We followed Lou until we reached the parking lot on the fourth floor. When he went to the edge and looked down, Lou seemed to be searching for something.
"There!" Lou said while pointing at something we could not see at first.
"What do you mean there?" I asked.
"Do you see that rotating mirage?"
Again, I looked at something he was pointing at a distance. There was indeed a moving mirage that seemed to appear and disappear into thin air.
"The gateway stays in its place. It only rotates continuously. But it will lead us back home.
We were shocked to see Lou stepping on the railings of the building. He will instantly fall to the ground if he does not keep his balance.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Cedric and I screamed.
"We are going back home. That is our way home," Lou said. He acts as if what he is pointing again is not a mirage in mid-air.
"You mean… you mean…"
I could not say it out loud for fear that my understanding was correct.
"We all need to jump from here to there."
Cedric and I were speechless.
"Do you often do these? Whenever you travel back to the present?" Cedric asked.
Maybe to buy us some time to build our courage.
"Yeah. Why do you think this exhausts me?"
I gave up. There is no point in prolonging our conversation.
We are going to jump from that building. And we are going to die.
"Hold on! If we fall on the ground, we won't be hurt. Right? Because we could not touch anything or anyone while we were here in the past."
"Hmm, I haven't fallen on the ground before. I always jump exactly on the spot where the mirage is."
Is Lou kidding me? No. He looks serious. But I refuse to believe it.
"Come on. We need to go before the day ends and begin again."
"What do you mean?" I asked as if forgetting what we were about to do.
"This timeline is fixed. When the day ends, it will resume. Everything will keep replaying as it is. We might disappear if we stay since we are not part of it. So, let's go."
"So that was why you keep coming back," Cedric commented.
Lou smirked.
"Unlike you, I realized I am not ready to disappear for good," Lou replied. "And I still like to hang out with you and Zy."
Cedric smiled.
"Good to know."
The wind blew. It was as if to remind us where we were or how high the building was.
Cedric and I looked at each other.
We are so not prepared for this.
Lou touched something from his pocket. When he looked at his palm, we saw a pocket watch. It looks modern despite the antique design. He seemed to be visualizing something before he put it in his pocket.
We all held hands.
"On the count of three—"
"Wait! Wait! Do we jump as soon as you say three or after?" I clarified to Lou.
"We jump after I say the word three."
"Okay."
I took a deep breath as I heard Lou count to three.
"One… two… three!"
And we all jump.
It felt like we all committed suicide.
And I wanted to cry.
But I felt a sudden change in the wind as if we went inside a vacuum. But it was gone the instant I opened my eyes again.
It was shocking to see all of us in that old house again.
The one I should have never stepped on in the first place.
"Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!!! I thought I was going to die! Oh, my God!"
"It's okay—"
I heard Lou say to Cedric. He was panicking as if we were still at the edge of the building. We became so quiet that he must have let his body move as we jumped.
But we were both terrified since it was the first time we did it.
I was also still in shock that I could not say anything. That was the thing I noticed about fear. It numbs the mind and shakes us to the core until we can only scream.
Since we bottled it up and did not scream, it piled up inside me and Cedric. Then, the following reaction I have is paralysis. I could only move again once I convinced myself it was over.
We are back. We are really at the present time. I keep telling myself.
Cedric seemed unaware of my thoughts because Lou was still pacifying him.
I was panting while I tried to sit on the tiled floor. We are in the living room, where we first put down Lou.
Cedric is still shaking and panicking when Lou slaps his cousin.
"Snap out of it! We are back. We made it back!"
"But I… I was…"
Cedric could not seem to gather his thoughts together. It was also his first time to know how Lou operated while using his skill as a time traveler.
"Stop whining, or else Zyren will wake up!"
That made Cedric shut up.
Zyren. It was the name of their other cousin.
"No need to concern yourself if you will disturb me. I'm already awake."
We all froze.
We all look in the direction where a man speaks.
It was beside the kitchen area.
He is wearing a set of plain dark pajamas. He is holding a phone as if he only ended a phone call. On his other hand was a big pool skimmer net. And a few dried leaves are still caught in it.
Was he cleaning before we arrived? Or was he searching for something in the pool area?
