Chapter 21

Ashna can't sleep. A lot of things are running on her mind, triggering her anxiety. She decided to go for a walk to calm her thoughts. She turned to the cafeteria which is open for twenty-four hours. A soft gasp escaped her lips when she checked the prices for each drink. With a small gulped, she reached for her wallet as she gave a friendly smile to the tending cashier.

"One dark chocolate frappe please." She handed her the appropriate amount. 'Goodbye, my extra money.' She randomly selected a vacant seat; hear mind is not really with her at the moment. She sighed at the helplessness that she's feeling at the moment.

It didn't help that her nightmare keeps popping up with her worries. She opened her book and started scrolling through one of the applications there, hoping it will calm down her thoughts. Just then the lightning strikes with a loud crackling followed by the booming of the rumbling thunder. She didn't know she was holding her breath until the reverberating sound of the heavy rain filled the air.

Ashnah jumped out of her chair when she felt something touched her shoulders.

"Relax," Elix slightly shouted in order for it to be heard through the loud rain.

'This punk really had the audacity to laugh on me.' Ashnah felt irritated by how Elix was laughing at her. "Gosh, nice try. I almost got a heart attack," she shouted back, not being able to stop the sarcasm in it.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you. I guess you didn't hear me when I called you that's why I tapped your shoulders. Didn't expect you'll be that surprised," he looked down as he surpressed his laughter, not wanting to irritate her more. Elix only looked up when he was sure he can trust himself not to laugh at her silliness.

"What were you thinking so deeply?" he asked to deviate her thoughts from her annoyance.

"Just random thoughts," she answered, still annoyed.

"Come on, I'm really sorry. I really didn't mean to," he pleaded, his eyes looking like a puppy's.

Ashnah sighed in surrender. Seeing how sincere he's apologizing, who wouldn't give in? "Okay, okay. I'm not that petty. Just irritated," she smiled a little but irritation is still apparent on her face.

Elix grin broke on his face. "So, care to share what's bothering you?"

Ashnah paused, thinking whether she'll share it with him or not. Although she would like to be careful as to whom to trust, but Elix is someone she knew and someone she is comfortable with. She contemplated and reached to a conclusion. 'Just disclose the vague things then.'

"What really happened back then?" she inquired.

He began narrating what happened. "Well, I really don't know the fullness of it but when you held his hand, you two just stood there. You were muttering something we cannot hear but your lips were moving. Both of your eyes seemed to wander to somewhere not visible and then Hugo's voice just came booming and then you were flying in the midair. Seeing that, i rushed to catch you before you hit the wall. And the rest is history."

"Wow, that's a very brief summary," she grinned, amused on how he was able to narrate it with the most important movement. But another thing arouse when she check his statements again. "Wait, isn't your statement too plain? What can you say about his spiritual energy or his aura or his spiritual force? His gift? How does it work?"

"Whoa, whoa," he held up his palms. He chuckled. "I think you forgot that I'm completely new to these things. I just state what I really saw back then. I didn't know how things really work with spiritual energies yet."

"Yeah, makes sense," Ashnah sighed. "Hey, let me check." She gathered her spiritual energy to her forefinger. She saw her spiritual energy slowly dancing like golden fire on her fingers. Though it didn't really feel like one, only felt like her finger have some goosebumps. "Can you see this?"

"Ahmm," he looked at her expecting look and hesitated. He didn't want to disappoint her. However, he didn't know how to answer her.

"I think you really didn't know yet how spiritual energy really works. Your spiritual eye turns on and off without you being aware. No worries. Let me help you on that," she smiled at him enthusiastically.

Elix mirrored the glee on her face, happy that the worry he saw just moments ago on her face was nowhere to be seen.

"Hold my hand," she said as she offered her palms in front of her. He took them in his hands. Her hands are soft against his rigid palms. "I'm going to channel some of my spiritual energy to you. Try to grasp how it feels, okay?"

"Okay," he answered.

"Ready?"

He took a quick glance around. The staffs are already listless as they grew sleepy for each passing second. "Ready."

Ashnah focus on controlling her spiritual energy. She willed it to be transferred over to Elix. It was harder than she thought. Sweat began to form and trickle from her temples.

"Are you okay?"

"Focus," she grunted, slightly irritated that she got a little bit distracted while replying to Elix.

Elix started absorbing the spiritual energy that was given by Ashnah. He was able to slowly see the golden glow that was flowing from Ashnah to him. When she was done, she was almost breathless but the satisfaction in her smile was priceless. That's the usual smile that he rarely see on her lips as she was very rigid before in their highschool years. Now, she looked more beautiful with her naturally white and equally levelled set of teeth. A small dimples at each corner of her chin appear, making her more gorgeous as she smile.

