Their Magical But Deadly Journey

“SWEETIE… Hey, wake up…”

I woke up because of a soft pat on my cheek. I slowly opened my eyes but all I could see was white.

Am I in heaven?

“Sweetie…” I felt a soft pat on my cheek again.

I finally opened my eyes and Mommy’s worried face was revealed to me.

Wait… mommy? Am I with her?All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

I looked around and was suddenly thrown back when I realized I was in the room. Right in my room.

“Hey, what’s going on? I caught you panting earlier,” Mommy said worriedly and caressed my cheek.

“M-mom? W-where am I? How did I get here?” I asked hysterically.

Mommy was suddenly confused.”What do you mean, Sazha?”

“How did I get here? I-I was in the Underground earlier, Mom…”

“Underground? You’ve been here for a while, Sazharina. I’ll wake you up for dinner.”

What…?!! How come?!!

“A-are you s-serious, Mom?”

Mom looked at me in confusion, her eyebrows crossed even more. “Yes, why?”

I stopped suddenly. I can not breathe. I feel like someone is choking me and I can’t move my mouth to speak. It was as if something suddenly blocked my throat.

“M-mom…” I uttered as my breathing began to hitch.

“S-sazha? A-are you o-okay? Why? What’s happening?” Mom asked one after the other out of panic.

“M-mom…”

“SAZHA!”

“SWEETIE… please wake up… please…”

I was distracted by the faint sobbing I heard. I also feel wetness in my hands and a slight sniffle.

“My daughter… Mommy’s here… wake up…”

I finally opened my eyes but all I could see was darkness. I couldn’t see anything but I could hear my mother’s voice saying it over and over again.

“Please… wake up, my daughter…”

“M-mom?” I called him but my voice only echoed.

“Wake up…”

“Mom! I-I’m h-here!”

“Sweetie… wake up…” The next thing I heard was Mommy’s whining.

“Mom! I’m here! Wake me up!” I screamed and screamed but it felt like I was in a void because my voice only echoed. I still can’t see anything around.

“Help! Help me! Mom! Wake me up!” I screamed from the top of my lungs. I continued screaming until I felt the pain in my throat. I feel thirsty because my throat is dry.

“Sazharina…”

I looked up and looked around when I heard Antricus’ baritone voice. It’s been days since we last met each other. Just now again.

“Aunt? What happened?” I heard Tray ask Mommy.

“I-I don’t know… She’s been acting strange lately. I-I often see her out of her mind and anxious. T-then this afternoon… I was about to wake her up for dinner, then she woke up anxious . S-she even says he’s from the Underground,” Mommy answered. I can feel his concern and wonder. I didn’t know that Mommy was just feeling my actions.

I didn’t hear Tray’s answer so I thought he had left. I looked upwards because that’s where I heard the voice. I thought he had left but my eyes widened when not far off I saw falling steel. And it’s heading in my direction!

“AHHHH! HELP ME! MOM! TRAY! HELP!” I shouted as I ran into the void just to avoid the falling iron bars.

But I screamed in pain when I suddenly tripped over the metal that fell down. I injured my knee and had a big cut causing it to bleed.

“Help me!” I yelled before dodging because I was about to be hit by a piece of steel. But it turned out to be a wrong move because I didn’t see the iron falling straight at me.

“AHHHH!!”

I woke up panting and sweating. I stood up from my bed because I couldn’t breathe because I was panting so much. I was drenched as if I had bathed in my own sweat.

I looked around and saw nothing but myself and the round, bright moon peering at me through the window from the dark sky. I also see twinkling stars and illuminated buildings.

I was alone here at my hospital room, and only the moons and stars could illuminate the room. The light was off but it wasn’t that dark because the lampshade next to me was open.

I turned to the door as it slowly opened. From my place, I could see two human figures and it was like someone was groping in the dark. After a while, the surroundings started to light up and I could clearly see Mommy crying while going inside and Tray was caressing her.

