The Magic Within The Pages

Chapter 5

I was reading the history of Elarnia when suddenly a loud thud against my window startled me.

"Ouch!" someone exclaimed from outside, kaya napatingin ako sa bintana para tignan kung sino ito.

Wait a minute, isn't that the same guy from yesterday? What is he doing here?

"Are you okay?" I called out, noticing he looked like he might have fallen from somewhere and was in pain.

Before he could answer, I quickly mouthed, "But what are you doing here?" I was worried the guard outside my bedroom might notice I was talking to someone.

He looked up at me and said, "There will be a fireworks display in the town near Elarnia. I was hoping you could join me, since you seem locked up here."

His invitation made me hesitate. What if I suddenly died? What if the people I was trying to avoid found me? I couldn't take that chance. 

"You won't die just by joining me," he reassured me.

I froze. Wait, nababasa niya ba ang isip ko? How did he know what I was thinking? If he could, then I should be careful; if he figured out I wasn't really Amara, it could lead to trouble.

"No, I can't read your mind," he said.

"Then how do you know what I was thinking earlier?" I asked.

"Because your expression gives it away," he replied. "So, are you in or not?" he added.

"I'm in" I said. 

"Great! Let's go then!" he said, springing to his feet. 

Bago ako bumaba, he suggested that I wear something inexpensive, like a robe. He explained that wearing expensive clothes could attract unwanted attention, which would make it harder for us to enjoy the festival.

I slip into a simple robe, I glanced in the mirror—it wasn't flattering, but it would help me blend in.

I opened the window, rethinking my decision about whether I was really going to jump or not.

"You can do it," the man said. "I'll catch you from here," he added.

"Are you sure? If you don't catch me and I die, I'm going to haunt you forever" I replied, uneasy.

He chuckled. "Trust me, I've got you. I promise I won't let you fall—unless you want a little thrill first. Just a tiny leap of faith."

I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air brush against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "And how do I know you won't drop me like a sack of potatoes?" I asked.

"I won't," he replied, leaning against the ledge with arms crossed. "You're not the first person I've caught, and you won't be the last. Just look at the view." He gestured to the city below, sparkling under the stars.

I hesitated as I took in the view. 

The streetlights twinkled like fireflies, and though every part of me wanted to retreat, an unexpected sense of adventure urged me to move closer to the edge.

"What's the worst that could happen?" I muttered, more to myself.

"I can think of a few worse outcomes," he smirked. "But I promise you won't be one of them."

I looked at him; his confident grin reassured me, but I could see concern in his eyes. 

Taking a deep breath, I stepped closer to the ledge to judge the distance.

"Okay, I'll do it," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "But you better catch me."

He nodded, eyes locked on me. "On three. One... two... three!"

I jumped. 

Time seemed to suspend; the air rushed past me, heart racing. Then his arms wrapped around me, pulling me close as we tumbled to the ground.

We landed softly—more of a roll than a crash. I gasped, feeling a little bit of thrill.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked, smirking as he brushed off his robe."

"No," I admitted, laughing nervously. "It was... kind of amazing, actually."

He helped me to my feet, and as we stood there, surrounded by glowing city lights.

"Let's go," he urged.

 The night air was cooler than I expected, filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant murmur of laughter from the town. The stars twinkled overhead like scattered diamonds.

"Follow me," he said, gesturing for me to stay close. 

We moved quickly through the shadows, finding narrow pathways that led toward the outskirts of the town. 

The sounds of the festival grew louder, with music and cheer spilling into the night.

As we neared the vibrant gathering, I caught glimpses of lanterns, food stalls, and people dancing. The atmosphere was electric, filled with joy.

"There!" he pointed at a small hill just outside the festivities. "We can watch the fireworks from there without being in the thick of it."

Once we reached the hill, I sat down on the cool grass. He settled beside me quietly.

I just sat there quietly, looking at the city lights. 

It was so peaceful, much more than I expected. I never took the time to enjoy moments like this back in my world because I was always too busy studying. If I could go back, I would love to share this experience with Jess.

"You seem so quiet," he said, probably noticing my silence.

"I'm just thinking about something," I replied with a sigh.

"You must be thinking a lot," he observed.

"I do have a lot on my mind" I admitted.

Suddenly, with a loud boom, the fireworks shot into the air, followed by a crack and a whistle. They illuminated the night sky with vibrant colors that fizzled and popped as they exploded.

"Isn't this beautiful, Princess Amara?"

How did he know Amara's name? What if he was one of her kidnappers? Maybe he was the reason she was in such a difficult situation. 

"How do you know my name? Are you going to kidnap me?" I asked.

"What are you talking about? I know your name because your family is famous," he replied.

I squinted at him, trying to gauge his honesty. "Are you being serious?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Since you know my name, would you mind telling me yours?" I said.

"Wow, you really don't know my name?" he replied. Was I supposed to know who he was?

"Are you some kind of celebrity here?" I joked. He looked at me, confused.

"I'm Hezekiah Octavius, the—"