CHLORIS POV

THE NEXT DAY Flame didn't come to school. I sent him a message saying I cannot accompany him in bringing back the book because Mom drives me to school. But he didn't reply. Since Flame was absent today, I decided to visit him in his house. I got worried that he might be sick. He is not the type to just drop out of class for no reason.

Oh, Chloris! Flame was hospitalized earlier.

W-What?! Is that true? I was surprised by the news, Manang Meding announced in front of me upon entering the gate.

Sadly, yes. He was unconscious lying down in his bed when I opened his room. I can't wake him up. His Dad was in California, and I have no choice but to send him to the hospital right away. I just phoned his Dad and told me he will be home as fast as he could.

In what hospital did you bring him?

She told me the address. I was about to leave when the house help interrupted.

I have something to tell you, Chloris.

What is it? I faced Manang Meding.

She took something out of her pocket.

That book!

I felt something bad happened to Flame. He was holding this book when I saw him unconscious.

She handed me the book while I was curious about looking at her expression.

What is that supposed to mean?

What do you mean, Manang?

Did you know where did he get that book?

We borrowed this from the old library. Why? Did you have any idea about this book? I don't know, but chills creep down my entire body. This book scares me while looking into it.

Manang Meding went silent while looking at me intently.

That is not an ordinary book, Chloris. In our province, up until now, it is believed that the orations and prayers are still effective. And that book, that is a book of magic. It can open a door that will link to our world and the other one.

My eyes grew wide. Terror and disbelief crawled down my body simultaneously. Y-You mean, Flame might use this book and the spell in it?

I could hardly believe it when the old woman nodded. I mean, how? How can it be possible?

“WE CAN'T see any problems from his aside from he was in a deep sleep and couldn't wake up like he was in a coma. His vital signs are normal. Everything is normal aside from he was still unconscious since yesterday.”

That was what the doctor said when he made a round check. Flame's Dad was here, and he was the one who talked to the doctor.

After the short-talk with his Dad, I decided to stay with Flame. His Dad was on the phone again and was talking about something I don't understand.

Until now, I am still thinking about what Manang Meding told me yesterday. I asked her to leave the book under my care, and she agreed. I was thinking, maybe I can see something that will give me a clue on what happened to Flame. Or something that will help him regain his consciousness. But I have scanned it multiple times, and yet, I still don't understand what's written in the book.

“What have you done, Flame?” I sighed.

I can see his Dad was looking from the outside of the glass window of his private room. He looks angry. Yet, despite his hard look, I can see the worry from his very eyes. He was worried about his son.

I wondered if I was in Flame's situation, would Mom be worried too. Will she leave her job to see me and be with me?

Maybe... I don't know. I don't think so. Mom doesn't give a fuck to anything but her job.

She doesn't have time for me because she's busy with her job. I felt sad and remorseful whenever I remembered those times when I got sick, and she doesn't have any idea I've been into a situation. My grandma and my Nanny were the persons who attended me and take care of me when I got sick. I can't even remember if once in my life did my Mom get worried in me.

A tapped from my shoulder cut into my deep thoughts. “Go home, kid. You have classes tomorrow. Take a rest. Tito Lucas gently encourages me. He is Flame's father.

I haven't even noticed he was already there, beside me. When I looked up at Tito Lucas, he was already starring at his unconscious son who is lying in his hospital bed.

I nodded when he looks at me again. “I'll be back tomorrow, Tito.”

I am taking my school bag when I heard him talk. “Thank you, Chloris. Thank you for befriending my son. You manage to be close to him, even how quiet and aloof he is. He smiled. “Our house help told me that you are the only friend of my son they knew. You are the only person who accompanied him in everything.”

“He was such a silent person, Tito. It just happened that he can't do anything with me being so nosy and pesky to the point that he got annoyed in me. In the end, he had no choice but to be friends with me.”

He laughed silently and tapped my shoulder again. “I'll tell my driver to send you home. Thanks again.”

I JOLTED awake. It was just one in the morning, that's what I saw from the clock over my side table. I fell asleep while browsing the book of FOUR CORNERS OF THE REVERSE WORLD. I suddenly woke up when I seem to hear Flame calling out on me. When I opened my eyes, I'm in my bed. I haven't changed my uniform yet. It comes to my mind that maybe, I was just dreaming. I worried too much about Flame, and I had brought it even in my dreams.

I remembered I locked myself on my room upon entering. I browsed the book until I fell asleep. It's impossible for Flame to call me out. It's been days since he was hospitalized.

But then, my mind takes a U-turn. What if Flame was really here? That may be, he was unconscious because his soul was wondering. He was calling me because he needed help to get back into his body

“Oh my gosh! I feel Goosebumps.