DEAD HELPER

KELLY HINART

"MA, I WILL now go to school. I might be late!" I shouted near the window of our house. My mother was in our backyard, watering our plant.

She looked at me. "Have you already eaten your breakfast, dear?!" she muttered, raising her voice a little bit.

"Yes, ma! I'll go now!"

"Alright, dear. Take care!"

After that, I immediately left the house and waited for a jeepney on the roadside. Just moments later, a jeepney came to stop and when I took a sneak peek, it was already full.

"Can I still in?" I asked the driver while holding the sling of my bag pack.

"You can just hang there. Just hold tight, if you want," he said, pertaining to the tube that is located above the entrance door.

"Sure, manong. It's just fine."

Well, I have already gotten used to it. Besides, I don't have a choice because if I don't take this opportunity, I would surely be late for my morning classes.

I immediately hang myself on the bus. I enjoyed my position. Compared to when you sit inside the jeepney, you can feel more fresh air here than there.

A few moments later, I took a glance inside the jeepney. My shoulders slightly shrugged as I saw something---nah, someone. It's very early in the morning, yet, someone like her appeared.

She's a kid. She's currently sitting on the other side of the jeepney, near the driver's seat. She was looking at me, her pink dress has lots of blood. Unlike the ones like her that I always saw at night, she's not crying, but instead, she's smiling at me.

I used to see this kind of thing. Yup, you can distinguish her as a ghost. Before, I always freaked out whenever I saw them. But now, they just seem normal in my eyes. I smiled at her back until the jeepney stopped in front of the gate of my school.

After I paid for the transport, I jumped off from the jeepney and immediately went inside the gate of the school. I would still need to walk kilometers longer for me to reach the College Department of Questi High. If you would drive along, well, just a few minutes, surely you will reach the destination. However, if you would choose to walk, like what I'm doing right now, it would take 30 minutes because Questi High is very wide.

This school is very famous and highly recommend even though the fees were very high and expensive. I had no other choice. And besides, the teachers here were highly respected and brilliants. You could really learn a lot.

After thirty minutes, I already reached the gate of the College Department. I am already in my fifth year. All of the courses here would take five years before you could graduate.

"Ouch!"

As I walked through the gate, I did not notice I bumped into the woman. One of the freshmen. With brow-raised, she looked at me intently.

"Sorry," I muttered, calmly and sincerely.

She rolled her eyes. "Let's go, Cheery. I could not believe there's a trash roaming around here!" she retorted and walked out, swinging her handbag.

"Tanya, wait!" her companion shouted, following her.

I shook my head. Tsk, we should not argue with the people like them. Surely, she did not know yet the word 'super stress' unless she was already in her fifth year like me. I was an active Student Council President in my Elementary, High School, and first year in college. However, I stopped when I reached the third year until now because projects and tasks were no longer a joke, it needs full attention.

I was about to step my foot when suddenly I saw a piece of paper on the ground, near my feet. A folded piece of paper to be exact.

Out of curiosity, I picked it up and unfolded it. My forehead creased and I was a little bit shocked when I read what was written on it.

'TO MS. KELLY HINART

YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO BE ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS. MEET US AT TRES MARIAS PARK AT EXACTLY 6 PM.

FROM MS. CRUZ'

My eyes knitted. Miss Cruz? Who's this?

Discombobulated, I folded the paper back and slid it inside my pocket. Was this some sort of a scam or trip of whoever made this? In times of this new generation, it's too hard to believe anymore.

×××

HOULT GLISTON

I REPEATEDLY LOOKED myself in front of a mirror. I turned around to see the wholeness of my well-built body. And all I can say, I'm such a hot and handsome guy!

"Well, it's no doubt why women go crazy on me," I muttered, flexing my biceps and posing many times.

"Hey, Horsey! Get out from there! You know busy we are today! Jesus---you're fantasizing yourself again." I almost leaped in shock soon as I heard Manager Fleck's yell. He's really fond of breaking my moment.

And yeah, you heard it right. He called me by the name Horsey. His reason? Because my name was used when you wanted to stop a horse. You know, 'halt!'. Though, its spelling was different from mine. But he insist and kept calling me by that animal name.

