Chapter 2

I made it to our apartment. I quickly went up the stairs and unlocked our door with my key. I searched for my dad in the living room and kitchen. I saw bottles of beer already opened and consumed, scattered all over the kitchen counter and living room floor. I went to check his bedroom. I opened the door and I saw him at the foot of his bed. He passed out drunk. I can't get any answers from him right now. So I went out and closed the door. He has been like this for as long as I could remember. It was because mom died. He tries his best to provide and take care of me. I know it hasn't been easy for him but most times, it hasn't been easy for me either. I just try to keep strong for both of us.

One time, when I was ten years old, he went home drunk in the middle of the night. I was awakened by his noise in the kitchen. I saw him sobbing on the sofa. When he saw me, he called me.

"Come over here, son." He hiccupped. I hesitantly walked towards him. He held out his hand and I laid my hand on top of his. "You look so much like your mother." I could see the pain and sadness in his eyes as he was looking at me. From that, I knew how heartbroken he was when he lost my mother. All that was left of her was me.

I picked up the empty beer bottles on the floor in the living room and kitchen counter. Then threw them into the trash. I cleared up all the other messes. Opened the fridge to see what I can make for dinner. There is still some chicken leftover from last night. I took it out and put it in the microwave to heat them. As I was waiting, I was recalling the events of today. I want answers. My father could help shed light on the matter. But what would I do once I know the whole truth? Do I want to know?

While I was in deep thought, I heard a small creak. I looked up and saw my father standing by the edge of the counter.

“The chicken’s done.” My father said.

I buffered for a second and remembered the chicken in the microwave. I started to move and took the chicken out. I set it on the counter.

“I thought of heating that for us when you got home but you already beat me to it, son.” He said with a weak smile.

“It’s alright, dad.” I smiled back.

“How was work?” I felt tongue-tied. Words seemed to have lost me. Usually when he asks about work. I tell him about weird order combinations or random gossips I hear while customers are waiting in line. I even thought I knew what I was going to say, what I was going to ask. I stared at the chicken for what seemed like hours. “Son? Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, dad. Just tired today.” He didn’t seem like he bought it. He looked concerned.

“Okay then. Grab the plates, Lucas. Let’s eat.” He patted me on the back as he passed by to get utensils.

We sat down and ate our dinner in peace. We didn’t talk at all. I was just quiet.  From time to time, he would smile at me and nod. I would do the same and try to avoid his gaze. Like as if the counter is more interesting to look at.

He grunted. “Lucas, look at me.” I looked up in his direction. “What’s wrong, son?” I see how bothered he is. “Is it work? Did you get fired?” He kept pressing on. “Lucas, if you got fired, it’ll be fine, son. Do you need me to have a chat with your boss?” I stared at him blankly and shook my head.

If I ask him, will he even tell me the truth? He’s had so many chances to tell me all my life and he never mentioned nor slipped up about anything that happened when I was born. He never even talked about my mother. All I know is I look like her.

Tears started falling from my eyes. “Son.” He got up from his seat and stood behind me to hug me. His breath was hot on my neck and I could smell the strong scent of the beer. He stands back up and spins my chair around to face him. “What’s going on, Lucas? Tell me, son.”

I took a deep breath. “I want to know what happened to mom, dad.” I gasped when I realized I voiced that out. He irked and I knew my question stung him. “I also want to know if I have a twin, a brother.” His eyes enlarged. He tumbled back and sat down on his chair.

“How do you know about that, Lucas?” He shuddered.

“Someone told me.” I was reluctant to tell him. I don’t exactly know who the woman was. I even have no idea how she found me and what else she knows about my brother besides being ‘The Devil’.

“Today?” He asked quickly.

“Yes. A woman.”

“A woman? What did she look like?”

"She looked old..." I was muffled. My mind went black because I couldn't express to my father what she looked like.

"Okay. What else did you notice about her?" I heard the urgency in his tone. I thought more about the woman.

"I couldn't quite see what she was gripping on her hand but it looked like a large pendant. It looked ancient. It was around her neck," I said. I studied his face, He looked like he was processing what I told him.

“Who is she, dad?”

