The Curse of The Cubic Necklace

5: What's astral projection?

LUCA'S POV

"Hey Ari, quick question," I asked my best friend as we started walking back home from the church. "What is it Luca?" asked Ari in an uneasy and distracted tone. "You aren't the type to believe in superstitious things and... demons, so why are you so bothered of what the priest said? Heck why did you agree to go to the church in the first place?" I asked her shocked by her sudden change.

 She did not answer me immediately. She took her own time and selected each words correctly. It is peculiar to see her complex and diverted like she does not even exist in this world. I am really worried about her. She is my best friend after all.

"Luca...I-I need a break. I think we all do. Plus none of us is allowed to leave until I somehow break the damn curse, so just make yourselves at home," Ari said vacant as we arrived at the steps of the house that was once lively and filled with love.

The welcoming home looks the same, but each time I look at it-it seems like something important is gone. Lilliane's death bothered Ari a lot; she tries so hard to show others that she is mature and strong, but fails miserably at it.

I wanted to check whether she was actually stable at mind, so I protested. "But I just wanted to-" before I could continue my sentence, Leo placed a hand on my shoulder and weakly smiled.

"Bro, let's give her some time. You look pretty tired yourself, so go take a nap," he said before taking out his phone to call his mom to tell her the news. The girls were already in their room, so with no choice left, I dragged myself to the guest room where I was staying for the month.

I sighed and dropped my tired body on the bed. My thoughts were all over the place. I needed to tell Ari something, but I couldn't. I had told Ari that last night in my dream I saw my entire family dying, but what really happened was totally different. The scene really haunted me yesterday being one of the most ghastly wild dream...

"Where am I?" I said rubbing my head. I could only see my room. Everything looks the same but I couldn't see anything colorful. The entire territory was grey like I was watching a monochromatic film. I walked further into the area. "Why you're in the astral projection world," said a voice neutral and purposeful, most probably belonging to a girl

"Who said that? And what the heck does astral projection mean ?" I questioned, my head still spinning for some reason. Suddenly, it was freezing and I was teleported into a pitch black space and the voice kept guiding me distantly.

" Well...why don't you sit down and we'll talk, yes?" asked that calm voice again. "I sat down on the empty surface which I assumed to be the ground, just as the tone claimed to. "Show yourself," I said in a demanding voice to show I am daring and heroic but fear peeked at me  every few seconds.

"As you wish," said the voice. Suddenly I could see a white shadow emitted in front of me. It was really bright...for a shadow. I covered my eyes, but still tried to look. "Hey...look at me," exclaimed the voice again. The light seemed dimmer now, so I opened my eyes a bit wider. In front of me was a glowing bright aura, that looked like a star, but 100,000 times smaller. It was very glaring, white and pure.

"I was talking to a shadow?" I asked lifting up my eyebrow. "Well you see I'm not just a shadow, your eyes and mind hasn't adapted to me and your situation yet. When you do, you'll get to know me," answered the voice. I shrugged and eyed it for a while before talking again. "Now can you tell me what astral projection means?" I reminded her before she tries to ignore the question.

"Ah, yes. Astral projection, is a term used in esotericism to describe an intentional out-of-body experience that assumes the existence of a soul called an "astral body" that is separate from the physical body and capable of travelling outside throughout the universe. Any questions?" asked the shadow. "I didn't understand a thing. Could you please repeat that?" I asked.

"No," she simply replied. "Why not?" I asked, confused. " Listen kid, you and your friends are in great danger, and you need to focus," said the shadow firmly like in a hurry. "I know that, but what does it have to do with me?" I asked. "Time will tell kid, time will tell," she said in a suspicious voice. I can tell she got distracted and was talking to herself.

Before I could ask again, a blood curdling scream was heard. "You need to leave. Now!" cried the talking shadow. "What's happening?" I questioned, the floor started to shake like I was going through an earthquake. The voice no longer to be heard and I panicked and looked behind. A shiver ran down my spine and my eyes expanded when I saw it.

 The details in its stinging gaze, screams evil and danger. It seemed to be filled with nothing, but negative energy.  I saw a pair of crimson red eyes before jerking up on my bed just like my friends. The stare was deadly and penetrating. I know it could do harm for anyone. It looked as if it is warning for something ahead.

I woke up and sat on the edge of the bed. When did I fall asleep? I thought, but before I could shut my eyes again, I heard a loud thud. Curious I walked out of the room, and went to the living room. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. My friends had gone into the hatch again and without me!

Just as I was about to go in myself, Cleo's face popped up. "Hey Luca, looks like you're up," she said climbing up. "Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked slightly annoyed. "You seemed really peaceful while sleeping. We didn't want to ruin that," said Ari, who was carrying a thick leather book.

 "Hey Sleeping Beauty," teased Leo, who was the last to come out. "Haha very funny," I said rolling my eyes. Soon they were all out.  Ari quickly closed the underground tunnel and focused on me.

"Ari, what's that?" I asked pointing towards the book she was holding. She smiled slyly, and showed me its cover. At the sight of it, my eyes widened.