Chapter 39- Goodbye
I opened my eyes and immediately held my head. My leg did not stop throbbing and itching so I sat down and looked around. The last thing I remember is that I'm with Isaac then everything went blank. I looked around.
I'm in a hospital room, and there's dextrose in me. I went back to lying down and stared at the ceiling. Eventually, the door opened so I turned to look. Only to see Mrs. Zecharia. I was stunned and thought, what is she doing here?
"You're awake." She sat on the stool next to my bed, I sat down so we could talk, properly. "You've been unconscious for three days straight. Do you want me to call the doctor?"
"N-No need. I'm okay." It's awkward. The last time I talked to her was about my Father and my real identity. And as I looked at her now, I get even more nervous. I know she's got something to say.
"I want to tell you something," she said. I averted my eyes. I'm afraid of what I'm about to find out. But if I do not know now, then when? "The day that you fell from Crystal Falls, it wasn't an accident."
I was stunned. I stared at Mrs. Zecharia. I was waiting for her to say that it was just a joke, but all I could see is her serious face. I couldn't answer. I do not know what to say.
"The portal of Magic World won't open unless you're like us. I found you before you could even find us. The day you fell in the falls, it was me who led you here." It hurt even more because of what she said. All along it wasn't a coincidence? It was all planned. But how come I didn't notice it? They just turn me around in their palm.
"Are you saying that..." A tear fell from my eyes. "... You planned all of these?"
She placed her hand on mine. "I'm saying that this is your real home, Althea." She smiled which made me cry even more. Is this real? If this is my home, why am I hurting? "I know my son hurt you and I know how much it torments you every time you see him that's why you want to go back to your old life. But I just want you to know that Isaac also loved you, and I know it because he's my son. I won't stop you if your return to that world will make you feel better. I also won't tell you to forgive my son. But can you promise me one thing?"
I stared her in the eye. Mrs. Zecharia is sincere. I could see it clearly in her eyes that were pleading now in front of me. "Come back home when you're already okay."
I smiled, bitterly then nodded. "I promise."
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I woke up and looked at the clock. It's already midnight. After I talked to Mrs. Zecharia, I fell asleep immediately and just now I woke up. I was stunned when I looked to my right side and saw Hunter sitting while leaning on the hospital bed. He's sleeping. Is he waiting for me?
"Hunter..." I touched his hair. He growled and opened his eyes. When he saw me, he immediately sat up and folded his arms. "Why are you here?"
"I just want to see you and talk to you." He smiled, so I smiled too. Thanks to him I got the courage to fight. "Are you really Levi looked down and nodded. "As soon as I recover, I will leave, immediately. Mrs. Zecharia took care of the apartment I'll live on. She also took care of my school. Everything is planned. I'm leaving."
Hunter took a deep breath. "Well then, at least let me say this before you leave me." He kissed the back of my hand and then he stared at me. "I like you, Althea."
"W-What?" That's all I said. I don't know how to react to that exact moment. Maybe because I was thinking about someone else. I was thinking about the guy who hurt me even though Hunter is in front of me. How come we always choose those people who'll eventually hurt us?
"You don't have to say anything. And you don't have to fall for me, too. I just want you to know that all those times we spent together, it's worth treasuring." His eyes dimmed then he stood up and kissed my forehead. "Goodbye, Althea. Until we meet again."
"H-Hunter..." He let go of my hand then he walked away. But before he could finally get out, he turned to me.
"Take your time healing."
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One week had passed. I was riding in the car that would take me to the apartment where I will live. I finally left Alexandria Academy. I don't consider this as an end, rather this is the start of a new adventure. A life away from him and the others.
When I got in front of the apartment, the driver left, immediately. Pulling my luggage, I went inside then stared at the items covered with a white cloth cover. The apartment is kind of spacious for me.
I went to the window and opened it. The sunlight illuminated my bare skin. I smiled bitterly and remembered Isaac's face. I didn't have the chance to see him after I left the Magic World. And that's okay. Because when I see him, I feel like I will stop myself from leaving. If I do not leave, we will continue to hurt each other. And I'd rather leave than hurt him.
I sat on the sofa. Will it make a difference if I first met Isaac? Everywhere I look, no matter what I do, his face is what I see. Perhaps, this is how love feels like.
But this love I feel towards him, it's not healthy. I loved him more than I love myself and that's scary. I can't lose myself again so I will love myself first and I will return to him.
Isaac, wait for me. I'll see you at the end of the horizon where the sea and the sun meet dusk.