"So, do you believe me now?" Ryner asked.
"Yes, I do. The only person who knew all that you just said is Rita," Amelia replied, overwhelmed with emotions.
"Great work, Rita. Just keep pushing it, and maybe he'll agree to help us," said Thomas, pushing his head through the wall.
"Shut up! And can you please stop doing that? It'll creep him out," Rita snapped, kicking his head back through the wall.
"Oh, I almost forgot to ask— I haven't seen Yuri around. Where is she?" Rita asked.
"Oh, Yuri died two years ago. She was run over by a car," Ryner answered.
"Oh, I didn't know. Poor cat," Rita said softly, her voice filled with sorrow.
Suddenly, a flash of light caught Rita's eye.
"What was that just now?" Rita asked, puzzled.
"Ryner, come and take a look at this," Amelia called, looking at the footage, shocked. "She really is here, and she's floating in the air. This is kind of creepy."
Rita cleared her throat. "Um, Ryner, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"What is it? Is that why you followed me all the way here?" Ryner asked.
"Yes, it is. We have reason to believe that my death was a homicide, not an accident," Rita explained.
"What do you mean?" Ryner asked, surprised by what Rita had just stated.
"My death wasn't an accident. Someone killed me," Rita said matter-of-factly. "Which is why I'm so glad you can see me. You can help me figure out who took my life. If I don't find out who killed me, I'll never be able to pass on to the next life."
Rita floated casually over Ryner's head as she spoke.
"I see. I don't know how I'll be able to help you, but I'll see what I can do," Ryner said, his voice full of uncertainty.
"Oh, thank you, Ryner. You're the best!" Rita said cheerfully as she jumped to hug him but ended up flying right through him. Ryner jumped in surprise, a chill running down his spine.
"P-please don't do that again. It's creepy," Ryner said, his voice shaky.
"Okay, okay, I won't. It's just that I'm so happy right now," Rita said, a bright smile covering her face.
"I don't know the full details surrounding the loss of my life, because I somehow lost my memories during the process. Well, most of it, to be exact. I didn't forget you, though, or a guy named Trevor, a good friend of mine," Rita continued.
"So, what you're saying is that you were killed by someone, right?" Ryner asked.
"What is she saying to you?" Amelia asked, curious about their conversation.
"Stay quiet for a minute, I'm trying to think," Ryner said.
"I also forgot to add that when I encountered Amelia, all my memories of her started coming back to me. Does that mean anything?" Rita asked.
"It could be possible that the people you remember either have something to do with your passing or are able to help unravel the truth of what really happened to you," Ryner said, looking at Rita sternly. "As for gaining back parts of your memories, I believe that encountering people you knew when you were alive triggered it. So we should try to let you come in contact with as many people from your past as possible."
"Great! So can we get started right now? It's really boring in your room," Thomas said as he pushed his head through the wall once more.
Ryner, startled, pivoted backward and stumbled down the stairs.
"Are you okay, Ryner?" both Rita and Amelia asked in unison. "What happened?"
"Who the hell is that dead guy, anyway?" Ryner groaned as he held his bruised back. "I don't understand. He keeps showing up and doing that creepy thing with his head."
"I'm not sure myself," Rita replied. "He said his name was Thomas. I just met him at the place where I first woke up, which was the old section of the school. He was constantly calling out my name, so I assumed that he knew me. However, like me, he also has no recollection of his life before now."
"I see," Ryner said, trying to absorb everything that was happening.
Rita's voice softened as she continued, "It's strange, isn't it? Both of us—stuck in this strange in-between place, trying to piece together the fragments of our pasts. But I have hope, Ryner. With your help, maybe we can solve the mystery of my death. And maybe, just maybe, we can figure out what's really going on with Thomas too."
Ryner looked at her with a mix of disbelief and determination. "I don't know how we're going to figure all this out, but if it means helping you, I'll try. I'll do whatever I can."
"Thank you," Rita whispered, her voice full of gratitude.
The air in the room seemed to grow heavier as Ryner, Rita, and Thomas stood together, united by the mystery of the past and the strange spirits who seemed to be drawing them into their world.