Down System

Chapter 24

My sickness seemed to be cleared because of my parents. I didn't feel the pain of fever because they had guided me throughout; the two of them did not leave me in the room.

Night came when Daddy Perseus took a storybook to our library, and read it to me. I, together with Mommy, was just listening to him until the end of the tale. It was fun lending ears to him because the way he narrated had caught my attention. Not having enough of it, I asked him to read another book for me. This time, I wanted princess fairy tales.

After some time, I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I was secretly hearkening to their conversation.

"Aleera looks good here," Mommy said. "Do you still plan of moving out?"

I was almost to open my eyes in astonishment; fortunately, I had controlled myself, or else, I would not be able to hear more from them.

However, was the information that rang in my ears right? So, Mommy and Daddy were planning to leave this place? They had not told me yet about this mayhap because they were not still certain about this decision, but no matter what they would say, I would not agree.

I had to meet again Ferno here.

"Well, I think so," Daddy mouthed. "It's also about the business, honey. We have to leave, or will you just let the opportunity go away?"

Business? So, this was the main reason. If that was the case, I thought it would be hard for me to not concur with them; disagreeing would mean stopping them from achieving success, and I did not like that.

Nevertheless, it was also about the future. How would I witness everything from Ferno if I was away from him? Leaving would also mean letting go of what I could do for tomorrow, and that wasn't what I desired.

"Of course, I won't just let that opportunity go away," Mommy said. "We've worked hard for this business, and every grace that's coming should be grabbed. But, I am just thinking about our daughter. Do you think she will just say yes to leaving this place?"

"That's a question. So, we have to talk to her about this as soon as possible."

There was silence for a moment. Presently, it was broken by the sound of Mommy's lip that touched my forehead. Then again, the room was ghost-quiet, except for the whisper of the wind.

When I opened my eyes, my parents were already sleeping. I had the eagerness to get up on my bed, but Mommy's arm was hugging me, and if I moved, she would probably feel it.

I let an hour passed before I accomplish my plan. Perhaps Mommy and Daddy would not be able to feel the motion anymore. My hands were shaking while moving my mother's arm. When she moved, my heart pounded. I thought she would wake up, but gladly, no.

A wide smile touched my lip the moment I surpassed them and went down to the underground. I was missing every moment the smell of the books, and the library as a whole.

While browsing the books, I didn't notice the tears falling from my eyes to my cheeks. The thought of departing from the place entered my mind again. What if my decision had nothing to do with the final judgment of my parents?

I wiped my tears, knowing that crying would not make sense. Instead, I continued searching for a book I wanted to see; however, I found a different one that was out of my thought.

"A book about Namika?" I whispered, puckering my brows.

To great excitement, I ran towards my desk and opened the book. Unlike 1578 bound, it wasn't a photo album, but a long novel. Was this intended for the old woman, or the name of the character was just a coincidence?

I was about to read the book when a voice, coming from my room, reached my aural. Jitter shook my spine, knowing it was Mommy who was looking for me. I didn't know what to do. Should I exit the place or just let myself hide in here?

I was still thinking of what to do when Daddy's voice joined my mother. Now, the two of them were searching for me.

When it was quiet again, I planned to get out of my place, thinking my parents had left the room and looked for me elsewhere. But, as I peek over the bed, two eyes that were gazing at me surprised me, causing me to fall from the stair.

I was still trying to get up when someone made its way through the tier. My eyes grew bigger, but my heart somehow calmed, knowing it was the old woman who just entered.

"N-namika?" I uttered her name, still in great astonishment. My bones had almost cracked because of her sudden existence!

"Good thing your parents exited the room," she said, "I had a good time entering in. What the hell do you think you're doing, young girl?"

"I... I j-just get something h-here?"

Namika helped me get up before speaking again. "I know you have a good motive, Aleera, but it's not the right time for you to enter this place. You should know the perfect and wrong timings, or else, they will catch you. C'mon, go back to your room."

"B-but how? They might see me!"

"They are in the dining room. Just move faster, so they won't notice you."

"I'm afraid of doing a wrong move. I'll just stay here."

"Listen to me." The old woman put her arms on my shoulder. "Fear has nothing good to do to you. If you'll live in that cringe thing, you'll not be able to move forward. So, go now!"

I swallowed my saliva and ran back to the room. I was shaking when Mommy and Daddy came in. Did they notice me getting out under my bed?

"Aleera?" Mommy mouthed, and headed towards me. "Where have you been, huh? You're not here in the room a while ago, but-"

"Mommy, are you dreaming?" I cut her off. "I should be the one who's asking you that question. I'm sleeping here, and when I opened my eyes, you're already gone by my side," I lied.

She puckered her eyebrows as she told me things; however, I did my best to pass through the issue. Fortunately, Mommy chose to just forget about it and go back to sleep instead.

My parents were asleep again, contrary to me who couldn't be at peace, thinking Namika was still underground. I had no clue of what was she doing there, but probably, she had seen already the book entitled to her. I just hoped she wasn't doing something terrible there.

