Chapter 2: Soul

The sound of birds and the rustling of leaves woke me up the next morning. A white room greeted me as soon as I opened my eyes. There was an IV drip attached to one of my arms, and I realized I was in the hospital. I didn’t know why I was here or why I felt so light. It felt so light that I couldn't understand why. I decided to get up and look out the window. The area outside the building was clear, and the sunlight was bright. My gaze shifted to the IV in my hand. I knew I shouldn't, but I pulled it out. A little blood came out when the needle was withdrawn. I put the IV aside and looked for something to cover my hospital gown. Just then, I saw a black jacket on the sofa in the room. I grabbed it and put it on. It was the right size to cover the hospital dress.

I knew I was supposed to stay here, but one of the places I hate most is the hospital. It only brings back bad memories. I walked to the door and went out. I immediately looked to the right when I heard something fall. The nurse's eyes were wide, and the tray of medication she was carrying had fallen to the floor. I unintentionally raised an eyebrow—was I really that ghostly that she was so startled?

I closed the door while still looking at the nurse. She quickly turned around and walked away without even picking up the tray. I just shook my head and decided to head straight for the elevator. Luckily, it opened right when I got there. I stepped in and waited for it to reach the ground floor. When the elevator finally arrived at the ground floor, I quickly went toward the exit. I kept my head down and blended in with the crowd. It would be bad if a hospital staff member saw me. I couldn’t help but smile when I finally made it out. I was free.

Smiling broadly, I walked away from the hospital. I kept walking until I reached the mall entrance. Just as I was about to enter, I noticed a young woman walking aimlessly, as if out of her mind. I don’t know why, but I stood frozen in place, watching her. She seemed just like me once—drowned in her own problems, unaware of where she was heading.

My eyes widened in fear when she suddenly crossed the road, even though the stoplight was still green. A car was approaching fast, and I didn’t know what happened next. All I knew was that I found myself being shoved by the woman. I knew that if I got hit, it would be my end.

I shut my eyes tightly, bracing myself for the impact of the car.

Screeches and squeaks filled the whole area, followed by the screams of people, until everything went silent.

I opened my eyes and realized I was still rooted in the same place where I had pushed the woman. I turned around, and horror filled my eyes when I saw the car literally pass by and stop right behind me. But I didn’t feel a single thing, as if the car had passed right through me. I looked at the woman I had pushed, and I saw her staring at me with wide eyes. Fear and confusion were evident on her face. She was sitting flat on the pavement, facing me.

My gaze shifted to the man who quickly got out of the car. He checked his vehicle thoroughly before approaching the woman, without even acknowledging my presence as if I wasn’t there.

"What’s wrong with you, girl? If you want to die, don’t drag anyone else with you!" - The man scolded the woman angrily.

I tried to touch him to stop him, but I was horrified when my hand just passed through his body. I stared at both my hands and tried again to touch the man, but it was the same. I walked up to him and tried to embrace him, but I passed right through him.

No. No. No.

This can’t be happening!

I froze in the middle of the road, staring at my hands. How did this happen?

Images of the nurse, trembling in fear as she stared at the door of the hospital room, filled my mind. The nurse was terrified, and she left the tray behind, as if she had seen something supernatural. Yes, she did see something supernatural—the door opening by itself, even though no one was there, because she couldn’t see me. And there was the hospital guard, who didn’t even stop me as I passed right in front of him.

Everything was happening because I no longer had a physical body. I was now a soul.

With that realization, tears began to pour down my face.

No! This can’t be!

I turned my gaze to the woman and saw her still staring at me while the man scolded her. There was fear on her face, and her eyes were red from crying, as if she could see me.

She could see me?

I quickly stood up from where I was standing. I was about to approach her when she walked away. The man kept shouting at her, but she didn’t look back.

I followed her and tried to catch up, not caring who I walked through.

"Wait, miss! Wait!" - I repeatedly called out to her.

"No, I can’t hear you. You’re just part of my imagination! I can’t see you!" - I heard her whisper as she tried to walk away.

I caught up with her and tried to hold her to stop her, but I couldn’t touch her.

"Miss, can you see me? Please!" - I pleaded with her.

She just kept her head down, trying to cover her ears.

"Miss, please!" - I said, crying.

"GO AWAY!!" - She shouted at me.

I stopped walking and just stared at her. Her eyes were swollen from crying, and her face was full of fear.

"Leave me alone! I don’t need you! Get away from me!" - She screamed, gasping for breath.

There was no one around, so she was speaking to me as if I were a ghost, without realizing how ridiculous she must have looked.

"Miss, I just need your help! Please! I don’t plan to trouble you; I just need someone to turn to! I don’t know why I’m like this. I don’t know why people can’t see or touch me! I have no one else to turn to! You’re the only one who’s shown signs that you can see me. Please! I’m begging you!" - I pleaded desperately.

She looked away from me and stared into the distance.

"I can’t help you." - She said coldly and wiped her tears. Then, she turned her back on me and walked away.

I fell to my knees, crying uncontrollably.

Why did this happen to me? Why can’t they see me? Why can’t I touch them?

I couldn’t believe that this was how my life would end up.