"Are you able to feel the spiritual energy?" She asked, unaware of how astonished Elix was. "`You okay?"

"Oh--Yeah. What was your question again?" he said.

"I said, were you able to feel the spiritual energy that I just transferred over?" She repeated. Her eyes curious of how he felt.

"Yes." It was just then he remembered what they were trying to do. He tried to grasp how it felt. "Well, I can see the golden light that was flowing from you towards me." Elix slowly sighed his relief. 'It's a relief that the transfer of the energy had my spiritual eyes opened.'down

"That's good," her grin grew wider. She wiped away the sweat on her face to her neck.

Elix handed her the table napkin since he doesn't have a handkerchief at the moment. "You're sweating a lot. Was it that hard?"

"It's different than the usual methods that I use in manipulating my spiritual energy. I almost forgot how to do it. I guess it's because I'm giving you what is originally mine and not just a manifestation of my gift," Ashnah assumed.

Elix nodded in agreement. He got another piece of table napkin and helped her wipe the spots on her forehead that she missed.

"Thanks," she muttered. Ashnah's eyes turn to the veranda where the clear water of the pool was inviting. "It has stopped raining."

The staff were slowly coming to wake.

"Shall we moved to the poolside?" She asked as she also noticed the staff's attention.

"You'd like to take a bath in this cold weather?" Elix gawked.

"Don't be silly. We'll be frozen blue once the sun rises," she chortled. "We need to talk in privacy. So..." she trailed off, wanting him to take the hint.

"Oh, I got it, I got it," he said as he also moved along with her to the veranda. The veranda was overlooking the city. The city's view is not visible currently due to the heavy fog. They sat on the dry tableset made of rattan coiled with the heavy brass and soft cusions on the poolside. It was shaded by a huge sturdy umbrella tent that explained how it didn't get wet despite the pouring rain.

Ashnah shivered as the wind slowly blew. Elix could see the goosebumps on her skin.

"It's cold," Elix took off his jacket and handed it to her. "Here, wear this."

"You'll get col--"

Elix sneezed right before Ashnah can finished her sentence. She couldn't stop herself from laughing.

"No, I'm..." he paused as his face contorted for another sneeze. And sneeze he did. "Ugh, how is this happening at such a moment? It's embarrasing," he groaned.

Ashnah finally managed to control her laughing because of his agony. "How about going back to the room to get a blanket or something that we can use for this cold temperature."

"Oh, I know," He took the jacket once more and hung it over Ashnah's shoulder. "I'll get back quickly."

"Where are you going?" She asked him.

"I'll be back the soonest," was all he answered before disappearing from her view.

Ashnah was left on the poolside alone. She clutched the jacket tighter as the wind blew gently with it's cold breeze. She put the hood on as she felt her ears being cold. She should have suggested to talk with Elix inside their room. But Fina is already fast asleep.

When Desmond booked their room, there's only one room remaining due to the other's reservation. They only got lucky that the room available has a king size bed and a single bed with it--a family suite. It was a given that Fina and Ashnah be sleeping on the king's sized bed, while Elix will be occupying the other bed.

Ashnah felt her hair prickled as she felt a baleful aura. She slid her arms to jacket's armholes and closed the buttons after zipping it properly. She had to wear Elix's jacket properly to keep it from flopping around while she might need to jump in action at any moment. She wouldn't want to leave his jacket or she would be shivering all throughout the night.

She gathered her spiritual energy to her eyes and saw the direction of the dark miasma. It was gathering at one corner of the pool which was not too far from where she is.

"Warp," she slowly whispered. The gray color crept on the surroundings until everything was covered in monochrome. Knowing the levels of abilities of the gifted in the hotel, Ashnah is confident that she'll be safe shall the danger arises.

She slowly walked towards the location of the inflicted, her gaze not leaving the person. 'A child?' she guessed as she observed the figure of the inflicted. It was too small of a structure. Its feet are planted on the edge of the pool. Since the demons had just started gathering, the other parts of the person inflicated are still visible.

The figure slowly raise its face towards her.

"Get back!" It said in a child's voice. It is a girl based on its voice.

"Hey, hey, calm down," she tried to ease her. Ashnah thought that she might be able to settle this without fighting the demons that are starting to infiltrate her soul.

"Stay back!" She screamed. Panic is evident in her voice. "I don't want you near!" She sniffed.

