Chereads / Fading Horizons / Chapter 16 - Yet another normal day

Chapter 16 - Yet another normal day

Layla cleared up the table after the meal and proceeded to do the dishes when suddenly Alex offered to help. There was an unusual silence as they did the dishes. Layla thought it felt awkward, so she decided to ask Alex a question. "Alex, how do you feel about this disappearing stuff? Do you think it's the end of the world?" she asks uncomfortably, as she is usually optimistic, which somehow contradicts her personality. Alex sighs and answers, "It may be." Layla thought of it and got scared; she didn't want to lose Christine, and she wanted to find her parents.

Layla already looked visibly troubled. Alex felt bad and decided to comfort her; he then grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug. She then said in a low voice, "Thank goodness, we're done with the dishes." You said something, asked Alex. "Nothing," said Layla. 

Alex, You remember the last sleepover we had. The room you used is going to be the one you're sleeping in—the guest room. The guest room was quite large, as it was meant for Layla's cousins when they came to stay for the holidays.

Bye, then she said. She wants to go to her room, which is just opposite the guest room. Layla goes into her room, has a quick bath, and jumps on her bed. 

Alex had a bath and came out of the bathroom with a white bathrobe and was drying out his hair. He then heard a noise coming from downstairs. He decides to check it out. He takes a flashlight with him; he then notices it is Christine. She was looking at the door downstairs and making sure the security was assured.

I thought you went to sleep, said Alex. No, she said, going back upstairs when she left. He then thought, "Well, that was weird.". 

It's now light out, and everyone's asleep.

The next morning was quite cold; there was snow everywhere. Wake up, everyone shouted Christine, it's time for your workout; make sure to get dressed before you come downstairs. Alex, you will find some brand-new toothbrushes in the guest room cupboard. "Now be fast!" she said. 

Layla came downstairs wearing a simple T-shirt and white jeans, and a sky blue jacket hung across her shoulders. "So you are going with this colour today," said Christine with cereal in her mouth. Christine don't talk about eating; table manners said Layla. Christine thinks you're one to talk. Alex comes down in a black and white outfit. You're looking quite classy, said Layla as she looked at Alex and contemplated changing her outfit to match his. Suddenly Christine shouted, "Attention."

As you can see, we will do a set of exercises this morning to keep fit. She hands out a schedule to both Layla and Alex. 

Are you kidding? Squats for me, and I am to watch a dance exercise routine and follow it. Layla starts to fake cry. Christine then says, "I am not buying it; do your workout." Or wait, she suddenly says, I can join you in your workout, said Christine. Layla looks at Christine with a starry eye. "Really?" No, I am just kidding, said Christine as she laughed. Alex has a different exercise, and so do I. If you try to skip it, this room is controlled by me; I can monitor you. I can increase the heat in the room till you probably sweat to death, freeze you here, or increase the gravity level. "That will be perfect for my experiments," said Christine in a cool, low voice. Layla immediately gets to work scared by Christine's threats. We will all meet here later for lunch.

Alex leaves the house; Christine goes out the door too. "Can I come too?" asks Christine to Alex. What do I need an eight-year-old for? She tries to reply. "Just hop in.". 

As they were driving, Christine was reading a book on her tablet. Are you trying to protect Layla by making her do exercises he asks? Why do you think so? he replies. One, she can't be hurt by anything outside if she doesn't come in contact with them. Also, you are trying some physical resistance training on her. "Well, that's correct," said Christine. You know mom didn't say Layla should protect me; she said I should protect Layla. Christine as she looked at the snowflakes falling. 

We're here, said Alex; this is one of the supply bases that my supply bases that my scientists use. Help me gather some supplies. Alex pulls out a black ball and throws it at the convertible; it is then sucked into a hole made by the ball; it's saved the ball. What is that, asked Christine? It's an object with an infinite number of spaces used to store things.

They both gather supplies in a camping van. Christine thinks in her mind, Why does everything he has look so posh?" Let us save some food too. Alex uses the same ball to store a large amount of food. Let's go back. I bet Layla is very hungry. On their ride home, Christine switches the modes in the room to start Layla's resistance training. Alex sees a group of people around their age. Someone who looked like their leader glared at Alex. Alex ignores him and continues driving. 

When they got back home, Layla had already collapsed on the chair due to exhaustion. And Christine just lies on the ground. Alex stores the camping van in the black ball and brings it inside; he places it on the bookshelf.

Alex starts to cook something. Christine stands up, "What smells so good?" Still in a daze, she walks towards the kitchen. "What are you cooking?" It's soup. Also, I am making some dumplings, replied Alex, as he continued. Christine goes to the dining table and rests her head. 

Sigh, I hope we all continue to live an easy life; well, that is not ensured due to The Vanishing. We are leaving for Antarctica tomorrow. Alex snapped out of his thoughts. He placed the food in dishes.

"Layla," he softly taps her head; it's dinner time. Time flies so fast when it is cold, said Layla as she opened her drowsy eyes and was being led to the table. Christine wakes up. Let's have dinner. Christine wanted to eat, then she was stopped by Layla. Wait, don't forget Alex cooked the food; show some gratitude. 

They both choroused "Itadakimasu.". Merci beaucoup, said Alex, and they started to eat.