Penumbra:Shades Of Covet

Chapter 15: Heading Home

-Alice
We waited for our convoy after we secured our things.
And while we relax for the final time in the resort, I kept on trying to remember what was my dream, all I know and have recovered is somehow like murmuring, blur faces and setting. Everything is murky, seems something is blockibg the scenario.

Myla and Ley stayed by my side until I gained back my color. Asking me about being "dead" for  an hour. I just answered blankly, honestly telling them neither do I know why did that just happened to me, pretty weird. Val went to me after calling our service and checking out of the resort, "You okay now honey? You were very ugly back then in the cottage."

I paused for a moment to what she said, it was familiar, "Did I? Oh, I'm sorry , I--I didn't want it to--"

"Non of us wanted it. So move on, and set yourself free for now, want me to order you some beverage?" Val said.
I faintly smiled. The two boys were outside the reception desk, talking random things. I looked at Jake, still normal, no changes, wait... He got a little thin, and stressed. After observing him I whispered to Ley, "Does Jake had a strainous activity? Or something made him tired?"
She replied,"Besides of swimming the whole afternoon, I didn't see he did an excercise or activity , I'm surprused he looked so haggard today."

"Our car is here!!!" Val called,a cue for us to go out.  Cole opened the door for us while Jake took care our bags and stuffs and on a high noon we had a road trip.

The car is pretty big though, a coaster, a semi-limousine slash VR type of car. Enough for us guys, actually it's kinda spacious in the inside. Cole grabbed his ukalélé from his bag,  "Wow! Like you didn't even bother bringing that out while we are in the resort." Val stated.  "I just didn't remember I brought this along the way, it's been covered by  my clothes-." Cole said, "What a puny excuse!" Seline whined.

Cole played his intrument and what ever tune he played we sang along. Ley started recording our trip, us singing along, jokes and pranks.  Seline slept in a corner with sleeping patches and earmuffs, she can't be disturbed when sleeping.

"Oh man,Stella is missin' all this fun w'have!" Cole said, Val told him "Her sister was sick, so what else is she gonna do? Abandon her sister?" He replied," or she could've brought her sister with her coming with us to the resort!" Ley groaned,"Uuugh, what a dumb reasoning! Who the hell will bring a sick person outside?"
"Well it was just a joke Ley."
"It's half meant."
"No one loves you."
"What!?"
"It's a joke!"
"Oh."
"And it's half meant!"
"Fuck you! You duped me, stupid!"

All laughed for that arguement.
Then a word was repeated in my head "...no one loves you..." It echoed to me, unraveling a part of my dream.

Well' keep those going guys, it's making Alice smile and laugh too." Val said. "It's good to see you smile again."

"Uh, thanks?" I said.

We had fun along the way. Taking sight of the places we went through and comparing ot to the next destination we had.

It's 4 o'clock when we decided to have an evesdrop to a nearby line of stalls, to buy snacks and eat food, while offboard, we spread to look for something new, it was ne and Jake who's last ro go down, I noticed his grimacing. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, He grunted " Ugh-- my head....hurts.", "You wanna take some meds? Pain reliever?" I asked. He shook his head 'no' , "I think I can handle, I'll just sit here, please --go look for something you,you want to eat or bring later, I'm fine."

(He doesnt even speak or look fine.) "Well just stay here okay?"  I'll buy you food and medicine. Be right back." I said and left.

All of us are sacattered in the place, there is less people roaming around buying things too, I like it. I made sure I grabbed the meds and my food before roamibg too.There was a novelty store, street foods, barbecue stalls and one fortune telling stall....FORTUNE TELLING STALL?!

I made my way silently to the tent,and tried evading the chimes hanged upon the cleft of it, I peeked and saw no one inside. One step forward, then suddenly I heard someone speak, "You are being followed!"
I flinched inside further, surprised by the madame, "I- uh I'm sorry I just snuck in your tent, I thought there was no one inside!" I hastly spoke.  "Destiny pulled you here, to help you." The lady calmly said. " You are making friends with a wrong person, 'it's not even a person."

"What... Are you talking about?"

The lady revealed a tarot deck.
She spread it laterally , making an arc on the table. "Choose." She ordered. I randomly chose three cards, and held it aligned atop of the arc.
"It's not just random cards from what you chose. Those three shall let you scry what is upon you." She continued.

"Then, how can I counter it?" I curiously asked. "It's only you who can answer."

She started to reveal the first card, it reads as 'The fool' "It represents you." She explained, "It represents as you, whom is taking the journey." She then revealed the second card, 'The Tower' , again she explained," This represents you your problems, your personal trials. A test of faith."

"Wait,excuse me. How did you know that I'm going here? I don't know you, same goes for you. Why are you even doing this to me? I have not enough money to pay you ma'am." I anxiously said.

The woman replied,"The winds have told me that you will come, and also told me your personal trial, I have no familiar connection to you. But the winds had told me, to tell you what is going on.

I fell silent afterwards.

When she was about to reveal the third card. A strong wind blew all the cards on the table, flipping all cards to the ground. I'm surprised to what happened, a strong wind, without the chimes ringing. My eyes widened, but then snapped out when Cole's voice is heard, calling my name, saying we are ready to leave.

"Uh, thanks ma'am, but I'm sorry we really have to go, I appreciate your help! Bye!" The dashed outside not minding the mess the lady had.

*******************************

After Alice rushed outside the tent, the lady was left still sitting on her stool looking at her cards on the ground displeased and horrified. She then spoke, "I have failed my task to warn and give her a clue. I have failed."looking at the cards flipped face down including the two revealed, except the one that was supposed to be, except for the last card. The card that has the most evil omen. The Devil.