Lily stared unblinkingly at her mum upon hearing that. How could she have anything to do with the future of the world? Lily couldn't imagine herself bearing the world's burden. No way that was happening. She just sat there opening and closing her mouth. She couldn't find the words as it was all beyond her. Eucharia smiled, she understood it all. It sounded so unreal, a joke maybe.
"What's this thing that can make me cure the world?" When her mother appeared to be on the verge of correcting the misconception, she quickly said : "I didn't forget you said I can save and completely destroy the world mum."
"Baby I said that you could either save or destroy the world."
"Oh okay." She waited for her mum to say something.
"You are a unique being Lily …"
"Lily, Eucharia!" It was Philip. Totally unbelievable. Was he just arriving? Did Philip expect the killer to still be around at that particular time? I guess this is "immediately" to him, she thought.
"We are here Philip." Eucharia called out to him. He headed towards the direction of their voices. When he got to Eucharia's room and had checked to see if they were in perfect condition, he smiled at the two ladies, relieved.
"I am glad you two are okay." He looked around as he said that. Lily closed her eyes trying to control her impatience while, her mother looked baffled.
"What don't I know Philip?" She looked at him as if he were an alien, as if he had grown another head. Lily stared at her mother surprised at the question.
"I was told that a killer was here. I had to hurry down here." Philip said still looking around the house.
"What? Did you just say a killer?" Eucharia turned to Lily looking baffled. "I have no idea of anything like that." It was now her turn to look around the house. "Besides, who told you that?" At the last statement, Lily discreetly gave Philip one of her meaningful looks.
"Sorry must have been a mistake. A strange number called me, saying that the head nurse was in trouble, I had to hurry down here." It was the best time to lie. Philip felt he wasn't in the right to tell the older lady. Lily would be the one to let her mum know when she felt was appropriate.
"Someone told you? Very interesting. It seems we are being watched. Come on baby." She hugged her daughter tightly as Philip looked on, admiring the display of affection between mother and daughter.
"I will make sure to find those involved and act justly. They won't do this again." The older woman nodded. Philip needs help to deal with these people, she thought. There was no way he could do it all alone. But who would assist him? Lily discreetly hid her face. She didn't want her mother to read her expression and find out. Her mum was so good at that. The young lady was scared of the questions that would follow. She wasn't ready to say anything about what Philip had told her. At least not just yet. Hence, Lily was glad that he didn't say she was the one who had raised the alarm. But she recalled her mum wasn't in the house when she had called. Where had she been then? Moreover, how did Magnus leave?
"Mum you weren't here when I called. Where did you go to?"
"Oh I remember you calling me until I saw you in that state."
"Yes I was worried, didn't see you."
"I saw Magnus off, sorry. You thought I left? How and why would I do that? You don't expect me to leave."
"Not at all mum." Eucharia nodded, brushing back some strands of Lily's hair.
"You know I tell you everything Lily, I can't hide anything from you."
Lily didn't say anything after this, just hugged her mum. But then, her mum's last words hit her deep. You don't tell me everything mum, she thought. Eucharia was yet to tell her about the weird drawings, her strange transformation and so much more. She had decided to wait for her mum to tell her at the time she deemed necessary. But, with the way things were going, Lily felt she was the one who would push her mum into telling her everything. That would be when they were alone, no strangers to disturb them.
Philip seeing that he was disrupting their private, quality time, deemed it wise to leave at that very moment. He knew when his help wasn't needed and made his departure known to the two females.
"Thanks Philip, see you soon." Eucharia bade. "Hope no strange calls again." Philip smiled with understanding.
"I hope so too."
Lily saw him off, she had something to tell him. When they got to the gate, he said:
"The killer left, I'm glad he didn't hurt anyone of you."
"Same here. Though I'm sure he eavesdropped on me while I read the warning." Philip paused in his stride.
"Wait. Warning? What warning?" Philip asked unblinkingly.
"A delivery guy brought me a parcel, saying it was for me from who knows who. Well … I wasn't expecting any but took it. He hurriedly left and I didn't get to see his face. Anyway, I opened the parcel to see a piece of paper that said the same thing you warned me of. That was when I realised that someone was eavesdropping on me." Lily looked around. "No one was in the house, except for my mum and Magus. My mum wouldn't peep at me so, it was definitely Magnus."
Philip nodded, he looked around wondering where the note would come from. He had been doing a lot of "looking around" in the past minutes.
"This means we are definitely being watched. No worries dear, we will take care of this."
"Thank you so much Philip. This means a lot to me and mum."
"The boy who brought the parcel could be anyone, maybe working for someone. Lily you have to take note of whosoever you meet. please do not accept parcels that aren't yours as dangerous if not toxic stuff could be sent to you. At this point, everyone is a suspect."
Lily understood it all. She would be more careful from that day on. Would really observe everyone she met.
"Does this mean that the story of my life has become widespread? Everyone knows the real me?"
"No … Lily, not at all. Whosoever it is hasn't told a soul, I'm sure of that. You are safe here okay?"
"Okay … what if this person is always around to this house?"
"Then Lily, deeply check your surroundings and always let me know of anything unusual."
"Oh … what if it's a sniper? You know they can watch from any angle."
"Sniper? Come on Lily, I do not think anyone would go through that length to watch you. It's all good, just … be watchful, okay?" Lily nodded, she would be more observant from that day on. She would watch to see if anyone paused at the front of their house, or engaged in any suspicious act.
*********
After Philip had gone home, Lily couldn't help but wonder where he lived and worked. She would know of that soon. Time was definitely coming. She seemed free with him and felt loved at the way he hurriedly came to defend them. Lily smiled. But it was "immediately" as he had said. She couldn't help but wonder what the killer would have done in the space of time, had the incidents not turned the other way round. She still wondered at how any of her friends would look at her when she told them the strange stories. No one would ever take me seriously she thought. They would think that she was paranoid … or even mad! The young lady shook her head as she got back to the house. It had been a hectic day. Hence, decided to go to sleep but would bade her mother "goodnight" first, as it was their norm.
"Mum." She called when she saw that the sitting room was vacant. She and Philip had left her mum there. There was no answer when she called to her mum. Perhaps she had gone to her room. Lily felt very tired to go to her mum's room. Maybe she had already slept in, Lily thought. Anyway, she would kiss the older woman "goodnight". The young lady dragged herself to the older lady's room, being so tired. The room's door appeared locked. She knocked but there was no answer. Was she already fast asleep? Her mum must be tired and Lily opted to cover her with the blankets to give he warmth.
The young lady opened the door and ... got the shock of her life. Lily looked on stupefied, to see her own mum twerking to a song playing. She had earphones on and was in a pair of bum shorts! What??