Chapter 12: Elia Part (2) Games of Mind begin!

-"Youngman,"

"Yes"

-" Do you know why you are here?"

"No"

-"You know you have to get out of here right?"

"Yes"

-"Do you know who your father is?"

"Yes!"

-"No you don't...Do you know who you are?"

....."No.."

-"WAKE UP!!"

A Man screamed to Joey's ears, which made him wide open his eyes in shock. He felt as if someone screamed in his ears just now. But what kind of discussion was that? Who was he talking to? Who is this man?

Joey looked above his head and saw a white ceiling upon him, and as soon as he tried to get up, he felt a great pain in his lower abdomen, he grabbed the area that hurt him and began to get up slowly. He found that he was still wearing his shirt but could not find the jacket he was wearing and then he turned his head to his left. And found Zain sleeping on another bed beside the one he was sleeping on.

He put his foot on the ground and tried to move. When his eyes roamed around the room. He found it a neat, clean, and small room, which looked like the rooms of ordinary houses in their upper world, with two beds and clean, fresh covers, and white paint on the ceiling and walls with a small wardrobe, and next to it a small table on which was a vase with beautiful flowers. And a small square-shaped window, and at the end of the room, there is a small bathroom.

Joey got up with difficulty and tried to lean on the wall to support himself till he reached the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He lifted his shirt and was shocked as his face became even paler, When he found a strange tattoo on the lower right side of his abdomen, it seemed to be the source of the pain. It's as if some kind of old writing is engraved on his skin. Finally, he remembered what the witch said to him, and now he understood. It's all about the deal between them. he inhaled deeply closed his eyes and put the shirt on again, then put his hands on the washbasin and looked in the mirror that was facing him.  He looked at the mirror for a second then washed his face, then came out, barely walking pressing on his source of pain, to find a woman who put water compresses on Zain's forehead as soon as he open the door.

"What are you doing?! ... Who are you? And .... Are you human? ... Where are my friends who came here with me...How did I come here ...?" Joey asked her in a low voice with his best effort, as his questions came one by one in speed with confusion and fear which were clear in his tone. as he tries to stand on his feet while the sweat falls to the ground due to his great pain, a look of doubt and anxiety streaked on his white face, and a few hairs clung to his forehead from excessive sweating.

The lady's face was filled with anxiety and compassion, "Son..calm down ... your friends, they are really fine, you came here two days ago and.."

"Two days! ?" he interrupted her shouting in shock forgetting his pain.

"Yes ... you were sleeping for two days, our doctor can't figure out why you were sick, but he said Elia doesn't like it ..." the lady said while pointing to where the tattoo was located on his abdomen from afar.

"You...have you seen it? Also, Did you do something to him?'' he asked pointing at Zain and began to clench his teeth in anger.

"No! You lost consciousness when you entered the village and your friend here was unconscious as well"

"Where are my friends!!" He shouted in anxiety and fear.

"You have to calm down son. You are okay! You are in safe hands now!" The woman said smiling, apparently trying to comfort Joey in any way.

His face was red from anger and pain because of this colic coming from the tattoo. Besides fear, he does not know if they were human or not, and if they are saying the truth or not. With Each idea of those, he entered a cycle of intense fear and anxiety.

While they were standing facing each other, the door suddenly opened, "You woke up!".

The familiar face who asked, made Joey smile feeling relaxed. Finally, someone he knew, Ryou came in with his shiny smile. He was wearing new clothes that were clean from the other ones that he had. Joey did not wait any longer and moved quickly and took him in his arms and hugged him warmly: "God ... I ... I thought you were gone. ..."As if Joey remembered something he suddenly pushed himself away and his face looked fearful again, "The rest. The rest are okay!!?"

"Yeah!  better than okay also why all this fear man haha!" He said cheerfully patting Joey's shoulder.

"And Zain ... is he really okay?"

"Yes ... they treated him, he will wake up soon they said it's because he lost a lot of blood. I tell you this small village may look old with no technology, but medicine here is no kidding! They made everything better and more effective than in our world! You have to see the place here and then you will understand what I'm saying!" Ryou explained with a smile that never left his face while talking. Which made Joey more confused.

"Yeah…" Joey put his hand again on Ryou's shoulder and got closer to him whispering: "Those people don't trust them, we do not trust anyone as agreed, not until we get back to our world!" Joey said whispering to him so that the woman would not be able to hear them.

"Are you kidding me? We must take some rest man! I assure you that the people here are respectful they will not do anything without your permission! We deserve a bit of rest don't you think?".

Joey pondered a little and found that what Ryou says is indeed true, They all must be tired.

"Wear this son ... it's clean clothes. The bathtub is inside you must have seen it. You can shower comfortably, lunch is ready, we'll wait for you," she said as she walked out of the room.

After the lady closed the door, Joey let his body fall into the bed after feeling a little relaxed. He took a deep breath and said in a more stable voice, "Who are they? And what did you do in these past twe days"

Ryou leaned against the wall, crossed his arms, and raised an eyebrow. "Why, Don't you feel comfortable?".

Joey raised his head towards him: "Look It's not like that. I have these strange dreams and hear these scary voices whispering to me that we must leave here!"

"Leave! ?" Ryou shouted dissatisfied interrupting Joey in a stifled and slightly raised voice, seemingly disapproving. And distressed, "Why? Let's stay for a while, why do you want us to leave? And since when do you hear such voices? I'm telling you, just get dressed and take a bath and come out and I'll show you the place, you will change your mind afterward I promise!"

"Why the anger! I'm just clearing my point. They seem to feed you well here ha?" Joey smiled bitterly.

"Yes the food and drinks here are much better, it's as of this village is a part of heaven! Also, the women here are the most beautiful women I've ever seen! Also, Aran and Alicia, I've never seen them smile like that before! Or haven't seen them smile before!"

"Okay okay! We might stay for a few nights but that doesn't change that we're still in the underworld and.."

"Get dressed, we will wait for you!" Ryou cut him off again in a dark tone and steady look, he just smiled and even ignored that Joey was talking. he just opened the door and was about to leave.

-"Run away from her, the climate saleswoman will come to him!"

-"Yes, and their souls will be eaten at dinner!!"

" Run boy. Elia is coming!"

Suddenly Joey jumped to his feet in panic, looking around the room, "Did you just hear that?"

" heard what?" Ryou who was about to leave the room said wondering.

"Whispers! They're talking again! It's more than one person's voice. They talk about us! It's like they see us but we can't see them! They're laughing at us! as if they are having a conversation about us but we can hear it but can't see them! Didn't you hear them?"

Ryou looked at Joey tiredly and looked around the room, but found nothing. "I guess you're just delusional, but don't worry my friend, Elia has the cure, Elia has all the solutions, just leave yourself to her!"

"Who is...Elia?" Joey asked as he sat on the bed again surrendering, for the fact that he knew that despite whatever he say, Ryou won't believe him anyway.

Ryou smiled and stood before him: " Elia...is our new home..."

End of chapter 12

_______________________________________