[warning: unedited chapter ahead]

I RAN OUTSIDE to get some fresh air. My mind couldn't process the revelation inside the room. Mike followed me all the way to the rooftop of the main building, and I screamed so loud that the birds resting around the rooftop flew away. Tears were inevitable at the moment. All this time, I had out the blame on Morgan when in fact, she was also a victim.

Morgan seek revenge, and she was unstoppable because of Samantha.

If what they told me was right, then someone from La Trinidad was Morgan's current host. But who could it be? Samantha became Morgan's host way back 2008, and several students followed every leap year.

Last leap year, who made a wish to the old well?

Traci, the secretary of the student council?

Kate, the other member of the council, who had been neutral from taking a side?

Mike, the brother of Morgan?

"But I couldn't think of a reason why he would do such thing," I uttered as I looked back to observe the man. "Maybe you wished to find out the truth? I guessed everyone on the campus had a double face."

"Let me explain, Mich."

I shook my head in defeat, "You told me that you didn't believe in ghost, right? Surprised. You lied to me—"

"Because I suspected you to be Morgan's host." He explained himself, cutting me off guard with his high pitch voice.

I jolted up by his sudden change of mood. "And now," I raised an eyebrow in returned. "You don't suspect me anymore?"

"I don't," he calmly said this time. "You have to believe me, Michelle. I have someone in mind, but I still have to double check because I don't want to accuse someone again."

"Who are you referring to?"

"I am not sure—"

"Just tell me," I interrupted him with a serious tone in my voice. "Please."

"Deanna," he blurted out with so much confidence. "And yes, I am referring to your friend, Deanna Inriquez."

👻

T

HE DAY WENT on like nothing happened. I decided not to believe Mike's assumption. Deanna couldn't kill a person, a friend, and my mother. She might be the reason as to why the fire ignited within me to make a wish, but Deanna just couldn't do it.

Memories started to flashed before my eyes again. The night Samantha left Morgan all alone in the forest after sketching her all day until the incident happened. They were so cruel and had the skin of an animal to kill such a lovely person and Samantha, I couldn't bring myself to forgive her.

Indeed, she was crazy and hunger for success in life.

Just like me, I craved for belongingness at La Trinidad.

My hands began to shake again as I couldn't control my emotions. But someone held my hand to stop the shaking, and it was Samantha. My mind went back to my conversation with the headmistress earlier. It was her fault as to why I couldn't see Samantha as an innocent person now. I became cautious toward her as I retracted my hand from her embrace with a sad smile.

"Sorry," I whispered amd sadly smiled.

"Don't be," she replied and my heart began to baggage the heaviness of guilt inside. "Stop thinking that you killed Rayne. Okay? You didn't kill her and you're not the reason why she died today."

I stayed silent for my sake.

I didn't want to add fuel to the fire.

Luckily, Samantha joined me in silence as we watched the stars above. After my conversation with Mike, Samantha came an hour later to check up on me. We decided to stay until evening but looking at the time now, it was already twelve midnight.

I broke the silence by calling her name, "Miss Samantha."

"Hmm?"

"After killing the fifth person," I said as I slowly stood behind Samantha. "What happens next?"

Samantha turned her body toward me and now, she had her back to the edge of the rooftop. "The person will continue living her life with memories locked in her mind."

"And if the host failed to kill five person?"

"Impossible," she shook her head in disbelief. "Morgan would never do that, Michelle."

I nodded as the information sinked in my mind. "How would I know who's the current host?"

Samantha pointed to the small black dot behind her ears. "This tattoo shows up."

"If that happens," I tilted my head to the right with a slight smile. "How exactly Morgan would takeover my body?"

"What are saying, Mich?" Samantha asked.

I was already tired with my life, especially the guilt that had been eating me alive.

"You have to do it," the headmistress said on our way to her office.

I had no choice.

"There's no other way?" I asked while I was taken aback by the only solution she had in mind.

But I was ready to end this story.

"None," she replied. "You have to kill. . . or be killed."

With a smile on my face, I grabbed Samantha by the collar of her white polo shirt. "I'm so sorry, but I have to do this in order to stop this curse every leap year, Miss Samantha."

And I pushed her toward the edge of the rooftop, and bid my goodbye.

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