Chapter 55

KATELYN.

"So, what you're saying is that you just came back from your vacation trip to Brentwood, and on the spur of the moment, you decided to visit your home. You saw Brother Anthon there, and then you all went to Central City to see Katherina. And now you're heading home right away because... you need to talk to your boyfriend?" Aunt Kaylie repeated, looking at the road ahead while gripping the steering wheel.

"Correction, he's actually my ex now because we broke up," I explained with a sigh. Now that I know more details about what happened to my mom, I am certain that rigor had nothing to do with it. I just want to talk to him to clear everything up.

And, of course, to ask for his forgiveness because I never wanted to hurt him.

"So, you're getting back together?" Aunt Kaylie asked, and I nodded. Right now, there's nothing else I want to do but embrace Eligor and tell him how much I love him.

"Tsk, what's the name of this man, huh? Introduce him to us sometimes," Aunt Kaylie said with a smile.

"His name is Eligor, Aunt. I mentioned him to you last time when you came to visit Mom. He used to be a teacher at the same university as you," I explained, though I knew she probably wouldn't remember.

"I really don't know anyone named Eligor, or maybe I'm just getting old and can't remember anymore," she said, making me laugh. I kept talking to her about Eli throughout the ride back to my apartment.

I've never felt this relieved before. It's so liberating to be able to freely express to your loved ones who you truly care for.

"Alright, you should rest now, it's getting late, and you need to take your medication. Get some sleep after you talk to your ex," Aunt Kaylie reminded me as I stood in front of our apartment complex.

I waved to her and thanked her before she left. Once she was gone, I hurriedly went up to our unit and knocked on Eligor's apartment door.

"Eli? Can we talk?" I asked, but there was no response. I knocked several more times but still couldn't hear anything from him.

"Excuse me?" I turned to the end of the hallway, where an elderly woman came out. From what I remember, she has been living in this apartment complex for quite some time.

"Ms. Hernandez, right? What are you doing there?" she asked, and I got nervous, thinking I might be causing a disturbance.

"I was just trying to reach Eligor," I explained, making sure to mention his name to let her know that I knew the person living in this unit.

"Hmm... but Ms. Hernandez, no one has lived in that apartment for almost five years," she explained, and my heart started pounding fast.

"Huh? But just last Friday, I went into his unit to help him pack his things," I whispered to myself, and the woman noticed my concern.

She didn't say anything further and went back into her apartment, leaving me alone. After she left, I opened Eligor's apartment door using the spare key, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was taken aback. I almost fell to my knees because of the overwhelming emptiness.

His once bright and clean home was now covered in dust and cobwebs as if no one had lived there for years.

I panicked and rushed to his bedroom, only to find memories of the two of us but no sign of him.

"No, this can't happen. Eli, you can't leave me," I grabbed my phone and searched for Eli's number, but no matter how much I scrolled through the screen, I couldn't find his contact.

My hands were trembling, and I couldn't think straight with all the questions racing through my mind.

Since I couldn't find his number, I immediately called Aimee, and she picked up right away.

"Hello? Kate? Are you okay? Where are you now?" she asked on the other end while I walked back to my apartment.

"Aimee, have you seen Eligor? I can't find him in his apartment and don't know where he is. Moreover, his number is deleted from my phone!" I asked anxiously while rushing into my room.

My nerves were on edge; I couldn't wait for her response.

"Huh? Wait, calm down. I can't understand what you're saying," she replied, and I settled on the bed, explaining to her calmly.

"I asked if you've seen Eli. I can't get in touch with him," I explained, and her voice showed surprise.

"Eli? Who's Eli? Are you okay, Kate?" My world seemed to shatter upon hearing her words. She didn't remember Eligor, and it appeared that I was the only one who did.

"Don't joke like that, Aimee. Eli is my boyfriend!" Tears welled up in frustration; it felt like no one understood me, and I was only aware of what I was saying.

"Wait, Kate, I'm confused. When did you get a boyfriend? Wasn't Gadreel your only boyfriend?" I ended the call without even saying goodbye to Aimee when I heard that.

I immediately searched through my cellphone gallery for pictures of Eli, but no matter how hard I looked, he was nowhere to be found in any picture or post with me.

It was as if he existed only in my imagination, living solely in my memories. My heart felt like it was breaking. If I couldn't find Eligor, I felt like I would go crazy and give up on my life.

I couldn't stop crying; I was exhausted from everything happening in my life. All I wanted was to sleep and not wake up.

What have I done? Why am I experiencing this? I just want to find Eli, talk to him, and tell him how much I love him.

But why does he disappear just when I need him the most?

I looked at the dream catcher hanging by my window. I immediately removed it and did the same with the dream catcher in my pocket.

If I did this, wouldn't he finally enter my dreams and thoughts? But what if he also erases my memory of him?

When I realized that, I tightly hugged the dream catcher I held. Because even if it hurts and I'm the only one who remembers him, I would rather keep those memories than lose Eligor from my mind.

