The Realm Of The Abyss

Chapter 19: Questions

Quinn’s POV.

I was blown away when she introduced herself. I gasped for air and clung so tightly to the wood by my side to keep myself from falling.

Am I hallucinating? Did I get her name correctly? Was that why she seemed quite familiar to me?

I returned my gaze to the woman in front of me. I couldn’t possibly be wrong. Her face matched the photo I saw in the Principal’s office at the time.

But what is going on? Why is she here? Why, of all places, did I have to cross paths with her in a realm that doesn’t exist?

My mind was filled with new questions. The sole purpose I went out for a walk today was to get rid of the things that were bothering me, but I have yet to be given the chance.

My hands were trembling as I handed her the money. I couldn’t believe I was seeing her in person. Everyone, including myself, assumed she was dead. Is she like me? Is she also trapped and unable to return to our world?

I need to speak with her as soon as possible so that I can get some clarification on what was going on and have some of my questions answered.

“Could you spare a few minutes of your time?” I pleaded with her. “I’d like to speak with you.”

Despite her confusion at my sudden request, she agreed. I looked at Alvaro, who was puzzled as to why my expressions had changed. Nonetheless, he read the situation and decided not to ask.

“I’ll wait for you here,” he said before I could say anything.

Perhaps he picked up that we had an important topic to discuss. I smiled and nodded before bringing back my attention to Varri. I motioned for her to follow, and she did so right away.

“May I ask what we’re going to talk about, princess?” she inquired after we exited the crowd and entered an empty field.

“Mystica Elementa High,” I began, both of my eyes fixed on her to gauge her reaction.

Her beautiful smile from earlier was wiped away in an instant. She put on a poker face, but I could see tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. She scanned me from head to toe, a puzzled expression on her face.

“Listen up, Varri,” I continued. “Everyone, including your parents, believes you’ve been dead for a long time. It’s been ten years since you’ve vanished–”

“Who are you?” she cut me off, her voice full of astonishment.

“I’m Quinn Emerald Naveen, a student of Mystica Elementa High. And, like you, I found myself in this realm of the abyss by chance. I didn’t know how or why,” I explained, and she became immobile. “So I’m not going to beat around the bush. I want to know, what do you know about the Principal?”

***

When we arrived back at the palace, I dismounted the horse without saying anything. I didn’t notice Alvaro was assisting me because I was absent-minded. What Varri and I had discussed earlier lingered in my mind.

“So I’m not going to beat around the bush. I want to know, what do you know about the Principal?”

“Everything,” she said flatly, as if she expected me to ask.

She leaned in close to my ears and whispered before I could respond.

“I can’t tell you everything I know if other people are nearby and hearing us. No one else must find out we’re not from this world. I know you’re pretending, and you should never get caught,” she warned. “If you wish to know everything, let’s meet tomorrow. I’m looking forward to your visit, and please don’t bring anyone with you.”

I nodded, and she backed up a little. She wrote a note on a piece of paper and handed it to me before leaving me there. I read the note in which the address of the location where we planned to meet tomorrow and the exact time was stated, but what I read in the latter part of the paper piqued my curiosity.

“Keep in mind, not everyone here is trustworthy…”

I sighed in exasperation. Each night, it was difficult for me to fall asleep, especially since so many things were bothering me. I no longer have mental clarity. I was edging closer and closer to losing my mind.

“I noticed you’ve been quiet since earlier,” Alvaro said next to me, jolting me back to reality. “What’s bothering you?”

I turned to face him, and his expression remained unchanged. He was emotionless, and I couldn’t help but think of something.

Can I put my trust in you, Alvaro?

I shifted my focus, dismissing the thoughts racing through my head. I shouldn’t doubt him or think negatively of him. On the other hand, Varri has a point. Perhaps it would be better if I did not reveal my true identity to him. I’m not sure if he’ll ever understand me or my situation. Because I believe that by the time he realizes I’m pretending and lying to them, he will despise me.

“It’s nothing. Don’t mind me,” I said, feigning a laugh. “Perhaps I was tired of our trip today.”

“Please take a nap in your room. I’ll call you when dinner is ready–”

“There’s no need,” I refused. “I’m going to bed anyway.”

I took the items we had purchased earlier before turning my back on him. I could see him viewing me from my peripheral vision as I walked into the room. I exhaled a sigh of relief when I was able to close the door despite my knees shaking.

I flopped on the floor, leaning against the door. I set aside everything I was holding and placed my arms on my knees, at which point I began to break down in tears. One of my hands covered my mouth to keep from making a noise. I teared up, and eventually, I cried. Tears poured down my cheeks like a river escaping a dam.

I never expected to reach the point where my mental and emotional breakdown would strike me because of the sheer weight I was carrying and the amount of distraction in my mind. I have a hard time pretending.

I was having difficulty pretending. I was having difficulty trying to find answers to my questions. I was having difficulty discovering the truth. I was struggling with what I was doing.

But, even though I was struggling, I couldn’t give up at any time. Even though I couldn’t help but feel hopeless, I have to figure out how to come back home because I know there are many people in my world waiting for me. One more thing, I’d already started, and there was no turning back. I wouldn’t let all of my hard work and efforts go to waste.

I will stick to my plan until the end, and until I uncover the whole truth…