When I woke up, I was in my home as I was wondering how I got into mine, I saw Chris entering through the door. It seems that I fainted near a café and since they knew me, they called Chris who was fortunately nearby got me home. When he saw my frightened face, he rushed to my side.
"Sean, are you okay? What happened to you"
"It's nothing, I'm just tired and I just had a nightmare"
We talked for some time, after that I said to him about the leave and about me going to resort. While explaining he had a pensive look on his face. After I explained that he went silent and for long time he didn't speak but then,
"Sean, I know I can't stop you but be careful out there. I know it'll be difficult for you to return to the place but if you need anything just call me, I'm behind you with every step"
He said that there's something that he needs to finish before he can join me in the search and I knew he's doing something alone for us and I knew he'll tell me when it's time. That's just so like him. In the meantime, I collected the information regarding it and searched for any clues.
There was still a week before the reopening and they provided a welcoming package for the early users. Fortunately, the news didn't show our faces in case of affecting our daily lives so no one, other than close friends knew about us. In that time, I spend it with Ara and when it's time for me to leave I packed everything and left. Mrs. Jasmine insisted on taking her car as mine is still in the service and Ara was tearful. She shakily asked me "Sean brother you will return for my birthday, right? If you don't, I'll complain to Nova when he returns"
I saw Mrs. Jasmine trembling as she said that. I knelt down to her level and said in a soft voice and promised "I'll return before your birthday with big gift with your brother, I promise. I wouldn't miss it for the world Ara"
After we said our goodbyes, Chris was waiting for me at the gate, he was carrying something as I went near him, he gave a hug and stuffed something in my hand, it was a box and he told me to open it after I got there. I waved to them as I started the engine and they grew distant and finally i was on the road. I took my time before I get there as I took several stops for rest because I still can't drive properly due to the headaches and i hadn't told Chris.
A chill ran down my spine as I drove near the resort, I still had 10 kms before I reach them but I can't help but to feel the dread as I reached entrance. It looked ominous with the trees covering a two way and when I finally reached the resort, it looked both familiar and nonfamiliar. Even though they renovated it, it still looked frightening and luxurious. As I parked my car and unloaded my luggage, I felt someone staring at me. Then I heard a horn and that's when I saw the bus full of people casually speaking with each other, joking around and definitely lit up the deserted place with liveliness. After that the staffs were showing around and i struggled to keep my mind as once again I entered the place. Even though they rebuilt the place it still reminded me of the nightmare.
Those people in the bus gathered around to take a picture and wandered off to their rooms to freshen up, I too went up to my room and plopped on my bed. It was facing the sea and it looked serene. And half past eight an announcement came up to the banquet hall for dinner. And people were littered around in groups chatting and laughing around. I quickly finished my dinner and decided to leave when the staff announced for us to gather around in reception hall for a welcoming photo.
As I was leaving, I stumbled back when I knocked into someone and felt myself catching her. For whatever reason I felt the need to protect her. She glowed like moon in the dark sky and we lost ourselves in each other's eyes. And when we came to our senses the sound of footsteps grew louder and someone broke our trance like state. "Alice, what are doing? Let's go to reception, they're taking the pictures"
And then we both apologized at the same time making her friend give us amused looks. And then I fled the scene with awkwardness and if Nova was here, he would never miss this chance to tease me.
Nova…
Then I felt it, someone staring at me when turned around there was no one else there, I wanted to shrug it off but something told me to look back once and when I did my blood ran cold.
There it was, a darkened figure standing at the end of the hallway staring at me and when I took another glance it was nowhere to be seen. And when they took our photos, I can't help but glace at Alice, where she stood like a goddess among the mortals in casual clothes and when she smiled, it lit up my world. Seriously, I need to stop thinking about her.
And I was returning to my room as ran into her for the second time, turns out she has her room near mine. As I was about to fall asleep, I remembered Chris giving me a box. As I dug through my room I found it, it was the camera that we used during our trip last time. It was flooded with water and I thought it was lost during our stay but he found it and restored the memory.
And it had a note in Chris's handwriting after I read it, I was out of energy and wanted to sleep. I locked the camera in my luggage and fell asleep.
As I was drifting towards nothingness, I heard his words "Soon Sean, I will be able to meet you"