41

Gibbs entered the auditorium in the evening with a bit of fear. Okay, that was a lie – he was really frightful. Ever since Deepa’s case, as far as Gibbs knew, nobody dared to enter the auditorium. It was temporarily barred from entry and no one could use it. There were rumours saying that the school wanted to demolish it and build a new one on another piece of land. But since there was already a gymnasium being built there, the auditorium would only be renovated.

Since it would only be renovated, it made Gibbs curious about Deepa’s case. It can’t be that the school authority didn’t want to take any drastic measure to demolish the auditorium? Wasn’t CGTSS famous for keeping its reputation ‘clean’?

But when thinking about it again, it’s not like no one ever died here. From what Fara said, there was even someone who died after being raped. It’s not impossible if the school only made renovations on the auditorium. Make the building look new, throw away old memories.

Though Gibbs went during daylight, the auditorium really wasn’t a comfortable place. Gibbs entered from the back door as it’s the only door that could be opened. The back door led straight to the stage. He could go to the stage from there.

The stage where Deepa hung herself.

If not because Gibbs wanted to investigate KJ’s theory, he wouldn’t want to come here. But at noon earlier after lessons, Fara again rejected Gibbs’ invitation to go out together. KJ was right – ever since that day, Fara really did reject every invitation that was physical or that would make them have to go out of CGTSS. Fara only ever went behind the Delta block together with him.

Since his curiosity had peaked, Gibbs decided to visit the place that changed everything. Gibbs wasn’t a professional investigator or anything but if something really was off, even an idiot could tell, let alone Gibbs.

While taking a deep breath, Gibbs headed to the stage. Relax, Gibbs… What are you afraid of? Your girlfriend already gave you a talisman!

Gibbs let out a small laugh. He never thought that he would become someone who believed in talis–

“You look happy.”

Gibbs’ breath stopped. The smile from the laugh earlier changed into a horizontal line… perhaps even a bit curved towards the floor – and maybe even with a slight tremble. Fear.

Gibbs looked around. No one. Shit!

“Happy that you killed someone’s child?”

The voice same again. A female’s voice. A voice that reverberated throughout the auditorium that was now empty and abandoned… to the rough eyes, it was empty and abandoned. In actuality, this place still had its ‘inhabitants’.

“Who is it?” Gibbs mustered his courage to speak. Well, who knows that it might really be a person. He’d be scared for nothing.

Silence. There was no answer.

Without Gibbs realising it, he was standing right in the middle of the stage. Directly where the tragedy happened. And Gibbs didn’t realise… a pair of legs started coming down from above the stage.

And the pair of legs finally landed on Gibbs’ shoulders.

Gibbs didn’t realise… until a drop of viscous red liquid landed on his pointy nose.

The nose that completed his handsome face – the one that became the craze of many girls. Including a girl named Deepa.

The girl that right now was hung directly above Gibbs.

When he realised it, Gibbs wanted to quickly get away from the body – but for some reason, Gibbs felt as if he was nailed there. Gibbs froze. Perhaps because of shock.

Or maybe because a pair of eyeballs belonging to Deepa was looking at him, seemingly still alive.

He didn’t know why but a thought sprouted in his mind: she’s still alive, and she’s supported by your shoulder. You can’t move. If you do, she dies.

Gibbs didn’t know whether that was his own heart speaking or something else from the unseen world. The voice sounded calm – but was filled with threat. Gibbs didn’t dare move. His legs trembled but they didn’t move.

Two seconds later – someone screamed hysterically.

Five seconds later – the sound of three gunshots was heard.

Gibbs himself screamed while running towards the exit. Right then Deepa’s body lost its support and was hanging on the stage. Gibbs saw the body struggling.

And then the body hung limp. For a while, Gibbs’ steps stopped and he turned to look at the body that was facing the other way. He was aghast.

Until the corpse’s head turned and faced him.

“Gibran, calm down…”

“Calm down?! Fara, she’s haunting me! The bitch is following me even in death! How can I calm down?!” yelled Gibbs behind the Delta block that night.

Fara was silent. She didn’t say anything to soothe him. It made Gibbs even angrier.

“And sorry to say but your talisman is bullshit! I wore it but still saw…”

Gibbs’ sentence ended midway. He looked at his left wrist that always had the talisman from Fara. Empty.

Where did it go? I never leave it ever since Deepa’s suicide case…

Gibbs suddenly saw Fara’s left wrist – and the talisman was neatly tied there.

“When did you take the talisman back?” asked Gibbs. He was no longer yelling but Fara knew the low tone he’s using was more dangerous.

“I… hmm… actually…”

“What the hell is going on, Fara?”

“Gibran…”

“Is this some kind of supernatural game that you’re playing?” Gibbs’ voice started rising.

“No! I…”

“Maybe KJ was right. Maybe you’ve planned this! The difference is that Deepa really died and since you can communicate with the dead, you can still plan with her damnable soul to get at me!”

“Gibran, listen to yourself! Do you think I would have the heart to do that?!”

“Then what are you doing with the talisman?!” Gibran yanked Fara’s left hand.

And realised that he couldn’t hold Fara’s hand.

His hand went through Fara’s hand as if…

Fara…

“What… the hell…”

Gibbs looked at Fara. Fara looked at Gibbs with an expression that was hard to decipher – guilt perhaps?

“This means, you… you…”

“Gibran…” Fara acted to hold Gibbs’ hand but Gibbs quickly distance himself from her.

And he immediately ran away from Fara.