Holding Everything

Chapter 11: Your Loving Aunt

I felt a sense of Déjà vu, there was nothing but white everywhere; no windows, doors, walls, corners or holes. Nothing can be seen, I feel like I am in the white limbo again, where there was nothing, not even a cool breeze or warmth could be felt. Although this looks like the White Limbo Crate, as Mo called it, it felt different, like I'm still sleeping soundly in my room yet I'm nowhere near my room at the same time. I hesitate, thinking back I tried walking but that did nothing for me before, Mo was the one who snapped me out of this in the first place; but I decide to take a step forward anyway.

"WAAAHHHHH!!!" I look around, nothing in sight, I could only hear a child's crying voice for only a second, crying out; it was so high pitched I couldn't even tell if it was a little girl or a little boys cry.

I close my eyes and calm myself down, "Rika" I say with a voice so soft it was barely audible. I slowly open my eyes; I'm now standing in a room that seems to be part of a house owned by a wealthy family; fancy looking furnishing and even a butler standing by the door awaiting orders. A small fire is going in the elegant fireplace, giving me the idea this is the living room, but seeing the massive king-size bed at the other end of the room opposite of the fireplace, gives me the notion that this is just an ordinary bedroom.

"Although I've managed to get somewhere, I still have no clue where I'm at," I mutter under my breath, "I said 'Rika' but could this really be her house?" I leave the room and enter an even larger hallway, more elegant than the room; I take in the sight of how over the top everything looks and roll my eyes a bit, "damn rich people." I think to myself. My thoughts are interrupted by the familiar scream from before, this time it's louder, as if I'm growing closer to the source. I close my eyes again, trying to pinpoint where it's coming from; I look down both long ends of the hallway as the door closes behind me, and take in sight; the floor appears to be sparkling gold as I glance around at the overwhelmingly beautiful décor all along the walls. The hall is dimly lit by warm electric lanterns perfectly aligned along the walls and placed neatly between every large wall decoration. Beautiful furniture and large plants are placed on the floor against the wall, every few yards away along both walls. The ceiling is stunningly crafted with art carved into it, displaying a large sculpture etched all along its surface. "This place feels more like a museum of art than a person's home." I think to myself.

"Eren?"

I hear a voice and jolt, realizing I zoned out over my surroundings, a door opens down the hall to my right and the light from the room floods into the hallway, a figure of what appears to be a woman's shadows grows closer to the hall, I panic a bit and press myself against the wall behind a conveniently placed plant that's leaves were large enough to conceal me.

"Yes Aunt Merila?" Eren appears to my left, walking from the room I just came from, he doesn't notice me even though from his point of view I'm clearly visible, "maybe he's trying not to give me away." I think to myself as I turn my attention back to the woman who is apparently 'Aunt Merila'. I look her up and down and realize she doesn't resemble Eren or Rika in the slightest, making me wonder if she is a blood relative or not of the siblings. She's wearing a long off-white colored gown with a slit going up her left leg, pearl earrings, necklace and bracelet, tall high heels that match the dress, and her shiny dark red hair is pinned up with what looks like pearls that have fallen on her hair like gentle raindrops. A beautiful woman is being referred to as an aunt of my first Handler, who is equally handsome with his hair combed into a nice hairstyle, a host-like suit and a blooming white rose tucked into the front pocket of his jacket. Seeing him so dressed up makes me wonder if he lives here, works here, or is somehow a guest. The woman is holding a glass of red wine in her hand while casually leaning her shoulder against the wall; she takes a sip and softly chuckles.