When my mom was a little girl, she heard this wild rumor that she comes from a family of witches. So, naturally, like any sane person, she wanted to get to the bottom of this. She graduated college with honors and went all in on studying the supernatural in a more scientific way.
And her big takeaway was that the supernatural is real. We just need the right means to connect with it. But even though mom became super famous for her groundbreaking work, she still couldn't figure out if our family had any connection to witches.
She was so obsessed with finding the answer that she neglected everything else, which didn't sit well with dad. They fought all the time and eventually he had enough and left. Soon after, mom realized she was pregnant with me.
So, she dropped her research, moved into her childhood home with Aunt Jesse, and became the most devoted mom ever. But the second I started high school, she drove right back into her witch hunt. She even had this creepy little office where she kept all the souvenirs from her years of research.
And Aunt Jesse absolutely hated that place. Oh my god, Cara. Who gave you that awful haircut?
Mom did. What's wrong? Nothing except you looked like a shaved squirrel.
She looks fine, Jesse. And why are you in my office anyway? I thought you hated coming here.
I do. It's just that I need some money. I'm traveling to Bora Bora tomorrow with Jack, and I don't want him to see me as some wannabe leeching off his money.
Who's Jack? I thought you were dating Mark. Mark was such a boore, so I broke up with him.
Now I'm dating Jack. You know, he's an entrepreneur and he owns a yacht. A yacht?
Only 1,000th of a percent of the world population own a yacht, and Jack is one of them. Now, if you're done interrogating me, can I have some cash? Aunt Jesse was mom's twin sister.
But unlike mom, Jesse was a total free spirit. She drifted from place to place, never held down a steady job, and dreamed of marrying rich so she'd never have to work. Mom thought Jesse was a total flake.
And for Jesse, mom was one science experiment away from turning into a mad scientist. So obviously they never got along and life went on until one day everything changed. Yeah, we say that a lot around here, just like we keep asking you to like and subscribe, so please go ahead and do that.
Anyway, mom was in her creepy office doing her usual research when we heard a loud crash. Jesse and I rushed in to check on her, and there she was, passed out cold on the floor. Her research papers were scattered everywhere, and right in the middle was this weird necklace.
I ran to mom's side while Aunt Jesse called the ambulance, but when the paramedics arrived, they said she was in a coma. Mom was rushed to the hospital, but the necklace stayed behind. I couldn't bring myself to leave it there.
It felt important, like it might hold the answers we needed. So, I took it and always kept it close to me. Oh my god.
Just toss that ugly thing already. No way. This was the last thing mom was researching before she collapsed.
She might need it when she wakes up. For what? To wear to some ugly necklace convention?
Cara, you're 18. Go live your life. You sulk way too much for a teenager.
And you're way too wild for someone in their 40s. Don't you care about mom at all? Aren't you even a little worried if she's ever going to wake up?
Look, your mom's nuts, okay? For all we know, this is because she spent too much time chasing ghosts and ancient nonsense. Now, do me a favor and stop playing detective.
Aunt Jesse grabbed my arm and I wanted to pull away, but I was too stunned. Not because of what she did, but because of what I saw. I had this vision where I saw Jesse in mom's office pulling money out of her locker.
You stole from mom's locker? What locker? I didn't steal anything, but I just saw I grabbed Jesse's arm again and just like before, I saw her in mom's office stealing money.
I was trying to make sense of what was happening when suddenly my eyes fell on the necklace in my hand. I kept it down and touched Jesse again and nothing. No visions this time.
Could this necklace actually be showing me something? Oh, no. You've got that look.
the same one your mom got whenever she went on about ghosts or spirits or whatever nonsense she wasted her life chasing. Jesse kept groaning about something, but my brain was stuck on the fact that the necklace actually had powers. Every time I held it, these weird flashes would hit me.
I didn't totally get what they were. Maybe they were some blurry sneak peeks into the future. Honestly, with Jesse's track record, seeing her steal from mom felt pretty believable.
But I needed proof that this thing was legit. So the next day, I wore the necklace to school. And like I suspected, every time I bumped into someone, I saw a glimpse of their future.