I looked at the dream catcher and suddenly remembered Loraine. My hand moved on its own, and I searched my contact list for Loraine, but she wasn't there either. The only person left for me to rely on was Gadreel.

I immediately called him, and I didn't care if he trampled over my pride. I just needed to know where Eli was.

"Hello?"

"Gadreel! Do you remember Eli?" I asked, and he chuckled softly.

"Of course, why?" He asked, and I could hear some noise in the background, indicating he was in a bar.

"I can't find him, and Aimee doesn't remember him either. He's no longer in his apartment. All our pictures together, everything changed, and he's gone. I-I do-don't k-know what to do; I ca-can't find him," I cried while explaining what was happening to me.

I didn't care what Gadreel or anyone else thought of me. I would accept anyone's help if it meant finding Eligor.

"Oh, I see. I will send you the address. Come here so we can talk about it," he replied, and I felt nervous, unsure if I could trust him completely, but for Eligor's sake, I would do it.

"Okay, wait for me there," I replied, grabbing my car keys and quickly leaving the apartment complex.

I drove hastily to the address he sent, and within twenty minutes, I arrived. I saw him standing outside the bar, and he noticed me approaching.

"What happened? Are you okay?" he asked, but his expression remained unchanged. I couldn't tell if his concern was genuine or not.

"Do you still remember him? Is it because of the dream catcher you have?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Yep, they can't mess with my mind. I'll mess with them instead," he replied, grinning, but I didn't have time for his antics. I needed to know where Eli was.

"Do you know where he went or where I can find him? I just want to talk to him, that's all," I explained, and he reached for both my hands.

"Chill, I don't know where he is right now or what he's doing. But I know someone who can help you find Eli," he explained, and I nodded.

"Then tell me," I replied, and he invited me into the bar. He put a cap on my head and led me to a corner. I saw Gadreel sitting at the counter, talking to the bartender. Shortly after, he brought a drink and placed it on the table.

I looked at him with irritation, but he quickly defended himself.

"Don't worry; your drinks are non-alcoholic. I bought them to keep you entertained while waiting for her," he explained, and I couldn't quite understand what he was trying to convey.

"While we wait for her, why don't you tell me what happened between the two of you?" he suggested, and I had no choice but to share the little details about Eli and what happened between us.

Then, before long, I saw Loraine entering the bar. She looked completely different now, and it seemed like people's perceptions of her had changed as well.

"Isn't that Lo-Loraine?" I asked curiously with trembling hands, looking at Gadreel, who nodded in agreement.

"Don't be too obvious, or she might suddenly leave. Are you surprised? Now you see her true form. To others, she looks different, but because we both have dream catchers, we can see her real appearance," explained Gadreel, making me nervous and afraid as I saw Loraine's long, black tail, two red horns, and her large, black wings.

I recognized her since she still looked the same; only certain parts of her body were not normal.

"They can change their faces, and when they do, they can't hide their true appearance from people immune to their powers," Gadreel replied, patting the seat beside him.

"Stay here, and I'll approach her. If I manage to talk to her without any trouble, you owe me," he explained, and I just nodded, trying to calm myself as I followed Gadreel's approach toward Loraine.

I gasped when I saw Gadreel kiss Loraine. He really had no fear when it came to women, and it seemed he wanted to prey on Loraine, who looked like a succubus in appearance.

Who is the real lust demon between the two of them?

I noticed Loraine looking in my direction, and our gazes met. They talked briefly before Loraine went upstairs and sat in front of me.

"What do you want?" she asked, her eyes turning a deep shade of red.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Are you scared of my true form? Hahahah," she replied, and I found myself lowering my head, unable to deny my fear.

"If you're afraid of my current appearance, then you have no right to see Eligor now. Because, Katelyn, I'll be truthful with you, Eligor is even scarier than me at the moment, especially since he's out of control," Loraine said, and I immediately grabbed her hand, looking into her eyes.

My vision blurred with tears, and I felt tired, my head spinning.

"Loraine, please, tell me where Eli is. Please, I need to talk to him," I pleaded, my breathing heavier and my head's pain intensifying.

"After you rejected him? What if I tell you it's too late?" Loraine asked, shaking her head, and I tightened my grip on her hand.

"I won't accept that. I need to see him," I said, taking deep breaths, feeling the headache getting worse.

"I-I have to te-tell him—" I suddenly collapsed on the couch, holding on to Loraine.

I saw Loraine and Gadreel in front of me, arguing about something I couldn't understand.

"You brought her here without realizing she still has a fever?" I couldn't comprehend their conversation.

"She told me she just came from Brentwood and had just arrived home. How was I supposed to know?" Gadreel responded.

They seemed to be at odds, and I couldn't waste any more time here, especially knowing that Eli was not in good condition.

I mustered all my strength, held Loraine's hand firmly, and pleaded with her.

"Please, Loraine, I need to see Eli," I managed to say between breaths, and she sighed, brushing her hair back.

"You can't go to him in your current state. It's better to rest for now, and tomorrow, I'll show you where he is if you can make it," she said, and I nodded, forcing a smile at both of them.

"Thank you, both of you," and then everything went dark.