Chapter 39 (2/2)

”I know!”

Ray saw Gibbs’ face became confused. ”You know?”

”Yes! I… I can see you!”

Gibbs looked around. ”Where are you?”

”I… I'm in my room.” Ray didn't know why he had to explain the situation to Gibbs. He felt a sense of guilt burdening him, and he wanted Gibbs to know that he wanted to help but was unable to.

”Then come help me… Please…”

”I can't, Gibbs. I can't…” What should I say? My room doesn’t have a door?

Gibbs' breaths became shorter. ”Ray… please, Ray… I don't know how long… I can…”

”Gibbs, I'll help call the ambulance, okay?”

Ray immediately cut the call and dialled the ambulance. Ray didn't know why he should make the call when everything was an illusion, but he couldn't just sit down and do nothing.

His call was answered…

”h.e.l.lo! I need help. There's…”

”Ray…”

Ray looked at his handphone, and then at Gibbs. Gibbs was no longer holding the handphone but was lying down while looking at Ray.

But the voice on the other end was Gibbs'.

”Ray… why don't you want to help me?”

Ray punched the transparent wall as hard as possible - angry. ”I can't!”

”Ray… help me, Ray… I'm really…”

And the call died. So did Gibbs. The eyes looking at Ray were now lifeless.

”Gibbs!!”

Ray woke up from his sleep. The first thing he did was switching on the light - and made sure that the room had a door. Ray sighed in relief as he opened the door and walked a step out. He inhaled the fresh air outside and sat down next to the door, outside. He couldn't care less if people call him a weirdo.

”Hey. What are you doing outside?”

Ray looked up and saw that Gibbs was standing in front of him - as fit as a fiddle. He really felt like hugging him, but he knew that's not possible.

”Nothing. Just taking a breather,” replied Ray.

”Even so, must it be at 3 a.m.?”

”Huh? It's already 3?”

”What time do you think it is?”

Ray shook his head. The nightmare took 6 hours? No wonder he was tired.

”Let's go to my room,” invited Gibbs.

Ray nodded. ”Wait. I'm bringing a pack.”

Ray re-entered his room - and the door was slammed shut from the wind. In a blink of an eye, the door disappeared. Ray panicked and repeatedly punched the wall where the door was located at just a short moment ago. Ray looked at the wall dividing his and Gibbs' room.

It had turned transparent.

s.h.i.+t!

”Ray?” Gibbs' voice was heard calling him from outside.

”Gibbs! Help open the door for me,” pleaded Ray.

”Ray? Are you changing your s.h.i.+rt?”

”No! No! The door is closed. I can't open it from the inside… help open it…”

”What's with Ray? He said he went in to get some cigarette. He even locked the door,” Gibbs was heard talking to himself outside.

”Gibbs! I didn't lock it. Try opening it from the outside…”

”Ray! He's not even answering,” said Gibbs.

Ray was horrified. He glared at the wall, hoping Gibbs could hear him.

”I'll wait in my room, ok?”

”No! Gibbs! Gibbs!!”

But Ray knew his screaming was just a waste of his energy. Gibbs didn't hear him and had already entered his room. How did Ray know? Because, again, he could see everything from his room without being able to do anything.

Immediately after Gibbs went in and sat on his bed, KJ entered.

”You're still up?” asked KJ.

”I went to the toilet. Where were you from?”

KJ didn't answer.

”I bet it's a project,” said Gibbs.

Their door was suddenly knocked on. ”Who's that?” asked KJ.

”Probably Ray. He said he wanted to come. Why did you lock the door?”

”I didn't,” said KJ, but still got up to make sure.

Before he even took a few steps, the door was opened violently. A gun shot was released - right at KJ.

KJ fell to the floor. Gibbs quickly stood up in panic. The shooter's ident.i.ty was still veiled from Ray's room.

Another shot was released. Gibbs was shot at the same place as earlier. KJ was now lifeless. Gibbs dragged his body just like before, but this time towards the transparent wall - moving towards Ray.

With all the might he had, Gibbs slammed the invisible wall as if he was knocking on a door loudly.

”Ray!! Help!!”

Ray turned his back to the wall and closed his eyes as tight as possible as if it could stop this from happening. He took out his handphone and his heart suddenly felt like calling someone. But Ray changed his mind and typed an SMS: Help me.

And the SMS was sent to Fara.

[1] Though I think you’ve probably realised this, I’ll mention it anyway. Younger people call older male brother if their age isn’t too far apart from them. Uncle for those older fyi.

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