Between Heaven and Hell
CHAPTER TWELVE

JONATHAN woke up with a jolt and found himself inside a taxi. He looked outside and saw the apartment complex where he lives. Again, he did not know what happened. The last memory that registered on his mind that day was working at the café. He caressed his neck and closed his eyes tightly. The wandering soul must have entered his body again without permission. Jonathan should really sort it out, or more troubles would come on his way.

"How long would it take before you get off of my car?" the driver asked.

"O-oh, I am sorry." Jonathan fished out his wallet and paid for his ride. Then, he got off.

"So, she didn't know how to drive." He scoffed.

Jonathan took the stairs so he could contemplate what to do.

"I'm sorry..." said the voice just behind him.

He did not look back and walked faster instead.

"Hey! Wait..."

The wandering soul popped in front of him.

Jonathan heaved a sigh. "What now?"

"I am sorry. I entered your body again without permission."

"And why did you have to do that? I already agreed to help you, right? Why can't you wait until we can make an arrangement? Is it hard to understand?" Jonathan ran his fingers through his hair. It kinda frustrates him. "I have a valid reason..."

"Really, huh?" He put his hands inside his pocket and titled his head to the side. "Don't you dare lie to me..."

"I am not lying to you, okay. Look, I am a wandering soul, and I can see grim reapers. One of them was waiting for you outside the café. Do you know what it means?"

Jonathan's eyes widened as the realization hit him. It only meant one thing-death. The thought made his body shiver.

"And to be able to protect you, I had to enter your body," it added. "Don't worry. I am not expecting you to be grateful for it."

"You saved me because you need me for your agendas." He could not explain why he suddenly felt bad about it when it was her only reason for approaching him. "Well... yeah."

"We should make an arrangement first so you can go on with plans. As you can see, I have a life. You can't use my body whenever you wish." He beckoned her to follow him. THE door opened for Jonathan, and his cousin was behind it. Oreo looked around before pushing it to close.

"What?" Jonathan asked his cousin.

"Don't you sense anything?" Oreo said with a knotted forehead. "I am feeling something... a presence."

So, Oreo was not able to see her, but he could feel her presence.

"She's with me," Jonathan informed him.

His cousin's eyes suddenly grew wider.

"Y-you're with that wondering soul?" Oreo sounded fearful.

"I'll explain it to you later on." Jonathan turned his gaze on her. "Come with me."

She followed Jonathan when he went inside a room.

He threw his bag on the bed and turned in her direction. He looked serious, but she was thankful that there was no hint of anger nor annoyance on his face. A moment of silence ensued between them.

"So, what now?" she asked afterwards.

"First, I want to give you a name." Jonathan sighed. "Now that we're gonna work together, it would be a little odd if I have nothing to address you."

"Hmm... you're right. Do you have something in mind?"

"Momo," he said.

"It sounds like a pet name, but since it's cute, I am fine with it." She giggled.

She was not in the right place to complain about the name he had given her. She did not know who she was. Jonathan was kind enough to address her something other than a mere wandering spirit. He got an A for his effort. "Good." He sat at the end of the bed. "Now, tell me about your plans." Jonathan crossed his legs and clasped his hands above his lap.

"I want to know who am I and how I died. I have this feeling that my death has something to do with this issue why I wasn't able to crossover to the afterlife," she explained.

"I am not saying this to get your hopes down, but it won't be easy. You don't even have any memory. It's like looking for someone who doesn't want to be found."

"You're right. But I believe that somehow, I could replace some clue that will lead me to what I am searching for. First, I will replace the answer as to why I always replace myself roaming around that university. It could be a clue, right? We should investigate if someone died there years ago."

She did not get a response from Jonathan. He just stared at her as if he could see his face. Which is another question. She did not even bother to hide from him, but Jonathan could not see her face. In his eyes, she was just a human-shaped smoke that floats around.

"H-hey..." She suddenly felt conscious by the way he stared at her. And she was amazed that she was able to feel such emotion again. "Don't look at me like that..."

She wanted to disappear right that moment, but there was this force stopping her from doing so.

"I wonder how you look like..." Jonathan heaved a sigh. "Anyway, let's talk about the arrangements now. I know this may sound weird, but I want us to have a contract." He pulled his bag and brought out a pen and a piece of paper.

"You are not allowed to possess my body anytime you wish." Jonathan wrote it down on the paper.

"When can I use your body then?" she asked.

"During those days that I have no classes."

"But you go to work during those days."

"Then enter my body after work."

She groaned. "How can I-"

"Listen. You don't have to worry about your search operation because I will help you with that."

"Really?” He nodded. "How about during times of emergency?"

"That can be arranged. Next, you must avoid trouble whenever you're inside my body. Remember that it's me who gets in trouble, not you." Jonathan pointed the tip of his pen at her. "Noted."

"Lastly, you must give me some privacy." He glanced at her. "Breach of contract will result in termination and penalty," Jonathan warned her.

"What kind of penalty?"

"I will ask Agatha to exorcise you."

The thought scared her.

"And that means goodbye Earth for me. I got it!" She must do her best to follow his rules.

"Ah, I almost forgot. You must not come with me to the headquarters. They must not see you if you want to be safe."

Yeah, right. Better be safe than sorry.