Rapture

Chapter 11

Venidith nonchalantly leaned back in her chair, her lips stained with the vibrant colors of the melting popsicle. She savored each lick, seemingly unconcerned about the gravity of the situation at hand.

Gustav's voice dripped with a mixture of frustration and concern as he addressed Venidith's dismissive attitude. His gaze darted from the humanoid to the others in the room, his mind racing with the implications of their growing group size.

"We can't simply keep bringing more people into this already crowded situation," Gustav declared, his tone tinged with urgency. His eyes locked onto the humanoid, searching for answers in its enigmatic presence.

"We can't just throw her out there," I said, my voice tinged with concern. The weight of responsibility settled heavily upon my shoulders as I considered the implications. "As Juliette rightly pointed out, she's a blessed tool."

Juliette interjected, her tone firm yet gentle. "Regalia is the term, and we must treat her with respect."

I nodded, acknowledging my mistake. "You're right, Juliette. I apologize for my choice of words."

Venidith leaned back, a mischievous smile playing on her lips as she savored the last remnants of her popsicle. Her eyes, filled with an alluring charm, met mine with a hint of mischief. "But here's the thing," she said, her voice laced with a teasing tone. "Juliette may not have complete control over her powers, but she possesses incredible abilities. She can enhance, heal, revive, and transmute all at the same time."

A spark of curiosity ignited within me, prompting a response tinged with a touch of humor. "So you're saying I'm one step away from being turned into gold?"

Venidith's gaze locked with mine, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "To be honest, I wouldn't mind that," she said, a sly wink accompanying her words.

I sighed, my shoulders relaxing as a sense of relief washed over me. "Well, it seems clear that we should keep her. She doesn't pose any harm to us."

Sam's eyes widened with excitement, a bright smile gracing her face. "That's great! But what should we call her?"

The humanoid turned its attention to Sam, its gaze curious yet devoid of any personal identity. "I do not possess a name," it stated simply.

A thought crossed my mind, and I gently placed my hand on Abigail's head. "In that case, I think we'll call you Abigail," I said, the name rolling off my tongue.

Abigail nodded in acknowledgment, her expression unchanging. "Very well, I shall now respond to the name Abigail."

"So it is settled then?" Sandra's voice echoed in the room as she stretched her arms overhead, a mix of relief and excitement evident on her face. "But where is she going to stay?"

Juliette's expression remained calm and composed as she offered her insight. "Regalias thrive on connection and proximity. It would be best for her to remain near Alexander."

I nodded, a sense of certainty settling within me. "Then Abigail is coming with me."

Gustav, always eager to keep things moving, clapped his hands twice, the sound reverberating in the air. "Alright, let's get a move on. You all have your tasks to attend to."

He then pointed out, "Except for the two sisters and our new otherworldly companions. We have a briefing to conduct."

I nodded, my footsteps echoing in the corridor as I led the way, my two faithful companions following closely behind. Sam's voice broke the silence, interrupting my thoughts.

"Big bro, can I borrow Abigail for a while?" Sam's eyes were filled with a mixture of eagerness and curiosity.

Glancing over my shoulder, I observed Sam still holding Abigail's hands, a gentle smile gracing her face. It was heartwarming to see Sam embracing the opportunity to bond with someone new, even if Abigail's understanding of the world might be different from that of a typical child.

"Sure, Sam," I replied, my voice carrying a note of caution. "Just make sure you don't overwhelm her. We're still learning about Abigail's unique abilities, and it's important to give her the space she needs to adjust."

With that, Sam's excitement grew, and she hurriedly led Abigail away, eager to embark on their own little adventure.

We turned the corner, the hallway's dim lights casting long shadows on the walls as Sam eagerly led Abigail towards her room. Abigail's eyes remained fixed on me, their expressionless gaze giving me an eerie sense of being observed. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of my lips, the realization sinking in that our once solitary journey had now transformed into a unified force with the addition of Abigail.

As I approached my room, the door let out a faint creak, a familiar sound that echoed through the stillness of the corridor. Stepping inside, I took a moment to survey the familiar space that had become my sanctuary. Nothing had changed, the room frozen in time, just as I had left it.

I made my way towards my bed, the worn mattress inviting me to rest and reflect. With a deep breath, I removed my torn hoodie, a remnant of my past adventures in Florida, the only tangible connection to a life left behind in Parañaque. Its tattered state served as a constant reminder of the dangers and challenges we faced on our journey.

As I lay on the bed, closing my eyes, memories of my grandmother flooded my mind. I couldn't help but wonder if she was safe, somewhere in Luzon, shielded from the chaos that had consumed the world. It had been a decade since I last saw her, and the uncertainty gnawed at my heart, a bittersweet ache that reminded me of the fragile nature of our existence.