CHAPTER 14SOLVING THE MYSTERYA M E R I C A Harry lies his head over my lap as I try to braid his long curls tying them up with Dianaโs hairbands. He was not very much into it at first but I was able to braid it since he gave in. He didnโt like the thought of braiding his hair because he said it would hurt his scalp and I had to promise him that his kingly scalp wonโt be hurt during the entire process.We were on this outdoor bar called The Tiki Wiki where they had blankets on the shore and short tables for dine in and a few bean bags out here too. The place had live band, which unlike any other bars or eating places here on the island that played more into reggaeton Spanish music that sounded remarkably cool. It was very relaxing in here and a new place for me to draw in my sketch pad.The gang were busy eating some really good tacos on our tables and ordered a few nachos of different dressings which tasted heavenly. The place was very generous when it came to cheese and they had g
CHAPTER 14.1We were just staring at each other intently but my gut is telling me that this could be related with Faith.โOkay. This is just pure craziness!โ Zion exclaims, ruining our mood solving this mystery. โThere is no such thing as deity and such a man who lives thousands of years in this new era. Guys, can we talk something else more interesting?โAll of us decided to divert our attention into planning what to do tomorrow. After a few conversation and the tons of snacks, we played some card games and we were just enjoying the night.Fast forward, we ended up spending the night at Pacific Beach since Neal insisted on wanting to see the old man. Neal was much interested with the story unlike Zion and I donโt blame him for not believing it because it sounded pretty much absurd too. But, I know there is something more about this island and I want to know about it no matter what it takes.I sit close by the shoreline and just allowed the water to crawl to the sand and wet my feet.
CHAPTER 15NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WESTA M E R I C A All of us scattered around the island and had one goal.We needed to find Faith and ask her things more about the island but we didnโt know where to start.Harry and I headed to the ice cream stall where I first saw her. We asked the person working there if he has seen the woman on the paper but told us that he has not seen her for days. He told us that she buys ice cream from his stall but not all the time. He remembers her because she is always so happy and always had a good mood whenever she drops by.Dead end even if we just started.Harry told me not to give up because we still had more places to search for her. We rode around the island heading to the Northern part of LUAHU and asked a lot of people around if they have seen the woman on the portrait but no one knows her or where she is staying. I remember she said that she is a tourist so she must be staying somewhere in here, right?From shop to shop, one hotel to another, one
CHAPTER 15.1โThereโs more.โ He says moving the light to the inner side of his right ankle which said โDRIVEโ then lastly on the outer side of his right ankle which said โN.C.โHe pulled his head back up to me and stared intently into my eyes as I smiled, โI wanted to get your address tatted on my feet so that I get reminded where I should walk them.โI was overwhelmed with so much emotions bolting up inside my body and I know for sure that I donโt want to let this go. I donโt want this with anyone else but Harry. โYouโre crazy for getting my name on your chest and my address on your ankles.โ I tell him.He stares at it and looked back at me, โI think it looks cool.โI smile at him, โI think it is too.โHe takes my hand and focused his light over my left ring finger. He stares at his initials tatted on my skin before he looked back at me, โA tied note and a surfboard.โI nod, โVery much Harrison Scott.โHe chuckles and I joined him too.But we stopped from laughing and our smiles fade
CHAPTER 16A BAD DREAM, A BAD PASTH A R R Y I stand inside my old fatherโs music room as I see my young self-standing against the wall with scared eyes because he knows he was not able to practice playing the piano today. I wore my favourite blue pyjamas that my grandfather gave me as a Christmas gift while my hair was cut in the shortest haircut I have ever seen in my entire life because dad never wanted any of his sons to have long hair.I see dad carrying his favourite belt, the black one with gold circles on it.My six-year old hated seeing my dad carrying it. I donโt like that belt because he hurts when he uses it to hit me. When he is still not done, he uses the buckle to hurt me more when I do not follow him and whenever he gets mad at me for making a mistake when I play the piano or when I forget to practice playing for a day. He hits my small fingers with that belt that is why I donโt like that goddamn belt. He gets mad when I am not a good boy and he hurts me so much thatโ
