Two Faced

The Ghost of the Janitor

Danrae’s mind raced as they walked in the empty alleys. The sight of the janitors lifeless body was stuck in his head like a bad dream, it was his first time seeing spmething traumatizing like that.

But he still replayed the scene, trying to find some hidden clue, just something that could possibly help.

Then it clicked.

Blue light. It was something their science teacher mentioned, how luminol combined with blue light could reveal blood stains that cannot be seen with a naked eye.

Danrae stopped mid-step, his eyes widened.

“What’s wrong?” Reign asked, pausing to looked back at him.

“Blue light” Danrae muttered, more to himself than to Reign. “We could trace blood stains. Even if they cleaned it up, there might still be traces left. ”

“You’re right.”

“Yeah, just think about it. Whoever doing this is careful, right? But maybe- just maybe he wasn’t careful enough. If we can find even a single trace, it might lead us somewhere. ” Danrae’s excitement grew with each word.

Reign rubbed the back of his neck, he was unease. “Fine. But where can we find something like a blue light?”

“It’s okay, I can find that.”

“Okay, but let’s go home for now. I’m tired.” Reign said.

As they reached the school’s entrance, they heard something that causes them to froze, a familiar sound.

The faint rattle of keys echoed through the silence. It was followed by the screech of a trolley’s wheels, uneven and grating, like a ghost dragging it’s chain.

What……It couldn’t be……

They both went silent, without looking back they moved away from each other. With every unsteady step, their heartbeat arouse. No one had the courage to look back nor ran.

As the sound slowly fades away, they ran and quickly climbed the school’s gate. Once they were outside, Danrae doubled over, trying to catch his breath.

Their head couldn’t process what happened. Their lips were heavy, unable to let out even a single word.

“I’m going home.” Danrae briefly said, he started walking, head on the ground.

Those words were heavy, and Reign also thought the same thing.

……………………………………………………….

The next day, Reign arrived at the school early compared to anyone. He went straight to one place, The Restroom.

He shoved the restroom open, his pulse keep rising. The harsh fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting long, jittery shadows across the tiled floor. But when his eyes landed on the spot where the body had been, he froze.

The body was gone. Someone or Something had moved the corpse. After finding nothing, they went straight to his classroom to think, where no one arrived yet.

Dizzy, drenched in sweat and out of breath he went to his usual seat at the corner and sat.

Then shortly after, a fast pace footsteps was nearing.

“It’s gone!” Danrae said while out of breath.

“Like it never happened.” Reign responded, his voice hollow.

“Someone’s erasing the evidence.” Danrae muttered.

Reign’s jaw tightened “Or playing with us.”

Danrae looked at Reign. “You got someone in mind?”

Reign did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked back at Malachi’s reaction when the blood dripped from the ceiling. That brief moment of panic. It was too well timed.

“No” Reign spoke, trying to hide his suspicions.

As the students started to filed up into the classroom so as the rumors they brought. Whispers about the blood-stained ceiling and the missing janitor spread like wildfire.

As Reign sat it his usual spot by the window, his thoughts clouded by the events he witnessed. He even barely noticed Zoey walked in, her pale face draw curious glances from his classmates.

She quietly took her seat , her hands slightly trembling as she clutched her bag.

Reign looked over at her, hesitant.

“You… Okay?” he asked, his voice low enough that no one else could hear.

Zoey glanced at him, her blue eyes tired but awake. She didn’t respond.

Cold as always aren’t you.

Before Reign could say anything more, their teacher entered the room, and the class began.

The lecture was disturbed by a sudden commotion outside. Shouts echoed through the hallways, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. The entire class froze, their curiosity pulling them towards the commotion

.

“Stay seated!” Their teacher shouted, bjt it was no use. Students rushed to the windows, eager to see what was happening outside. Zoey and Reign exchange a look before joining the crowd.

From the window, Reign could see the school staff and a few students gathered near the base of the rooftop ladder.

A trolley was being carefully lowered, it’s content was hidden by the shadows.

As the trolley reached the ground, the crowd erupted into gasps and horrified cries.

The janitor’s body was twisted unnaturally, his limbs bent at unimaginable angles to fit inside his trolley.

Blood stained the metal, dripping into the ground. The lifeless stare of his eyes made even the bravest onlookers turn away in disgust.

Danrae’s face went pale as he stared down at the scene. He turned to Reign, his expression a mix of fear and determination. “It’s him,” he whispered. “The janitor.”

Reign nodded grimly, unable to look away. “But why the rooftop? And why like this?”

Zoey noticed something weird between the two.

She walked behind Reign’s back, then pulled his arm towards her.

“Reign,” she said quietly. “I want to join you.”

That has a great ring to it. It felt nostalgic, her calling me by my name.

Reign blinked, confused. “Join me in what?”

“In your investigation,” Zoey replied, her voice steady despite the chaos outside. “I know you and Danrae are looking into this. I want to help.”

Am I the only person who doesn’t know Danrae?

“No, No, No!” He firmly said, brushed Zoey’s hand off.

“I know it’s dangerous,” she interrupted, her tone sharp. “I want to help. We’re both there when this started. Please.”

Reign studied her face, searching for any sign of hesitation, but found none.

Finally, he sighed, “Fine. Meet us tonight. But Zoey… this isn’t a game. Please be careful.”

Zoey gave a small nod, her lips pressing into a determined line. “I’ll be there.”

The bell rang signaling the end of class, amidst the chaos, Reign noticed something familiar as students hurriedly went out.

Malachi. The thoughts running inside his head was clear and written in his expression.

Malachi’s smile disappeared, his eyes widening in brief panic. His hands gripped the desk tightly.

You…..