"It's okay, it' okay. I'll just sit here. I promise. I wont tell anyone that you're here." Ashnah slowly sat on the edge of the pool just a few inches from the child. 'If I'm correct she's probably around ten or twelve. Such a young age to be having a heartbreak. What could have caused her mayhem?'

Her shoulders slowly shook. Ashnah's heart ached at silent her weeping. "You know, I used to cry alone," Ashnah started, trying to convince the child to tell her the problem that caused her to shed tears. Ashnah didn't get any response from her so she continued. "And I didn't have anyone who could listen at that time. I was also afraid that they might judge my loved ones once I tell them what's bothering me. But it would really help if someone could understand. It will at least lessen the weigh on my chest," Ashnah released her usual friendly manner to comfort the child.

She saw the miasma's thinning presence and she rejoiced inside. She could feel the child slowly opening up to her, but doubt cannot be avoided. 'So, it is really about her loved ones. Family perhaps.' She grasped for anything that she may be able to share with this little girl and just thought of a far memory that she might be able to build connection with the little fella. "I used to hate how nobody has come to the events I participated in. But everyone was so supportive when my sister has an event to attend." Ashnah waited for her to tune in.

"W-Why wouldn't anyone come?" She stuttered.

Ashnah smiled inwardly. She felt truimphant but she knew it was just the beginning. She splashed the ice cold water with her hand and stopped her shivered inwardly. She braced her knees and let her thoughts wander to the past. "It's because our home is too far from school and the fare to and from there is a bit too expensive."

"S-So, were you sad?"

Ashnah watched her demons slowly vanishing. She could see one throwing an irksome smirk towards her. "Yeah...I was." She smiled at the child with understanding. "If you don't mind, may I know your name?"

"I'm Ali--"

"Ash!" It was Elix calling.

"You called your friend!"

"No, I didn't. Ali--"

"I don't trust you! Stay away!" The vanishing miasma came back in lumps as if mocking what Ashnah was trying to do.

"Elix, go back!"

The girl tried to got up from the edge of the pool but her foot slid as the on one of the demon tripped it, and it drag her whole body to the pool.

"Ali!" Ashnah jumped to the pool, wanting to save the girl. It was too late to realize that the pool was too deep for her to fathom. Realizing the catastrophe that she's in, she tried to grasp and pushed herself upwards, but she kept on sinking. She looked back to the little girl who was squirming as she shinks deeper than her.

A conclusion formed in Ashnah's mind. She prayed that Ali would stay still as she's going to help her. Her mind calm down a bit as she encourgaged herself to focus. Bubbles went out of her mouth as she let out some air from her lungs. She let her self sink to the bottom of the pool. A prayer utter in her mind as she felt she could no longer hold her breath. 'God, please let me make it and save the little child. '

Her feet finally felt the bottom of the pool. She used all of her remaining strength as she pushed herself up. She paddled her feet behind, hoping that can help in her ascending. She finally was able to reach the little girl. She was still gaggling in the water. Some air rushed to Ashnah's mouth as her hold was letting go. She saw someone gotten to the waters and swam towards their direction. It was probably Elix. She pushed the child towards him, hoping he will get the little kid.

In Ali's struggle and fear, she kicked harder in the water as fear crept in her chest. She was surprised when she felt something held her torso. Her feet involuntarily kicked aimlessly in her shock. She felt her foot hit something. She then felt someone grabbing her by the arm. Her saviour handed her over to another person. Same eyes recognized hers and Ali couln't stopped her tears from falling. She was brought to the gutter of the pool. Her saviour swam back to the depth of the pool.

"Alison, are you okay? Are you hurting somewhere? Oh, God, I thought I lost you," her father embraced her tightly. She could feel him shudder but not out of coldness. His face was laced with fear when her savior handed her to her father.

She was about to answer when her saviour once more emerged from the deep pool. This time, he was carrying a woman--the woman who was trying to comfort before. Her face was so pale to Alison's horror. She was lifeless. The guy carrying her was endlessly calling her while hurriedly swimming back to the gutter. As soon as she laid her back, he pushed himself out of the pool. He gave her a CPR.

"Ash! Come on! Live!" He said in devastation. "Ash!"

"It was my fault," Ali started to cry. "It was my fault." Fear was evident in her eyes as regret dawn on her mind. Her knees felt weak. Her fragile hands grasped her father's clothes for support as if that could her make the pale woman breathe again. 'If I have just calm down and listen. I shouldn't have gotten angry in he first place.'