“M-mom…” I softly uttered. They both turned to me and I almost fell when they hugged me tightly.

“Please… don’t make mommy worried again…” Mommy said while hugging me, still crying.

“Sazha… you made me worried…” Tray added.

I’m just in tears because even I don’t know what happened to me. I don’t know if it’s true what Mommy says that I’m always anxious or out of my mind because for me, those are normal. And I’m not crazy. I just don’t really know where these events come from that suddenly come into my life.

There are many questions in my mind but every time I get close to the answer, I am further away because of the mysteries that happen to me. So instead of getting the answers I wanted to my questions, it just adds up to more questions.

“What did really happen to you, daughter, hmm?” Mom caressed my cheeks softly.

I sniffed. “I-I a-actually have no idea, Mom…” I looked at Tray who was staring at me. It’s like he’s digging something in me the way he’s looking at me. Strange. However, I could still see concern in his eyes. I just avoid looking at him because I’m not comfortable with the way he stares.

“Are you sure?” I turned to Tray who was looking at me seriously. His eyes are emotionless and his arms are crossed. His voice was very serious, a far from his normal voice the few times we’d been together.

“W-what d-do you m-mean?” I asked nervously.

“Nothing.” He shook his head and smiled a little. But I knew it was a fake smile.

“How are you feeling, my child? Is something hurting you? What food do you want? Do you want me to cook?” Mom asked one after the other. There are still traces of tears in his eyes and she is still slightly sniffling.

“I’m fine, Mom. Don’t worry about me.”

“A-are you sure? Aren’t you hungry?”

“I’m not, Mom. I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.” I smiled as an assurance. I know she was hesitating but she just nodded at me.

“Sazha? Can we talk?” My attention turned to Tray when he suddenly interrupted our talk.

“Uh…” I hesitantly looked at Mom but she just nodded and smiled a little. She signaled to us that she would leave us first before she finally left the room.

“How are you? What are you feeling?” Tray asked, starting our conversation.

“I’m fine, Tray. Thanks for your concern,” I answered, smiling.

“You sound too formal.” He sat on a nearby chair and faced me seriously.

“H-huh?” My forehead creased. “Am I?”

He didn’t answer so I sighed. Silence reigned throughout the room and only the sound of the air conditioner could be heard.

“W-what are you-” I didn’t finish what I was about to say when he cut me off.

“I missed you.”

I was taken back. I stopped and my heart beat faster, its strength was palpable. He just stared at me seriously as if it didn’t affect me. My cheeks are also getting hot and I know I’m crimson now.

Gosh, get yourself together, Sazharina. You don’t like this!

“I…” I faked a cough and looked away. “I-I missed you, too…” I can feel the intense heat on my cheeks.

“I’m glad that you missed me too.”

From my peripheral vision, I can see his small smile plastered on his lips. He was slightly biting his lower lip as if he was stifling his big smile. His ears are also slightly red.

“Uh… h-have you eaten? W-what do you want to eat? I’ll just have mommy buy it,” I said after a long awkward silence.

“None. I’m full, thanks.” He shifted his weight. “I just want to talk to you and at the same time clarify some things.”

What does he mean? Does he know anything about what’s going on with me?

“Some things about?” I tilted my head and gave him a confused look.

“About you. About your mysteries.”

I froze. I feel like he knows something about what’s going on with me. I want to know what things he knows because it can help me in researching answers. But I don’t want to harm him. If I told him about the ‘mysteries’ that were happening to me, it would only mean that I was implicating him. I don’t want him to be involved in my own mess. I can do this. I can manage myself.

“What do you mean by mysteries?” I asked again, telling myself not to show my nervousness. I also knew my hands were sweating so I secretly hid them. I also stopped myself from stuttering because he might notice me.

“Mysteries. Mysteries of why these things happen to you.” He leaned closer to me, his two elbows resting on his knees and his hands together. My knees were shaking from nervousness so I simply squeezed them while he looked at me.