"So… what are you three up to?" Zyren asked as if suddenly appearing in the living room was a usual occurrence in that house.
Maybe it was given how Lou can appear and disappear whenever he pleases.
Still, none of us can move.
The three of us sat on the floor and watched Zyren approach us.
He looks pale but not as white as Cedric. His golden blonde hair needed a haircut, yet it suited his face. His eyebrows were thick, and his eyes were blue.
He is a handsome guy. If only we do not tremble upon his presence. It was like looking at a tiger. It looks astonishing yet still terrifying. No matter how tame or calm it seemed, the fact remained that it was still a predator, and we were its prey. And it could bite when triggered, either by hunger or the need to protect itself.
Zyren moved to put the net back to its storage in the kitchen. He was still holding his phone when Zyren dropped to one knee. He looked directly at me.
"May I ask your name?" he said to me.
His voice seemed natural and calm, yet his eyes were scrutinizing me.
While staring back at him, I can feel his cold stare.
"Laurie…" I replied while trying to normalize my voice. The shock from our travel is slowly fading. But the presence of Zyren is overwhelming me.
"Hmm…. Laurie," Zyren said while memorizing my name. "What brings you to our house, Laurie?"
"I was here to deliver something. But I think I got the wrong address. Then, I met Cedric and Lou, and we…"
I looked at Cedric and Lou. They seemed scared and unsure of what to do.
I do not wish to tell Zyren all the details. For some reason, I got torn between being honest and wanting to protect Cedric and Lou. But something tells me Zyren already knew everything. And he was only interrogating me to prove his theory.
"Go on…" Zyren said as if he was encouraging me, so I looked back at him. Something is forcing me to look at him in the eyes and tell him everything.
But nothing was encouraging with his tone.
He looks like a bully with a pretty face.
"That's enough!"
Zyren and I looked at Cedric.
Cedric and Lou moved and stood near us to stop Zyren from what he intended to do with me.
Zyren held his open palm to his two cousins.
Zyren stood as he spoke. "I wasn't even doing anything. Right, Laurie?" Zyren said with a polite smile.
"You're scaring her," Cedric said.
"Was I? I didn't notice," Zyren responded as if he was clueless. "Besides, why would she be scared of me? We haven't met yet."
Cedric and Lou could not respond. They knew, we all knew, that if we said anything, we would give away the truth that I know about their skills and how they regarded Zyren.
And that was what Zyren wanted to hear.
The three of us fell on the tiled floor of the living room before Zyren walked in. Is it possible that he knew where we were? Did he already look within the house? Or did he start searching for his cousins outside? It could be that Zyren sensed something was wrong when he woke up. Seeing an outsider like me hanging around with his cousins proves that things have happened.
I could not blame him if he threatened me.
I think I am getting used to their reaction now. And I understand them somehow.
Hey, Cedric. Pretend you cannot hear my thoughts. And no, don't make it obvious. Just brush your hair if you agree with what I'm about to tell you. It was forbidden to tell anyone about your abilities and know your existence. So being here is a big nuisance to all of you, correct?
Cedric brushed his hair upward while standing beside me.
Zyren noticed it.
I saw his reaction because I continued looking at him.
He is so observant.
"Make us some lunch, will you?" Zyren said to his two cousins.
It was not a question but a command the two must follow, even if they did not want to.
"We will talk while having lunch. And Laurie…"
"Yes?"
"Don't try to escape. It will only be harder on you."
"Is that a threat?" I casually asked.
Sometimes I forget to keep my mouth shut.
Zyren meekly smiled as he looked at me.
"It's up to you."
Zyren walked away. He went upstairs probably to go back to his room.
He seemed groggy and still sleepy as he walked away.
But he does not seem to be in a bad mood.
I was expecting a man who would instantly yell at us when he found an intruder in his house.
Lou and Cedric hugged me.
I was not expecting that.
I was in deep thought as I looked at their other cousin. I did not notice they were too worried about me.
"We will not let him touch you," Lou said.
"I will keep my promise," Cedric added.
Huh? What? Why are you guys clingy all of a sudden?
Cedric and Lou led me to the kitchen area before I could ask more questions. There was an L-shaped counter. Lou and Cedric began preparing a meal for all of us. I did not realize we were hungry until we were serving the meal they prepared.