CHAPTER 16.1He breathes heavily still with his sad eyes, โI didnโt like our home because it was not home. It was never a place where you can call home. I get so angry at people who adores him and praises him because he is not the man they see him on TV when he gets back to our house. Heโs a total different person behind the camera without the glitz and the glamour.โI pressed my lips together and really felt Harryโs anger against his dad and for what he did to him at such a young age. I canโt believe such man like Jackson Scott, ultimately famous all over the entire world, could physically hurt his own son at a ripe age of six just because he wanted him to make music as the centre of his life. No wonder Harryโs never scared to try anything new.โHeโs a total disciplinarian at home and his command is absolute. My two older brothers followed all of his command but I never did because I didnโt want to. He never wanted his sons to have long hair, I let mine grow out. He never wanted me t
CHAPTER 17BEFORE THEYโRE GONEA M E R I C A โDiana?โI approach her in the kitchen and she smiles at me brightly. โHiya, whatโs up?โโThings have been bugging me lately.โโIs it about the island and the whole thing about Olcaโs curse?โI nod. โI donโt want to forget any of these, or you.โโOr Harry.โ She adds, teasing me with a smile.โYeah.โ I answer weakly. โI mean, do you think weโll be able to find the lighthouse?โโAmerica, I donโt know.โ Her answers makes me even sadder. โHonestly, it sounded pretty difficult to do because no one ever found the lighthouse.โโI know.โ I answer her back. โBut do you think what the enchantress said was true?โโMaybe. I mean you saw her transformed into a human that had gills and scales like a fish, right? And sharp teeth like the ones of a shark?โI nod vigorously.Diana smiles at me, โMerry, I know you are torn between going back and staying here. Why donโt you stay here for a little longer with Harry and with us and you can leave the island whe
CHAPTER 17.1โDiscover where no one is searching.โ I mumble words that was said by the enchantress and realized that Zion and Diana were staring at me weirdly. โTh-That was what the enchantress said.โ I added.โBut what did she mean by that?โ Zion asked me.โI donโt know.โ I answer him honestly.โMaybe the enchantress meant itโs not in the forest.โ Diana shares.โJust because you donโt see it, doesnโt mean it isnโt really there. She said those words too.โ I tell them.โJust because you donโt see it, doesnโt mean it isnโt really there.โ Zion mutters before looking back at us, โThen it means the lighthouse is somewhere around the island even though we cannot see it.โโLike, itโs invisible?โ I questioned.โIt could be.โ Diana answers. โThe deity did put some enchantment in it right?โZion nods.โWeโve searched everywhere. North, south and east of the island.โ I tell them. โNeither all of us saw anything right?โ They nod at my question.โAnd whatโs worse is that thereโs no west part of LU
EPILOGUEPOT OF GOLDI have always been fascinated of the beach.There are so many things to do to enjoy and relax and there are a lot of sexy girls wearing bikinis almost looking like it is close to nudity. Yet, I love it. I love it all. I love watching girls in swim wears and how they play beach volleyball. Although I loved the sexual stuff of it, I have always thought that there is something about the sea that just calms my soul and my mind to a whole different level.I never really told anyone about it but it always has that kind of effect to me. Although no one knows much about it, I didn't want to look too softy on the outside being all sentimental about a petty thing.Everyone I know has always seen me as strong and very masculine with the way I dress, talk and act. With all the physicality that I have, everyone assumed that I am a cold-hearted tough guy. People who don't know me well would say I am an aloof. Kids and other townspeople would rather say I am scary. I have had a
CHAPTER 94 WELCOME HOMEM E R R Y Time: InfiniteWhere am I?Those were the first words I thought to myself.I looked around and found myself standing alone on the pristine beach. The water was gorgeously light blue and the horizon was insanely astounding. I paused and felt that I have said those same words somewhere before.Dejavu. It definitely seemed like it.Although I was lost, somewhere deep inside me felt like I was found. I felt surprisingly calm and warm as the sun was hitting my face. Sunlight always felt nice and even though most people donโt like to be under the sun for too long I think thereโs something about it thatโs calming at some point.Scorching was a word that would best describe the heat of the sun right now. I closed my eyes and felt the gentle and cool sea breeze passing through my hair and hitting against my skin. It was a bright sunny day but the wind felt chilly which provided a perfect balance. For a while, I stood there just feeling nature which was surro
CHAPTER 93 47 YEARSH A R R Y North Carolina, U.S.AForty-seven years laterSummerThe woman flinched as she spins around. Her eyes looked surprised as soon as she saw me. It was definitely her and I could never be wrong. It was the same face when we were in LUAHU but her hair was shorter now yet everything about her was the same. It felt so surreal seeing her again.โDiana, is it reallyโฆโ I trailed off and realized how frightened and shocked she was. I realized that I was getting a little too suspicious and too close knowing that she is a young woman and I am an old man approaching her pettily. I didnโt want to look like a predator.I chuckled humourlessly, โIโm sorry.โShe smiles wearily, โIโm sorry too but I think you have the wrong person?โI felt disappointed.โMy name isnโt Diana.โ She adds.I smiled tightlipped. โOf course. Iโm sorry if I approached you like this and pretty much giving you a fright.โShe shakes her head and smiles at me, โNo, itโsโฆ Itโs not really a big deal.