“Tell me, Sazharina. Do you have any idea why these things are happening here?”

Damn. I’m doomed.

I didn’t answer right away. My heart was beating so fast because of the nervousness. My throat is also dry and I feel like my tongue is tied so I can’t find the words to say.

“A-ah…”

I bit my lower lip to stop it from trembling. It’s like I’m in an exam and I’m facing the dreaded teacher to be so nervous. I’ve never been nervous in my entire life.

And I’m still facing Antricus. Antricus who is a normal but mysterious man. To this day, I still have no idea of ​​his true personality.

“Tell me, Sazharina. Tell me. Do you have any idea about fairies?”

My forehead knotted at the sudden change in his question. The nervousness I felt also decreased a little because of his sudden departure from the topic. But it still doesn’t go away every time I see his eyes.

“F-fairies? What do you mean?”

“Don’t act like a fool, Sazharina. I know you knew something about them,” he insisted.

“Nothing! I don’t know anything about them!” I shouted at him.

“Really, Sazharina? Are you telling the truth right now?” His eyes are squinting. It’s like he’s really catching me if I’m telling the truth.

“N-no…” I looked away from him. “I don’t know anything about them,” I answered weakly.

I was telling the half-lie. I really don’t know anything about fairies but it is possible that they are also the cause of the mysteries that happen to me. If they are, and my suspicions are correct, I don’t know what to do. I don’t see them because they are mythical creatures. They have powers. I have nothing against them.

And that thought raised another batch of questions.

What do I have to do with fairies? Why are they playing with me? Will they be dangerous to me? Why did I suddenly have a relationship with fairies?

“Tsk. This is bad.” He clicked his tongue, showing his disappointment.

“W-why? A-am I being played with fairies?” I nervously asked, hoping he would say no. Because if the fairies are really playing with me, my life could be in danger. And Mommy’s life.

He just sighed, making me more nervous.

“Answer me!” I shouted. I grabbed his collar tightly so he could look at me. “Answer me, Antricus! Am I being played with fairies?! Is my life in danger?!”

“I-I don’t know! I’m not sure!” he also shouted back.

I sobbed. I did not notice that I was crying already. I weakened and let go of my grip on his collar. I just covered my face to cover the tears that wanted to fall again. I frustrated ruffled my hair against my back and looked at him with bloodshot eyes.

“The fuck, Antricus…” I sobbed. “W-when? W-when did you h-have an i-idea about w-what’s h-happening to me, huh?”

“J-just now… w-when Tita t-told me about what h-happened to you…” he stammered. His eyes were also a little red as if he was trying to stop himself from crying.

Anyway, I was satisfied with his answer and I stopped crying.

“What do you mean? Do fairies really have anything to do with what’s happening to me right now? H-how?”

“I actually have no idea, Sazharina. I just thought of that thing.” He shrugged.

“C-clues? D-don’t you have any?” I insisted.

“Nothing, Sazharina. Not even one.”

I sighed violently. I am really frustrated. I’m driving crazy! I don’t know what to prioritize. Whether to look for proof that Antricus is right or to save my mother’s life? I don’t even know why I suddenly had a connection with fairies. And worse, my mother will be in danger.

“W-why did I suddenly have a relationship with them? W-what do they need from me?” I asked confused.

Antricus came to me and caressed my back to calm me down.

“Calm down, Sazharina. I’ll help you, okay? I’ll help you find a way to… s-so we can find the fairies…” he said while still rubbing my back. He rubbed it strangely as if he was looking for something. His hand was also a bit heavy on my back.

“W-what do you mean we can find the fairies? Is it really possible? Are there really such things?” I asked. I felt that he was stunned and after a while, he frowned.

“You don’t believe in fairies?” He stopped caressing my back and looked at me in confusion.

“N-no… but do mythical creatures like that really exist?”

