Summoner: The Book of Dimension

53 A Shocking News

Instantly, recognizing Emma Bently’s voice, a flash of memories during their summoning rushed through his mind.

Aside from the shiver that he felt, his heart was pounding in unnecessary nervousness and it was a strong one. Something he had never felt after a long time.

He waited for Emma’s reply but the other line was just silent. “Emma?” he called her and removed the phone from his ear to see if he was Emma who was calling.

“Oh, sorry about that. I’m looking through papers while calling you,” Emma said and Peter could now clearly see rustling of papers from the other side of the call.

He cleared his throat. “What’s the matter?” he asked her.

“I heard that you’ve become a famous writer,” she said. “I’m not updated with everything so I’m probably late to congratulate you. I just heard recently that you have a successful career now.”

“Thanks, Emma. How have you been doing?” he asked and walked to the kitchen to get some water.

Peter found the conversation quite unusual. Emma was never close to him or any of his friends. At least that was what he knew. He barely contacted the three because they were hard to contact.

He knew they were busy with their private and individual lives, and he had a full understanding that although they were all close friends, it was just normal for them to not talk that much. Especially when they were curating their dreams. Besides, they were in the middle of adulthood.

However, out of all people, he least expected Emma to call him first. After announcing the inheritance to Josh, he never waited for Emma to contact any of them again after that.

Emma hummed. “I’ve been good, thanks for asking. But Peter,” she paused and the moment Peter heard that he just realized that aside from asking how he had been, she might’ve called him for another reason.

And knowing nothing yet, his hand went cold and he started having cold sweats. His heart continued to pound in an abnormal fast beat. He was too nervous that he chugged down a whole liter of water from his bottle.

“Are you still there?” Emma asked when she didn’t hear anything.

Peter cleared his throat and nodded as if she could see him. “Yeah. I’m here. What’s the reason why you called me?”

She sighed. “So you’ve figured that something might be up. I apologize if I ever approached in the wrong way. I don’t know how and where to start,” she said.

“Just tell me what it is,” he said, impatiently. He wanted to know quickly because his mind was imagining a lot of possible horrible news she could tell him. “But don’t be harsh on me. Slowly tell me what’s happening.”

If Emma was about to mention a person that he knew, there was the only person he knew that she’d bring up. Josh Lee. The closest friend that he ever had ever since. While Emma was thinking about how to say it to Peter, the time was killing him, he prayed to the sky that it wasn’t something bad. He wouldn’t know what he’d do anymore.

Emma sighed once again. “It’s Josh,” she said.

He sighed shakily but he never let his thought think too soon.

“How long has it been since you’ve last contacted him?” she asked.

Now that distracted him for a second. He thought hard and counted until he lost count of it. “It’s been almost seven months now,” he said.

Emma hummed softly. “I see. Thanks for answering. I’m sorry to call you too suddenly but Josh, your friend,” she paused. “He had left the world three days ago due to a car accident,” she said,

He froze on his spot and the empty bottle slipped through his hand that has loosened its grip. He chuckled and his chuckle became forced laughter. “You’re joking, right? What is this, new tactic with your law firm for April fool’s day? It’s not even April.”

“Peter, listen--” she was cut when Peter yelled.

“Stop! You listen to me. If this is some kind of joke, please, just stop. This is not funny. You know I can sue you if you’re pranking me like this, right?” he asked with the tone of warning.

Emma was silent but he heard her sigh. “I know this is hard to believe, Peter, but this is true. I am not joking around. I’m not the type to joke about a person’s death, either fake or real.”

Peter was silent. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know where to start.

She didn’t wait for him to reply and continued. “I’m also calling Josh Lee’s lawyer. Because he had left an inheritance to list of people and you’re one of them.”

He scoffed, but not because of Emma. The entire thing was funny to him. He didn’t even know if everything made sense. He was even thinking of contacting him because of the Book of Dimensions. Another reason was to meet him again after so long.

Emma sighed. “I’m sorry for what happened, but you’re needed for his funeral. I don’t know you that well but I know you and your friends have formed a great bond together with Josh. At least at the last moment, you’ll see him go.”

Peter didn’t realize that his eyes were welling up with tears.

Memories of Josh flashed in his head and the first thing was the first time he met him.

Even before they were roommates, they once met on an interesting occasion.

He was then preparing to enroll for college, and on his way to the school, a man passed in front of him. When Peter looked to his right, he saw a lady in distress yelling, “My bag, my bag!”

Another man passed by him and that time he didn’t know it was Josh. He was running late, but he followed the two running men. He was sure that the latter was just running after the robber.

He ran after them until he had reached the young man. Josh looked at him with confusion as he was panted. Peter glanced at him as well. Looking into Josh’s eyes, Peter knew that he was just running with adrenaline, without any proper plan. “Turn to the right and take that alley,” Peter instructed, pointing at a direction.

Josh wasn’t sure but he obliged with a nod.

Peter turned to his right and took that route before he ran back straight to the right. When he was there, he saw Josh on the other side and they nodded to each other.

Just when they were near the supposed to be the way the robber would take, they saw the robber running with the bag. When he saw Peter and Josh, he was flustered and about to run back but Peter was quick to jump at the robber and pinned him to the ground.

The robber was about to stand and fight him but Josh came and helped him hold the robber down.

Peter saw a police patrol and waved his hand, calling their attention. The police came to their way and quickly brought the robber to the station, along with the lady who owned the bag, as well as Peter and Josh for a statement.

The two cooperated with nervous minds, thinking about being late with enrollment.

After their statements were taken, the lady asked the two for a private talk. “You two are my savior today,” she said. “I appreciate both of your efforts.”

Peter shyly chuckled. “That’s okay, ma’am. I’d love to talk with you but I need to go to my school for enrollment,” he said with an apologetic smile.

“Me, too, ma’am,” Josh said.

The lady was flustered but she smiled brightly, “I understand. I would like to talk with you next time. here’s my card, give me a call and tell me when I could meet you both. I want to properly thank you boys for doing such a brave act.”

The two looked at cards that were given to each of them and looked up at the lady. “This is my school. This is where I’m supposed to enroll,” Peter said with a smile.

Josh nodded. “Me, too,” he said. Peter and Josh exchanged a glance and smiled at each other.

The lady gasped lightly. “Oh, my. That’s great news, then! I’m on my way to school. I can drop you both there. Also, don’t worry about being late, I’ll make it sure that you’re excused, After all, you both did me a favor.”

That was the start of their friendship. Being freshmen, they didn’t know anyone yet so they were stuck to each other after knowing they were under the same department. Being each other's roommate was a coincidence, however.

Their history of being friends was trivial but to Peter, although he didn’t show him much friend affection unlike other people, he cherished Josh so much.

Whatever happens, he would still save Josh from Medusa or from being stoned as he did.

He regretted that he didn’t contact him soon. He thought everything would be different if he contacted him three days ago.

“When will his funeral be?” he asked, stuttering.

Emma didn’t speak for a few seconds. “It’s in the upcoming four days,” she said.

“Send me the address, I’ll come by then,” he ended the call, and just when he wiped his tears, he heard that whispers again.