Like I accidentally brushed up against Madison, our cheer captain, and saw her flipping out in front of everyone. Sure enough, later that day, she dumped her boyfriend and destroyed his locker. I also saw Kyle, the class clown, going home alone to his cats, which was kind of sad.
But then I saw the rude school janitor having a terrible lunch that would keep him in the bathroom all afternoon. That instantly lifted my spirits. Oh wow, this is the best day ever.
Talking to yourself, Cara, is that your secret strategy to beat me on the test? Hate to break it to you, but it's not going to work. Gh.
Ethan. Of course, he had to walk in and ruin my perfect day. Ethan is in my class, and he's probably the most perfect guy ever.
Rich, popular, a face that looks like it was carved by angels, and of course, perfect grades. He's got it all. But here's the kicker.
Ethan's insanely clumsy. It's almost a talent how bad he is at holding on to things. Lunch trays, expensive vases, kittens, you name it, he's probably dropped it.
And yet somehow his clumsiness just makes him even more charming to everyone. Well, everyone but me. I just thought it was hilarious how someone so perfect can be such an uncoordinated mess.
Oh my god. Ethan, are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?
Yeah. Yeah, I'm I'm fine. Just flipped a little.
No big deal. Quick, someone get ice. Call the nurse.
Ethan, how many fingers am I holding up? Uh, two. What's so funny?
Oh, nothing. It's just, isn't this a little dramatic? He just tripped.
He's not dying. Just for the record, I could have seriously hurt myself. What if I hit my head and broke my neck?
Would that be serious enough for you? Oh my god. You're fine.
You may have a concussion, but that's about it. And you literally fall every day, Ethan. Multiple times a day.
And you're walking just fine, aren't you? Ethan gave me the stink eye. And since then, he's been in this weird unspoken competition with me.
He tries to beat me at everything. Grades, gym class, who gets to the front of the cafeteria line first. And even though I have no idea why he's doing that, one thing's for sure.
There's no way I'm letting him win. I'm here. I'm not late.
Ew, what's that smell? Did you run here? Just ask, Carrot, and I'll led you a couple bucks for the bus next time you're late.
At least I can run without tripping over a rock and rolling down the street. I don't need to run. I have a car with a private driver.
And thank God for that. Or God knows how many people you would have run over by now. You clumsy fool.
How dare you? Ethan lunged at me, but his foot caught on the desk and he crashed right into me. As soon as we touched, I had this crazy vision of Ethan wandering through a forest, moving deeper like he was searching for something.
And then suddenly, he reached the edge of the cliff and fell. If you keep staring at me like that, you'll fall in love. Gh.
As if. Get off me. And yeah, maybe stay away from cliffs for a while.
Okay. What? Did you not get enough oxygen to your brain while running over here?
Just then, the teacher walked in and we rushed back to our seats. That entire day, I couldn't help keeping an eye on Ethan. Even though he was a jerk, I didn't want him falling off a cliff because of some mysterious entity.
That would break too many hearts at school. So later when I saw him walking toward the woods behind the school, I decided to follow him, but he'd already walked in deeper. I kept walking straight, trying to stay optimistic.
When I finally saw Ethan moving towards the cliff in a translike state, "Ethan, stop! " No response. I screamed for him again.
But when he didn't stop, I ran towards him and pulled his arm, snapping him back to reality. Carara, what? Where am I?
You walked into the jungle. You don't remember? No, I remember being at football practice and now I'm just here.
How did I even get here? And wait, how'd you know where to find me? Were you following me?
You were, weren't you? Why did one of my dad's enemies send you to keep an eye on me? Tell me.
For a second, I panicked. Ethan's dad was a senator, and me showing up out of nowhere was definitely weird, especially cuz we didn't get along. I could understand why he'd be paranoid.
So, I had no choice but to tell him the whole truth. So, you're telling me this necklace gives you the power to look into the future? Yeah.
And I know it sounds super made up, but I swear to God, it's true. And if you don't believe me? No, I actually believe you.
