The Tale of Two Sisters

CHAPTER EIGHT

"So, you're saying that I'm going nut? Is that what your point is?"  

"SHH!!"

Half of the people in the library shushed Penelope down when her voice was somehow a bit louder than she talked with her friends about the book that they read.

Penelope sounded offended when Blaire and Adam showed the book that related to something with mental health. Blaire quickly denied it, and have a severe looked on her eyes, telling that she wanted to show something that is not related to that.

"No! We're not talking about that! You do clearly not understand this. Here. Read this."

Blaire pointed out the sentences in that book. The book that Blaire read it out to Penelope is something called, Through the Looking Glass, where a fine young girl, who trapped in the mirror world, as she found out something weird about it. At first, the girl clearly thought it was just a moving screen, with some animation plays on it, but it turned out that it was only just a mirror. The book later told the readers that the girl might suffer some mental health, as she always has the delusional thoughts on her.

However, it actually is real.

The world beyond the mirror does exist.

As the story progressed in the book, the author told the readers that the girl was never sick. The story is indeed real, but sadly, only the girl experienced it.

"The point is, in this story, the girl herself can see the world beyond the mirror by herself, alone."

Penelope looked puzzled by Blaire's statement. She did not get the point on what she tried to come out with that. She then looked at Blaire, confused, until Adam had to step up in the conversation.

"The point is, Penelope, we might not see what the hell that you're experiencing because it may be only for you. But-"

Adam stopped in the middle of his sentence. Penelope already looked done with this session. She felt like her friends are trying to mess with her and just wanted to make fun of it.

"Come on, guys! If you want to laugh at me, just do it! You don't have to make it as it was an intelligent discussion."

Penelope started to rage out her anger, but Peter quickly tapped her by the shoulder, which made her calm down, and blushed.

"Wait, Penelope! No, I think they didn't mean it that way!"

Peter quickly tried to explain to Penelope, though at first, he did not want to get involved with their talk, it seems to interest him somehow. Peter showed Penelope the book that he read to her. 

The Mind's Play.

At least that is what Penelope can read the title of the book from the side of it, as Peter flipped it. She rolled her eyes again, thinking that he also wanted to tell her, in a sarcastically way as possible, that she is crazy.

"Before you said that I was showing this to tell you that you're crazy, you're wrong. This book actually told us about how our mind is capable of doing the thing that we thought we can never do it."

Though he did not say anything about crazy, or delusional on that book, Penelope guessed that he somehow used other words than that. 

But somehow, she got along with it, since, unlocking unknowing potential in her mind can come handy later.

"Let see here, people often called that our mind is the greatest weapon that we can get closer to nuclear. As cliche as it sounds, but trust it when some said they already discover the potential within their mind. Example told that some people can dream about a thing, and made it happened, like what he or she thought it in their mind. This is what some people can accomplish by using only their mind."

Penelope stopped Peter in her middle of reading the passage in the book. She looked dissatisfied with this conversation overall. She started to think that, the choice she made to tag along with Blaire is only just a waste of time.

"I'm sorry, but none of this explained what happened earlier. I think, maybe, it will be best if I find the answer by myself. Anyhow, thank you for your effort. I appreciated it."

Penelope sounded like she was done with it, but Blaire quickly wanted to protest, so she came out with the locket incident.

"Wait, Penelope! I know we didn't contribute much, but at least, can you tell us about the locket? The one that you held when you fainted. I'm sure we can see it, right?"

Penelope sensed that something is strange about it since Blaire suddenly took an interest in it, but she decided to show it anyway. She wanted to take it out from her pocket, but somehow, the locket burned hot, like it did not want to be seen.

"Ouch!"

Penelope shrieked a little, which made some people shushed her down, for like the third time this time, which forces a librarian to come at her, with a stern look.

"Excuse me, miss, but if this continues, I have to ask you to leave the library. Some people do need their space to read here."

Penelope bowed, apologizing, and somehow at that time, her phone vibrated. She quickly grabbed her stuff and proceeded to leave the library, leaving behind her friends. The others wanted to stop her, but somehow, Adam decided that they should let her be. Blaire looked at her boyfriend and nodded, and so did Peter, who just agreed to it.

