Carlos POV
I jolted awake when my phone alarm went off. I had to shield my eyes from the glare of the sun. So it was already morning. I must have slept really well, even though I drank last night.
"Wait." I suddenly froze as something came back to me. I looked around the room. "How did I get home?" I muttered. The last thing I remembered was stumbling around drunk, then an old woman giving me a ring. Right—the ring. I quickly looked at my hand and my eyes widened when I saw it was still there.
I thought I was just drunk and hallucinating last night, seeing all sorts of things. I even saw a—
"A woman with a blood‑soaked face." I didn't realize I'd said it out loud. I almost jumped when the picture frame hanging on my door suddenly fell. There was no wind, so why did it fall? There couldn't be a ghost in my apartment. Of course not. I've lived here for years and never encountered anything strange. I just stood up, picked up the frame, and put it back on the door.
I fixed my bed and opened the window to let the sunlight in. I didn't have work today, so I'd just go to the market later. I didn't have much money left—probably only enough for two or three weeks. Ah, life. Nothing but bad luck these days.
After opening the window, I looked for my charger and plugged in my phone. I left the bedroom and went to the kitchen. I searched for something to cook and was lucky to find three eggs and some ketchup, so that was what I made. After eating, I went to take a shower.
I took off all my clothes and turned on the shower. The cold water felt so good against my skin. After rinsing, I reached for the soap, but it slipped from my hand and fell to the floor. I quickly bent down to pick it up, but I suddenly stepped back when another hand grabbed it.
"Shit! What was that?" I asked myself, my heart pounding. I looked around the entire bathroom, but I was the only one there. I grabbed the soap and shook off the strange thought.
"I'm just hungry," I muttered. I finished showering quickly and wrapped a towel around my waist as I walked back to my room. I was about to open the door when I heard someone laugh behind me. I turned around, but there was no one there.
"Who's there?" I asked the empty space. No one answered. I shook my head and opened the door, but before I could step inside, something suddenly pulled the towel from my waist, exposing everything.
"Shit," I cursed as I quickly wrapped it back around myself. Then I heard laughter again, louder this time. I could feel someone nearby, watching me, even though I couldn't see anyone.
"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?" I shouted. But all I got in response was laughter. "Show yourself. Do you know this is trespassing?" I added.
"My husband."
"Fuck!" I jumped when someone whispered in my ear. "W‑who are you? Show yourself or I'll have you arrested. I'm a cop!" I said in panic. But only laughter answered me, and now I realized it was a woman's voice.
"Come out. Show yourself to me," I ordered. The air suddenly turned cold, and I admit I felt chills. "Do you really want to see me, my husband?" her voice replied. "W‑who are you?" I shouted.
"I'm Elena, your wife," she answered softly. I quickly grabbed the broom beside my bed. I never imagined I'd be afraid of a woman's voice. "Come out," I said. "Are you sure, my husband?" she asked. "You are not my wife. Now come out, or I'll have you thrown in jail," I threatened.
I flinched when something brushed against my back. It was so cold that my skin broke out in goosebumps.
"Alright, but promise me you won't be afraid, scream, or faint when you see me," she said.
"What do you mean? Why would I be scared of you? Show yourself. Come out."
"Okay."
I gasped when the light in my room suddenly turned on and off, flickering wildly. The wind grew stronger, making the curtains fly.
"Where are you?" I shouted, fighting the fear rising inside me. "I'm here." A voice spoke behind me, and I turned so fast I dropped the broom. I couldn't move when I saw a woman in white, her hair so long it brushed the floor, her dress covering her feet. She was sitting on my bed with her back to me.
My hands were shaking, but I still stepped closer. My movements were slow and careful. She didn't move at all, like a statue. I slowly lifted my hand and touched her. Her body was ice‑cold.
"T‑turn around," I stammered. I instantly regretted saying it. I fell back when she finally turned to face me.
"Fuck!" I swore loudly at the sight of her. It was the blood‑covered woman I had seen last night. We stared at each other. My eyes were wide with terror while she looked at me without emotion. Her gaze slowly drifted down to the lower part of my body, which was completely exposed. When she saw it, she smiled.
"G‑ghost!" I screamed as I jumped up and ran, almost tripping over myself. I tried to open the door to escape, but it was locked. I banged on it and shouted over and over, hoping someone outside would hear me.
"Help! Please help me! There's a ghost in my house! Help! I'm being haunted! Help!" I kept yelling, but no one seemed to hear.
Damn it. Is she going to kill me? Is this the end? It can't be.
I can't die yet because…
I still haven't had a girlfriend.