GHOST: PART II

… Dang it, why are there so many temples here. How in the world am I going to find which one Fuji lives in? Why didn't they put any signs saying this temple is being taken care of by the Miyazaki family. At this rate, I won't be able to find Fuji at all. It's getting late and I don't even know where I should stay for the night. Do I even sleep?

Ren has still not grasped the idea of how a ghost lives. She has never studied nor heard stories about how a ghost lives its life. So, as of this moment, she is wondering if she can pass through the wall and all yet, it seems she can't. But, she realizes if she controls her unnatural energy which all ghosts have, she can somehow move things.

The girl stood by the edge of a hill where you can clearly see the city. It was beautiful despite there being no more sun. For, she can see all the bright light lit up making the whole city look like the sky. The lights were like the stars in her eyes as tears rolled down her face.

… Why, why did this happen to me? I never once hurt anyone nor have I ever wish to harm anyone. I've always listened to my parents and try to avoid fighting with my brother. I did everything to please everyone, but why, why did they do this to me?

Her tears were cold and not warm since she was no longer a living person. She found it irritating that even her own tears felt so cold. Her body was cold and nothing about her felt warm at all. Even her heart has turned cold and is filled with anger towards everyone.

… By the way, I think I've been standing here for more than an hour now. I guess, once you become a ghost thing seem to be moving quite fast since time is no longer a concern of ours. I mean, my heart is no longer beating every second, so time isn't really an important matter to me now. I guess, if I can't find my brother, I'll be a wandering ghost lost in this world.

"Child are you lost?"

Ren was startled, to think someone had recognized her. But only to realize she was a ghost and can no longer be seen. "Stupid, why did I think she was talking to me."

"Child, is something wrong?"

… Wait, is the elder really talking to me? Could there really be no one around me, or has she lost her mind. When I looked around, there was no one indeed apart from the two of us. The woman looked very old and she was wearing a kimono like my grandparents. Well, my grandparents are very traditional and even demand that we dress in our traditional clothing whenever we visit them.

"Granny, are you talking to me?"

"Who else, then?"

… Wait, something is odd. If she is talking to me, why isn't she looking at me? Could it be, is she partly blind? My word, is it possible she can see me or sense me because she is blind. What's even more amazing, is the fact this elder can see and hear me.

"So, tell me child, what's wrong?"

'How is she able to understand me? Could she have a special ability to see ghosts? If so, could she be able to help me? What should I do?' Ren fathom on what to do, she realizes that this elderly woman can indeed help her solve the mystery of her death. But, she is old already and it seems it would be a change for people to believe her.

"Grandma, where are you?"

All of the sudden, Ren heard another voice. A young girl with pigtail came running as she saw the elderly woman.

"Grandma, what were you doing out here?"

"I heard the child crying so I came to see what's wrong."

The child looked around, but couldn't see anyone at all. She sighs as she realizes it must be her grandmother's crazy imagination again.

"Child, why don't you come with us home." The elderly woman said as she turned slightly to Ren who was dumbfounded by the situation.

"Grandma, who are you talking to. Come on, brother has been searching for you too."

"Come, let's all go home then."

Ren stayed behind for a minute and pondered on her decision. Since the elderly woman looked back at her and continued to call out for her. She decided to follow them eventually, despite not knowing what's to happen.

… This is my first time in this part of the city, I wonder where I will be heading. The path ahead is well made and as you climb up the hilly mountain, you can see an even more beautiful view of the city below. What's even more amazing, the trees were slightly covered in snow. The place felt so magical as if you are walking in a wonderland.

"Child, follow me."

"Grandma, I'll go ahead to inform Grandfather you're back."

Once the child was away, Ren went closer to the elder as she asked. "Grandma, can you really?"

"See you, of course I can. I can hear you crying as well."

'Crying? But I'm not crying at all, what is she talking about?'

"Physically, you're not crying, but deep in your heart you are. Your heart has turned so cold and filled with anger. A heart filled with anger and hatred will only lead you to a path of darkness and pain."

"You mean, hell?"

"Is that what you young people call it now? Well, it's up to you to decide what you call it. But, let me tell you this. The more you continue on this path, the more your soul will end up in the land of darkness. A child like you don't want to be in such a place right."

"Hmm, grandma, is there even such a place for me? It seems even when I was living I didn't have a right place to live. So, now that I'm just a lowly ghost, I still have no right to be…"

… Dear Lord, what happened to this child. Why is her heart filled with so much hatred. If she continued to live her lasting day with such hatred. She will never be able to see the light, she'll be brought to the land of darkness or worst. Poor child, what happened to you that you have so much pain as well. I can see you live a good life.

The atmosphere felt so eerie, the room turned colder, almost like the arctic. All the malicious energy Ren was emitting was turning the place almost into a haunted place. Ren was unable to recognize what she was doing, nor the elderly was telling her.

But, it soon stopped when a knock snapped Ren back to her senses.

"Grandma, I brought you some tea."

"Ah, perfect timing, my guest is cold and some tea would really do her well."

"You have a visitor? Grandma, what are you talking about?"

As the young man slid the door opened, he noticed that there was indeed a person inside. He smiled and acknowledged the person without even looking directly at the person's face.

"You must be grandma's guest. I'm sorry I didn't prepare more."

"It's fine, can you really see me?"

"Of course I can, but, miss, what happened to you? Why are you so soaked?"

"I see, so you both can really see me. It seems you really are her grandchild."

"Child, Fuji is indeed my grandchild who has inherited my ability. Well, not a lot of people believe us anyways. As you know, a long time ago, there were more people like us who have the ability to see mysterious things that no other people can see."

"Grandma, don't tell the guest such a story. You'll only freak her out."

As soon as Fuji was done preparing and setting up the tea, he grabbed one as he offered it to her grandmother's guest.

"Here, you better drink it while it's…" Fuji's fine face quickly hardened like ice because he clearly recognized the person in front of him. He was unable to cope from the shock that he dropped the tea as it sip in the ground. He shakily opened his mouth as he said, "Ren?"