Chapter Seventy-one

Chapter Seventy-one
Kacy
Finally, after struggling for a while, we stepped out of the cave before it crumbled down. It must be a dungeon and not just a cave. I don't really know what happened, but thank god we're alive. Those men weren't around anymore, and it's already afternoon.
"Where shall we go next?" I asked.
"I'm hungry. Do you think there's a place where we can have lunch?" Bryan asked.
"Let's find one. But we're in a jungle right now. It must be far. Can you hold on a little longer?"
"I'll try my best not to be a burden."
We continued walking until we stepped out of the forest and found a concrete road. "How do you feel about hitchhiking?" I asked. "We got no choice, but there might be someone who's willing to help us."
"I'm not someone who likes to ask for help, but right now, all help is humbly accepted," Bryan said.
"We are like little kids who got lost in the woods and are trying to get home."
"If only I knew this would happen, I'd rather stay there," Bryan said in a regretful tone. "Our plan to start a new life became a disaster."
"It already happened. There's nothing else we can do to reverse time," I said.
"I think there is," he replied.
"How?"
"Don't forget your grandmother. She's a witch; we can ask for her help," he said.
"And what?" I couldn't keep my anger. "Sacrifice one of us? Like what we did to Denver? Hell no, Bryan. Remember what you told me: if one of us dies, then let's die together. And if my grandmother can truly help us, how can we go back? We don't even know where we are right now."
"Why not use your necklace?" Bryan suggested.
Now this is turning into magical realism. But Bryan has a point. We can't stay here in this road and wait for someone to save us, or live in a cave and eat bananas like in the old age.
I stood up with a deep sigh. I pulled out the pendant of the necklace from my breasts. Then I think, what if this thing is the reason why those men are chasing after us? What if they aren't really after us but this necklace? It's magical and valuable. Sure, a lot of people want to have this for their own self-interest.
"You okay?" Bryan asked. "You don't have to use that if you don't want to. We can find another way—"
"This is our only chance, Bryan. If there's a way to reverse time, then let's do it. We'll visit Grandmother and see if she can help us without needing to sacrifice anyone," I said. "Come, hold my hand."
Bryan stood up and held my hand. I recalled the spell that my mother taught me. I was always fond of witches since I was young, and perhaps it's because I'm one of them. I said the weird words and performed the ritual, standing on one foot and then the other. People might think I'm crazy if they saw me doing this.
Finally, the pendant glowed brightly, and a portal appeared in front of us. "Let's go." I and Bryan entered the portal and arrived in front of my grandmother's cottage.
We approached the cottage and knocked at the door. "Grandma? Are you there?" I asked, but nobody answered. "Maybe she's asleep or went somewhere." I opened the door and realized it wasn't locked. We entered and laid Bryan down on the wooden sofa.
I went to a small room and saw the potions and jars of mushrooms, herbs, roots, and other weird things. Then I thought, maybe I could use these to treat Bryan's wound. The jars are labeled, and I found an old book on the antiquated table. I couldn't resist the urge to open it. It had a thick cover carved with intricate designs.
As I turned the cover of the book, the pages started to glow, and I felt like I was transported to another place, surrounded by walls of forgotten scribbles. To my surprise, I could understand the words. These are witches' spells for different purposes, such as medicinal, exorcism, and even reincarnating a dead person. I can't believe this. It's like Grandma isn't just an ordinary witch. She must have dealt with the devil.
I found a prescription for bullet wounds and how to treat them. There's a direction and things needed, names of herbs. Thank God. This might be forbidden, but I can at least help Bryan. I memorized it before closing the book, and I came back to my senses.
Immediately, I went to check on Bryan when I heard a thump as if something heavy fell. Then I saw Bryan on the floor, struggling to stand up. "Bryan!" I rushed towards him. "You know that you're wounded. You shouldn't move yet."
"But I'm hungry; I'm going to die," he cried.
I felt so much pity for him. "Get up, little boy." I help him to the couch. Then I went to the kitchen to see if there was some food. I found some porridge in the pot. Grandma must have cooked this. I hope she won't be mad if I feed Bryan with this. I scooped a bowl using a ladle made of coconut shell and a bamboo stick and went back to Bryan.
"Here. You can eat this for now. Do you need help?" I asked.
"I'll be fine, thanks." Bryan accepted the bowl and started eating like a hungry lion.
"Careful, that's still hot," I reminded him before going back to the book. I took all the herbs needed to treat wounds.
A few moments later, we heard the door open. I checked who it was and saw Grandma. She was badly wounded and covered in blood. I had no idea where she'd been.
"Grandma!" I rushed towards her and helped her inside the cottage. "What happened?"
"He... he's chasing after me..." Grandma fell down before she could finish her words.
"Who, Grandma? Who's chasing after you?"
But Grandma didn't answer anymore, and she wasn't moving either. I checked her pulse and realized her heart had stopped beating. I didn't know what to do. Seeing my grandmother die in my arms, I couldn't describe my feelings. I had so many questions to ask her, but it's too late. She passed away.
"Kacy, what happen—" Bryan stopped when he saw Grandma on the floor. "Shit! Your grandmother—"
"She's dead," I said, trying not to be emotional. I've already accepted the fact that everyone's going to die, and my grandmother had lived a very long life on this earth, and it's probably her time to go, but still, it's so painful.
"I'm so sorry." Bryan gave me a hug.
"She said someone's chasing after her before she died. We have to leave here as soon as possible, Bryan," I said.