When I opened my eyes again, the sun was already peeking through the window. Morning arrived as a mother's gentle hand, inviting the dreams of the night to enter the day. As I stretched my hands, I went outside my room and found my parents in the dining room, preparing food.

We exchanged pleasantries before having our breakfast. It was also the time they opened up to me about their plan of moving.

I put down the spoon I was holding and looked at the two of them. "Do we really have to leave this place, Mommy and Daddy?" I asked. "Because for me, it's a hard thing. I can't."

They continued convincing me, especially Daddy. He kept on telling me it was for my own good, that it would help the family grow more. However, that didn't give him a hint of acceptance. No matter what he said, he couldn't persuade me.

"If you want, you can go, and I will stay here with Namika," I told them with my heart aching.

I didn't want to push them away, but it seemed like they were really determined of fulfilling their plans. If only I could tell them about the future, I would say it. But because it was still exclusive, they didn't have to know. Besides, I doubted that they would not believe me.

It was almost half an hour of talking about their decision, yet I didn't agree with them. It was a bit selfish to think that I was letting them miss out on the opportunity, but what wealth could do if their safety in the future was at stake? I would rather see them hurt by now, but not in the coming days. It would be more painful for me if I surrender my purpose for their business.

Mommy let out a sigh. "I think I can't say more," she said. "It's your decision, my baby girl, and I respect it. It's hard to give up the chance, but it's harder to be gone away from you."

"What do you mean, Morrigan?" Daddy asked her.

"I will stay with her. I won't leave."

"W-what? Are you kidding? Remember, it's a big opportunity, Morrigan! We have to convince Aleera." He turned his gaze at me and touched my palm. "Please, sweetheart, come with us."

I bowed my head a bit. "I'm sorry, Daddy, but I really can't."

I ran away and proceeded to my room. My parents tried following me, but I locked the door; they even peeked over the window, so I covered it with the curtain. I pushed them away, saying I wasn't open to that topic. I knew I was hurting them, and if only they knew, my heart was crushing too.

That day passed without me seeing them. They kept on knocking on the door, but I didn't open it for them. I didn't accept the food they were offering me, but I was guilty of being hungry, yet I couldn't swallow my pride.

"Eat this, young girl."

I woke up in my bed, surprised by the old woman who just came out under my bed, holding a pouch of food.

"Didn't you go home?" I asked, still with my eyes widened.

Namika shook her head. "I stayed in the library. I'm glad you've found the book."

"So, you've seen it?"

"Uh-huh. You might be thinking the book is written about and for me, eh?" she asked as she sat on the bed, bringing out the food. "It's just a random fictional book lost in the shelves."

"So, it has nothing to do with you?"

"Nothing," she said, affirmed. "By the way, I made these all for you." She handed me the dishes. "I know you haven't eaten yet, so c'mon now."

"If you didn't go home, how did you make these?" I asked in confusion.

"Using my power," she answered.

My jaw dropped. "You can make food, huh? That's amazing!"

"Uh-huh. No worries, I'll teach you when you're finally recovered." She looked at me. "I'm hoping this would be the last time I'll see you sick."

I swallowed my saliva. "I'm sorry, I didn't want this. I was just surprised. By the way, I haven't yet used the ointment. What do you mean, it holds power?"

"Good thing you didn't. Bring it out, and I'll show you what the salve can do."

"It's in the drawer, can you get it for me?"

The old woman sighed. "Well, what more I can say?" She stood and went to the drawer near my wardrobe. When she finally took the vial, she opened it and wiped the oil all over my body.

I was just looking at her, feeling the warmness of the ointment. My body was a little weak, but it felt like I had been strengthened when she started applying the salve.

"How are you feelin' now?" Namika asked, closing the vial.

"I feel better in just seconds. You really are a witch, Namika!" I expressed a loud whoop of joy. "I believe in your supremacy!"

"I told you I'm not a witch."

"Whatsoever, by-"

"Do not talk," she cut me off. "The oil is still working. Be silent for a moment, and you will see something incredible."

As ordered, I remained mute for some time. I didn't know what was going on, but I felt like something was happening inside my body. Was it the salve she applied to me?

It was almost ten minutes, yet it was still a question to me. What was something extraordinary to see? I couldn't even have a glimpse of it.

I was about to speak when the old woman came first talking.

"Don't you ever open your mouth," she said. "The salve won't work successfully if you kept on moving and talking. Just keep your body in peace."

Again, I did my best not to create any movement. I was merely breathing; I didn't know if this would affect the thing Namika was saying.

Moments after, some parts of my body started to dazzle, which made my eyes grew bigger. I was about to utter something when the old woman placed her pointing finger at her mouth, giving me a signal of silence.

"It's working," she said.

I didn't blink my eyes when the white light started to spread little by little until my whole body was already shining brightly.

I steered my gape at the old woman who was beaming at me.

"Sickness will no longer hold you."