...
When the driver heard the name of the place Petra was whispering, the car immediately changed direction. U-turn.
"I'll be in trouble, miss. Should we go back to school?" said the driver quietly, trying to change Petra's crazy idea. Skipping school and going elsewhere.
"It's useless. I'll be responsible for it. You don't need to worry about anything. I'll make sure you won't be fired." said Petra trying to convince the driver.
Meanwhile, the car that Petra was in was driving away from the road towards the school. Not long after, they were on the border between the city of Metropol and the city of Dustena, the industrial district of Mestonia. Past white and gray concrete buildings.
Last night, Petra met Ken again in a dream. Dream about them playing when they were kids. Ken pretends to be Petra's kind-hearted half-brother, while Petra is the adopted son of his father who recently married a widowed woman, Ken. They play the role of characters in Petra's favorite book, entitled 'The Kind Step Brother'.
The dream seemed to be Petra's muted memories then suddenly appeared again. A dream that made Petra feel filled with affection. A dream where Petra dreamed of meeting his biological father and mother who had died many years ago.
Petra's father and mother couldn't remember his face. Especially about their affection, Petra couldn't even remember feeling it. Only one memory of Petra about his childhood, the flames that consumed the house in it. Also, the one who eliminated Petra's parents.
"Miss, we have arrived at Arca Mestonia National Park. As your orders." admonished the driver, interrupting Petra's daydreams during the trip from Metropol to Upenina.
"Fine. Please wait here. There is something mine left behind yesterday. I will take it." Petra said goodbye, then Petra stepped out of the car toward the entrance to the national park.
Without problems, Petra easily entered the park and headed for the warhorse statue arena. The last place Petra met Ken. And, because of last night's dream and there were a few things Petra had to convince with her own eyes about Ken. About Steven's story the other day.
Petra walked down the hall, where he was unconscious. Petra tries to find Ken's whereabouts by walking from one end to the other. Nil. Not finding what she was looking for, Petra became frustrated. In the end, Petra sat down in a wooden chair at the end of the connecting hallway between the buildings.
"What are you looking for, Petra." asked a voice, coming from one of the cool aisles not far from where Petra was sitting.
A familiar voice to Petra.
A familiar voice in Petra's ears.
Ken's voice. The one Petra had been trying to locate minutes ago.
"Brother Ken," Petra said without hesitation. But Petra's voice was trembling, a mixture of surprise, relief and frustration, and confusion.
And Petra saw that. When Ken's voice suddenly appeared from the wall, but no one was there. Then, when Ken magically emerged from inside the wall like the invisibility illusion of a magician or maybe a witch in a fantasy film that Petra didn't like. Ken smiled bitterly after saying the sentence.
Petra's eyes flickered in reflex, to make sure that what he had just seen was real or just a dream in broad daylight. Until finally, Petra pinched one cheek hard with her right hand, Petra still couldn't believe it.
Petra has not been able to accept the reality in front of him. A supernatural phenomenon was happening before Petra's eyes. A rare event that never thought would happen in Petra's life.
"Judging by the way you reacted like that, I'm a hundred percent sure that Steven told you about it. About me. Who I am about. Isn't that right?" shoot Ken without further ado.
Ken walked slowly towards the chair Petra was sitting on. Ken stood in front of Petra, smiling faintly. A smile without meaning. A smile was not like Ken's smile Petra had seen in the past or yesterday.
"That's a lie, isn't it, Ken? How could there be such occult in the world we live in?" said Petra hoarsely. Petra's whole body trembled, trying to deny the reality that was in front of Petra's eyes.
"I can't force you to believe, Petra. Just look at me. Let your own two eyes judge. Don't take your emotions in denial. Just look at me now." said Ken softly.
"There must be something wrong with my eyes. Or Brother Ken playing with me again this time? How can I believe ..." Petra roared in frustration.
Ken sighed heavily. Ken couldn't do anything to see his little sister it was crying sadly. Crying for someone who she considered a brother, as a protector, was not what Petra thought. Their worlds are different from each other. The difference in dimensions made Petra cry in disbelief.
Since a long time ago, Petra did not believe in supernatural things. Although the storybooks of his childhood were filled with fantasy stories, for Petra they were only an outlet for his loneliness. His uncle and aunt were busy working in the fields. And it didn't end after Mia's aunt was pregnant and gave birth to Abel.
Since Petra's parents died, since Petra was raised by her uncle and aunt, Petra was accustomed to being independent. Petra didn't want to bother her only family just because she was busy taking care of her.
Therefore, Petra filled the void of adult affection by reading a lot of fantasy books. Little Petra hoped that her thirst for affection would disappear, comforted by the stories from this fairy tale.
"Don't ever blame yourself Petra. I'm the one at fault here. If only I had never appeared at your doorstep then none of this would have happened to you. I'm sorry I made you hurt like that, Petra. I'm sorry I don't have enough strength to heal. left hand. I'm sorry for all your memories of me. " Ken whispered emotionally.
Ken's right hand reached over Petra's head. Gently stroked Petra's shoulder-length hair. Caress an older brother to his lonely little brother.
"I have to apologize." cried Petra, trying to wipe the tears on both cheeks.
"Don't push yourself Petra. Be my little Petra who always looks forward with enthusiasm. You have a long future, Petra. And goodbye." said Ken again.
Then, Ken's body seemed to fade away just like that. made Petra, who had stopped crying, hysterical again.
"Brother Ken, don't go." roared Petra.
"No, Petra. Once you find out about the real me, I must disappear from your life forever. Or I must erase the memory of us from your memory." Ken whispered one last time before completely vanishing.
-TBC-