Many years have passed since Nekrós' death. The Family now lives in peace and carefree. But can this calm last forever? Just when everything seems to be going smoothly, a new threat appears on the horizon. A threat that could soon mark the end of ev...
I had just returned from my walk. This outing had just been awesome! I really wondered why I didn't go out more often with Rick or other friends.
I hurried up the stairs four at a time. I'd told my parents I'd be home on time to go to my cousin's birthday party, but I was running a little late.
I finally reached my room to pick up the present I'd taken from Matt, a game of mad doctor. He loved anything to do with medicine, so given my sense of humor I couldn't think of anything better to buy him.
Packet in hand, I was on my way out. But a strange box on my desk caught my eye. I couldn't remember putting anything like it there. I placed my gift on the edge of my bed and picked up the strange object to study it.
- Joy, hurry up, we'll be leaving soon!" my mother shouted from the living room.
- Yes, I'm coming!
What I was holding was in fact a box, which I finally opened. Inside was a simple USB key. I absolutely had to know more. I immediately turned on my computer and inserted the key into one of its ports.
It contained just one file, or to be more precise, just one audio file. As soon as I opened it, time stopped around me and the recording began:
- Hi, I'm Joy, and I'll describe myself later. I really wonder how I came to make an audio recording. But you have to admit that I've changed over the years, especially after what happened to me. There's a beginning to everything, as they say, and an end, fortunately. I certainly couldn't have achieved what I have without my friends and, above all, my wonderful family, who supported me right to the end. [...] By the time you listen to this audio, the magic must surely have disappeared and no one has any memory of it. Well, I hope so, because this was my last plan. To tell the truth, just before I lost all my powers, I wanted to protect this USB key, which contains my whole story, so that it wouldn't get lost. If you've found it today, it means I've succeeded."
The audio ended with these last words, and I was so taken aback that I didn't know how to react. This story was unbelievable, and if I took her word for it, it was my own creation. Suddenly, my parents' voice brought me out of my confusion:
- Joy!
- Okay, I'm coming!
I stormed out of my room. With the gift in one hand and the key in my pocket, I absolutely had to make my cousins listen to it.
⭐
The door opened as soon as my father knocked.
- Hello!" greeted Aunt Alice.
I went inside and greeted my aunt, then did the same with all the rest of my family.
- I've got to show you the latest video game I've created," Jon informed us after we'd sat down.
- You really have a gift for technology," laughed my mother.
- It's so fascinating," he replied, his eyes shining.
I smiled.
- Why don't you show them right away," said Uncle Zack, "we haven't finished making the cakes yet.
- We haven't finished making the cakes yet. Then follow me!
I followed my cousins up the stairs. We reached Jon's room. It was filled with all kinds of electronics. A state-of-the-art computer, some of which he had configured, sat proudly at the back of the room.
The game Jon showed us was very well done, both in terms of graphics and code. The only big problem was just the spelling mistakes.
- I've got to make you listen to something, it's super important," I said after my cousin had finished his presentation.
I took my USB key out of my pocket and handed it to Jon. He immediately put it into his computer and started recording.
The audio went off again, but I was still in awe of listening to it. The adventure Joy, and I, had been on was truly spectacular. So much so that I could hardly believe it.
When it was over, no one knew how to react, my cousins had been paying attention the whole time, but once it was over, they said nothing.
Finally, after a few seconds, Ken burst out laughing:
- Don't tell me you believe that! There's no such thing as magic.
He couldn't stop laughing.
- What if it were true?" I asked.
Lia looked at me like a child who still believed in unicorns.
- Joy, you know very well that magic doesn't exist. One of your friends must have played a trick on you and slipped you this USB stick in your room.
I wouldn't be surprised if Sting pulled a stunt like that, but given the content of the audio I doubted it. I was sure that what I'd heard wasn't a lie, even if my cousins thought it was.
- What about you, Matt? What do you think?
- I don't believe in myths and unbelievable things," he replied, "I only believe in the things I've been taught.
- Right, then...
I couldn't hide my disappointed expression, Ken hadn't missed it. He came over and ruffled my hair.
- Come on, Joy, don't take this the wrong way. Having powers must be really cool, but it doesn't work in our world. It was just someone's bad joke, don't beat yourself up about it.
- You're probably right...
I didn't know what else to say. Part of me wanted to believe in the story, but another part knew it was simply impossible.
- Come downstairs, we're going to serve the cakes!" called Aunt Christine.
My cousins rushed out of the room to serve the desserts. I retrieved my key and did the same, switching off the light behind me. Finally, just before closing the door, I caught a glimpse of animal silhouettes on the wall. I scrunched up my eyes to get a better look, but they were already gone.
They were probably right, magic couldn't exist and I must have been imagining things.
I closed the door and left to join my family.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
