After several years had passed, Xeanee could see the outside world again.It was a short time for her, an immortal being. Well, but still. She emerged from the cave and immediately spread her wings. She flew towards a forbidden place: dreams. Dreams are indeed a place where two worlds connect. However, that doesn't mean there are only two worlds in this universe. There are many more. Well, enough. He had arrived at the 'dream' and started walking to find Hillyne.
Thanks to the deal Xeanee made with Marlin, she was able to meet Hillyne. She hadn't actually met Hillyne yet, but she was able to enter the 'dream' without facing the consequences of punishment like yesterday. Although Xeanee knew it would only add to her bad karma, it didn't matter. Maybe she'll be punished later. But Xeanee already knows that and will still make the same decision.
By the way, she had actually finished serving his sentence. To be precise, the day after Marlin's visit when the demon offered her the deal.
Where is Hillyne? Is the 'dream' she entered a different place?
###
The weather is currently rainy. The sky is dark and lightning can be seen occasionally. It's a little scary, but also quite beautiful. Hillyne, who had now returned to his room on the second floor, saw the situation outside from his glass balcony door. His current condition isn't getting any better, nor is it getting any worse. Maybe... he's a little frustrated. But he can still read, and that's the biggest relief.
He walked to the shelf beside his bed. It was filled with books he had collected over the past two years. There was one book. No. It was a single title with five books. A series? Well, those books were some of his favorite novels. Was the story good? Of course. It was great. Cool and crazy. That book... that book was the only book that gave him hope when his father started scolding him about his grades. It was the book that helped him survive. So he wanted to read it again. But...!
It doesn't feel the same.
As he crouched in front of the shelf, holding the book, tears began to flow, drop by drop. He wiped his tears which continued to flow non-stop. Well, it does feel a bit suffocating.
Hillyne sat there and cried nonstop for an hour. Afterward, he went to the bathroom to wash his face, then returned to his room, sat on his bed, and grabbed his phone. Opening his social media app, Hillyne saw his chats with Sena, the girl he liked who had passed him at the park. They were quite close at first. When Hillyne and Sena talked, their conversation just flowed naturally. That's fun. He really likes it.
It was all fun but somehow it ended badly.
It had been quite some time since he'd communicated with Sena. For him, who maintained connections with quite a few people, not communicating like this felt truly odd. It was like there was a stone stuck in his heart. Not sick. It's more like heaviness than tightness and pain. Also, this makes the shoulders heavy and a little stiff.
Then, what's again?
He took a breath. He held it for a moment, then exhaled. It wasn't good to dwell on one's own thoughts or past sorrows. Life must be lived while one's still alive and the end of the world has not yet come. So, he'll take a break from the real world and read novels or comics online on his phone. Yes, that's a wise decision for now. A story or two... ah, or even more, would probably be fine. It would calm him down. Well, at least for a while.
Some time passed. Too focused on reading, he was suddenly overcome with drowsiness, dropping his phone and falling asleep. Quite soundly. looks so peaceful and serene.
###
A dark room. Ah, no. This wasn't a room but a 'place', and he himself didn't know what it was. Even so, a nostalgic feeling crept over him. Like... he was in a place he'd been before. But... he couldn't remember. Wait, it seemed like he was starting to remember what this place was. What is this place? What is this place?
Hillyne felt like he remembered that he had been here before and now he was trying hard to remember what this place actually was or when and what the memories of this place actually were.
The memories that felt blurry finally became clear. When he saw a creature he could almost say he recognized. A beautiful yet terrifying figure. Like an angel but also a devil. Well, maybe both. It was Xeanee. The broken angel he was ever met before. It had been some time since he had first met the angel. It was a little... exciting or thrilling, until without realizing it, his lips curled into a small smile.
Without thinking, Hillyne walked over and approached Xeanee, then followed the angel, who seemed to be looking for something or maybe looking for someone.
Xeanee See Hillyne. And approached him too. They both both walking closer together. They both looked at each other and Smiling, Like seeing an old acquaintance or something like that.
"Hi." Hillyne greeted Xeanee warmly.
"Yeah ... Hi? Hello?" Xeanee Reply to greetings With Happy but doubtful. So, It Sounds like a question.
Then there was silence. Both of them acted awkward.
So Hillyne start the Conversation with Asking for Xeanee's news. Like what happened to Xeanee or anything that he could ask.
"Of course i'm fine. Thanks for asking. And... What about you? Hillyne?"
