Chapter Three

***Not Full Chapter***

“You know I don’t want to come off as,…overly friendly or pushy or whatever. But I invited you because you seemed open enough towards _____________ who is cool with us despite everything, and she said you were cool too but kind of isolated, alone. Thought maybe if you hang with us you can get more used to thing maybe even make friends with a group of your own because I know what it is like to move to a new country, alone. But if you need any help or ready to mingle don’t be afraid to reach out to us, or at me and ___________ ok?

I side-eyed her. Not out of disgust or venom but of caution. She is not her, and that group are not them, it has been years since me, her, and them had seen or talked but it still too soon everything still feels raw. I gave her a small nod which made her smile and walk away.

As soon as I got my food though I was ready to run but held back. I got to the door when I paused. I turned back to them keeping my eyes trained to the back wall terrified to meet any of there eyes. To face any possible hidden judgment.

“Have any of you seen ___________?”

Silence. Then ___________ spoke up softly, “No I haven’t.”

“I haven’t either,” her boyfriend responded after her.

“I think I have class with her but I haven’t been her either.”

The rest of the group also shook their heads no.

“Why?” Both _____________ and ____________ asked in union.

“I haven’t seen her since the night before. And before that she was avoiding me however I don’t know why. When, if-no, I will just talk to her personally myself. Never mind, don’t say anything to her. Not even that I am looking for her. Thanks though, bye.”

I hurried out and made my way to Master ____________.

“Your late.”

The first thing she said before I even enter the clearing.

“Thought to pick up dinner. You know because the magic, and my stomach, they don’t mix.”

Her white eyes looked at the boxes in my hand, “is that middle one for me? I smell pineapple.”

She smiled knowing it is. I placed the boxes on the abandoned tree stump and handed her the supreme pizza with pineapple. I also placed four garlic knots in her box the remaining twenty are mine.

This time I brought a blanket to spread on the ground instead of eating directly off the dirt. _____________ ate her share on the tree stump. We ate in silence. Which allowed my mind to overflow with thoughts. Thoughts about school, my assignments, money and work, _____________‘s experiment, reasons for why she is avoiding me, the group at the pizzeria, and home. Oh God, home.

As soon as my thoughts went there my stomach twisted itself into a knot. Bile rose in my through I had to fight to keep it down and my eyes close to prevent myself becoming woozy. I could no longer even finish the three and a half slices left in my remaining box.

“My pups were born inside the nexus. They love each other and most times they don’t mind being each other’s only company. They were so close that it seemed like they could read each other’s mind… but one could never truly read each other mind, unless they have telepathy, then no,” _____________ placed her empty box on top of my own trash her voice was somber.

She closed her eyes, her brows furrowed in pain from the memory, “it was _______________ and I who thought it would be a good idea for them to experience this world. We made them talismans so they could walk on this land without disappearing. The talisman would only last about a hundred years, long enough. When they first set out they were so excited,” she said while wearing a sad smile.

“In the early years I was with them to teach them how to move, what to say, and what to avoid. Eventually I left them on their own, we wanted them to become independent, to have their own lessons and adventure. They hadn’t fully used up their years yet when ______________ returned alone. She radiated sadness, anger… guilt. She refused to speak and we didn’t press; she also refused to eat, had consistent nightmares, kept to herself. There was only three of us mind you. Kind of reminds you of another person,” she cocked her head and smiled gently at me.

“I have no idea who you are talking about,” I said facing her but avoid looking in her eyes. As if to avoid temptation I turned my head all the way to the right and stared into the forest darkness as if something or someones will materialize there.

“Well, with _____________ home we expected _______________ to follow… but he didn’t. Years passed, soon the ninety ninth year was upon us. However neither me nor _______________ couldn’t sensed _______________. He was nowhere near home. So I searched for him. I asked why and like his sister refused to talk but he also refused to exist in the same place as her. So we fought, if I was normal he would win. Atlas I am not and he was easy enough to force home. They avoid each other for years. To the point that me and _______________ thought they will never will. Until one day they did, I’m sure and ____________ still haven’t gotten the full story of what happen. They weren’t as close as before, they were closer.”

“Of course they will eventually talk to each other they are immortals that live in between times. They have no one else to talk to,” I huffed.

“That’s not true they had me and ______________.”

“Even immortal children don’t always want speak with their parents.”

“Hey!” She tapped my leg with her staff, “and no matter how board and lonely one gets one could not, will not talk to another if both parties carry a heavy load of animosity and guilt.”

I squeeze the woven and bead knotted leather bracelets on my wrist avoiding her eyes again. This time looking down.

“It is only when one forgives, not just each other but also themselves. To recognize their wrong, learn from it, and let it go. The past is the past but the future…” she shrugged.

I’m sure the air pressure dropped so low, I’m sure it would be easier to breath on the peak of mount Manaslu.