Chapter 147 “Appeared in the real world?”
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Amid the morning’s warmth and excitement, Nina energetically made her way down the staircase, her footsteps echoing with eagerness. As she approached the landing, she paused to spin around, casting a gleeful wave towards the second floor, signaling her Uncle Duncan that she was off to school again.
The relaxing days of holiday breaks and weekends had come to a close, and now it was time for Nina to embrace the routine of school again.
But as she approached the front door, ready to embark on her day, her steps suddenly halted. Her eyes widened in surprise as she spotted a trembling silhouette concealed behind a nearby bookshelf. Recognizing the familiar face, Nina’s initial shock turned to delight. “Shirley!” she exclaimed, beckoning the young girl out of her hiding spot, “I had been wondering where you disappeared to. Want to come to school with me?”
Shirley’s brow furrowed in puzzlement. “Together?” She blinked, genuinely bemused, “Where to, exactly?”
“We’re heading to school, silly,” Nina responded with a chuckle, though halfway through her sentence, she caught herself, her expression shifting from amused to sheepish. “Oh, I’m sorry. I momentarily forgot…”
Nina was acutely aware that Shirley wasn’t a fellow student at her school. Yet, she often found herself mistakenly thinking otherwise, sometimes forgetting the pretense under which they interacted.
A fleeting awkwardness crossed Shirley’s face, her eyes betraying a hint of sadness mixed with apology. She, however, was quick to dispel the tension. “I won’t be joining you,” she stated gently. “My tasks at the school are complete.”
Nina’s lips formed a thin line, realizing her oversight. Pushing past the discomfort, she donned her signature radiant smile. “Of course, I understand. I should head out then, right?”
Shirley nodded in agreement but then added after recalling a forgotten detail, “Oh, and Nina, I should let you know… I’ll be leaving for home today.”
Nina’s cheerful demeanor momentarily faltered. Having grown accustomed to Shirley’s presence over the past couple of days, the news was unexpected. “Leaving?” she echoed, taking a moment to absorb the revelation. “So, you won’t be staying here any longer?”
Shirley responded with a gentle shake of her head, her voice soft, “My stay was only meant to be brief. I’ve informed Mr. Duncan as well, and he understands.”
For a few agonizing seconds, Nina remained silent, processing the information. Finally, she found her voice, asking with a hint of hope, “Will you be returning someday?”
Shirley yearned for escape in her heart. But as she contemplated her response, she felt the weight of an unseen gaze from the second floor. Perhaps sensing Duncan’s watchful eyes, Shirley quickly revised her thoughts. With a hesitant smile, she replied, “If the opportunity arises, I promise to visit. My home isn’t too far, after all.”
With a curious tilt of her head, Nina regarded Shirley’s peculiar behavior. Yet, her natural bubbly disposition didn’t allow her to dwell on it for long. The promise Shirley had given was all that mattered to Nina. Waving exuberantly, she pivoted on her heel and dashed through the front entrance. She was soon out of sight, her figure blending into the hustle and bustle as she rounded the street corner.
Shirley stood there for a moment, her gaze following Nina, a bit bewildered by the latter’s swift change in demeanor. Just as her thoughts began to drift, an instinctual jolt of alertness snapped her back to the present. She detected a familiar presence approaching from the stairs behind her.
Turning around, she was met with Duncan’s watchful eyes. She straightened up and, with uncharacteristic formality, greeted him, “Captain… Oh! I mean, good morning, Mr. Duncan!” It wasn’t often that Shirley reached into her arsenal of manners, but she felt it was necessary now.
Duncan raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Such politeness today,” he remarked, beginning his descent down the stairs. “Have you told Nina about your departure? Will you be leaving today?”
She nodded, her gaze drifting downwards, her voice barely above a whisper. “Yes, I’ve informed her. And since you’ve given your consent, I plan to leave today.”
Duncan, sensing her apprehension, chuckled lightly, “Why the sudden nerves? You were perfectly fine yesterday. Do you restart your anxiousness every morning or something?” As he neared her, he reached out, gently patting her frail shoulder. “You know, Shirley, I never intended to confine you here. You were invited as a guest, and guests are free to leave when they wish. Remember, our door is always open to you.”
Attempting to articulate her feelings, Shirley replied, “It’s not really what you think. It’s Dog’s influence. Whenever you’re near, he becomes protective and anxious, and I end up feeling those emotions too.”
Duncan’s expression softened, “Ah, Dog… Well, that’s the nature of shadow demons; they’re more perceptive. But think about my offer, Shirley. Staying here might be a better option. The place where you and Dog currently reside sounds quite basic, even unsafe.”
