NIGHTMARE : Lie Lies In Eyes

23. Reason

Ashley:  What happened to them in the past? Does anyone wonder?

Denevier:  Is there a way to find out?

Ashley:  Follow me.

With careful steps, she led us to Father's chamber, her movements calculated and stealthy. Once inside, she produced a vial of spellbound water and instructed us to form a circle, each of us holding the hand of the other.

Ashley:  Do not release each other's hands until we return.

Morgan:  What exactly are we doing?

Ashley:  We are going to delve into their past.

Felipe's voice cut through the air with unexpected earnestness. "Allow me to accompany you. Do not look at me like that. I have revered Master for as long as I can remember. I too am eager to uncover the events that shaped him into the person he is today."
Ashley considered his request for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Very well."

We followed Ashley's instructions, lying down and closing our eyes. When we were prompted to open them again, we found ourselves in an unfamiliar setting—a school, though unlike The Grandiose, it was not grand or imposing. Instead, it appeared as an old, dilapidated house, shrouded in shadows of the past.

Morgan looked around in disbelief. "Was this really our school ages ago? I can't believe my eyes."

Felipe pointed and chuckled. "Look at Father—he was old even back then."

Morgan shot him a glare. "Who let him join us?"

Felipe snapped back. "None of your business. Mind yours."

My gaze shifted to a woman standing off to the side, her eyes red and swollen from crying. "Who's that woman?" I asked.

Ashley studied her for a moment. "Judging by her attire, I'd say she's an Eden. But why is she crying?"

The Father approached the weeping woman gently. "You're an Eden," he said softly. "Your child didn't make it across The Tranquility Bridge. Perhaps he was never meant for it. You need to understand, my dear. Pull yourself together."

Ashley whispered, "So, there's a possibility that some can't make it through the bridge. He could have stayed human."

Felipe added solemnly, "Some die, especially those born with fragile hearts."

We found ourselves back in the room of the school, reality crashing in around us.

Ashley clasped our hands together, eyes closed in a silent prayer. "Dear Almighty, take us with you to the next chapter."

In an instant, the world around us shifted. We stood in a small, quaint cottage, its warm, wooden interior a stark contrast to the grandiose halls we were used to. The air smelled of fresh herbs and the faint scent of a burning hearth.
I looked around, taking in the simple yet cozy surroundings. "Where are we now?"

Felipe whispered, "Is this that woman's home?"

I glanced around nervously. "Do we not need to hide ourselves?"

Morgan said with an uninterested tone, "We're invisible, Emma."

"But I can see you," I grumbled, then seeing her grunting quickly added, "I got it, I got it."

"Hush," Denevier hissed, his eyes widening. "Someone's coming."

As the voices outside grew louder, we peered through the small window. We saw two children holding hands, stopped by a woman.