Episode 3: Fear of losing everything
We spent our remaining time researching in the jungle, but my mind was trapped in the thoughts of the diary I found in the Lost City. It was less of a city and more of a vast, seemingly bottomless abyss. But was that all an illusion? It can't be true, right? The flower must have been something in its smell. Then what's this diary in my backpack?
"Maskin, who are you?" Words slipped out of curiosity.
Wren, my childhood friend, heard me. He's always been funny and caring, the pillar of our friendship. I replied with a fake smile, "Trust me, Wren, there are things you're better off not knowing."
I knew this reply wouldn't be enough to shut him down. But Jim, the coolest person in our trio, turned around. Rather his trio. His charisma pours down like Angel Falls, sweeping everyone off their feet. He knew there's something, I am hiding from him.
"What's going on, Santino?" Wren asked, his eyes narrowing.
"Nothing, Wren," Jim intervened, his voice calm and reassuring. "Let's focus on wrapping up our research." He smiled, and that was a relief. He approved of my silence, agreeing to keep my secret, a secret.
"I'll send you all the notes you missed," Jim said, as if reading my mind. And he was right; while I was busy wondering about this stupid book, I missed all the notes.
Guilt filled me, "Ah... Thanks." Also, he saved me from Wren's interrogation.
Wren shrugged, his eyes saying, "Next time." But that won't be a problem. I couldn't tell them about the abandoned city and this diary. They're close, but I feared I'd end up losing my only friends.
Jim walked forward, "Come, Santino." Finally, it was over. It was almost evening. We went to the camp, and the transports were set for departure with all the students on board already.
We rushed in and sat in our seats. Wren was sitting beside me, and Jim right behind my seat. Shew... The doors closed, and the GEV moved on.
Wren handed me a few homemade sandwiches. "Eat something, Santino." He knew I hadn't eaten anything in the past six hours.
My cell beeped. I was surprised. Notes? I looked at Jim, and he gave me a hint with his eyes, then started typing on his cell.
I checked my phone, and my jaw dropped. Those weren't just notes; it was almost the complete assignment we were supposed to do. He didn't only take notes but also organized the pics and descriptions.
I felt useless, knowing he'd done two days' worth of work in just a few hours. He must be tired, but it was too late to say anything.
The GEV stopped, and Wren patted me, "Santino, it's your stop." I was numb.
I took my backpack, my eyes looking down, and said with a low voice, "Thanks, Jim."
Jim looked up from his cell with a smile on his face, showing no signs of fatigue.
I stepped off the GEV and walked home, lost in thought. My day was destroyed because of this stupid diary. I always put up a bright smile in front of my friends, keeping them cheered up.
But now, it crushed me. It was a defeat in my lifelong battle. The glowing streets turned dark.
I reached home after ten minutes of walking. Mom welcomed me, concern etched on her face.
"You had something to eat?" she asked.
"Yes," I lied.
"Really... but you look tired," she pressed.
"No, I had sandwiches Wren brought," I dodged.
"Fine..." I went up to my room, threw my backpack away, and crashed onto the bed.
The fear of losing my friends prevailed over the misadventure I'd had. My life without them could be a nightmare.
My fear was the seeds of doubt that took root. I still regret the mistakes of my past.
Then I took a shower to calm my mind, letting the warm water wash away the tension. I settled onto my bed. I was about to log off. But then, The Diary... It started glowing in my bag, emitting a soft, ethereal light that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. It was almost like this stupid diary wanted my attention.
I took the diary out. I stared at it. It started again. The hallucinations.
First, it was the flower, now this diary. The blue orbs swirled around me, like a vortex pulling me into a dream world. The roof transformed into a red and blue sky, stretching infinitely above. My small room expanded into a vast, never-ending grass field, eerily familiar yet unsettling.
It was like, I was experiencing a VR environment, but one that felt cheap and disorienting. It was messing with my mind, blurring reality and fantasy. Something was behind me; I could sense its presence. My heart racing, I gasped and turned around.
A boy? No, a ghost? His appearance sent a chill down my spine. I'd played many VR games, but this felt different. He stood before me, his white hair disheveled, covering his eyes like a veil. His face was gaunt, worn from some unseen struggle.
I tried to move, to look into his eyes, but my body felt frozen. His gloomy face revealed a depth of sorrow, a sense of defeat. He seemed to have come from a lost battle, one he never had a chance of winning. Yet, for a split second, he smiled – no, smirked.
"The mysteries of this world and the realms beyond are unveiled...," he whispered, his low, ominous voice sending shivers down my spine. "...Maskin." Who was he talking to?
The sky fell, horizons crumbled, and the ghost boy merged into me. I felt his pain, his despair, and his longing. A chill ran down my spine, and my breath caught in my throat.
And then, I was back in my room, my eyes shady, my mind reeling. The diary lay open on my lap.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the eerie encounter. My heart still racing, I gazed down at the diary, its glowing pages now dimly lit. The strange vision had left me unsettled, but my curiosity had grown stronger. With trembling hands, I opened the diary, the pages rustling softly. The words within seemed to shift, rearranging themselves as I watched. I began to read the diary.
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Written by : Muhammad Abdullah
Edited by : Suleman
Supported by : Zain Ali