Ashnah's phone rang. It was Uncle Arnold. It's been days since she have heard from him. I answered the phone hurriedly, "Uncle Arnold?"
"Hey, `morning. I've been busy these days trying to process your entry to the org."
"Well, that's news." She didn't even knew she will be entering their organization just like that. She's still in gray if it's going to be a good thing or not. She does not like complicated things. But it may also be the best option at the moment.
"I have sorted my thoughts out. And thought that this is the best option for you at the moment to keep you safe." He felt guilty for not being able to tell her of any updates of the ongoing plans about her.
"I'll check out your plans. And I think it's up to me whether I'll enter your organization or not. But I'll hear you first before making a choice," she prayed that her vioce clearly draw the line for that decision.
"Yeah, you have every right to do so. Are you free right now?"
"I have an appointment by six pm with an old acquaintance," she tapped her fingers on the table, thinking if she can probably moved her appointment with Elix. "I'll check if I can move it. I'll get back to you." Before she can call Elix, her phone rang and notification of Elix's message popped up on her screen.
Hi! What's up? Can we probably move back our appointment? I'm still in Sugbu City but an urgent matter came up.
Just right on time, she smiled. It's okay. You may chose the date and time as well as the place.
Let's meet tomorrow if it's okay. Same place and time. Is that fine with you?
Yeah, that would be fine. See you then.
As soon as Ashnah finished their short chat, she dialed up Uncle Arnold's number.
"I've cancelled up my appointment with Elix. I'm free for the rest of the day," she said as soon as he picked up.
"Okay, send me the location. I'll message you when I got there."
***
Ashnah packed up her things when she saw Uncle Arnold parked his car. She picked up her phone when it rang. "Yes, Uncle Arnold. I'm on my way." It didn't take a minute for her to finish packing up. She directly went to his car and opened the passenger's seat.
"Fasten your seatbelt," he said as soon as she settled on the seat.
She did do so. "Where are we going?"
"To someone's home." He started the engine and maneuvered the car to the main road.
"Your home?"
"No, `hun. We're going to Fina. Your Uncle Rodney's half sister," he said with such unconcerned look.
"Oh," was all that she can manage to say. She knew her uncle was adopted by her grandparents. But she didn't know that he's in constant contact with his siblings on the father's side. She knew his siblings on his mother's side since his biological mother is her grandmother's sister though in their family, they didn't really discuss any internal matters.
Only the music from his car speakers and engines are the things that can be heard. She's gazing out the window with thoughts going array. Suddenly, the the trees passing by her sight stopped moving from her view. The car came to a stop.
"Are we here?" she asked Uncle Arnold.
"No. We got some lil bit of interruption," he took off his seat belt and went out of the car. He saw the surrounding turned lifeless like before. She hurriedly went out the car.
"Are we in trouble?" she asked, her heart started racing.
"No, hun. They are," It was only then that she noticed him holding something glowing.
She was about to ask but he hurriedly walked; his gaze forward, not looking anywhere else. She followed in, running and walking consecutively. There they see in the corner of a fastfood chain branch, a huge dark smoke with spikes all around. Uncle Arnold was the first to go. The glowing thing in his hand extended, forming something akin to a light saber in star wars.
"What's that?" she couldn't stopped herself from asking. He ran off the store, breaking the window. The monster was able to land it's attack with it's elongated thorns.
"Watch out!" she screamed.
But Uncle Arnold remained unfazed, he also managed to split the thorn into two. The splitted thorn exploded. Uncle Arnold slashed a swift strike on the air which travelled quite the distance and passed in front of her, serving as a wall in between her and the the impact of the explosion. He came running towards her afterwards and pushed her behind the garbage bin.
"Stay here, kid. It's dangerous near it," he ran away from her when a different thorn suddenly whipped towards him. It went after him, trying to pin him to the ground. Uncle Arnold was able to fend it off. She's literally watching both of them in a large scale sword fight.
She felt something rough yet slimy on her ankle. When she checked it, it was a part of the exploded thorn before. It was trying to encircle her feet and drag her toward the dark smoke. She tried kicking it.
"Uncle Arnold!" She called helplessly as it continued to pull her over. She tried kicking it to shake it off, but it's not working.
Uncle Arnold hurriedly ran towards her. Suddenly, another tail of thorns lashed on his way. It was already too late when he noticed it. He went flying to the nearby tree. The tree shook from the impact, making its leaves fall from the branches.
"Uncle!"
The slimy bodice of the demon crept up her body, consuming her in it's tar-like appearance. She closed her eyes, scared that it will be her last. When she opened her eyes, it was pitch dark.
She heard mumbling on the air. She felt the deja vu. If this is going to be the same then all she needs to do is just follow the mumbling voice. Right? She just hope that it's going to be the same.
When she reached the ones giving out that frustrated moanings, she was surprised. She saw a familiar face. It was Elix. Was he depressed?
"Elix?" she called out.
He turned towards her, his eyes are very tired.
"What happened?" she was worried. Is that why Elix want to met someone he already knew?
She reached out to him. As soon as her hands made contact with his form, his emotions exploded and manifested in words. They were sad, guilty, frustrated, regretful.
I'm sorry I can't love you so
My heart had stopped beating for you
I just wish that you're the first to go
I did not mean to hurt you too
I thought I had loved your soul
Embraced every part of your all
My heart's void of that emotion
I can't give you such devotion
I did not mean to take your time
Did not mean to own you as mine
I want you to love in freedom
Saw that girl in you too seldom
I did chose you for a reason
Did not know we are both poison
One wished freedom, the other chain
I tried yet can't hear me explain
Asking me if I'll die for you
No, I still have dreams to come true
Have a family to support
But made me silent in retort
I did not mean to destroy your world
I did not mean to become cold
I tried everything to love you
Can't revive what I felt for you
I felt threaten for everyday
That when I leave you'll die that day
I see not love but obsession
A silent kind of aggression
I lost myself in confusion
I longed for my restoration
I need to go, leave you behind
Imperceptive love, one that's blind
If it is love why can't you see
How happiness fade in our eyes
Not meant inside a pod of pea
We will only hurt as love dies.
Memories that are not mine flashed on my mind. It was Elix's.