"So, how do you plan on separating Tyler from his goons?" Ryner asked, his expression firm with determination.
"Oh, don't worry about that—I already have an idea," Rita replied with a sly grin. "I just want you to focus on your fight with Tyler."
"I see. Thanks," Ryner nodded. "I'll leave the rest to you." With that, he turned and walked out of the bathroom, his mind set on what was to come.
Rita sighed as she watched him leave. I can't believe I'm actually encouraging him to fight someone. I'm really a bad influence. She crossed her arms, shaking her head. But he said this is something he needs to overcome or he'll never find peace. So, I'll support him as much as I can.
Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Ryner returned to check on Shimoya, who was still resting on the bed, recovering from the earlier incident.
"Shimoya, do you feel any better?" he asked, his voice gentler now.
"Yes," she said with a small smile, "but I think I'll stay here a little longer."
"Good," Ryner said, relieved. "I'll head back to class. I've got something to take care of. Just rest for now. I'll come back to check on you after school."
"Alright," Shimoya murmured, adjusting her position on the pillow. "I'll try to rest my head."
Ryner clenched his fists. This time, I'm not just defending myself—Shimoya got caught up in this, too. I promise you, Shimoya, I'll beat that bastard. He turned and gently closed the door behind him.
In the classroom, Tyler sat in the back with a smug grin. Damn that bastard Ryner. Who does he think he is? He leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head. I'm glad we beat him down. He won't be messing with me again—that's for sure.
Still, something about that incident kept bothering him. Something strange happened while I was hitting him… it felt like something unnatural got in the way. He scoffed at the thought. Man, I sound like a lunatic. The guys would laugh if I told them this.
While class went on, Rita silently floated through the wall and scanned the room until she spotted Tyler.
"There you are," she whispered. "Now to find your phone…"
She hovered closer to his desk. "Seriously? Leaving your phone out in plain sight?" she muttered, snatching it before gliding toward the door. With a faint creak, the door eased open and she slipped through.
"Wait! Who opened the door?" the teacher asked, eyes narrowing.
"Sir, I didn't see anyone," said a student near the front.
"Must've been the wind," the teacher muttered before returning to the lesson.
Outside the classroom, Rita met up with Thomas and raised the stolen phone like a trophy.
"Got it!" she said, satisfied.
"Nice work," Thomas replied. "Let's see what we're working with." He scrolled through Tyler's contacts. "Well, this makes it easy. Barely five people saved in here."
Rita quickly dialed a number. A few rings later, someone picked up.
"Yo, Tyler! What's up?"
Thomas took the phone and spoke, perfectly mimicking Tyler's voice.
"Listen. Meet me at the old school building. Bring everyone. We've got something to take care of."
"Wait, during class? Can't this wait until break?"
"Don't make me ask twice. Get there. Now."
"O-Okay, I'm on my way!"
Thomas hung up and handed the phone back to Rita, who beamed.
"That was amazing."
Thomas smirked. "We're ghosts—it's not hard to copy voices we've heard. Like in that horror flick Ryner's sister watches all the time."
"Maybe you're right," Rita said. "Now, on to the next phase."
In the old school building, Tyler's lackeys approached the dim hallway, glancing around uneasily.
"I can't believe Tyler asked us to meet here," one muttered.
"What? You scared?" another teased.
"Shut up, idiot. I'm just saying it's weird."
The group pushed open a creaky door and stepped inside.
"Yo, Tyler! We're here! Where you at?"
Their voices echoed down the corridor. The building was silent, save for dripping water and the occasional groan of old pipes.
Then—BANG!
The door slammed shut behind them.
They spun around, alarmed. One of them grabbed the handle and yanked hard. "What the hell?! It won't open!"
Hidden in the shadows, Rita and Thomas exchanged satisfied glances.
"Perfect. They're trapped," Rita whispered.
"Now Ryner can take on Tyler one-on-one," Thomas added.
Suddenly, one of the lackeys tensed. "Did… did you hear that?"
Another nodded slowly. "Yeah. I definitely did."
They turned and froze. Floating in front of them were Rita and Thomas, their ghostly forms flickering and eyes faintly glowing.
One of the boys let out a strangled yelp before collapsing. Another bolted and smacked into a hanging pipe, crumpling to the ground.
The last boy stood, trembling violently. Rita tilted her head.
"Wait… can he actually see us?"
She floated closer. His eyes widened in terror. He gasped—and fainted.
Rita blinked. "They saw us. But how?"
Thomas shrugged. "Some people are just more sensitive to ghosts."
Regardless, the plan worked. Tyler's backup was gone.
Now, it was time for Ryner's fight to begin.