"Alright, alright. Coming!" I replied, scratching my head. But before I totally walked out of my room, I glanced, once again, to the mirror. How can I be so handsome? You know?

As I reached the working table, many customers met my eyes. Wow!

"Go approach that table. They've been raising their hands many times already." the cashier, Kaye, coldly said. She then looked at the table, doing her business.

She's really gorgeous. She has a pinkish lip, perfect-curved body, wavy black hair, puffed eyes. Yup, I like her. Who wouldn't? She's the reason why I did not have a girlfriend even though I am this hot and handsome.

"What are you looking at? Still, you have no hope for me. Go, do your job." Kaye suddenly said as she realized I was looking at her for a quite while. That's ouchy.

"O-Kaye, my loves!" I answered, showing her my sweetest smile. She just rolled her eyes at me. She's really rude---but beautiful.

I immediately went to that table and get the paper and pen. A woman stopped raising her hand soon as I get closer in their direction.

"May I take your order, please?" I said to them. Then, they looked at the menu for a while.

Five of them were sitting at the table while the other one was just standing, behind the old lady. I was confused a little bit. Why was he standing? There's still an extra chair at the table. When I looked into his eyes, I saw sadness in them.

"Uhm, 5 grilled beef, 5 siomai rice, 5 packs of lasagna, and 5 fresh coconut juice." the woman with eyeglasses muttered.

While I'm listing their order, I stopped midway and looked at the woman. "To clarify, only 5? Not 6?" I asked. Yeah, they are six in total but she only ordered five.

The woman's forehead folded. "Yeah, five. Why? We're only five here." she said, pointing at her colleagues. They all looked at me.

"You're six---" I stopped as I looked at the man. And there, I realized something. Oh, sh*t! "U-Uh, I mean, six---including me." I bluntly resumed, letting out a forced and awkward laugh.

I gulped as the man, who was standing, looked me in the eye. He's a ghost?! What the f---!

"Ahh... I thought what's the matter. Fine, just add one each because you are handsome. I can refer and arrange you to my gorgeous daughter." the woman replied, laughing while looking at the other woman beside her. The other woman giggled, playing with her curly hair.

I laughed and shook my head. "Just kidding! Alright, I'll go prepare your order." I responded, bowing, and immediately went towards the table to give the list of their orders. My inner self suddenly began to tremble.

I wiped my face using my bare palms as I rested my back on the table. Suddenly, Kaye looked at me so I immediately fixed myself, stand straight, and escaped a smile.

"What am I going to do with this? Do I work in the kitchen?" she relented, raising her brow. She showed me the paper that contained the list of orders. Shocks! I did not realize that. I'm out of myself already.

I pretentiously chuckled. "I j-just let you see how my handwriting is very clean and organized. For you to have a reason to be in love with me." I reasoned out, winking at her. But she seemed did not care. She just slammed the paper on my chest.

I went to the kitchen and give the list to the staff. After that, I decided to go back to the working table and wait for the orders, ready to be served. However, before I totally get out, my forehead creased as I felt that there was something inside my pocket. So, I slid my hand into it. I don't remember I put something in there.

I picked it up and realized it was a piece of folded paper.

'TO MR. HOULT GLISTON

YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO BE ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS. MEET US AT TRES MARIAS PARK AT EXACTLY 6 PM.

FROM MR. GUEVARA'

An occupant of the house? What is this thing? And who is Mr. Guevara?

I just shrugged it off. Maybe, this was just another prank pulled by my uncle's friend, Toffer. He was fond of those things---based on my uncle's story, Toffer was always like that ever since they were studying in Questi High. And now, they're still friends for a decade and counting.

I tore the paper into pieces and threw it in the trashcan.

×××

LANDER SALVACION

THIS HOUSE IS really huge!

I roamed my gaze around to see the entire area. Just wow. All the things that can be found were, perhaps, very expensive based on the textures and looks. Just exactly. Very nice to have them.

"Oh, babe. Glad you're here already. You could have told me." Natasha said. She's currently taking their long stairs.

I smiled at her. "Actually, I was already about to call you. The door was as I get here, you better add security." I said to her.

"Will do. Anyway, let's go. Everyone's at the back already." she replied, clinging her hands on my arms. Then, we started walking. "By the way, you look so handsome, babe."

