SHADOWS OF KAYLA

SECOND SCORE, ONE DAY

Kayla.

Don't ask me how, but I was sitting there in music class, listening to this woman reciting the tonic solfa in her gloriously strident voice.

Yes, this is the more important thing.

Walking through the school gate, I felt emptier than I already was. No one stopped me from entering, no one yelled my name. I was not existing anymore.

I could see my old self dancing around, laughing loudly on the way to class, running like everyone else before the teacher marks us absent for not attending class.

Jealousy. I felt jealous of everybody I saw. Although, they might have been doing things they didn't like, teachers teaching even though they don't like their job, students taking notes even though they didn't like the teacher, or the school, or the Monday morning.

I would give up everything to be in their place.

There wasn't any special entrance for me as I walked into the large music hall and found my way to the back. To my seat. It used to be my favorite spot to sit before and after you know what happened because I could see at an entire angle. This was a dark nook of the class, a weird place to want to sit, I liked it though.

Although I could sit comfortably like a human would, normally, I never actually made direct contact with the chair... because I couldn't. It was same with lying on a bed or standing on my feet.

I was not a bright student, in anything. I hated being called by teachers or answering questions or standing as examples for a teacher. This added to why I selected that spot. It was secluded to some extent.

Very strange now, that I still chose to sit there, when nobody even knows I'm around.

I looked at the next two chairs to my side, where Karen and Vivian always sat. The seats were empty. I couldn't help but question whether they were not in school because of me.

I remembered seeing my classmates and some teachers crying on hearing of my death from the principal. Vivian ran from the school to my house. Karen who had fainted hearing the news also ran from the school clinic to my house when she heard Vivian was there too.

I didn't expect some people I saw crying to actually cry. I wasn't friends with Sandra, Noah, Morris, and a couple of others, so why were they crying? Even students I never knew were in our school were crying too. I found it sad and puzzling at the same time.

While everyone mourned me, I wasn't even given the honor of mourning myself properly.

I missed Karen and Vivian so much just sitting there.

Did they change schools?

Did they quit music class?

Should I look for them after this class?

How are they?

I riddled myself with these questions until the teacher's loud voice pierced through them.

'La so fa mi re do....' I quickly sang along in my normal voice. I didn't have a singing voice, just sang the same as I would talk to someone. Even the tonic solfa ringed tunes of "The Song of Woes" in my head.

'Excellent!' She clapped and made some notes in her book.

That singing of mine couldn't have been anything near excellent had she heard it.

'Very well now, we're over for today, see you tomorrow.'

Everyone ran out of the class, gingerly planning what to do with the ten minutes they had before bells were rung. Ohhhh! This could also have been why Ms. Donnie had many fans. She always ended her sessions earlier than any teacher.

I was a little displeased that I couldn't make the most of the little time I spent in that class. Music...especially that from a piano, was what always brought joy to my heart, and now it filled the place of the soul I didn't have anymore.

I always wished to go to the church nearby, where they never seemed to stop playing lovely instruments, but...but...

What a lifeless life.

I pondered on what I had heard Jack and Zen talking about. A 'Boss' and a 'Sport'—Rick. I had to find out who they all were. Why they were playing the seek-and-catch game. Who exactly was the bad boy and who was the one with the spite? It seemed the perfect job for someone with an invisible nose, like me.

I heaved a sigh and got to my feet. It was time for random sightseeing.

Ms. Donnie's phone beeped.

She dropped her ballpoint and picked up her phone, swiping right.

'Hello, who's this?'

‘It's from Danielle's school. She hurt herself badly with scissors.’

'What?! O my.....not again!' She cried. 'How did that happen? Weren't you....shit!'

‘We've taken her to the hospital, but they need money for his surgery....and the school can't afford it...’

'SHUT THE f**k UP! I left my baby in your care, and this went on to happen?'

‘We're sorry ma'am, but...’

'Nothing must happen to her, you hear me?! Y'all are gonna rot your asses in jail I swear!'

‘Ma'am.....this is not the time.....please come quickly....they're not attending to her.....hello.....’

Ms. Donnie hung up and buried her face which had already gone red with pain and fury in her hands. She cried.

She was always so calm. I had never seen this side of her before. I didn't even know she had a baby, who cut herself with scissors! I imagined what Ms. Donnie must be feeling right now. She was pained, despite this I expected her to rush to Debbie, but she was still crying.

Goodness! Your child is dying! Get up already!

She raised her face and sniffed. Her eyes were puffy and pink. I expected to see her running out, but she took her phone instead.

It rang on the other side of the line and whoever the recipient was, wasn't answering. Tears flowed from her eyes and she dialed again.

‘He doesn't want to speak to anyone,’ came a husky voice over the end.

'He...hello...Van? Van please it's urgent.'

‘This is not him....he's busy.’

'Zen? Is that you? Please tell him it's Stacy....'

Pause.

‘Yes. What's the problem?’

'Give the phone to him please.'

‘Can you just tell me what you need to tell him. He's not in a great mood at the moment.' I heard Zen say in a whisper.

That can't be the same Zen I was just in the car with earlier, right? No wonder his voice sounded so familiar. Something I had heard just recently.

Having the same name and exact same voice can be a coincidence, is that not?

What's going on today?

'Fine.....I need money for Danielle's surgery....tell him...'

‘Surgery? What happened to her?’

'Dont ask questions, just tell him I need money for Danielle.' Her voice shook.

Pause.

‘Alright.’

'Did you tell him it's urgent? I need it right now!'

‘It has been sent.'

'Okay. Tell him I said he's a bonehead loser!'

No response.

'Coward.' She laughed bitterly.

He hung up without a reply.

She wiped her face with tissues and disposed of them. She stood up, straightened her skirt, and grabbed her purse. She walked briskly to the exit.

What just happened?

I had no idea who it was that she intended calling, what sort of relationship she had with him, who Danielle was to him that he sent money for her surgery, that she called him a bonehead loser, that she had almost so much right.

Could that have been the same Zen?

Van. I heard her saying Van. Is he the Boss?

What if the Rick guy they're looking for is in danger?

It wasn't like I would be able to do anything anyway if he was. What could a powerless wandering ghost like me do?

To me, who had basically nothing to do other than sulk and cry at my predicament, getting involved with the drama seemed a good way to lighten the heavy weight of regret I was always feeling. Solving a few puzzles wasn't a bad idea at all.

"Just do it," I kept telling myself.

The first decision I took towards partaking in the game was following Ms.Donnie to the hospital.