Down System

Chapter 55

ALEERA VERNIZE

I couldn't sleep thinking of the words that my father spoke to me an hour ago that night. I was finally lying on my bed, but I was still bothered asking myself the question: how would it feel to be in love?

When I was still living my life with Mom Priscilla, I didn't experience once being courted by a man because all the Hadessian men by that time were all having the same purpose— to harass women. So, I really had no idea when someone was deeply crazy about you. It was a little bit crazy, but I wanted to also feel that moment at the right time and with the right person, of course.

I stood from my bed and went to the window to take the time to see the night sky. I really couldn't sleep, so I just stayed there until my eyes were already tired watching the view outside. After which, I went down the underground to finish reading the Namika book since I was longing to see its ending.

While encountering every word written on the bound, I was thinking of the old woman. Some parts of the story had a resemblance to her, so I was at the point of thinking the book was really meant for her. If only the Namika in the story wasn't a god, I would be assured that it was her.

Nonetheless, I believed the secret of this book had a lot to do with my mission. Perhaps I wouldn't be able to know about it yet, but one day I would.

Many hours had passed until the sun was slowly rising again, but I didn't still finished yet the whole book. All I thought I would make it all done within five hours, but I was wrong. There were remaining pages to pass with, and I would be scheduling my next reading time in my next free hours since I would still be going to school.

When I exited the underground, my eyes grew bigger not because of the sun that was already peeking through my window, but because of my mother who was standing in the doorway— crossed-arms, as she caught me, went out under my bed.

"I already know your secret, Aleera," she said as he locked the door and walked towards me.

My whole body had shaken after she uttered those words. My mind stuttered and my thoughts running inside my head were like the train that had no plan to stop.

"Why didn't you tell me that there's an underground here?" Mommy Morrigan asked, raising her brow at me.

"Y-you were the who build this house, M-mommy... y-you and Daddy, so you should know a-about this," I mouthed, couldn't control my words to stammer.

"I wouldn't ask if I know. No one of us has an idea about this underground library. Tell me, who built that for you?"

Mommy had really discovered my secret place, so I didn't have any way to escape. Even though how much I try to hide it, she wouldn't believe me since she knew already about it. But, how would I react to her questions? What should I say? Should I tell her the truth? Should I speak to her about the future?

I paused for a moment and looked directly at my mother's eyes. As the cold wind touched my skin, I felt my heart and prepared my mouth to speak.

"Mommy," I uttered, "you should really be dreaming."

"Dreaming what? Aleera, you should stop with this nonsense joke. Answer my question or else I will enter the underground."

"I was just kidding! Who told you there's an underground here, Mommy?" I asked her.

"You just said it. Most especially, I saw the place with my two eyes. The underground is the reason why you're always under your bed."

"No, Mommy. I just took my earring since it fell again," I said, raising the jewelry to her. "See?"

"You must be kidding again, for sure. I'll prove to you that there's another place here." Mommy passed over me and went under my bed.

I was shaking terribly, but I never dared to look behind no matter how much I was worried. I didn't move in my place and just waited for my mom to get out of my bed and update me of what she had seen.

"There's nothing any here," Mommy Morrigan said after some time as she was trying to move out of my bed.

"What are you looking for, anyway, Mommy?" I asked, pretending that I didn't know.

"The underground! I swear I saw it, and now it's gone. How did it happen? I'm really sure about this. I even went down the first time I found it out and discovered many books there."

I wanted to facepalm but since I didn't want her to see my real reaction, I just stayed calm. But seriously, I was still kind of disappointed about Mommy invading the underground. What if she had explored it really and found out something paramount?

"I don't know what you are coming from, Mommy," I said. "I don't understand what you're saying. There's no library in here. When did you think I'm addicted to books?"

"You read books, I know."

"Sure I read some, Mommy, but having a library isn't my thing. And if there's really an underground here, I will tell you and Daddy about it." I walked towards her and hugged her. "I think you should go back to sleep, Mommy. You're still dreaming."

Mommy responded to my embrace. "Sweetheart, why don't you just tell me the truth? I won't get mad at you, I swear. I'll be more disappointed in you for lying."

"Not gonna lie, Mommy," I told her, still in her warm arms. "I won't bear to hide something from you. I love you so much and I'd be willing to reveal everything from you. Trust me, Mommy, I don't know the underground you are saying."

I was true to say I loved her, but still, that won't give me a hint to tell her about the plan. As long as Namika didn't permit me, I would not speak. I knew Mommy was trustworthy enough, but it wasn't yet the right time for her to find out what was coming ahead. I didn't want her to die in fear.

After sharing tight hugs, Mommy finally invited me to the dining area for breakfast. Even though we were eating, her eyes were still stuck on me. Perhaps she was still doubting about me.

