The Falling Kingdoms: The Hidden Coffins

Chapter Seventeen: The Hollow Chests

It felt weird leaving this place. I've only lived here for a week or ten days, I don't remember. But leaving the quiet town and the sweet people and going to the judgemental teenagers again seemed awful. Most of all, I didn't want to leave Arnold and Raymond behind. I had a look at the only picture of myself with Arnold. We looked happy sitting on the swing on the back porch of his cottage. His guardian — the elderly angel named Joel clicked it. She was the closest thing I had to a grandmother. Whenever I visited Arnold, she treated me like a grand daughter only. I was most thankful for that she loved Arnold so much and brought him up so nicely, just like a mother. He called her mum as well.
The look at the picture brought tears in my eyes as I stupidly smiled and kept it inside my last bag. Then I chained it up and turned around to call Nick. As he was the one to escort me here, he was appointed as the one to escort me out. As I swung around, I found him standing at the doorway staring at me.

"Hey, I'm done with all the packing. We should leave," I said, wiping my tears.

"You can visit whenever you want and meet Arnold, you know." He whispered, quite sadly himself.

"I know. Just...I feel bad that he got stuck here because of me." I shrugged and told him, sobbing.

"Hey, he didn't get stuck. He stood up for you..." Nick walked towards me, consoling me. I nodded while more tears slid down my cheeks.

He smirked, sorrowfully and wiped my tears with his two fingers.

"I know you'll miss me, Aileen. I'm really sorry I'm this hot. I try...but it's just who I am!" He dramatically spoke bringing back a smile on my face. He chuckled with me too, stepping back again. It got awkward standing so close. I liked it though, the way he made me laugh. I thought I made a friend. But I ought to leave now.

"Let's leave for Arnold's. I need to say goodbye to him and Joel."

"Yeah, sure. I'm your driver anyway." He glared at me and spoke.

"You don't have to drive me....just, pick up my bags." I laughed and got out of the room, ordering him. These were my last moments as a princess, anyway.

I reached the terrace as he got left behind because of the heavy bags. I lifted my head up, looking at the evening sky. Birds were returning to their nests, still chirping like never tired. I beamed and turned towards the sound of Nick's footsteps.

"You made it." I said, unenthusiastically.

"Shut up." He groaned and I giggled again. "You remember the spell?"

"Not really." I dumbly tightened my lips and answered.

"Okay, I'm going. Just say where you want to go and repeat after me." He sighed. I nodded, staring at him with narrowed eyes.

"Proficisco Joel!" He chanted and went invisible within a moment.

"Okay." I mumbled to myself. "I can do this much, right?"

"Proficisco Joel!"

I chanted with all my will and closed my eyes. I felt nothing different.

"Damn it. I did it wrong again!" I whined and opened my eyes.

"No, you didn't." I heard Joel's voice and saw her standing in front of me.

My surroundings were different too. I was standing in Joel's kitchen. I grinned ear to ear at that.

"Joel!" I screamed and sprinted in her direction as she spread out her arms for me. I fit in them just right.

"I'll miss you, young lady. You make Arnold smile so much." She said, rubbing my back.

"I'll miss you too," I separated from her and said softly. "You're the closest thing I ever had to a grandmother."