Raven

Chapter 4

Raven's POV

It was almost five in the afternoon when I came home. I slowly opened the front door to not disturb Lilibeth but before I could even step inside, her voice could be heard from across the room. "Welcome back, young missy."

"Why are her senses so keen?" I mumbled as I went to the kitchen and saw her preparing dinner. I placed the stuff I bought on the kitchen counter and started putting it all away to their respective cabinets.

"How was your day out?" She asked.

"Went to the library to return and borrow some books, bought milktea and became idle for a moment," I answered while placing the condiments I bought inside the kitchen cabinet.

"And where did you went that made you come home just now?"

Lilibeth was never strict in terms of my affairs, but sometimes she couldn't help getting worried if I didn't tell her my whereabouts.

I didn't answer her question but instead, I threw her one. "Do you know a woman named Harlequin?"

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lilibeth paused from cutting the vegetables. "You met the young lady? How is she now?" She asked, putting down the knife.

"You really knew her!? And what do you mean by Young Lady? Is she a noble from a foreign country?"

Lilibeth looked at me as if I gained an extra arm. She looked like she wanted to say something but decided not to. "Well, she's the daughter of the richest couple in Italy. I knew her because I took a scholarship from their company, The Sinclaír Foundation."

"So you two are really friends?"

Lily smiled at me, the way Harley smiled at me earlier. It's kinda weird though.

"We are friends, technically. Now, go upstairs and change your clothes, dinner will be ready soon." She said while pinching my cheeks. "You smell like the sun."

"You can't smell the sun." I playfully grimaced at her and ran upstairs before she could pinch me again.

When I was done changing my clothes, I emptied my bag to set aside the new books I borrowed.

A red pouch fell out. The string got untangled so the contents where all over my bed. It was filled with colorful incense stones.

I remembered, when I was doing an errand for Lilibeth earlier, an old lady selling charms approached me and gave me this pouch. She said that it will help me sleep peacefully, then she took the fifty pesos from my hand.

"Luckily, I'm not asthmatic," I mumbled as I put everything back to the pouch placed it on the bedside table. I'll probably borrow Lilibeth's incense burner for tonight, maybe it's effective.

I rushed back downstairs and went to the kitchen. Lilibeth was already setting up the table.

"All the walking made me hungry," I complained.

She just rolled her eyes at me and sat down. Halfway our meal, I remembered something Harley said.

"Before I forgot, Harley told me I looked exactly like my mom. Well not exactly, I think. Did you told her about our situation?"

Lily's fork fell on the plate. She picked it up like nothing happened and asked me casually. "None that I could remember. What else did she say?"

I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. I got distracted by the foods and forgot what we were talking about. She had a meeting and I had to leave."

"You eat too much yet you're not gaining weight. I would really believe it if you'll say you have crocodiles inside your stomach." She teased.

I crumpled a table napkin and playfully threw it at her. "How old is she, by the way? She really looked young, just like a fairy. An angel, perhaps."

Lilibeth chuckled. "Angel? Trust me, she's the opposite."

My eyes widened. "That's what she answered, too."

Lilibeth paused like she remembered something funny. I couldn't figure out what she was thinking based on her expression so I just changed the topic. "I do remember her saying you should drop by at the Sinclaír Tower sometimes, she misses you."

"I'll probably visit her by Wednesday. I'm submitting some files to the university, maybe I'll visit her by noon."

After that conversation, we finished our food in silence. Ever since I mentioned Harley, Lilibeth's mood changed. Not that negative kind of mood, but it still feels different.

It feels like she's lowkey getting excited for something.

Lilibeth wanted to wash the dishes herself. She shooed me away before I could even touch the faucet so I left her in peace, never forgetting to borrow her incense burner.

࿈

3rd Person's POV

The moment Raven fell asleep, the smoke from the incense stone burning on her side table swirled in the air. The gray smoke circled her room before it reached her bed. It then floated on top of her, engulfing her body bit by bit.

The room became quiet, devoid of any sound. Then a female voice echoed.

"Manifest."

Raven's eyes fluttered open. She blinked it many times but all she could see was darkness. Her body felt light like she was suspended on air. She tried moving her limbs but it was all numb.

A few moments later, there was a soft humming that sent chills on her spine. Something red appeared in front of her. It was that same red cloak she saw in her dream.

"Hello, Raven." The red-cloaked girl smiled at Raven, and she became mesmerized with familiarity.

