Things have finally gotten back to the way they used to be. In just two weeks, I got my job back and Lila agreed to work with me, although I think she still has a lot to learn since it's her first time in the mortal realm. It was a busy day today, and Lila had a hard time blending in.
"I can't believe you do this for a living," she sneered.
"Well, we've got to survive," I replied as I took a tray filled with coffee and went to serve the customers who had just come in.
The rest of the morning went well as I spent time teaching Lila how to hold a tray.
"Hey, how would y'all like to see the movies" Destiny suggested
"That'd be nice" I repiled, well, with all that's going on, i Could really use the distraction.
"Erm... What's a movie?" Lila asked and they all stared at her not uttering a word
"Well..." I began to explain what it was
"How could you not know what the movies is?" Reta asked as Lila smiled awkwardly.
So that was settled, we agreed to meet up tonight at the movies.
After work, as we were walking down the street, Lila asked
"So what now? Where are we going to stay because I'm freaking exhausted."
"Um... How about we stay in a hotel for the time being?" I suggested, and she didn't argue.
...
The bell rang for school dismissal. Ferda held her baby sister as they made their way out of the school premises and walked down the long, endless street to their house. Things had not been the same since Clovet's death, Lolly had been dreadfully quiet while Ferda was dealing with shocks.
On their way home, Lolly paused for a few minutes and stared around with an expressionless face.
"What's wrong, Lolly? Let's go," Ferda said, dragging her along as Lolly stared at her with a deathly cold face. Ferda looked at her sister, surprised, it felt like she was dealing with an entirely different person.
"Lollipop, are you there?" Ferda asked, shaking her. Lolly was acting differently, and it often scared Ferda.
Lolly did not reply as usual, she just kept going silently until they reached home.
"We're back," Ferda announced when they got in. Bia was already setting the table; she had been coming out more often, even though she hadn't stopped grieving the death of her daughter. She had to be strong for the other two, while Jerry had resumed work.
Ferda and Lolly sat down to eat lunch after Bia finished setting the table.
"How was school today?" Bia asked, dishing out the food.
"It was the same as yesterday," Ferda replied. "But Lolly keeps acting weird." Then Bia looked at Lolly, who ate her food peacefully.
"Is anything bothering you, sweetheart?" she asked, and Lolly shook her head.
...
I booked a hotel room for two days. I lay on the bed, exhausted from today's journey. The room wasn't too big but manageable, with lots of flowery designs, and the bed was so soft you'd wish never to get off it. The room was painted pink with white stripes, while Lila was at the balcony, taking in the city view.
After a while, I joined her.
"This view is amazing," she said with a smile.
"Yeah," I replied, a little sad.
When she noticed my mood, she asked, concerned,
"What's wrong?"
"It's nothing. I've been dealing with a lot lately," I replied.
She stared at me for a while, then asked,
"My sister's death?"
"And the people after me, and... I also lost my sister."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"It's okay. It's not your fault," I sighed. "But why do the dark forces want me? Why do they want my power?"
"I see you don't know how to use them," Lila said. "Do you even have any idea what they are?"
I shook my head and said,
"Nope. My mom just told me that in the wrong hands, it can do great evil."
"Yes, and that's why we mustn't let the dark forces get you," Lila said, looking down at the road. "You have the power of the order of the universe. You have the ability to control and bend reality to your will. With those powers, time is just an illusion. That's why Mayhem wants it so badly."
"So, what do I do?" I asked.
"Well, the Council said I should babysit you for now as they decide, but I think you need to learn more about it and how to use it. Shem can help, but right now, no one knows where he is."
"Just like last time," I sighed.
"Well, in the meantime, I'd love to go to the movies," she said, giggling.
...
At night, when everyone was asleep, Ferda lay on her bed, trying hard to fall asleep, when she heard tiny whispers coming from the sitting room. She sat upright and realized Lolly was not in bed.
"Lolly!" she whispered as she tiptoed her way to the sitting room and found Lolly staring at the open window, talking to herself.
"But who killed her?" Lolly asked with a childish voice, then immediately switched to a distorted voice and replied to herself in a way only she could hear and understand.
Already freaked out, Ferda called almost in a whisper,
"Lolly!"
Then Lolly turned back and looked at her with eyes pure black, then turning normal, she said with her usual voice,
"I know who killed Clovet..."