Chapter 11

Jay took a deep breath as he stood frozen in the middle of the darkened school hallway, watching the past unfold before him. Luna stood beside him, gripping her arms nervously. "What do you see now?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jay's eyes darted around the now-crowded hallway. "The whole place is filled with students," he murmured, unable to tear his gaze away from the surreal sight. "It's like… I'm watching the school when it was still open."

Luna furrowed her brows. "I don't see anything. Are you sure?" She looked around, seeing nothing but empty space and the abandoned ruins of the school.

Jay nodded, his attention shifting to a lone figure standing apart from the lively students. The girl had long, dark hair that cascaded over her face, pale skin, and a melancholic air about her. His breath hitched. "I see her."

Luna's eyes widened. "Iris? Can you talk to her?"

Jay hesitated before stepping forward. He reached out a hand. "Iris? Can you hear me?"

She gave no response, no indication that she even knew he was there. Instead, she turned and walked away, entering a classroom. Jay quickly followed, Luna trailing behind him.

"What is she doing now?" Luna asked, her voice laced with anticipation.

Jay peered inside the room. "She's sitting at a desk. She looks… sad."

Luna let out a quiet sigh. "That was always her spot," she murmured.

As Jay continued watching, a familiar voice cut through the silence. "Are you alright?"

Jay turned in surprise. Another Luna, much younger, was now sitting beside Iris, her expression one of concern and kindness.

Luna's eyes widened in realization. "This is… the past. This is the first time I spoke to her."

Jay remained transfixed. "You're introducing yourself to her. She looks really shy."

Luna swallowed. "She was. Iris didn't know how to talk to people, but over time, we got close. We talked about everything—hobbies, books, even silly celebrity crushes."

Just as she finished speaking, the scene before them flickered, and Iris and Luna vanished. Jay looked around, confused. "They're gone."

Before Luna could respond, distant voices echoed from the hallway. Jay turned and hurried towards the sound, Luna close behind. The vision reappeared before them, now inside another room. Jay's eyes widened as he saw Iris revealing her bruised arms to Luna, her voice trembling as she spoke about her abusive father.

Luna gasped. "I remember this... This is when I took her to the teachers."

The younger Luna grabbed Iris's hand and stormed out of the room. Jay and Luna followed as the memory led them into the head teacher's office. Without hesitation, Luna pulled up Iris's sleeves, revealing the bruises. The teachers gasped, immediately calling in Iris's parents.

The moment faded, and another scene took its place. The school playground appeared, with young Luna and Iris sitting near the swings.

"Thank you," Iris said softly, smiling at Luna. "For everything."

Luna blinked back tears as she watched. "That was the last time she truly smiled."

Jay noticed something in Iris's eyes, a hesitation, a nervousness that suggested she had something more to say. And then, she did.

"Luna..." Iris shifted uncomfortably. "I like you. I mean, I love you."

Luna's past self's eyes widened in shock. "Iris... I—" She hesitated. "I don't see you that way. I like guys. I'm so sorry."

The moment turned painfully awkward. Iris forced a smile and walked away.

Luna clutched her arms. "I hurt her… I didn't mean to, but I hurt her."

The scene shifted once again, this time to the school gate. Jay felt a sinking feeling in his chest as he saw Iris standing frozen in fear. A man stood before her—her father. He spoke to her with a twisted smile, claiming he wanted to be in her life again.

Iris, for the first time, stood her ground. "Stay away from me!" she shouted. "You're not my father!"

The man's face contorted in fury, and in an instant, he struck her across the face.

"No!" Luna screamed as she heard it from Jay, her hands trembling in anger.

The vision faded, and they found themselves on the rooftop. Jay felt his stomach drop. He knew what was coming.

Iris stood on the edge, phone in hand, her fingers trembling as she sent a final message to Luna. Tears streamed down her face. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and jumped.

Luna collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "I should have been there. I should have done more..."

The air around them grew heavy. Jay's head snapped up as a presence reappeared on the rooftop's edge.

Iris stood before them once more, but this time, her uniform was stained with blood. Her hair covered her face, concealing her empty eyes. The ghostly presence filled the air with sorrow.

Jay took a deep breath. "Iris..."

Luna lifted her head, her voice barely audible. "Iris… I'm so sorry. I should've been a better friend."

For the first time, the spirit responded. "You were the best friend I ever had."

Luna's breath hitched. "Then why… why did you do it?"

Iris sighed. "It wasn't your fault. It was him. He wouldn't leave me alone. He ruined everything."

Luna swallowed hard. "Can you move on now?"

Iris shook her head. "Not yet. There are still things I regret… things I wish I could've done."

Luna reached out as if to touch her, but her hand passed through Iris's form. "Then what do we do? How do we help you?"

The ghost smiled faintly. "I don't know."

Jay clenched his fists. "Then we'll figure it out. We'll find a way."

Iris looked at him for a long moment before nodding. "Thank you… for listening."

The air shifted, and slowly, Iris faded into the wind, leaving behind nothing but the weight of her sorrow.

Luna wiped her tears. "She's still here… isn't she?"

Jay nodded. "Yeah. But we'll find a way to help her. I promise."

As the night settled over the abandoned school, Jay, Luna, and Ellie walked away, knowing their journey with Iris wasn't over yet.