The Hidden World of Nitea [2 | The Other Realms Series]

Chapter Nine

Ring, ring, ring. Eddie stretched his right arm to his bedside table, slammed his hand onto his cellphone, and silenced it. He then wrapped the blanket around himself more tightly. Just a few more minutes.

Ring, ring, ring. He reached for his phone once more, shut off the alarm, and then rolled to the other side of the bed. He adjusted his pillow so that it would fit nicely under his head. Just a few more minutes.

Minutes had passed without a sound. A small part of him was suspicious at the amount of time it was taking for the next alarm to ring. He wondered if he should get up. No, he thought, I always set my alarms right. Even if he wanted to wake up, he was too comfortable to leave the bed. The cold air enveloped him, his skin tingling from the cool sensations. His entire body, save his head and neck, was hidden beneath a thick and soft duvet. Layers of dark drapes kept the room comfortably dark.

Smack! His torso shot upright just after a metal object struck his forehead. Eddie massaged his forehead as he glimpsed his left—resting on the bed, right next to him, was the cellphone that he placed on his bedside table.

"Louis!" he yelled, his cold blue eyes searching for the book. It was hovering inches from his face.

"Finally you're awake," Louis said. "Hurry up. You're running late."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not," he insisted. He snatched his phone from the side of the bed and glimpsed the time. It was 7:30 a.m.

He woke up ten minutes late. Eddie sprang off the bed and sprinted towards his bathroom, undressing and tossing around his clothes as he did so. He swayed his left arm. The curtains drew back, letting light flood the room, and the door to the bathroom swung open. He raised his right arm and twisted his wrist. The shower handle rotated to the far left. He stepped inside the cubicle, closed the shower door, and rinsed himself with hot water.

"Louis!"

The book teleported just outside the shower door, unfazed by its owner's nudity. "Yup?"

"I need you to get me my clothes." He pumped liquid soap into his palms and began lathering himself. "Please get a neutral shirt, chinos, any set of briefs, and put them on my bed. Prepare my shoes and tiny socks next to the bed and my messenger bag as well."

"Ed, you have a ton of clothes that match your description."

"Uh, just get me... any Lacoste neutral shirt, any pants or socks will do. White sneakers, Nike, the one with a bit of blue. Silk scarf, turquoise, Hermès. The same messenger bag I used yesterday. Put in my wallet, the tickets, sanitizer, camera, batteries... you know what to put. Thanks."

Louis left the bathroom to do as it was told. Eddie mentally recited his schedule as he showered. He should finish showering by 7:40 a.m., dress up in five minutes, and then head downstairs for breakfast. By 9:00 a.m. they should have left the house and be on their way to Jardin des Tuileries. They should have lunch at 12:30 p.m. and then head to the Louvre an hour later. Before 2:30 p.m. he and his friends should be on their way to Nitea. After having their lesson, they'd head back to Earth by 3:30 p.m. and then he'd meet with Michelle...

Meet with Michelle. He asked her to meet him at 3:00 p.m., but the trio would still be in Nitea by then. He would not be able to make it.

After rinsing himself, he turned off the shower and set himself aflame. The water on his skin evaporated in an instant. Normally he would have gotten a towel, but he had no time to waste. He then sprinted towards his bedroom. Louis had prepared all his clothes.