JONATHAN got off of his motorbike and headed to the classroom for his class that day. He was about to enter the restroom when the ghost popped up in front of him. He stepped back instantly and palmed his chest. It scared the hell out of him.

“Hello, good morning,” the ghost greeted him cheerfully.

He had never encountered a ghost as cheerful as this one. And usually, all those ghosts he ignored would not dare talk or show themselves to him ever again. But this one was different; it even wants to be friends with him. But he knew better. Jonathan was not that type of person a ghost could fool. He moved to the side and walked past it. He did not want to walk through it. Jonathan was not sure if the ghost can possess his body. Better safe than sorry.

“Wait!”

He increased his speed; he was almost close to running.

“Don’t walk. You should run!” the ghost teased him. “Well… you can’t hide from me, though.”

He stopped and turned in its direction. “Why are you chasing me? I made it clear last time that I don’t want to help you.”

His eyes roamed around. There was no one but him in the hallway, but he had to be sure that no one would see him talking by himself. People might get the impression that he was insane. So, he went inside the bathroom and locked himself. After a few seconds, the ghost was able to follow.

“Jo. Na. Than.”

His eyes widened in amazement that this spirit managed to read his name on his school ID. He took it off and put it inside his pocket.

“What do you want from me?”

“Well…” It circled him. “Aside from the grim reaper, you are the only human who can see me.”

“My third eye’s open, that’s it. I may be the first person to encounter you, but it doesn’t mean that I am the only one who can see and talk to you. So you better not get too fond of me.”

“But I have this feeling that you are the one…”

His brows furrowed. “What?”

“You are the one who can help me.” The ghost sounded hopeful, it almost made his heart weak.

“I am sorry, but I am not interested in helping you.”

Jonathan went out of the restroom. The ghost still follows him.

“Help! I need your help!”

He did not bother to talk to it anymore and went straight to the classroom. But it was too persistent. It even followed him there and stood beside him throughout his class. He was almost caught by one of his professors in the act of hitting nothing but the wind. Now he regrets acknowledging its existence.

HE LOOKED around the classroom before leaving. The annoying ghost disappeared before his last period started, and it never came back. He had no idea where it went. Well, why would he worry about it? Wasn’t it good news for him?

Jonathan rushed to the parking lot and got on his motorbike and drove to their headquarters. He finally agreed to his cousin to get a talisman to prevent ghosts from coming onto him. And Helene can do that for him because that woman was a shaman.

There was no one in the headquarters when he arrived. Jonathan got his phone inside his back and sent a message on their group chat.

Jonxxxxx: I’m here at the headquarters. Where are you?

Helene_full of grace: I’m on my way there.

Oreo (not a cookie): Still in class. I will be there soon.

Jonathan plopped down on the sofa. He hated it when he was the one to come first. It only meant that he would gonna waste some of his time waiting for them to arrive.

He looked around the headquarters to check. There was no sign of a ghost or any entity. Helene made sure to protect their base from evils. She stuck a lot of talisman to the doors, windows, and walls. Jonathan was convinced that he would be safe even if he were alone.

He lay down on the sofa with his hands beneath his head.

It has been five years since he became part of The Gifted. It was an organization for people with special abilities like him and his cousin Oreo. If Jonathan can see ghosts, Oreo can see the past and the future. That was the reason why Oreo’s father founded the organization. He hoped that they could live a life without being afraid of what they are. But no matter how many times Jonathan tried to accept his ability, he could not live with it in peace. What can he do? He was afraid of ghosts!

Jonathan was about to fall asleep when he heard the door opened. Helene came in.

“So. You need a talisman that can drive away ghosts,” Helene said as she sauntered towards the table.

Jonathan rose from the sofa. “Yes.”

“Care to tell me what happened.”

“There’s this ghost who keeps following me when she learned that I was able to see her. She asked me to help her, and I already declined but—”

“Wait.” Helene raised her hand. “You are not just clairvoyant, but clairaudient too.”

“Is that it? I thought it’s just an open third eye.” He sighed.

“Jonathan, you should explore that ability that you have. It’s not as simple as an open third eye. You are a medium.”

“But I don’t have any interest to be one,” he said firmly.

“Not everyone has it. It’s a gift.”

“Gift? I see it more like a curse, Helene. I got it after waking up in a come due to that accident. And that annoying ghost, I don’t even want its existence in my life. I am not even aware of what I can do with this ability. Why does it have to be me?”

“Relax, okay? Relax…” Helene grabbed him by the arms. “You know what is the best thing to do is? Accept it, Jonathan. You are gifted.”