Hillyne Nod slightly and answered, "i'm also good. Thanks too."
Then they both fell silent again. Very quiet. And awkward. Even the silence of the night was defeated by their awkwardness.
"So ... Can i be your friend?"
"Are you sure??? Really???" Hillyne asking with eagering and feel so excited.
I mean... this is the first time Hillyne has had a friend from a different race. Even if it might just be a dream, but why not?
Xeanee nodded, "Yes, Let's be friends."
"Sure. Why not? Let's be friend. Yayyy."
Hillyne cheered happily at his friendship with Xeanee. Xeanee also cheered and felt happy. The two of them went on to ask each other questions. Through the conversation, it turned out they both loved reading stories—any kind.
Hillyne and Xeanee talked about the stories they had read and exchanged recommendations. Yet, at times, Hillyne found himself wondering: how was it possible for them both to know the same stories? After all, didn't Xeanee live in a different world?
Let's just put that thought aside. Regardless of everything, Hillyne was happy to find someone else who enjoyed reading stories, just like him. He already had friends like that in the real world—Sena, Victor, and others—but gaining one more—a friend who loved to read—made him truly happy.
But that joy could not last much longer. His body... his vision... slowly faded, as if about to vanish in an instant. Yet Hillyne knew he wasn't disappearing; he was simply waking from a beautiful dream.
Hillyne opened his eyes and gazed at his bedroom ceiling. He was back—or rather, he had woken up. The dream he'd just had was very strange. Was it really just a dream? Or was there something more to it?
Hillyne shook his head. trying to get rid of unnecessary thoughts. then he held his chest. The excitement and excitement is real. as if it really wasn't a dream. Could it be a lucid dream?
###
After that day, he went about his routine as usual. Since school was still on break, he spent her time entirely at home—reading books and watching movies on his laptop, or occasionally heading to the cinema or the mall after being dragged along by his older sister.
Then, sometimes while sleeping, he would meet Xeanee in his dreams and occasionally chat with her. On other days, he would sleep soundly without recalling any dreams; that meant they hadn't met.
It felt truly amazing. Why did he feel that way? Because it turned out that his encounter with that broken angel all along hadn't been a dream. It was a reality that seemed impossible. It was a truly significant moment.
"Hillyne."
Tyra called out to him from outside in a lilting tone.
"Yes, Sis! What's happen?" Hillyne called out from inside his room, then stood up and stepped out.
After taking just a few steps out of the room, he ran into his older sister, who beamed the moment she saw him already outside his room.
"Nice. Let's go outside." Tyra drags Hillyne with enthusiasm.
Initially, Hillyne wanted to refuse, but he remembered that any refusal would never work on Tyra. So he just walk following Tyra who dragged him. Go wherever Tyra wants to go. By motorbike, they went to the mall to play and buy books. At first Tyra dragged him to play the games that are there, like boom boom car. Oh yeah, they don't just walk both of them, but there is also his friend and his sister's friend.
Next, they bought food at a stand in the mall and ate there. After being full, they went to the cinema to watch the latest film. That's really good movie. Once there, they wanted to go home. But Hillyne and his friend asked the others to wait because they wanted to go to the restroom.
His friend Victor asking from the next cubicle, "Is it okay? Don't you like Sena? Do you want me to help you two patch things up?"
Hillyne Opening his mouth then closing it. "Isn't it strange to talk about it while in the restroom? Please discuss it outside instead." It's not that Hillyne don't want to discuss the matter at all, but it feels really strange—and a bit awkward—to talk about it while taking a leak.
"Oh ... Thats right."
"..."
"Yeah, okay."
After finishing with the call of nature, Hillyne comes out of the toilet cubicle and washing his hands while looking in the mirror. Suddenly, someone stood beside him. The man washed his hands and took out a handkerchief to dry them. Afterward, he produced a small red bottle—or perhaps a small clear bottle with something red inside. Then, the man slid the bottle toward Hillyne. What did that mean?
"Are you bored with your world?" The man asked Hillyne.
Hillyne just keept shut up and just ignoring him.
"Want to go somewhere that doesn't exist in this world? It's free, you know."
Silence. Hillyne still paid no heed. What did he care? For all he knew, the man might be offering him drugs, or perhaps luring him to Myanmar to be sold.
"Of course I will not sell you. I also don't offer the drugs. What are drugs anyway?"
The man's question and statement managed to capture Hillyne's attention. Could he hear what was in his heart? Or read his mind? Whoa... interesting.