The Life of Her

Second Quest

It was happiness that was clearly seen in her eyes. She was satisfied with how things ended for this night. She took a sigh of contentment, placing both of her hands on the back of her head. She whistled as she followed me to my room. When she moved inside, I immediately closed the door and locked it.

I heard a soft squeal from the corner and Guiltz decided to move out from his place. He was currently nibbling a piece of bread. His fur was well brushed. He transferred to the bed and gently sat beside my pink pillow, snugging his body on it. He greeted us with a good night.

I smiled at him and took my sleepers off, sitting on the edge of the bed. Amber rested on the chair and carefully examined me from head to to. Her face was light.

I touched the necklace and it glowed around my fingers as she took her stand and went to me, captivating her own with curiosity.

“So the last person who needed to take time is you. That’s why it glowed and a tear moved inside the shell. So, it’s not just me who’s crucial in this journey, but also you…anyone who’s in our task will be worked by us both and there’s no exception. We’re connected to each other and I guessed that’s how our contract is.” She uttered.

She heaved something into her pocket and blew it softly. The whistle glinted and we waited for seconds, until dashing, glittering twinkles around and she slowly appeared in front of us. She's still on her runway – never gone out of style. Her hair was in a ponytail, with big round curls on its tip.

She was wearing a light blue oversized shirt paired with her white tattered shorts and white sneakers and knee-length socks. Her lips were luscious red and she was in those dangling gold earrings, larger than her ring. I bit my lip as I examined her, not expecting any single of her new form. She's totally extravagant.

She smirked as soon as she recognized my expression. Crossing her arms, she declared, “You don’t have to give me that look, I know I slew it tonight.” She winked at me. She moved near to Amber and gave her a tap of recognition on her shoulder, placing a smile on her.

“Good job. Your first task was now cleared in the book.” She added.

Guiltz cleared his throat enough for the woman to gaze at him. The tiny creature bowed his head and greeted her. “A warm evening to you Ms. Everly.”

“Good evening too, Guiltz. Anything to report?”

“Nothing at all, Ms. Everly. Perhaps, everything is in good condition. The others are also doing their best with their respective missions. They are expecting to hear something from you and might as well take a visit for them.” The mouse covered his mouth in a whisper. “They kind of miss you.”

Ms. Willow chuckled in delight and clasped both her hands. She looked at us both and uttered, “Right. Now, that you have successfully gained a tear from your first task, I hoped that everything is clear to you. If you have something to ask, you can tell me now. If there’s nothing else, we can proceed to our next quest.”

Amber peeked at me and laid a question. “A while ago when my Mom tore in front of me, never did her tears glow. And when Trenton held his time to talk to her, it was then that one had glimmered and shoved inside my necklace. Why is that?"

The woman rubbed her temple. "Well, there are instances that both of you needed to work in order to finish the task. More like you got to have an alliance. In some ways, you're connected to each other more than the contract that was holding right now. You seem anxious about it, why?" She answered while glancing over at me.

I took a gulp and rubbed my hands. I wasn’t expecting that I could have the valor to converse with her. It was…coarse, but I was able to.”

“How was it?” She probed.

“It was something unusual. My heart was thrashing loud, like drums. But at the moment that things got clearer for both of us, I felt myself let loose from manacles of anguish. Mrs. Madison was able to flourish things between my father and me. Somehow, it touched my soul from pureness.” I glinted at Amber. “Your mother was sincere.”

Ms. Everly was awed. “That’s good to hear from a person like you. I hoped that everyone will find peace within themselves. Now, let’s go to our waiting list.” She snapped her fingers and in an instant, Onis appeared and dropped on her hands. The book winked at us as Ms. Everly scanned his pages.

“I saw everything and had it written here now. Anytime, you can read it and might as well adore everything in this excursion.”

The woman trailed her fingers through the thin sheets of his, then in a sudden, she stopped at the edge of the page and grazed the name that was penned.

“Bailey Lourenne Breslin.” She addressed the name.

Amber froze in her position and stared at blankness. She bit her lip and held her shirt. It's like the first time when she saw the list.

“Do you know this person?” I prompted.

She nodded her head as a quick response and relaxed on her bed. Her face was a bit stern. She gently raised her hand and gazed at us with a contemptuous look. “Do we really need to include her as one of those we’re tasked to meet?”

Ms. Everly acquiesced. “Yeah. She’s on the list. So, she’s included. I guessed, you owe this one an apology too, Ms. Amber Kate.”

Amber dropped a pout and crossed her legs. She sighed. “Well, geez. I guessed there’s no other way to avoid this stuff, especially my long lost best friend.”

“Absolutely.” I added.

“So, is everyone absorbing things now? The clock is ticking, my dear.” Ms. Everly cut us off.

I nodded and pronounced, “Yeah. Lay everything that is crucial and we’ll find our way to decipher it right, Amber?”

“Yeah. We’ll lend you our eyes now, Ms. Everly.”

The woman gave us both a tap and cleared her throat. Onis was on her lap, while Guiltz sat on the side of the window. He was cleaning his hat and bowtie. The wind entered the room and engulfed the place with coldness. The light pink curtains wavered with it.