With all the weird stuff going on in my life right now, a magic necklace honestly feels pretty normal. That's when Ethan told me that for the past few months, he was being haunted by a ghost. It showed up out of nowhere.
And ever since then, his life had been a mess. I was always clumsy, but lately, it's been getting worse. I wake up doing the weirdest stuff, like wrecking my mom's rose garden or doodling all over some portrait of my great-grandfather, and I don't even remember doing it.
But how are you so sure a ghost has something to do with this? Because I've seen it. Sometimes late at night, I'll catch a shadowy figure in the mirror or feel like someone's standing right behind me.
Plus, we moved into this house only 6 months ago, and my parents were warned it might be haunted. But the house belonged to my great-grandfather, and dad was obsessed with renovating it and moving in as soon as possible. And now I'm haunted by this stupid ghost who probably wants me dead.
I stared at him, trying to process what he just said. A ghost was making Ethan clumsy and dangerous. It sounded ridiculous.
But then again, I was wearing a necklace that could show me the future. So maybe this wasn't totally ridiculous. You think I'm an idiot?
Yes, but that's beside the point. Seems like this ghost has some serious beef with you, and we need to make sure it doesn't totally wreck your life. Follow me.
Ethan watched me suspiciously, but followed me anyway. And I took him home. I led him to mom's office, dug through some of her stuff, and pulled out a protective talisman.
This should keep you safe for a while. Although the ghost might still mess with your mind, it won't be able to harm you fatally. Gee, thanks.
That's reassuring. But how do you even know this stuff works? My mom was a researcher of the supernatural.
I picked up a thing or two growing up in this chaos. That is until she got sick. But I'm sure she'll be fine in no time.
And this time when she's back, I'm not letting her out of my sight for even one second. At least you have that hope. I live in the same house as my parents, and I barely see them.
Last month, when I kept waking up in random places around the house, my dad just hired a sleep specialist, then a psychiatrist, then a guard to lock my door at night. Not once did he ask me what was actually wrong. Just threw money at it until it looked fixed and I didn't cause any drama.
That sounds rough, but I guess we all have our battles. I guess we do. Since then, Ethan and I were practically inseparable.
Honestly, it wasn't by choice. Ethan was convinced he couldn't survive without me. And to be fair, he wasn't entirely wrong.
At first, the things I saw ahead of time were small, like stopping him from burning his tongue on hot cocoa or mixing up sugar and salt. But as the week went on, things got way more intense. First, I saved him from falling into the fountain in the school courtyard.
Then it was dodging a soccer ball that almost slammed into his face. But things got really serious during science class when he nearly mixed two dangerous chemicals together, and I had to jump out of my seat to stop him. It looks like every time I stop you from a disaster, the ghost just gets angrier and pushes you into an even bigger one.
We need to stop this. Did you sprinkle salt along the floor right up against the walls of your room like I asked you to? That's the only way to keep the ghost out of your room.
Of course I did. But the cleaning staff always sweeps it up and complains to my parents about the mess. They think I've lost my mind.
Then ask one of your bodyguards to watch over you at night. You've got plenty of those, don't you? What?
Am I, five? My parents would think it's weird. You have to come up with a better solution.
Like what? I can't watch you 24/7, Ethan. There's got to be another way.
I have an idea. Ethan's brilliant idea was to sneak me into his massive walk-in closet overnight without anyone noticing. But why can't I just come in through the front door like a normal person?
I mean, you're kind of popular. Don't you have friends coming over all the time? You mean those kids I hang with at school?
They're only around because my dad's loaded. None of them are real friends. And even if they were, my dad's way too paranoid to let anyone in without running them through a hundred security checks.
Seriously, sneaking in is just easier and way more claustrophobic. You'll survive. But it was tougher than it looked.
Ethan's place was like a fortress. Big sprawling gardens, guards crawling everywhere with dogs that would rip you apart. Even his closet was bigger than my room.
So, I slipped in and waited for Ethan while his guards patrolled the house. But with the blackout, the air felt heavy and I started to feel dizzy. Before I knew it, everything went dark and I passed out.