After a while he laughed at me. He sat on my bed so I got a little better.

“Yes, Sazharina. Mythical creatures such as fairies, goblins, and even mermaids, they do exist. Not only do we see them but they see us. Who knows, maybe you can talk to him now, right?” he said while looking directly at my eyes. It was like he was hinting at something but I immediately dismissed that idea.

“Well… that’s creepy. I don’t know what will happen to me if I get a chance to talk to those fairies.” I stared at him and from my vision, I saw his eyes with unexplainable emotion. His facial expression also changed so I panicked and immediately thought of a segway.

“I might die,” I laughed at him but his face didn’t change.

“Don’t ever say that again, Sazharina,” he seriously said that sent chills to my spine.

“O-okay… Calm down, I-I was just kidding… I’m sorry…”

“I’m sorry, too. But don’t say that again.” I nodded and gave him a tight smile.

We both looked at the door when it opened. Mommy appeared there with a small smile and a doctor.

“Sweetie.” Mom caressed my cheeks once she went to me. “Are you okay? Don’t you feel anything?” she asked softly.

“I don’t, Mom. I’m fine.” I smiled and turned to Antricus who was talking to the doctor. He would nod while talking to the doctor. And if you look at the two of them, it’s like they’ve known each other for a long time. Antricus and I locked eyes and smiled at me before turning back to the doctor.

“He was really concerned about you, son.” I turned to Mommy when she suddenly spoke. “Earlier, while you were unconscious, I could see the worry in his eyes. He was really worried. We had to talk to the doctor so we went out first. He didn’t even want to be left here because he said no one would watch over you. but we have to leave because the nurse will perform a procedure on you,” Mommy narrated at length.

But something caught my attention.

“Procedure? Nurse? What do you mean, Mom?” I asked in confusion.

“Nurse conducted a procedure earlier while you were unconscious. That’s why we left because other people couldn’t be inside,” Mom explained.

“Really, Mom? H-how? I didn’t see any nurse here when I woke up. I was alone in the dark, luckily the lampshade was open.”

Mom knotted her forehead. “What do you mean? Antricus and I left you earlier because the nurse who will perform the procedure has already entered.”

“N-no, Mom… I didn’t see any person here in my room aside from myself. Wasn’t the room dark when you entered here?”

Mom nodded. “Because the doctor said, the light must be turned off for the procedure that the nurse will do.”

These things aren’t making sense. Mommy’s story is full of holes.

“Then, why didn’t I see a nurse here when I woke up?” I asked.

Mommy was about to answer when the doctor came to us with an injection.

“Mommy, we need to inject Sazharina with a sleeping pill, hmm? We’ll wake her up again tomorrow,” said the doctor, making me panic.

“W-wait, Doc! I-I’m still talking to my Mom!” I shouted as I waved my hand in front of him.

“You need to sleep, Sazharina. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Antricus added.

“I’m still talking to my Mom! Why do I have to sleep?!” I turned to Mom. “Mom! Stop them!”

“S-sweetie…” Mommy hugged me so I cried.

“I-I don’t want to sleep yet, M-mom…”

“We will talk tomorrow, okay?” Mom said while hugging me.

“P-please…” I sobbed.

“I love you, my daughter. Sleep well, okay? When you wake up tomorrow, we’re going home.” Mommy separated from me so I held her hand tightly to stop her.

I don’t want to sleep. I’m afraid. I’m afraid I might end up somewhere else when I sleep. Maybe what will happen to me while I’m sleeping and I’m afraid I won’t wake up.

“Mommy…” I cried.

“Sleep now, hmm? We’ll talk tomorrow morning. I love you.” Mommy hugged me for the last time before injecting me with sleeping medicine.

And things started to get blurry. My eyelids were getting heavy and before I could fall, an arm caught me and straightened me up.

“Sleep well, my Queen. I love you.”

Then the darkness completely embraced me.