I guess this was my last supper.
"Don't say that!"
I flinched when Cedric turned to me as he held a pan. Lou was busy cutting some fruits and veggies.
"Zyren is creepy sometimes," Lou said while looking down as if recalling something.
Look who's talking. You were the one who suddenly appeared from within the pool.
Luckily, Lou could not hear my thoughts, or we would only argue again.
"But he's also nice. Just way too protective," Lou added.
I can see the similarities between Lou and Zyren. Lou tends to be a brat because he is still a kid. Zyren seemed like a composed adult. But I sense through his stare that he was seething with rage and worry.
I have that kind of expression whenever I am stretching my patience. I would try not to speak what was on my mind, especially if it was only hurtful words that I wished to utter.
I could understand why anyone would run out of patience.
Either the burden was too much, or a person needed an outlet.
"Zyren does not simply trust anyone. I could not convince him that not everyone is a possible enemy," Cedric added to Lou's comment on their cousin.
"He's right," I said.
"What?" Cedric and Lou asked.
"Everyone is a possible enemy. It's true," I clarified.
"What makes you say so?"
"Well, a wife can kill her husband just because she was jealous of a woman her husband knows well. A child who experienced abuse could take revenge by punishing those who had abused him or those who reminded him of the people he used to tolerate. An employee might give information to their company's competitor to gain money. What else? Hmm…"
"You watched too many horror or thriller movies," Cedric said.
"I don't. I avoid watching those movies. I only know these things because it is on the news sometimes, and people can be untrustworthy."
"Has anyone betrayed you before?" Lou could not help but ask.
"No. But I know I could betray anyone as long as it is for my benefit. It's human nature to think of ourselves, you know."
"And yet, here I was worried about you," Cedric said sarcastically.
Yet, I take it seriously.
"Haven't you only thought of yourself? Isn't that why you can only hear the thoughts about yourself and nothing else? And how about you, Lou? Does going back to the past benefit other people and not only yourself? We're all capable of being selfish."
Cedric and Lou looked at each other.
"So… what are you saying? That we should not trust anyone at all?" Cedric asked me.
"No. Trust someone. But not just anyone. And if you do trust someone. Do not be blinded by faithfulness or loyalty."
"Why?"
"Because change is a constant thing. No one is immune to that."
"I see," Cedric said sadly. "Come to think of it, Zyren used to be different back then. Now, he is narrow-minded, hot-headed, and paranoid. He's also heartbroken, so we're trying to be patient. I won't say that Zyren used to be nicer. He was strict with himself even before he graduated. He always believes in maintaining a habit or being disciplined or whatever. But he got worse after meeting Connie."
"The girl who broke his heart?" I guessed.
"Yeah… and the girl whom he hypnotized so that she could love him back," Lou added before putting all the vegetables he cut in a bowl.
Lou slices them all neatly.
"What the—?!"
Lou stared at me.
"I may be the youngest here. But I can prepare a decent meal."
I covered my mouth and looked at Lou apologetically.
"I am not reacting to your cooking skills!"
"Then what?"
"He hypnotized someone to love him back? That's…"
"Wrong? I agree," Lou said as he finished with her preparations.
And yet, you said Zyren is nice?
Cedric just leaned into the counter and let Lou do the finishing touches.
"Zyren can hypnotize people and delete some memories," Lou said, ignoring my reaction. "I do not know what happened between him and Connie. But I know Zyren would not have second thoughts to use his power to protect someone. As you know, Cedric and I have these gifts. But we can be abused by other people."
"You said you can also gain something from it, right? But it involves risk..." I said while looking at Lou. "Was there a time someone forced you to use your abilities?"
"Yes," Lou answered while looking at what he was preparing. "But not everyone can force us. As you've said, we also gain something, the good and the bad. There are just some people who like to do some tests on us. So, Zyren becomes our guardian, our protector."
"Tests?"
"More like an experiment to see if our abilities are transferable or if there was something not normal with our genetics," Cedric answered.
"Some people don't care about that. They only wanted to gain information by whatever means necessary," Lou added.
"Your lives are often in danger, huh? So, all of you are not only scared of letting someone know your secret. You are also afraid someone might get caught with it."
"Hey!" Cedric reacted.
But Lou agreed.