When I opened my eyes, I wasn't in the closet anymore. Instead, I was standing in a dimly lit hallway with creaky wooden floors and walls lined with old paintings. Finally awake, sleeping beauty.
I spun around to see a girl my age, dressed like she had just walked out of a 19th century drama. What is this? Where am I?
Who are you? Slow down, woman. One question at a time.
You're having a dream and I'm the ghost of this gorgeous house. You're the one haunting Ethan. Haunting is such a dramatic word.
Let's just say I'm invested in his miserable little life. Why? Because I enjoy tormenting pretty boys.
In life, I scarcely had the time for such amusements. But now, as a ghost, I can slip in and out of their lives as I please. It's one of the few pleasures I have left.
Now, if you're done pestering me with questions, there's something important I need to show you. She led me down a narrow staircase and finally stopped in a weird cave that looked like it was centuries old. The walls were all stone, and on them were strange looping symbols repeated over and over in neat rows.
I was trying to make sense of what they meant when the ghost gestured towards the end of the cave to a red door. If you want answers, just walk through that door. What's behind it?
The truth. You're really enjoying this, aren't you? Oh, immensely.
Now, do as I say. You don't have much time. I took a deep breath and walked over to the door.
But just as I was about to turn the knob, I heard a scream coming from the end of the cave. I got so spooked I immediately recoiled and fell. My head hit the ground and I don't remember what happened next except I woke up staring at the ceiling in Ethan's living room.
I slowly got up trying to make sense of what happened when I saw Ethan holding a lighter standing inches away from the curtains. Without thinking, I lunged forward and snatched the lighter out of his hand when suddenly Ethan's parents walked in. Who are you and what are you doing in my house?
Dad, she's I'm not asking you, Ethan. You go to your room. But Dad, I said leave.
Ethan's mom took his hand and took him to his room while I just stood in the living room motionless. As for you, girl, you broke into my house, and judging by that lighter in your hand, I'd say your intention was to set something on fire. Some rival sent you to sabotage me, so I stepped down from my mayor campaign.
What? No, I wasn't trying to burn anything. I was helping Ethan.
Ask him. I don't have to ask him anything. My son would never be friends with someone like you.
Excuse me, sir, but you're crossing a line here. I agree this whole thing looks suspicious, but I'm telling you the truth. You can call my aunt.
She can vouch for me. Oh, I'm sure you have some accomplice ready to cover for you. Enough of this nonsense.
You're not fooling me. Before I could argue any further, his dad pulled out his phone and called the police. And an hour later, I was sitting in the police station feeling like the unluckiest person in the world.
I was just about to lose my mind when Jesse burst through the doors and dragged me home. Of all the stupid, reckless, irresponsible things you could have done, Cara, you broke into someone's house. I didn't.
Ethan called me there. He's my friend. So, you're telling me you have rich friends like that guy Ethan, and you never told me?
How could you do that? The least you should have done was to introduce me to his father. For the love of God, Jesse, his dad's married.
Where are your morals? Who needs morals when you can be rich? And his dad's a politician, right?
Everyone knows politicians are always looking for trophy wives. I'm sure I'd fit right in. Now, do me a favor and arrange a meeting.
I will do no such thing, you freak. What? I'll talk to him after break tomorrow at school.
I didn't because Ethan didn't turn up at school the next day, which kind of had me worried. I even called him, but he didn't answer. So, I thought he was just ignoring me after what happened with his dad last night.
But then something in my heart told me things weren't right. So, I decided to pay him a visit. I was outside his mansion when suddenly I started hearing voices.
I walked in and froze. Ethan was standing on the edge of the roof, swaying like a leaf in the wind. His parents were shouting up at him.
Guards were barking into their walkie-talkies, but no one was making a move to save him. Ethan, sweetie, please wake up. But Ethan didn't move.
It was clear he wasn't himself, and if someone startled him or rushed up there, it might only push him to jump. I had to get to him somehow. So, with everyone distracted, I slipped into the mansion and dashed upstairs to the rooftop.
