"Andwae [No way]." Her subconscious mind kept taunting as she tried to take grips of what was going on; trying her best not to breakdown though she felt all her strength had suddenly left her. "This can't be happening. " She intuitively shuddered as thoughts of the stranger from earlier invaded her memory– a strand of tear escaping her eyes in the process.
At that moment, she heard a scraping sound of foot steps scampered into the room from behind invading the serene but yet chaotic atmosphere. Before she could make a turn towards it, her mother's voice echoed.
"Irianda." She cried, rushing in towards her daughter as she swiftly turned on her feet.
"Eomma..." Irianda stuttered amidst sobs, meeting her mother halfway into the room as they swept into each other's arms with the former rounding her hands tightly around her mother. "I thought I had lost you." She grumbled over her shoulders.
Mandy deftly drew her daughter back at her words– instinctively curbing her face as she stared intently into her eyes; wiping the tears from her drenched face while she scanned her through.
"Gwenchana? [Are you okay?]" She asked with a worried gaze and Irianda spontaneously bobbed her head in assurance as her lips curved into a slight smile.
Without another word, Mandy step sided her daughter while she hastened to the bedside – first pulling the drawer beside it opened in search of something Irianda knew nothing about. The latter's brows instinctively furrowed watching her mother's swift movements around the bed as she scanned all around for God knows what.
"What are you looking for mum–" Irianda asked after few minutes of not being able to wrap her mind over what she might be looking for.
"Hoshi- no- tama." Mandy swiftly muttered without any further explanation – her gaze still fixed at the spot she was busily searching. From Irianda's expression, she could see she literally had no idea what her mother was talking about.
Few seconds later, she noticed Mandy's hand suddenly paused at a small spot around the drawer which was merely visible to anyone unless you're told there was something like that over there.
"Found it." Mandy mumbled diverting her gaze to Irianda then back to the spot she had her hand on.
Irianda instinctively craned her neck to see past her mother as she watched her fidgeted her hand a bit around the small squared-like spot for a while. Just when anxiety was beginning to over take her patience– her mother pulled out a small glowing ball like that of the fox marble which floated from her fingertip as she sprung up her feet.
The former's eyes heightened with surprise as she stared intently at the small glowing ball floating before her eyes. "Igeo Mwoya? [What's this]." She inquired with her eyes still fixed on the ball.
"That's Hoshi- no- tama." Mandy answered. "It is a similar marble to the fox bead." She went on. "It is very precious to Kitsunes also known as kumihos as it contains some of their powers. They would do anything within their power to have this back. Your father asked me to give it to you when you turn 18. I bet they came in search for this and for you as well." She added, step passing her daughter as she headed to the wardrobe. "Whatever the case is– we can no longer stay here." Mandy informed.
Irianda allowed her gaze to travel after her mother; diverting her attention from the floating marble as she opened her mouth to inquire more about it but before she could say anything, the Hoshi- no- tama swarm into her mouth– progressing down through her throat. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt and neither did it left any strange sensation or feeling but rather, made her feel whole; like a part of her had been restored.
But then, the situation at hand at the moment made it barely possible to pounder over anything like that.
She watched as her mother swiftly moved to and fro around the room; packing her things as she deftly reached for her phone which she had dropped on the bed– hastily dialing a number while she sent the phone to her ear; supporting it with her shoulder while she still went about her packing.
"You should hurry and go pack too." Mandy addressed over her shoulders with her attention divided between what she was doing and the phone call she had just laid as she waited to be answered.
Without hesitation, Irianda shuffled off to her room– knowing well what laid at stake. "Leti, we need your help." She heard her mother say as she rounded the corner to her room.
*********
It was almost 7pm when Neo got home. He had earlier on ran into his stepfather Hwang In- Yeop who asked him for a talk over a meal; hoping for a heart to heart dialogue that could pave way for a peaceful coexistence between them.
Though he had hesitated, Yeop's persistence was beginning to irritate him so he gave in to avoid being rude.
But then judging from the look on his face as he scampered in through the door– followed shortly by Yeop; one could tell that whatever talk went on between them didn't go well.
"You're home." His mother who was seated behind the TV muttered as she caught glimpse of him as well as Yeop. "I prepared your favourite Kimchi." She hastily added– while her eyes followed after Neo who was headed for the low stairs leading to his room.
"I'm not hungry." He answered over his shoulders– making her mother's gaze travelled back to Hwang In Yeop with a quizzical look as if to ask "What happened?"
The latter's lips curved into a tighted lip smile on noticing the former's gaze; giving her the knowing look while he strolled to where she stood. Her brows intuitively creased with worry– making the latter round his arm around her shoulders as he neared her; slightly squeezing it in assurance as they stared once again at Neo's already faded back.