"You're right. Now I understand why Cedric wanted to escape. He wanted freedom because we were living like prisoners in this house. But that was because Zyren was afraid. And it's somehow my fault. He got called when I almost got kidnapped in L.A."
"Was that linked to the last case you solved?" Cedric asked Lou.
"Yes. But Zyren made sure we were safe before living here."
"Then why does he still need to hide us here?!" Cedric asked again.
He seemed frustrated.
"He made me promise not to tell you this," Lou said. "But the last case almost blew our cover. As you know, whenever we solve a case, Zyren would ensure that no one would find out who solved the case. We would work together discreetly as I locate the evidence. But the bigger the case, the bigger the money paid to us, and the more people got suspicious. So, we have to stop everything. Haven't you noticed why we flew here as soon as you graduated? We waited for you because we do not intend to leave you behind even if we can."
"But you did leave me behind, Lou. I was dragged in here not knowing the full story of why we're running away."
"I'm sorry. Zyren and I did not consider how you'll feel about this."
Cedric sighed. "So, what's the plan now?"
"We're on the clear now. It's been three months since we stayed here. Aside from you escaping and Laurie being here, nothing else had happened."
"I see. Weird abilities. Underground laboratories. Possible kidnapping. What else am I missing?" I asked while trying not to believe everything they were telling me.
But the crazy part is I do believe everything. I was aware that I was in a situation where panicking would do me no good. I need to be logical about this.
"Let's not forget an unexpected outsider," I added while pointing to myself. "So, I don't expect Zyren to ask me to be his friend after hearing what you two had told me. Besides, someone kidnapping the two of you, with or without your abilities, is most likely to happen. The two of you stand out in a crowd. So, you two needed a lot of security whether or not you came from a rich clan."
"So that means you'll just agree with Zyren's terms then? That you'll be hypnotized and forget everything about us?" Lou asked.
"Wait. Who said anything about me being willing to be hypnotized?"
"We just told you his ability," Lou clarified.
Cedric sighed. Lou became silent. It is where I finally realized what the situation was.
"I see. So that's why the two of you can tell me everything. There was an option to delete everything."
Jesus Christ. Of course, Zyren will use his ability on me. With or without my consent. Just like how I happened to experience the skills of these two.
But I felt duped in a way. There I was, insisting they should be careful in trusting a stranger. But all the while, it was me who trusted them completely.
It was like me believing someone was a daredevil who could jump off a cliff without any ropes attached to his body. But secretly, the daredevil knew about a security net just a few feet below, hidden from those who watched him.
"Will he erase all of my memories?" I asked casually.
"Only the part where you met me… and Lou," Cedric said sadly.
I cannot believe I got myself involved in this mess. Or a weird scenario. Or an odd dream? Maybe I'm just dreaming. Can somebody slap me? Should I pinch myself?
"He deletes memory just like a file in a computer. He can even do it within seconds. It's like he could scan your brain then pick out the memories he'll choose to delete then, that's it, you won't remember us." Cedric continued as if he wanted me to face reality and refrain from lying to myself.
"Thanks for the encouragement." I sarcastically said.
"I'm not encouraging you! I'm just saying what might happen to you," his voice went up but stopped when he realized he was almost yelling.
He did not detect my sarcasm. He was affected by the situation.
"I like you, Laurie. It was the first time I met someone I would like to keep having around. It's tiring to be in this situation where we must keep hiding and doubting everyone."
I don't know what to feel after hearing that from Cedric.
They only let me know their secrets because they knew Zyren would erase them, right?
"Listen, we trusted you," Cedric clarified after hearing my thoughts. "I don't want you to forget about me."
"And me," Lou added.
I felt their sincerity. But we all knew what should happen and why. And so, no one would dare oppose it. Even I could not argue about it.
A part of me was saying I was happy because two people instantly liked and trusted me. Yet part of me is sad and afraid to accept their friendship, for I know it also means I must keep their secret. Also, I might end up in a scenario where I can be used as a tool by those who wish to use them.
"Is our lunch ready?" said a voice from behind me.
We never heard anyone approaching. We were confident Zyren was still in his room when we heard a door closed from upstairs earlier.
Since when was he listening to us? And why was he acting unconcerned about it?
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