Ethan. Ethan, it's me, Cara. I know you can hear me.
You're not alone. I'm here. Okay, just focus on my voice.
Ethan tilted his head slightly, like he was trying to place the sound. You're stronger than this. Whatever's got a hold on you, it doesn't control you.
You're Ethan, the guy who trips over air and somehow still looks cool doing it. You're not a puppet. Fight it.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then slowly, he turned his head to look at me. Carara, it's me.
I've got you. I won't let go. I promise.
Finally, he reached out. And the moment our hands touched, I yanked him away from the edge with all my strength. But I fell, hit my head, and blacked out.
And when I woke up, I was in Ethan's room. What happened? You hit your head, Carara.
I I don't know how to thank you. If you hadn't come, I don't think I'd still be here. Good thing I showed up then.
There's also something else you should know. Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out my necklace. The chain was snapped and the strange pendant was cracked right down the middle.
I found it next to you after you fell. Oh no. It was the one thing that still connected me to my mom.
I'm so sorry, Carara. I'm sorry that I dragged you into this mess. It wasn't your battle to fight.
In fact, there's something you should know. And Ethan told me that he wasn't actually possessed, but had a rare psychological disorder that caused blackouts and hallucinations. It started when he was a kid, but it went away.
We thought it was fine until these past few months. He started having these episodes. His dad's political campaign, the pressure, moving into this old place with all its creepy stories.
It must have triggered it again. And we tried to keep him safe, secured the entire place, but we failed. My parents didn't tell me this because they thought I might freak out and maybe the condition will worsen.
But what's worse than jumping off a roof? Sorry, bad time to joke. But the bottom line is that I'm truly sorry for everything I've put you through.
And I'd really love it if we could be friends. Ethan was still talking when my phone buzzed. It was Aunt Jesse, and she told me that mom was finally awake.
I told Ethan, and he immediately offered to take me to the hospital. As soon as we reached the hospital, I rushed into Mom's room and held her tight. Oh, thank God.
I was so scared I'd never get to see you again. Oh, my sweet girl. I missed you, too.
And I've got to say this. You've been so brave. But mom, I messed up.
I broke the necklace. Well, you kind of did me a favor there. Mom's eyes drifted to the broken necklace.
And she told me that it wasn't just some souvenir, but an ancient relic designed to imprison souls. I studied it, thinking it would confirm our family's history with witchcraft. I thought if I could connect my spirit to it, I'd gain the wisdom I'd been seeking.
Instead, the necklace trapped me. My body stayed here in a coma, but my spirit was locked inside. But when it broke, it lost its hold.
My soul was released and returned to my body. So, you were in this necklace all this time? In a way, yes.
I've been watching you, and you've been so brave, Cara. Although, I got a bit freaked out when I saw you walking towards that red door. Wait, you know about the red door?
How? I never told anyone about that vision. I know because I was there.
That scream you heard was mine. And it wasn't a vision, Cara. The necklace was messing with your head.
It feeds off your fears and uncertainties. And when it sensed your confusion about Ethan's haunting, it created the image of a ghost to prey on your emotions. It was all a trick to get you to walk through that red door willingly.
And if you had, you'd be trapped just like I was. So, you mean everything I saw in my visions was my imagination? But what about the stuff that came true?
The necklace has the strange power of showing you bits and pieces of the future, but never the full picture. It keeps you curious, making you rely on it to guide you. That's how it earns your trust and manipulates you.
I think I'm going to lose my mind. No, you won't. Because I will never let this happen again.
I'm done with these studies, Cara. I lost sight of what matters and nearly lost everything. I think I want to focus on my family again.
I'd love that, too, Mom. Great. Now that you're both reunited, maybe we can talk about my Bora Bora trip.
No, fine. I'll just sit here quietly. We all laughed and it felt like a new chapter had begun.
The necklace was gone. Mom was awake and back with me. And as for Ethan, well, he's still clumsy as ever, but at least he's taking therapy so he won't roll off another building and blame it on a ghost.