The atmosphere was really getting awkward because of the deafening silence, and before Daddy Perseus could even notice it, I already broke it by trying to talk about my upcoming birthday. Fortunately, it was effective also for Mommy to forget about the underground.

When we were finally done with our breakfast, I told them to not escort me anymore since they would be going to work so early and I didn't want to bother them. But honestly, I won't go to school but Namika's house. I just could not be complacent of Mommy for not seeing the underground for this time. Unfortunately, they didn't let me have my walk all alone. And since they insisted on it, I had no choice but to let them do what they wanted. Besides, I had a plan b.

The moment my mom and dad left me in Ragwarths, I also departed from the place and went to Namika using Invis and through flying with the help of my ruby necklace. When I arrived there, she immediately ran towards me and gave me a towel to cover up my body since I was shaking horribly because of the cold air outside.

"Here, take this coffee. This will surely warm your body," Namika said as he handed me the cup.

I was at her room, taking time to get over the snowflakes that made me shake like this. My bad because I removed my coat since all I thought Invis would make me unconscious of the winter season.

"The first time I used the potion, I was able to breathe underwater. I could also feel nothing, but now it's very different," I told the old woman after accepting her offer.

"I didn't tell you to fly, anyway. You should've called me, so I have fetched you. The effect of the potion is not the same all the time, especially when the season is changing. It responds with the atmosphere and environment, I forgot to tell you."

"It's a lesson for me, I guess."

"Indeed. So, anyway, how about your mother's reaction when she didn't see the underground?"

"She's surprised. Thanks for saving me."

That time when I didn't know how to talk to Mommy, I immediately called Namika secretly. I didn't speak any word to her but since she could hear us talking, she already knew what to do. I was glad she turned the place invisible to my mother's eyes, or else, I would really be in great trouble.

"You almost revealed the secret," Namika said. "You think I didn't know it?"

"I'm sorry, I was just nervous. I was also shocked when Mommy talk about the underground. I didn't know she's seen it. She's observing me all the time, probably."

"Definitely."

"I'm really sorry. My bad again."

"Just please, no matter what happens, don't tell her about the plan. Don't speak about the future. Stay silent as long as I'm not instructing you to talk out loud."

I nodded affirmed.

"There's still time to go to school, do you want me to bring you there?" she asked.

"Don't we have training? I'm here, after all."

The old woman shook her head. "You have to rest your mind and body. We'll be continuing this tomorrow. Just prepare yourself."

I couldn't agree more, so I just let her escort me to Ragwarths. The very moment I entered the building, it was Ferno my eyes caught first.

As usual, he was walking in the hallway like a king. Everyone was still avoiding him, but he didn't care at all. He was still in the same situation because the first time I met him, he had no friends, the only difference was that he was confident now of his status; he was even arrogant about it.

"I've been looking for you," he told me when he finally reached me.

I asked him why and he answered me with this:

"I just want to see you."

He was indeed different now. If before he was always disgusted whenever he would see me, but now he was already the one who was looking for me.

However, I found this an advantage for me because, in this way, I would be able to know him more. I just had to be more careful of my words and actions for him not to know I was spying on him all the way. This time, I would like everything to be more smooth. If my mom could know one of my deepest secrets, how much more about him?

"Have you already eaten your breakfast?" Ferno asked me.

"Already done," I answered. "How about you?"

"Not yet. If you like, will you come with me to the cafeteria?"

I looked at my wristwatch and when I knew there was still time, I went with him. It was good timing that my first class for this day was vacant.

While Ferno was eating, I was observing him. I was watching his eyes and every single move he made. I could see he was comfortable with his situation; well, he was already freed. He was true when he told me the polices were not chasing him anymore because, for the past few days, I didn't see their presence in Ragwarths. I was kind of disappointed in them for giving up the case and letting go of his family's death without giving justice to them. However, I knew nothing would change if in case they continued arresting Ferno because they would not defeat him in any way.

"How's your class?" I asked him, trying to join the clanking of spoon and fork in the middle of us. "I heard you're doing well."

"Not that really good, but I can say it's fine. Ah, it's really fine," he giggled. "I love school better now."

There was a glimmer of delight playing in every corner of his eyes. He was indeed doing all right in his class, which was still making my insecurity worse. He had not had to skip school just to prepare for the future because he already had all the power.

"How about your relationship with your classmates?" I dared to question him.

"Good," he replied. "Nothing has changed, no one is still talking to me. But now, I guess it's because of fear. They are scared of me, I know. Freaking cowards."

I hemmed as I took the glass of water on the table.

"What's wrong?" Ferno asked.

"Nothing. I just feel my esophagus hurting."

"Really? Or did you just find me feeling smug about this? Well, sorry but not sorry. That's the truth. People are scared of me." Ferno leaned his face closer to me. "Just a bit curious. Do you fear me, too?"