The Soothsayer of the Apocalypse

Chapter 3

Beside me was Macallan, the dangerous guy I just met by chance. I started observing him and end up staring for a really long time. He blushed and got embarrassed. Right now, our car has passed through one mile and now we were getting close to Arendra.

“So, what were you doing alone at night on the street?",  he asked surprisingly.

“Oh! That's just…some family problems",  I replied with a 'tsk' sound.

I didn’t want to tell him I left them. It was kind of painful and sad. It wasn’t like I wanted to leave my mom(stepmom) and dad(stepdad), maybe the both of them must be frustrated and angry with me, I can’t imagine myself going back, how am I going to face them? Macallan kept asking me questions related to school, grade, my nightmares of Arendra, my friends and more. I was waiting eagerly to ask him some serious questions. Thinking of not much time left, I suddenly approached and asked.

“What are you?”

There was a dead silence for a long time and in no time, I realized, things were getting really awkward.

“Sorry, just forget it",  I replied in a hurry.

“But why, so suddenly you asked me such a question. I wonder.”

“Hey! We are here", I cheered him up and ignoring the question.

As we walked in the lonely city, it wasn’t lonely anymore, I could see flames sparking up from woods, the whole city was covered with light, candles placed in a crystal ball with lanterns. Its been years since I saw those lanterns, no one uses it now but I got a feeling of people over here using it as a resource since there's no light.

The town was unbelievably looking miraculous as if the thee, himself has landed and blessed them. I saw a bunch of children coming towards us, looking so cheerful and enthusiastic, playing and enjoying. Seeing them like this made my heart pound with ecstasy. The whole city was alive and so exquisitely decorated and I could hear the giggles of young girls and ladies as they talked. Bazaars were lined up on the street selling ornaments, fruits and some were selling hairpins. The place was so full of positivity and good vibes. All of them seemed really nice just by looking at them until I saw a catfight between an old mustached big fellow and a poor little kid who was trying hard to steal some fruits. He looked poor, wearing a ripped off shirt and pants that were almost gone, his hair was shaggy and full of dirt, I felt sad for him.

“For what are the decorations?", I asked Macallan, who was busy looking at some guy.

“Grab my hand…Now !", he ordered furiously.

Without hesitation, I grabbed his hand tightly and we ran at full speed, he grabs a sword which I didn't know from where and the sword was the thing I was more scared off than the person running after us, I dare not to look back so I didn't saw him or her clearly. We somehow managed to get in a large mansion. This time, I was somehow suspecting Macallan.

“That's yours?”, I asked while pointing at the sword.

“Indeed yes", his face was glowing with rage and he looked so dangerous, I wasn't able to look his eyes.

“What did you see?", I asked. My words were hard to pronounce, my hands were shaking and I looked terrified not because of what was after us but of Macallan. I was fearing him.

“A fury", he said in a rush.

“A monster? That's impossible”, I protested.

“I know, but this isn't a city where you can find normal people. All of us shares the magic and hidden abilities. That fury was sent by Aaron to kill us, kill me most probably”.

“Why?”

“Because once I am defeated, He can easily abduct you and convince you”.

“For what?, I asked.

“Foretellation of the Apocalypse”, he answered.

“But I am afraid, I don’t know anything of this sort”.

“You may not for now but after you get to the real estate, Peter will tell you everything”, he said.

“So this isn’t the place we are supposed to meet that Darlene girl and all?", I asked confusingly.

“This is my place”.

“Your place as if your home?”, I asked shockingly.

“Yes, all mine”, he replied with such pride that anyone would believe him.

We climbed up the massive stairs which lead us to a grand bedroom. His house can't be called home. It seemed like he is a prince but the difference was that-no servants or kings or queens. But it was still so beautiful.

As we entered the big room, I noticed a bouquet lying on the dressing table with a letter, I ignored it. I was too busy looking and observing the pros and beauty of the room.

“Your room”, Macallan said though I didn’t hear him properly.

“Hmm…”, I asked.

“Your room, Christina”, he sounded calm now.

“ My room… Wait! My room?", I was so much lost in thoughts that I didn't recognize what I was saying.

“It's the place where you lived”, he said.

“That means my house”, I assumed.

“Not exactly. I mean, you visited father and me a couple of times and we used to play together and_”.

“Whoa, I used to play?”, I interrupted.

“Yes”.

“Wit…with you?”.

“Yes”.

“Why?”.

“You will figure it out very soon”, he said though I didn’t understand it very well.

“Now, no more hustles and bustles and no questions. Time to rest, young lady”, he advised.

“Ok”.

“You want to eat?”, he asked.

“Yes, please.”

Macallan cooked some really tasty stuff which included the main menu” Beef roasted”, with chowmein and chicken hot wings and more. It was just tasty!

“How can you manage it all by yourself, the house I mean”, I wondered and asked.

“ I am a self-taught person. So when father died, all the household responsibilities were given to me. Just by observing, I caught up how to do so and so things and then-‘’

“You became an expert”, I added.

“Not an expert but yes, learned how to do things and manage the house”, he smiled a little but that didn’t last long and faded.

“I am horrible at doing things, I can’t handle my own stuff, managing the house is something else, I just rely on my mom to do the stuff, all cleaning, and cooking”, I said while chewing a piece of hot wings.

“Your mom”.

“My stepmom, the actual one died a little early”, I said sadly.

“I know”, he looked sad too.

“But she is my actual mom, right? The one that died?”, it will sound crazy but I needed to confirm and besides, he knew me more than anyone.

“She is indeed your real mom, Chrissy, she died in_”.

“A car accident, I know, my stepdad told me.

“We all Arendrans were heartbroken. I know it’s been for you, living like this”, he said.

“Can we talk about something else? Beside this death issues and all”, I sobbed. I didn’t like talking about my mother and her memories with me as I know, it would end up in my sobbing and crying and screaming.

He agreed and we talked about different things. It was up to time and I realized it was morning. I stood up and washed away my face, I was too tired to say anything.

“We will go in the evening. Take some rest. You are awfully tired I presume”, he showed a warm smile.

“You are good at guessing, I see”.

“Not that I am any good but anyone could say while looking at you”, he said.

The last thing I could remember was getting carried to my room.