I looked at her and smiled. "You too, babe. You look stunning."

We walked into the long hallway which was full of expensive things. Golden pots, and any things that my eyes sparkle whenever I looked at them.

Before we could be able to totally pass through the hallway, something caught my attention. I need to get this, that's why, I thought of a way how. Then, it came to me.

I waited until we slowly reached that direction. When the timing is perfect, I stopped and carefully held her hand.

"Why?" she asked. Behind me was the thing that I want to have.

I heaved a sigh and looked at her in the eyes. "Natasha, you are very gorgeous today. You are perfect with your gown, your hair, the color of your lips... everything about you is perfect." I said and I grabbed her waist closer to mine. "Babe, I love you so much."

After that, I immediately kissed her lips. I kissed her as hard and as passionate as possible so she would not notice my hand crawled towards that thing. As I picked it up, I slid my tongue in her mouth and she gladly accepted it. She moaned. At the same time, I slid that thing in my pocket as well.

And... I succeed.

After a while, I broke the intense kiss and cupped her face. "Too early, babe. Let's go." I said to her and she chuckled.

Meanwhile, I smiled widely. That's the first time I kissed her that way, so, she must be so happy with that.

The party just went smoothly. It was a welcome home party they conducted for her mother. And before the party ended, I bade Natasha farewell. At first, she was confused because it was still early. But I told her that I needed to go to my sick father, and she agreed later on. Well, that's a lie, of course.

With a mischievous grin, I went out of the house. When I get far, I looked at the thing I had just gotten. It was a watch. No, it's not just a watch, but an antique watch that if you would sell, would make you so instantly rich.

I was just walking without having a direction of where I should go. It was not too dark, anyway. And in fact, I did not have money for now because of this expensive outfit I brought. Natasha's family is very rich and it's shameful of I just wear a simple outfit. I need to wear decently so that they would not suspect me of doing something they don't want.

I reached a narrow street a few moments ago. I walked through it and there, I noticed an old man who was busy finding something inside the trash bins. He seemed to look for food.

"Hey, old man!" I shouted. This is what I always do whenever I encountered someone like him. The old man looked at me. "So, did you find something in there?" I scoffed.

I walked closer in his direction. Minutes have passed yet he did not respond. Oh, wow. This old man is rude!

"Hey! Answer me!" I yelled at him but he just ignored me. My blood seems to boil because I suddenly got irritated with his presence. I couldn't help it. I rushed in his direction. "Are you are deaf---?!"

I was not able to finish my sentence because I was astonished for a while. Why on earth I could not touch him? My hands just penetrated.

I stepped backward while my mouth was gaped open. With widened eyes, I looked at him. "A-Are you a dead soul?" I began to stutter.

My hands trembled when he stood up and walked slowly, without minding me. When he was a few meters away, I picked up a rock and threw it in his direction. I need to confirm if I was not hallucinating.

And confirmed. The rock just penetrated. It just pass through his body and went to the other side. He's really a ghost!

My heart beats so fast and gladly, he did not turn around and face me. I exhaled deeply. Even though this phenomenon was not new to me, I was still not getting used to it.

When I was about to walk, there's suddenly a thing that suddenly hit my head.

"Ouch!" I groaned. It's not that painful, but because of shock, it felt one.

I looked around to see who was throwing that thing but I saw nothing. The old man earlier was nowhere to find. I just shook my head and stared at the thing that hit me. It landed inside the trash bin.

Curiously, I picked it up and found out it was a paper. A torn paper which was just being put together using scotch tape. I unfolded it and read the text.

''TO MR. LANDER SALVACION

YOU ARE QUALIFIED TO BE ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS OF THE HOUSE. PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS. MEET US AT TRES MARIAS PARK AT EXACTLY 6 PM.

FROM MR. CLINTON'

My eyes knitted as I read that. How did he know my complete name? Who is he? And what---'us'?

I suddenly felt excitement. He must have something that he wanted to give me. Hmm, what would it probably be? Gold? Treasure?

Picking up the antique watch, I looked at the time, and just exactly, it was already 5:45 pm. And Tres Marias Park was just a few walks away from here.

***