Silver Card

Chapter 11: Intention

"What kind of dungeons and dragons joke is that? He aint in a Shadow world." Arlo is visibly irritated.

Normally, I would react in a similar way, but not this time. Mister Leruis has a specific tone which helps me determine his intentions, well most people have it but I have familiarized him the most amongst the teachers as we have spoken together often whenever we have the chance. Right now, his intention is not for mere jokes. He stands by his word.

"Calm down, Arlo. Let me finish what I want to say." That confirms it. But what could he mean Alan is in a shadow world? Judging by how this case is no different from a paranormal incident, it shouldn't be strange to assume there is another world that we do not know of, a world where Alan disappeared into.

"Well, enlighten us." Arlo decides to comply.

Mister Leruis clears his throat as he begins his explanation. "The Vanishing of Alan Muller is a disaster that has already happened for many generations. It is a great misfortune that he is chosen to be one of the victims. These tragedies are inevitable and can not be prevented."

I'm shocked by this new information. These paranormal happenings have already begun for many generations? What does that mean? Does it mean there is actually another world we do not know of, or rather a world that was hidden from the government to not cause global panic. Chosen? No, he is not chosen. I refuse to believe Alan was chosen to disappear, I refuse to believe Alan was chosen to be separated from us, from his life. He does not deserve it. He does not deserve to be cut out.

"However, there are ways we can save them. Ways we can ensure our survival from these calamities. Ways we can save them, save Alan. This however, can only be understood directly. In other words, I can only prove my words by showing you."

"You mean, the shadow world?" asked Aiden.

"Correct."

"If there is indeed a shadow world of which you are familiar. Why are you willing to tell us? Based on what you said, this world we do not know of is a dangerous one that may cause panic. As our teacher, you shouldn't have allowed your students to be involved in danger." Arlo has a point. Whether he is our teacher or someone we know or not, this information shouldn't be revealed lightly.

"Usually, people like me would erase your memories to help you live your life and remove a potential trauma. However, as I have worked in this field, I realize that I have forgotten one important thing. It is that despite the fact that we have different lifes, different memories, and different responsibilities, we still live in the same world. All of you deserve to know the truth. It is unfair for the people who have disappeared into a dangerous world and did not survive only to be declared missing. It is also safe to say that you are one of the victims of these tragedies. Especially you, Calvin and Aiden, who have witnessed the event. Besides, based on how you have already progressed this far, it is safe to say that you will find out the truth sooner and later. But if I let you approach them alone, you could have faced a terrible fate worse than even Alan."

"How so?" Arlo query.

"There are many different kinds of evil in the Shadow world. One is driven by pure hunger, others are motivated from immoral intent. If you encounter the latter, then I can guarantee your life will never be the same even if your memories are wiped out." I have heard of a psychological theory which tells that traumatic memories can be too overwhelming for a person's mind to handle. Their mind represses those memories as a defense mechanism, manifesting them as flashbacks and nightmares. Maybe that's what mister Leruis meant. I have seen similar cases in my father's work, none of them are pleasant.

That makes me wonder, will Alan change into them? Will Alan face a traumatic event that will leave him a scar that can't be healed? Will Alan won't be able to live peacefully even if he returns home? If that's the case, then I have done far worse than I have believed. Have I fallen so low I'm unfit to see the light?