"Who are you?"

The girl smiled again. "I am Rori. My people often call me The Keeper of Secrets."

Keeper of Secrets? Just like me? Technically, yeah.

"You must be wondering why I am talking to you, right?"

Definitely.

"I know about your ability."

Wait, how?

"I know about your ability to foresee the future. And your ability to learn secrets."

Wait, hold on. Are we talking telepathically?

"Yes, we are."

Cool!

Raven was interrupted from her amazement when Haku coughed.

"Uh, sorry." She apologized.

"It's alright. I'm here to tell you something."

Raven's heart was drumming like crazy. Why am I nervous? She asked herself. She could even feel the pulsing of her veins.

"On your 16th birthday, things will change."

What do you mean by "things will change"?

"You'll see. It is still a few weeks away though. And when that time comes, I'll be needing your help."

You need my help?

"Yes, I need your help. And you can't say no, for it is already written on the Book of Delphine."

Raven was so dumbfounded that she blurted her thoughts out. "Book of what? And why can't I say no?"

"Aside from the fact that it is bound to happen, it is for your own good."

Silence. A deafening one. Raven was contemplating whether to believe Rori or not.

"Fear not, young one. You won't be alone." She was surprised when she heard Rori talking just beside her ear. "Take care of yourself. I know you are fond of sticking your nose to trouble. So please, do be careful."

That's it? How should I help you.

"We'll see again soon."

"Wait a minute! I have something to ask!"

A strong current suddenly pulled her deeper into the darkness, making her spin uncontrollably. "Wait!"

"..."

"I think I'm gonna puke."

"..."

*thud*

Raven's eyes darted open, staring straight to the ceiling, trying to adjust her mood since the waves of nausea were still in her system.

"It's morning already." She sighed as she looked at the alarm clock that fell on the floor. "Didn't even have the chance to ask her why she knew me."

࿈

Raven's POV

My phone suddenly rang, pulling me away from my 'daily dose of looking at the ceiling daydreaming'. It was a call from Laniella, a friend of mine that I met virtually.

See, because of my ability, I don't have that many friends. You know, to avoid getting in trouble? But Lala here (obviously short for Laniella) was an exception. Her and our other friend, Mathilde.

We three met inside a game that I've been playing for many years now. They said they hated me so they wanted to be friends with me. They really insisted on it that they it was kinda annoying.

I mean, who would, in their right minds, made friends by challenging the other on a duel every single time she went online? One against the two of them and the former always ended up getting beaten badly or looted by these cheapskates? The two of them kept on spamming the game's world chat, mentioning my in-game name, to the point that I became famous and getting bombarded with questions whenever I join a party. They even became known as the child stalker twins, since I'm still a minor, get that?

Well, true friends were the ones who stays by your side even if you blatantly chase them away. And if your friends are like that, do keep them. I've already kept mine.

"This is Raven's phone. She couldn't be reached right now, still sleeping. Please leave a message after the beep. Beep!" I said while yawning.

Lala's sarcastic voice resonated from the other end. "Really? Does that mean you're still not ready?"

I really like her voice every time she mocks me, it reminds me of that actress who acted as the villain protagonist of a famous fairytale movie.

"Why? What's wrong?" I slowly got up from my bed and headed for the bathroom. almost tripping over from the blanket that I must have kicked off last night.

"We were supposed to have lunch today with Mathilde, remember? Did you just woke up?"

I took my toothbrush and put some toothpaste on it. I used so much force that it shoot off towards the mirror. "Sheesh." Instead of wiping the mirror, I drew a smiley face using the spilled toothpaste, and scooped the remaining mess using my toothbrush. "Was it today?"

"Yeah, and Mathilde's about to kick your ass," Lala said in a sing-song voice. She's definitely telling the truth 'cause I can hear Mathilde cursing on the background.

I unconsciously pouted, as if they could see me. "I'm sorry, okay? I overslept. Can you spare this poor child?"

Lala imitated what I said exaggeratedly. "Ken yue spweyr this poor child, boo hoo."

"Hurry up!" I heard Mathilde yelled before the call ended.

I immediately took a quick bath. Usually, my bath took around 15-30 minutes. However, I'm in a hurry so probably I finished within 10 minutes.

I was supposed to choose and style some outfits but then I decided to randomly grab a blouse and jeans from my messy closet. Should I do a little make up? Wait, I shouldn't forget the sunscreen lotion!