The absurdity of a subspace shadow claiming his domain was safer struck Shirley as almost comical. Finding herself at a loss for words, she couldn’t help but giggle, “I… um… ahaha…”
Duncan, realizing his attempt at persuasion may have been a bit overboard, waved it off, “Never mind what I said. I was merely making a suggestion. Don’t stress over it.” He knew convincing her wouldn’t be easy, especially with Dog’s protective stance. “Whenever you’re ready to leave, just go. And remember, if you gather more information about these Suntists, don’t hesitate to get in touch.”
Shirley gave a silent nod, lost in her thoughts.
The past two days had felt like a dream. She had found refuge in this place, shielded from the menacing figure she had run from. But now that she was free to leave, a sudden unease gripped her heart.
She had basked in the simplicity and warmth of this life—sharing laughter with a newfound friend, feeling the care of a guardian figure, enjoying the comfort of a cozy bedroom, the glow of bright lights, indulging in mouth-watering meals, and most of all, sleeping without the fear of nightmares or needing to evade those pursuing her.
Yet now, as the door to this sanctuary stood open, an irrational thought nudged her mind: was the radiant world she had so yearned for now slowly dimming and shutting its door on her?
As she pondered, a deep voice reverberated through their shared consciousness, “We are returning to our path, Shirley.” Dog’s low murmur pulled her back to the present.
“Yes, we need to find our path again,” Shirley whispered internally. Lifting her gaze to bid Duncan farewell, she was taken aback to see a grave look clouding his features.
In the room’s shadows, Duncan had caught a fleeting glimmer of an aura from afar. The aura… it matched one of the signatures he had left behind!
“Mr. Duncan? What’s wrong?” Shirley’s voice trembled with concern.
Without waiting for her to finish, Duncan replied, “I detected a specific aura. It’s coming from that direction.”
A moment of confusion passed over Shirley, “An aura?”
“It’s the residual energy I left on that pesky entity,” Duncan paused, locking eyes with Shirley. “Do you recall the mysterious figure with the umbrella, the one who ambushed you on the fringes of your dream?”
Recognition dawned on Shirley, and her eyes widened in shock, “Are you referring to the fragment you dispatched ‘home’? But… wasn’t that encounter only in the dream realm?”
Duncan’s voice deepened, filled with import, “While that being did manifest within your dream, the mark I sensed just now was in the real world.”
Chills raced down Shirley’s spine. Memories of that nightmarish encounter surged forward, and Duncan’s words echoed in her mind: the possibility that the dream might have been more than mere illusion.
“Shirley,” Duncan’s voice cut through her reverie, “Before heading home, would you be interested in another adventure with me? If you’re not comfortable, then—”
Before he could complete his sentence, Shirley blurted out with unexpected determination, “I want to!” Realizing the intensity of her reaction, she hastily added, “The entity you’re referring to… after the fire incident, it must be connected to the events from eleven years ago.”
Duncan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, “Then we embark on this journey together.”
A hesitant question formed on Shirley’s lips, “But how will we reach there? Can you pinpoint its exact location? We aren’t going to rely on public transport like last time, are we?”
Duncan’s lips curved into a smile, shaking his head, “Don’t worry. I’ve found a much swifter means of transportation.”
Shirley stood frozen, her mouth slightly ajar. She had been on the verge of inquiring about Duncan’s mysterious mode of transport when suddenly, a small, dark figure darted down from the staircase above. Before she could react, it landed gracefully on Duncan’s shoulder.
“To Erxian Bridge we go! Down Chenghua Avenue. And look! There’s a large seat in the back, snacks like melon seeds and refreshing mineral water at the ready. Just remember to keep those feet tucked in!” the figure chirped in an almost musical tone.
Her balance wavering, Shirley nearly toppled over. The voice’s animated and slightly chaotic demeanor left her reeling. Regaining her footing, she blinked in surprise, recognizing the little creature: the peculiar dove she’d once seen devouring French fries – each nearly as big as itself – in a single gulp!
As she watched in amazement, the dove, known as Ai, took to the air once more. As it did, a brilliant green flame enveloped it, morphing its body into a skeletal form.
Shirley’s eyes widened, her thoughts racing, “What in the world…?”
Before she could process the transformation or turn to Duncan for an explanation, a bright flash engulfed the room. The next thing she knew, she was whisked off her feet.
All aboard! The Ai Express!
Man i love how ai talks, it makes my day
The way Ai talk is quite like how my own thoughts run – random chaos.