Reaching home, I greeted my parents before heading straight to my room.
The moment I shut the door behind me, the silence felt heavy.
I sat on the edge of my bed, my fingers pressing into the mattress. The doctor's words kept replaying in my head.
"It's just a medical side effect."
But something about the whole situation didn't feel right.
Slowly, I opened my drawer and brought out the medications I had been taking over the past few months. Different pills. Different prescriptions.
All meant to "help me."
I placed them into a black nylon bag and tied it tightly.
My parents had stepped out earlier, and Helen wasn't back from school yet.
Perfect.
Quietly, I walked downstairs and stepped outside. The evening air brushed against my skin as I made my way to the large community dustbin at the end of the street.
I stood there for a moment, staring at the bag in my hand.
My heart pounded.
Taking a deep breath, I threw it into the dustbin.
No more pills.
No more pretending everything was normal.
I turned and walked back home.
On the way, I stopped by the small mall behind our house and bought a drink. As I walked back, a strange sensation crept up my spine.
It felt like someone was watching me.
Or following me.
I paused for a moment and glanced behind me.
Nothing.
The street was empty.
I shook my head, brushing off the strange feeling before entering the house.
Back in my room, I sat on my bed, sipping my drink when something suddenly crossed my mind.
The book.
The strange book I had bought from old Mr. Gareth's library.
I quickly walked to my wardrobe and began moving my clothes aside until I finally saw it hidden at the back.
Relief washed over me.
Carefully, I picked it up and carried it to my desk.
My fingers hesitated before opening it.
The pages flipped open.
Blank.
Still blank.
Not a single word.
My brows furrowed.
Just as I leaned closer to inspect it again—
Knock.
My door opened, and Helen stepped inside.
Looks like she had returned from school.
"Where are Mom and Dad?" she asked, dropping her bag on the chair.
"They went to visit Grandma," I replied. "They said it was urgent. They won't be back until next week."
She nodded.
"Okay… I'll go change and start dinner. Or do you want us to eat out tonight?"
"I think eating out sounds better," I said.
She smiled slightly and turned to leave but suddenly stopped.
Her eyes shifted toward my desk.
"What were you looking at over there?" she asked, confused.
"The book," I replied casually.
"Which book?"
I blinked.
"The book on the desk," I said slowly.
Helen frowned.
"There's no book there."
My heart skipped a beat.
I let out a small laugh, thinking she was joking.
"You mean you can't see the huge book right here?" I asked, walking toward the desk.
She stared at the empty space.
"No."
Her voice was certain.
A strange chill crawled up my spine.
"I think you're just tired," Helen said gently. "You've been through a lot lately. You should get some rest."
She gave me a sympathetic look.
"I'll call you when it's time for dinner."
And just like that, she left the room.
The door closed.
I slowly turned back toward the desk.
The book was still there.
Clear as day.
My breathing became uneven.
Does that mean…
I'm the only one who can see it?
The thought made my head spin.
Maybe I really needed sleep.
I picked up the book and returned it to its hiding place in my wardrobe before locking it.
Then I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Eventually, exhaustion pulled me into sleep.
I woke up later that evening feeling strangely lighter.
The night turned out peaceful.
Helen and I went out to eat, watched a movie, and talked for hours until we were both exhausted.
Later, I returned to my room while she went to hers.
I grabbed my phone and noticed a message from Dave.
Are you avoiding me?
I stared at the screen for a long moment.
I wanted to reply.
But deep down, I knew things weren't the same anymore.
I don't think he would accept me the way I am now.
Maybe it was better to let him go.
With a sigh, I tossed the phone aside and drifted back to sleep.
***
Far away…
Somewhere within the city shadows.
The demons had begun their invasion.
Dylan stood surrounded by the twisted creatures, their glowing eyes burning in the darkness.
One after another, they lunged at him.
But he didn't retreat.
Steel clashed. Magic flared.
If the demons reached the main city, thousands of innocent lives would be lost.
But Dylan had only one thought in his mind.
Clover.
He needed to reach her first.
The demons weren't attacking randomly.
They were being drawn to something.
To someone.
To the powerful magical energy sleeping within the city.
Within her.
The last time, he hadn't been able to seal her power.
The demon ambush had come too suddenly.
Now the consequences were unfolding.
Dylan clenched his sword tighter as another demon charged toward him.
For the first time in centuries…
He prayed.
Please…