The Sixth Sense

One step inside the school and I can feel them. This is the third school I've entered, and it’s the same every time—they’re here. We call them ghosts, spirits, or wandering souls, but they are always present. Some linger in corners, others stand around like ordinary people, and some just watch us with an unsettling envy, as if they wish to take our lives. Why can I see them? It’s something I can’t fully explain. I don’t just sense them; I can see and hear them clearly. Some are passive, merely existing, but others are dangerous. They target me because they know I can perceive them. They see me as a plaything, aware that most people would dismiss or mistrust someone like me. I sighed quietly, trying to ignore their presence as best as I could so no one would realize my ability. Only my father knows about my so-called power. He calls it a power, but to me, it feels like a curse. My father, Mark Powel, is a detective. He found me during a business trip when he stumbled upon my house. The moment he sensed something was wrong, he stopped, only to discover blood everywhere and the entire household dead. No one could find me until he sensed one living soul inside the house—me, hidden safely under my parents' bed. When he found me, he knew immediately that I was special. Since then, he has been the best father I could ask for. He adopted me and treated me as his own daughter. Unlike me, who sees and hears the spirits, he only senses when something is amiss. His instincts are usually right, which is why his colleagues trust his intuition. We both know it wasn’t a human murderer who killed my family, but a demon. Yet, we have no proof, so the case remains open, with the police still searching for the killer. Only my father and I understand that a demon was responsible for the tragedy. “Oisa…” “Louisa!!” I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up to see the secretary glaring at me in irritation. “The headmaster is ready for you,” she said, her tone clearly annoyed, before turning back to her computer. I sighed again, stood up, and walked to the office. As mentioned before, this is the third school due to my father’s job, which often requires us to move. But that’s the story we tell people. The real reason is that the spirits in the previous schools noticed me. Yes, once one of them realizes I can sense them, they begin to follow and harass me until I can’t ignore them any longer, affecting those around me as well. When spirits know they’re perceived, they act out, seeking attention. Some have unfinished business they want resolved, while others, driven by anger or a need for revenge, hurt humans to satisfy their rage. “Good morning, Louisa Powel,” the headmaster greeted me with a smile as I entered his office and took my seat. He knows I’m here because of my father’s job and is making an effort to give me a warm welcome. What he doesn’t realize is that this move might be beneficial for me. I am Louisa Powel, 16 years old, and this is my story with my sixth sense. ---------