CHAPTER 92 SATURNH A R R Y North Carolina, U.S.ADeath can seem cruel and unfair, especially when you feel someone has died before their time or when you had plans for the future together and growing old together.Death of someone we love is probably the most devastating experience that can ever happen to any of us.The loss and pain can strike you deeply and can shook your mental state of mind and your core.America died from a ruptured brain aneurysm that no one knew she had.All those terrible headaches, nausea, collapsing and drooping eyelids that she been complaining and experiencing, were signs of a grown malignant aneurysm after she was in coma. We all assumed that it was her pregnancy but the latter symptoms were already too late to figure it out that she was experiencing something so much more critical and dangerous.There were so many what ifs that I had after she died and so many regrets that I wished I did and didnโt do. There were so many things in my head and so much
CHAPTER 91.1I smiled as the heart monitor was echoing in the room in synch with the sound from the ventilator. โThe second time was when you fainted a day before our wedding. I think your mom laughed at me when she saw me arriving the hospital because I looked stupid with what I wore as I was in a hurry.โI chuckle softly as I was remembering it. โAlthough I didnโt really notice how bad I wore until it was the morning. It was so funny, you should have seen it.โI placed her hand intertwined with mine against my lips, โThat time, as I watched you sleep the entire night, I was able to write a short song. Do you want to hear it? I was never able to finish it though.โI rubbed the back of my forefinger against her cheek, โIโm sure you want to hear it. So give it a good listen, okay?โ I speak to her.I cleared my throat as I tried my best to keep my shit together because I didnโt want to cry as I sing for her.โSweetheart you look a little tired. When did you last eat? Come in and make
CHAPTER 91REALH A R R Y I was speechless and my felt as if my knees went weak and immobile.I wanted to say something but my mind went blank and I wanted to move towards Merry but because of shock, I just stood there completely frozen.My tears fell over my cheeks as soon as I see my wife looking horribly pale while the medics were giving her CPR. She looks lifeless, I thought to myself again and again and it pains me.My feet slowly drags me inside the room as my heart was getting heavier each time I get close towards where Merry was, My entire body was still completely shaken up with what I was witnessing what happening to her with questions fogging my head wondering what really happened to her.I can really feel my whole body quivering in fear, despair and weakness while my lips were trembling as I call out her name softly, โM-Merryโฆโ My soft voice escapes my lips,โSir, we request you to make way.โ The medic instructed me.I shake my head vigorously because he cannot just leave
CHAPTER 90ANOTHER SONGSan Siro Stadium, BrazilThe crowd cheers for Harry as soon as he finished another song.His fans chanting his name continuously was ringing in his ear.The entire stadium was filled with girls screaming, chanting and cheering for him while he keeps a forced smile plastered on his face as he mouthed the words, โThank you.โDespite how he loves entertaining his fans and performing on stage in front of people who paid this entire event just to see him, his mind was elsewhere and he couldnโt stop himself from doing so. It was evident in his eyes that he was searching through the front row near the stage if America had arrived, but she hasnโt. She was still not around and it made him even much more worried.He was not liking it especially that he hasnโt talked to Jordan about any updates regarding Merry.โI tried calling Ginny earlier and she said there was an emergency.โ Those words keeps invading his thoughts making him feel uneasy on stage.โYou are a lovely aud
CHAPTER 89.1โUseless?โ He subtly moves his upper torso. โHave I ever made you feel like that? Iโm sorry if--โโNo no no. It wasnโt any of your fault. Like I said, I am grateful for you.โโSo why do you feel useless?โโBecause I always depend on you. I depend on you when I get out of bed, I depend on you when I need a shower, when I need to go somewhere, when I need to pee, when I need to clean myself as embarrassing as it has always been, when I change my clothes, every thing. Every single thing that I do that are basic things I need for myself on a daily basis, youโre doing them all for me.โโI donโt mind doing them.โโBut I do.โ I sobbed. โI do mind.โโI.. Iโm sorry.โ He says with a soft voice as we were now sitting on the bed while he tries to comfort me while wrapping his arms around me tight. โIโm sorry if I made you feel that way. Am I invading too much of your personal space?โI shake my head, โYou donโt understand.โHe pulled himself away and cups my face, โThen allow me to u
CHAPTER 89 IT WASN'TA M E R I C AMt. Sinai Hospital, North CarolinaHours before the wedding dayโAre you sure you donโt want me in there with you?โ Harry questions.I gave him a reassuring smile as I squeezed his hand a little bit, โI will be fine.โโSo why you donโt want me in there with you?โโI just want to ask him a few things.โ I answered nervously.โLike?โ He asked.I pressed my lips together, โYou trust me, donโt you?โโOf course.โ Harry answers quickly.โThen trust me on this. Itโs nothing serious.โ I responded.He exhales heavily and felt him kissing the back of my hand. I love when he does that to be honest. He tells me, โOkay. I will wait here.โI smiled at her, โThank you.โHarry walks me to the doctorโs office as he greeted us as soon as we entered his room. The doctor offered us a seat right away while Harry assist me before he plants a kiss on my hair. โIโll be waiting right outside.โI nodded and smiled at him. I listened to his footsteps which were then followed b