lied there with my eyes closed, in sincere pain, crying, and helpless. Why did this happen to me? What did I do wrong in this world to get this? My entire life, all I ever wanted was a friend. That's why I went here, to find that friend that I met online. But, why am I here with this man, abusing me? Why? Just why? I couldn't get it why. Was this because of my desperate actions to find a friend? And if so, I'm sorry. I really just want to meet what I considered a friend.

All I really need in this world is just a friend to live life with. Is that really too much to ask for?

I was crying as he was touching me, pounding me, and forcefully kissing me with his mouth. "Please, end this!" I said to him. "I beg you, please end my suffering!"

He continued his ravishment for a few more minutes, until he finally came to resolution. I felt extremely violated and dirty. I was hopeless and did nothing but to cry. As he was putting back his clothes, he then grabbed his knife. And there I know what was going to happen.

"What… what are you doing with that?" I asked him.

"You thought that I'm going to let you live after this?" He responded "Heck no! Aside from raping you, I also found out that I love murder!"

After what he had done to me? Ravishing me? He then decides to murder me? I begged him to please consider. I tried to convince him that murdering is wrong, and there are more good things to do in life than doing these heinous and immoral crimes. I begged him, while crying. I begged him.

The man was silent. Perhaps he was processing it, or he has second thoughts whether he would continue or not. However, he just suddenly smiled and directly stabbed me into my abdomen.

It was… excruciating. The pain was severely unbearable. My blood was now dripping from my body to the floor. My tears were now mixed with blood.

Hallucinations now start to appear in me. I saw a yellow flower in front of my sight. It was a one-petalled flower, with other petals missing. That flower was perhaps a distraction against the excruciating pain of the knife. But it didn't stop there.

*STAB!

Another stab has hit me. And I twitched due to the pain. I couldn't think clearly anymore, because the pain was just unbearable. However, everything just suddenly felt painless when that hallucination of a flower reappeared, this time with two petals. The stab was intensely painful, yet it tickles as it subsides. However, why world? Why? Why were you so cruel to me? I never done anything wrong in my life. But why did you hate me so much? Just… why?

*STAB!

A third stab. He's still stabbing me? Was he really enjoying this? My sight was now faint and I couldn't see his face clearly now, but I could tell that he enjoyed it. Yes, he is psychotic. The pain is still there, worse than before. However, the feeling of fatigue was stronger than the feeling of pain. To the point that pain was not a concept anymore. I was starting to feel tired, and just want to rest and close my eyes. That flower reappeared again, now with three petals.

*STAB!

The fourth one. He was still not done. Now, my sight begins to become bright. It's like a distant headlight of a car, slowly coming to me. I could also see my hands… and mainly my entire self, slowly glowing red. I don't know if it was blood or a hallucination. The pain felt painless, but my body was intensely tired. It feels heavy… and light at the same time, it's like I'm being pulled out of my own body. As the knife was withdrawn, I suddenly saw that flower again with 4 petals. I also saw my family and my life alongside with the flower. I saw my memories with my Dad, memories with school and the farm, and the family overall. Yet, those hallucinations of my memories felt real, as if I was actually back there. Perhaps I'm about to die, considering this may be the 'life flashes on your own eyes' juncture. I then remember Grandma. Oh, my beloved Grandma, I am so sorry to be in a situation like this. And I am sincerely sorry that I am about to depart you, and my life. I dropped tears again as I thought of her. I don't want to break her heart; therefore, I don't want her to know what has happened to me. Grandma, I love you. Please, know that I sincerely love you… Farewell.

*STAB!

A fifth stab has hit me once again, with the flower that now has five petals. The light in my sight became brighter, and the feeling was mystical and painless. I also felt so light, like I'm floating. The red light around me was glowing brighter as well. I can't see the man anymore, but I can tell that he's still here stabbing me. This man, which I don't know, just ravished and murdering me. Why are you doing this? I told you that many times already, but you kept telling me that you simply enjoyed it. What is wrong with you? Are you in trauma? Are you secretly in pain, that's why you're putting that pain into me? Just tell me so that I can help you! Even after what you've done to me, I'm still going to help you. If you could just… tell me what's wrong. Because… I wanted to help.

Love… and kindness… that's what my Dad and my Grandma always say. Always spread love and kindness, no matter how harsh the world may be to you. And my entire life, I did that. I did try my best to spread love, and kindness, even if the world is harsh towards me. The world is certainly unfair to me. Back at home, my peers hated me for simply being myself. And here, all I wanted is to meet my online friend, but the world decided to put my fate here. In the hands of this man. And he's ruining and ending my life.

This man… perhaps this man has a problem he's too weak to face. Perhaps this man has a trauma. Every evil motif has its reasons. And I am certain, that this man was just driven by those emotions. Perhaps his heart stopped in joy. I can feel that you're pulling that knife and once again about to stab me. After you pulled that out, there was a brutal bliss beyond this empty defeat in me… and it tickles. It felt like I was about to get pulled out, and my ears began to ring. And you're going to stab me… this time, finishing me once and for all. But I am not angry at you. No matter how sinful… immoral… heinous your actions may be towards me, I never felt anger towards you. Even if your motifs are ravishing and murdering me, I still chose… to be loving, and kind.

