PORTAL

CHAPTER SIX

I watched the gleaming city disinterestedly. I was too occupied to think of the beautiful skyscrapers and the people walking on the sidewalk looking fashionable and happy. Eden Central was the most expensive part of the city. The people who can afford to live here usually are the ultra-rich, talented and gifted. The richest among them live in Centro-central.

In comparison, Eden Inner are the workers who serve and work in the Central city. They were the working class of Eden. Then, there was also another part of Eden that was seldom talked about. Outer Eden was a place for people frequented by tugs and undocumented visitors who overstayed or committed a crime but had no means to stay or return to their hometown.

Eden was lord by one man like my hometown was lord by Aliyah's father. He acted according to the command of the Centro-central city. He was the lord of all the lord and held all the power of all cities. Above from the Lords was the member of the inner sanctum. They wield and maintain the vital decision of the country. Member of the inner sanctum is the priestess, the guardian, the militia, and legislation. Above the inner sanctum are the most powerful and gifted being, the Enlightened. The Enlightened one has three members, two males and one female. The two male members must be of God's descent, meaning angels and demons. One should hold the path to light and the other one to darkness. The other member is an Enlightened Seer. She will listen to both of them and decide where to take the path. Yet, no one has seen them before. Some people think that they are just an imagination to coerce people to pay their taxes and follow the rules they set.

My phone rang. I pulled it from my back pocket and answered it excitedly. "Hi, Aliyah!"

"You already arrive at your destination?" I heard her voice from across the line. Her voice sounds happy, like she always is.

"Nope, we are still riding the train. Maybe thirty minutes from now, we will arrive at our destination." I touched the pendant of the necklace she gave me. Feeling her presence beside me.

"Keep in touch, okay...ahh, by the way, I'm going to Eden, too. My Dad was suddenly called by the Central Lord. I will be arriving there tomorrow." Aliyah excited voice pierced my heart with joy. Seeing her in a town so different from our hometown is an adventure.

"Wow! That's great...call me when you arrive, okay?"

"Yes. We should meet and probably have a girl bonding without your two security guards." I laughed at her description of my father and Samuel. "Don't tell them that I'm coming. Will keep it a surprise, okay?"

"Okay..." I glanced at Papa, who was reading the news while my brother napping on the trip. "See you soon. Take care."

"Bye, take care, Sam." I looked happily outside. My mood was changing from glum to anticipation of my friend coming. The idea of spending the whole afternoon doing shopping or touring the city lifted my spirit.

***

The Outer Eden is way too different from Inner Eden and Central Eden. The area was filled with smug garbage and the stench of the city. Condominiums and structures were so dilapidated that you could see the grime and graffiti on the walls. Central Eden and even Inner Eden look prosperous; this part was the opposite. I can see some people huddled together in a fire wearing dirty clothes. Everyone looks hungry and sickly. Not one seems happy. Gloomy faces and hopeless people slowly walked at the dirty streets filled with mud.

Samuel pulled me closer to his side and my father on the other side. I can feel the tension building up at them when we pass some youngsters drinking and smoking on the sidewalk.

"Just close your eyes. Don't look up." Samuel warns me. I nodded as I was guided by them towards a darker alley.

"Who's that beauty with you, man?!" Drunk youngsters called at them. "Share your blessings..." They erupted with laughter. They doggedly walk on and ignore them. We turned in a corner much dimmer than the rest of the area. I can smell the stink of human waste from the gutter beneath our feet. I stopped and vomited. Hating the smell coming from the sewer.

"I'm sorry... that's too much." I wipe my mouth with the handkerchief I tucked under my jacket pocket.

"Let's hurry up, Sam..." Samuel grabbed my arm and pushed me to walk faster. He turned around. "Hurry... someone's coming." We can hear footsteps coming towards us.

Papa held my other hand and pulled me to run with them. It was my first alley walk, and I think the longest. It felt like it was a maze as we ran the alley. My feet started to ache, and my breathing was labored as we ran. Then we stop in an alley where there's no light. It was so dark, and the hairs at the back of my neck stood up. The air was heavy. I can feel the icy air touching my skin. My hand dug at Samuel's arm, feeling sudden fear.

"We're here," Samuel said quietly.

"Are you sure...it looks dangerous, Samuel. I don't think this is the right alley." I stared at the darkness in alarm. No person in his right mind would live in this kind of place.

"Listened...Sam. I'm here. Just hold my hand. I promise nothing will harm you." Samuel nod at our father.

"Isn't Papa coming with us?" I looked alarmed at our father, who smiled at me reassuringly.

"I will wait for you here, Samantha. I'm afraid... I'm not allowed to enter inside."

"Why? I cannot leave you here..." I grabbed Papa's hand, but he deflected it. He steps back, out of reach, and turns around.

Samuel gripped my hand. "Papa is not allowed to the place of the dammed Sam. We are the only ones who can enter."

"Place of the dammed?" I gasped in shock. Was he talking of hell? "You're kidding, right?"

"No, I'm not. If you believe about the seeker, why can't you believe that there is such a place? This is the pit..." Samuel glance at the alley. "Let's go; we're losing time."

We ran so fast that I felt my feet had grown wings. I can't touch the ground. Only nothingness and despair inside this long tunnel of darkness. Samuel half pulled and half carried me as we swiftly ran towards a glowing light from afar. My body felt like air. I can hear the moan and scream somewhere.

"It's almost closing," Samuel said in alarm. Without many words, he holds me tight, carry me and swiftly fly. I gasped as I saw his wings coming out from his body. Numbly, I stared at him. I forgot everything except the realization that this man is not a man but an angel. And he is not my brother.