“Okay, so let’s talk about the next subject, who is Bailey Lourenne Breslin.” She rubbed her chin as she read Onis. “An eighteen-year-old lady. Her long, silky hair is red velvet. 5’4” in height, well-trimmed nails, and a lean body. She’s quite anxious with her studies too huh and… a high-spirited person. A well-known student in their school for being able to maintain her grades. She is progressive and doesn’t need to rely on others for her own future – a total independent one. She loves poetry and singing. Yet, she is stubborn and wants to have everything on her own, which in turn to be a problem with her own parents. And lastly, she’s Amber’s best friend.” The woman added.

I gazed upon her, keeping her sight away from us - trying to run away as it is. I scoffed a bit as I felt the tension embracing her. I laid a palm on her shoulder, tolerating the snub on her body. She was pale as she floated through thin air.

I witnessed a pout on her face then came a scratch on her head. "Yeah, Bailey is my best friend. We went to the same school, got the same crushes, standards, trends and anything you can tell. To some, we even looked like the same feature except that she's a smart kid. She's academically on."

"I see. Then why don't we go to her school and let things settle down between the two of you?"

She looked at me with her workable face. "It's not that easy, Trent."

"She's right, Mr. Singh. Having someone being left because of recklessness and avarice is no good. She had given the damage to the woman's heart just like her mother and I guessed Amber already learned something from it, right?" Ms. Everly said.

Amber slowly nodded into a response. Clasping her hands, she uttered, "Yes. But it doesn't mean that I will run away twice. This time...I will face those whom I owed some apologies." She gave us a faint smile.

I tapped her back and beamed. "That's good to hear it from you. I'll definitely help you with it."

"Thank you..."

Ms. Everly stood and clapped her hands. She glanced over the watched and back to the surroundings outside.

"I'm glad that both of you are comfortable with each other now. Continue being like that, children. In the meantime, I'll be going back to the Great Lair to finish some paperwork. If you have something needed, you can tell Guiltz and he'll be able to provide you with that thing." She slightly covered her mouth enough for the little creature not to see it. "Please don't pressure him too. You don't want the diminutive one to get furious." She whispered and instantly winked over Guiltz.

He smiled at her and bowed his head. He was able to clean his cap and now putting it above his head. He seemed to be enjoying the domain he's in."

I smiled and glanced over Ms. Everly. She was clutching Onis in her arms. The book bowed to us and said, "And oh, just to remind you. Don't ever mention the contract we have with each other to anyone, not even to those who're close to you."

"Understood." Amber retorted.

Ms. Everly put on her shoal and tapped her fingers twice, slowly she vanished in front of us with a smile on her face. "Till next time, children. Take care of yourselves and do great."

In a few seconds, she perished. We glanced over each other and laughed a bit. Scared of what will happen in the next morning, we're quite sure that it won't be that easy again. I heard a sigh coming out from her. She stood beside the window and slowly brushed her fingers over Guiltz's back. She was able to touch him, giving him a scratch. The tiny one was enjoying her feverish tinge. She chuckled.

"How are you able to touch him?" I asked her.

"Nothing so usual, but I found it when I was with Ms. Everly for a while. She told me that I was able to touch and communicate with those who already passed and are also willing to give in a talk. Also, I can also touch those who're working under the woman's surveillance."

"I've been working under Ms. Everly for some time now, and this job is quite hell and the same time fascinating." Guiltz pondered.

"How did you end up with her, Guiltz?"

"She found me in one of those reeking sewers when she's hunting down a wraith, drawn in a group of rats over the corner. She was able to help me escape and have me as her apprentice. Ms. Everly has the power to make a creature work with her once in a while. It's a gift given to her by the one above her." He said.

"The one owning the Great Lair?"

"Maybe. I still didn't have the glint of him nor know him except by the stories laid by the woman herself. Only the guardians, just like her, were able to talk to him." He added.

Amber crossed her arms and started over the clear sky. "Do you think...my Dad is watching me over there?"

The creature nodded his head.

"Yes. Even the souls who already lifted up are still looking at those whom they left. I guessed they just missed each other."

Amber smiled. "Yes. I hoped he'll give us the courage to do this new task."

She wiped a tear-off.

"Guiltz, do you know someone who can easily be possessed?" She suddenly asked.

I felt a chilling sensation dropping behind my back when I heard her say. I took a gulp when I recognized how the vibe changed into a shallow, menacing one.

Guiltz looked at her with his sharp eyes. The creature was momentous as he fixed his tie. "Why? Is something happening behind your back?"

Amber scratched her head and slowly nodded. "I thought so. I am having a feeling that someone is secretly following me. Though it's a doubt, I wanted to make sure if it's real or I'm just having some hallucinations."

"Instincts are sometimes powerful that they can kill the qualms."

"I knew someone whom you're looking for and I guessed you already knew or had crossed paths with. For now, I wanted you to focus with the quest and leave your worries with me. I'll be the one to deal with it." He uttered, giving us a squeal of certainty.