Thanks again for letting me stay here, eL.

No problem, Veri. You can stay as long as you like.


Hmm...you have a lot of statues here.

Yeah, my dad says that that's a statue of Green Tara, a boddhisattva. My dad's Buddhist, you see.

But she's not green.

Erm...maybe the sculptor wanted to express his artistic freedom? Hey, I think I hear a phone vibrating.


Oh, it's Manx!

Aren't you going to answer that?




I think...I'll...I'll just call her back later.

Er...alright then. Would you like to rest now? It was a pretty long trip. There are fresh clothes for you in the guestroom, as well as a comfy bed.

Thank you so much, eL.

---

(Minutes after these events occured):


You are SURE that this wasn't owned by some ghost-girl who disappeared inside her closet?

For the last time Veri, YES, I am SURE that wasn't owned by a ghost-girl. My dad bought it in a souvenir shop in Japan, where it was lined up among a lot of other miniature kimono that were mass-produced to entertain tourists.


You're not just saying that so I won't be scared?

Veri, if some emotional little ghost-girl wanted her kimono back THAT badly, she would've gotten it from me AGES ago. I've had that since I was in elementary school, she had plenty of time to take it. Anyway, come on, there's someone I want you to meet.


Wow.

This is an image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Maybe she can help you with your problems and keep the ghosties away. Here, let me read what's written on the label for you.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, owned by the family of Teacher Mafe de Jesus of the Greenhills Kindergarten.

The blessed image has been in the family's possession for about 3-4 years. Once, a lighted candle was left burning beside her, which caused a fire that burned the case that enclosed her. However, for some inexplicable reason, the image remained intact, down to her tiny flammable eyelashes. The only traces of the fire that remained was the soot on her face.


She...went through a lot, didn't she?

Yes she did, Veri. But look, she's still in one piece. Perhaps she can lend you some of her strength so that you may find the courage to go home and face whatever it is that is troubling you.