Kring! Kring! The school bell rang as the hands of the clock struck 12 pm. The sun's heat was scorching. It can almost burn you alive or put you through hell. The throng of students at Sequijor National High School has begun to show up inside the campus. One of them is our protagonist, Ezekiel DaFullest, 6 feet tall, with short blonde hair and rare blue eyes. A kind of crazy boy who had a hundred percent chance to influence your way of thinking. Now, it's your turn to accompany him on his insane adventure.
Ezekiel
I've been pretending to be an exorcist, and it's never been simple or easy, especially when someone who needs my help is not serious at all and just wants to have fun just because they are rich and can buy anything they want. I can't stop them from laughing at me, even if I, myself, am not serious as well.
"I think I should take a break." I sighed while rubbing the dandruff from my head that fell like snow.
Scratching my head has become one of my mannerisms, especially when I'm uncomfortable. From covering my face with my palms, even though I'm aware of it, to putting my hands inside my empty pocket. I'm not maintaining a low-key profile; I just don't really have money.
I always feel like I'm being too observant with myself. Every time I walk in the crowd, I can't stop myself from being too aware at the moment, as if I am counting every step I make. I hope I can find someone with whom I can freely be myself, someone to whom I can show my quirks and flaws without worrying that they might judge me because they are perfect and I'm not.
It feels like someone's watching over me. Or maybe it is just a spotlight effect, like I'm drawing everyone's attention towards me even though I don't really want it. It's awkward, especially when I'm having a speech in front of my classmates or when I have a presentation—my heart would beat so fast, like a machine, as if I had run a marathon. I've never been so comfortable in my life, and it feels like I'm going to burst into pieces every time I think about it.
"I think you've lost your mind, dude. Why won’t you just stop doing that delirious thing? Our classmates are always making fun of you every time you talk about those ghosts," said Kiko, my friend, a neighbor, and a classmate. He believes that he has six-pack abs; that's what he always brags about to everyone, although the truth is, it's just a big stomach because of eating too much food.
"I hope gluttony is not a sin," I mumbled.
"What did you say?" Sternly, he asked.
"Nothing," I replied and remained silent for a while. Then I added, "You already know why I have to do these, right? How can I stop if on both left and right there are many clients waiting for me?" I asked, as if I'm not doing it all just to earn money for school.
"You have a point, dude. There are many people needing your help, but all of them are delirious like you." Kiko shrugged, showing his indifference.
"Can you just stop spitting that damn word in my face? Don't forget that you're also delirious when it comes to Kate," said I.
"Huh? Of course not, but how did you know?" he asked.
"How did I know?" I insinuated. "It came out of your own lips last time, when you got drunk and mistook my house for yours. You even vomited on me, remember? I feel so bad just thinking about it."
"Oh, man. I forgot that you don't want to turn off the lights because you're not afraid of ghosts," replied Kiko ironically.
"But isn't it worse when you get drunk?" I tried to change the topic. "I'm an exorcist, so why would I be afraid of ghosts? By the way, see who's coming, dude. It's Kate!"
"Where?" Kiko was stupefied. His face grew pale. He looked back and forth as if he was looking for something he couldn't find.
"Hahaha, you're not funny, but delirious." I grinned.
"I was asking you if there is a part of you that is an exorcist. You're funny," he interrupted. "You can't use that trick on me."
"You're full of jokes. I could never match you."
Did he really think I would believe him? It was shown on his face how he reacted to what I said. Kate is not a ghost, but she's his greatest fear aside from getting swallowed by an anaconda or being scolded by his mother.
"How could you match me if you're so serious and your brain is loaded with telltales, myths, and illusions like ghosts, angels, monsters, and demons?" he asked.
"Is there anything else? Now I know the reason why you got an F on our test about myths and stories according to our ancestors," I bantered.
Kiko laughed out loud at his own stupidity. The throng of students slowly disappeared, so Kiko and I also went out of campus. The campus that was said to be where the ugliest ghost stayed—perhaps it really existed.
The tavern by the street is always open, especially in the middle of the day. I'm lucky that my house is not too far from school. I don't have to waste money on fares for those strict jeepney drivers. I can also spend time doing the other thing, especially ghost hunting. It gives me chills.
"Dude, you have been silent there since we went outside the school. Is there something wrong?" Kiko asked when he noticed my silence.
"Nothing," I replied. "I'm just wondering why there's a crowd in front of our houses. Are you expecting a visitor from Luxembourg?"
"Huh?" Kiko asked as his sight traveled across the street in front of our houses. "I don't know. I'm not having a party though, and we're just three in the house. They might be your visitors, because you have a big family."
"Are you sure? We're just the two there, me and Mom. You know, Dad is not with us anymore. How could you say that they are my visitors if they are a police officer, an ambulance, and neighbors?" I'm really curious.
"For goodness' sake, let's just go there to find out," Kiko suggested in his annoyed manner.
That day, I was hoping that my mother was fine, or else my world would experience an avalanche, a complete destruction. She was the only family I had, and I didn't know what to do if something bad happened to her.
We immediately went towards our houses. While getting closer, my heart was throbbing so fast and loudly, like a machine at full speed. My curiosity grew stronger as many things began messing with my head. What were these people doing there? How about the ambulance and cops?
I was shocked to see that they were carrying someone out of my house. At first, I didn't realize who it was. Then, seeing her long, blonde hair sticking out from the covering, there was no one else I could think of. It was my mother.
I didn't really have any idea what happened. But I couldn't stop my tears from streaming down my face as I saw my mom being carried away by the ambulance.
"Mom!" was the only word I could scream.
I tried to chase after them to get her out of that stupid vehicle, but someone was heartless enough to lock up the door, and the throttle was applied to its full potential. The engine ran quickly, and I lost my beloved mom.