Even after this, I… I forgive you.

*STAB!

After the light fully illuminated my sight, everything went black. I can't see, I can't hear, and I can't… breathe. I slowly opened my eyes, I don't know what just happened. I must have passed out. As I opened my eyes, I can see myself lying in the ground in a third person's viewpoint. I was confused why, until it finally came into my mind. I looked at my hands, and it was glowing red. My entire body was glowing red, and it's hollow. I also realized that I was floating. Am I… am I dead? And that person on the floor, is that my lifeless body? I then quickly knew, that I was. I was dead. I… departed my life.

I looked down and took a closer look at my carcass—I looked miserable, broken, and full of blood. I cried. Well… at least my soul did.

I cried and tried to hug my lifeless body. But while I was in motion, I then quickly realized that I'm now dead and I can't physically touch objects anymore. And I could just pass through anything. However, I stand corrected. I did make physical contact with my body, I… can touch it. I can touch my body, the floor, and pretty much everything. I thought ghosts can't physically touch anything in the 'mortal realm'… or was that just a myth? I then slowly hugged my carcass, and cried loudly. Apparently, no one can hear nor see me. After that, I then saw the man on the corner of the building, crouching. I can hear his mumbles and said these words "What is going on? Did I just kill that girl?" I can see that he was in severe trauma, and I knew it. He suffered a mental disorder, and I think that could be associated with dissociative identity. He then mumbled that he has to hide my body and no one must know about this… and he did.

As I looked at him, floating and helpless, he brought a huge clothing and wrapped it into my body. He then carried it to a nearby creek, where he just tossed my body. He thought no one saw him, but my soul saw it all. I was dumbfounded on what he just did and cried again. It was just so painful to see my dead body thrown out just like that. Whoever you are, to the man who killed me, bless your heart.

My body drifted away, and I followed it. There was nothing on the creek but my dead, drifting corpse. I felt sorry for that man… and to myself. It was hurtful to see my own lifeless body just drifting in a creek. Eventually, my body drifted to the bank. There It finally rested, in a small open area, surrounded by what it looks like a forest. It was certainly a serene place, and you could see the night sky from the ground. And that's where I decided to bury myself here. In this small yet peaceful place, surrounded by the woods.

I just discovered that I could physically touch anything in the mortal realm for a short amount of time, and I just also discovered that I could do telekinesis now. Which means I could just dig a hole with my mind, and that I did. I managed to dug a hole with only my mind, and put my body there. I then buried it with the dirt I just dug out, and placed a rock above it. An indication to my final resting place. Literally, no one came to my funeral except me… my soul. And of course, I cried again. I then noticed something on my chest; it was a flower. A six-petalled yellow flower, holding my cloak together. This was the flower that kept showing up at my hallucinations, and now it's in my cloak. Perhaps this flower is a symbol of my death, on how many times I was stabbed.

"You!" someone called me. Did someone saw me? No, I looked behind me and saw another ghost with a green glow. "You are… evil?!" She said.

I was shocked, and told her that I am not. I never did anything immoral. "But evil spirits have red glows in them! So, you must be!" She responded.

I was heartbroken to be accused as evil. I never did anything wrong, and I was accused just because of my red glow. I don't know why I have a red glow in me, but I'm certainly not an evil being. I was about to cry, then the ghost finally had remorse on her face.

"Y… You're not?" She asked, and I just simply shook my head slowly—with tears slowly dropping. "Wait… I'm sorry I called you that. But if you're not evil, then why do you have a red glow?" She added.

I told her that I don't have the slightest comprehension on why I have a red glow. But I kept telling her that I never was an evil person. The ghost then later apologized, and explained to me everything about spirits and the afterlife. She also told me that I am a marra; a type of spirit. I then remember that Yvonne kid back at the store. Apparently, the child's story was correct. Finally, he told me to be careful, as ghosts with red glow are usually attacked by both other ghosts and mortals. And then she left. I am now on my own.

It has been two years since I died. I learned and discovered more about spirits and the afterlife. There were also countless angels who've asked me if I want to go to heaven, they told me that I am fully qualified to go and spend my eternity there. But something tells me to stay, I feel like I have an unfinished business to do. And no, it's not plotting revenge to the man who murdered me. I think it's still about finding a friend, a mortal friend. I couldn't make a friend easily due to the color of my glow. And unfortunately, I never found Zhark. Wherever he is, I hope he's doing alright. He seems like a genuine man, and I'm happy that we get to be friends, even if that was only online.

Tonight, I was gazing upon the stars beside my grave. When suddenly, a man was running towards my place. He was a teenager, around fifteen, wore a school uniform, and it seems he was running away from someone. He didn't spend a lot of time in my place, though. He checked if someone was there, and eventually going out. And I was utterly curious on who that person was. He looked so… genuine. By the time I saw that man, he reminded me of Zhark.

And… I got to take a look who that guy was. I got to follow that person.

END