As Penelope left the library, she decided to look at her phone. Someone is calling her, and it was from an unknown number. Though her sister warned her to not answer any calls from strangers, her heart told her to respond it, as it may be urgent.

"Sorry, Lisa."

Since the day is turning dark, and she was still not in the house, it might be probably from her sister's colleague, Evelyn. Penelope knew her but decided not to save her number, as she was not that close to her. She decided to take it as the phone vibrated for too long.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Penelope?"

And it was right. It is Evelyn, as Penelope can recognize her voice instantly. However, her tone sounded nervous and unease, as something had happened. 

"I hope you're doing just fine. Um, I'm calling you just to inform that you're sister..."

Evelyn stopped in the middle of her sentence, as she was hesitated to continue, which made Penelope even panicked to know. Penelope now was uneasy, as she needed to know what happened to her sister.

"Why? What happened to Lisa?"

Penelope's voice is higher than before, as now she was worried about what had happened to her sister. Suddenly, her tears started to form on her eyelids, as she thought that she will be left alone, as their parent was no longer around in this world. The thought of being left alone kept playing on Penelope's head.

"Please calm down, Penelope. Lisa is doing just fine, just...she is in the hospital right now. I thought I should inform this to you, as the doctor suggested that she needs to rest in the hospital for tonight."

Penelope breathed relief, but still, to hear that her sister in the hospital did make her worried more.

"Why? What happened to Lisa? Is she sick or something? Do I need to stay with her? Tomorrow is off day, I'm sure I can stay in the hospital."

Evelyn did not say a word for a moment. Somehow, Penelope can hear her restless breath at the end of the line.

"Lisa...she...the doctor said that it is better if she just got a rest for today, so you didn't have to check on her. The doctor already gave her some strong medicine to her, so she might sleep like a log for today. It will be a relief for her if you visit her tomorrow."

Evelyn explained to Penelope about Lisa's condition, and it made her relief to know that her sister just fainted, but still made it sad. Lisa probably worked herself off for both of them, and usually forgot to take care of herself. Penelope felt sad, but for now, she can do nothing about it.

"Thank you, Evelyn, for the details and help my sister when she in the hospital."

Penelope thanked Evelyn in the phone, which made Evelyn felt appreciated.

"It's okay. Lisa had already done much for me."

Though Evelyn felt relief, deep down, she felt guilty for not telling Lisa's little sister the full story. She did not tell her about how sister suddenly went berserk after she mentioned the ring in her hand. Evelyn thought for herself that, it might be better if no one knew about that incident.

After a few brief about Lisa, Evelyn finally said goodbye to Penelope and ended the call. Penelope put her phone back inside her bag and waited for the bus. Her mind now is focusing on what happened to Lisa. She is worried for her, but since Evelyn said that she will only sleep for the day, she has no choice but to stay home, alone, for today.

Penelope did not remember the last time when she was home alone, without Lisa. Since they both have each other, practically, their world revolved around each other every day.

 As the bus had arrived, Penelope chose to sit at the seat near the window. She stared at the outside, while her mind wandered around.

Evelyn's voice started to play inside her head when she mentioned about Lisa's condition.

She went berserk earlier.

The doctor gave her medicine, so she will only sleep for today.

She fainted at work.

"Wait..."

She fainted at work.

She fainted...

Suddenly, the word fainted repeated in Penelope's head. Somehow, she found it weird.

"Why does Lisa fainted too, on the same day as I am?"

The idea of their both fainted on the same day suddenly popped up in her head, which made it bizarre for her. Though she tried to connect the dot throughout the ride to her home, she found none of it related. 

Finally, after reaching home, she decided to go straight to her room, taking a shower and straight to sleep. She no longer had the desire to eat or to entertain herself, as she is still worried about her sister. Her mind raced about Lisa's condition while laying on the bed, making her felt tired, and eventually she falls asleep.

Two choices,

will soon,

be meet.