He tensed up. “Okay, son. I don’t know why she showed up here. It’s been so long… Anyway, yes. Yes, you have a twin brother. My baby boy…” He got misty-eyed for a second then straightened. “He was born just four minutes after you. His hair is different from yours. Just a bit darker. Like auburn brown.” He stopped talking. I saw a twinkle in his eyes. He looked happy. Probably thinking back to that night when we were born. Then it faded. I saw pain. His usual look. “You were such beautiful boys. I held you both in arms… so small.” His tone was sad.

“What happened next, dad? How did mom die?”

“I lost them both…” He was fighting back his tears. Wiping each drop as fast as he could. He exhaled. “Your mother was just bleeding so much. Then your brother stopped crying, he just stopped breathing.” My father stopped talking and grabbed my hand.

“My brother died too?” I was stumped. From what the crazy woman told me I assumed he was alive. Guess she was just some crazy lady.

“He died, son.” He confirmed.

“Why didn’t you tell me that, dad?” I felt enraged. Years! For so long, I went about my life not knowing I had a brother. And I just accepted it.

“I couldn’t. I’m so sorry, Lucas.” He gave my hand a quick squeeze.

“Were you ever going to tell me?” I ranted.

“Not a day went by I didn’t think about it. I couldn’t. I just couldn’t. I hope you can forgive me, Lucas.” I realized as I looked at him that it was unfair of me to get mad at him. I can’t imagine what it must have felt like for him. He drowned his sorrow every day in alcohol just to numb the pain. I can’t stay mad at him.

“I understand, dad. Of course, I can forgive you.” I assured him.

He sniffled and stood up. “We better clean up now, son. It’s getting late. And thank you.”

We gathered up the plates and put them on the sink. “I’ll wash you dry,” I told him with an energetic smile. He smiled back and I started washing.

“Oh, I just remembered something. Wait for me here, son.” My father left. He bolted inside his room. I finished up the dishes and waited for him by the counter. “Ah, yes. Here, my son.” He was holding a medium-sized box. It looked very ancient. Almost similar to the pendant I saw the old lady had. I have never seen anything like it or maybe in movies. It had cracked-like patterns all over it. The edges of the box had gold rims. It was an odd-looking box. He handed it to me together with an opened envelope underneath the box.

“My birthday’s three months ago, dad.” I chuckled. I thought it was a belated gift or something.

“This is from your mother. She told me to give it to you.” I was surprised. I took it and analyzed the box then set it down on the counter. I opened the envelope and in it a letter. It looked like golden paper. I took the letter out. I got confused. I was expecting a tear-jerker letter from my mother. Instead, all that is written was some gibberish.

“Dad, what is this?” I asked.

“I have no idea, son.”

I put the box on my bed together with the letter. I sat down beside it. I felt angry. My mother left me an ugly box and a letter. I have no idea what language it is. I got frustrated.

I decided to just take a bath to cool down and think. When I got out of the bathroom, I noticed a shimmering glow underneath the box. I quickly grabbed it. I analyzed the glow. I picked up the letter and read the gibberish the best I could.

“aperi hoc buxum,” I whispered. The box started heating up and I dropped it. It accidentally hit my left foot. It was so painful I fell on the floor. The box shimmered even more and it started ascending three feet in the air. I crawled away from it to the corner of my room. I watched it go two feet higher and get brighter. I closed my eyes, thinking it’s going to blow up.

Eventually, I heard a loud thump. I opened my eyes and the box is on the floor. I got up and approached it slowly. The box was open. I dipped my hand in and reached for the content of the box. It looked like a gem, a red gem.

I took the letter again. There was another gibberish on there.

I recited it. “Revelare.”

The gem showed a young woman, she looked like my mother. I know what she looks like from pictures of her in my father’s wallet. I found it when I was six years old.

My mother was handing something to the other woman. The woman looked familiar for some reason. Then the item came into view, it was a pendant with this same red gem. I remembered why the woman was familiar. It was the crazy old lady! My mother knew her.

“Dad!” I shouted in excitement and triumph. “Dad, come quick!”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I opened the box!” I said with a huge smile on my face.

My dad patted me on the shoulder and leaned in to give me a quick hug. “I have been trying to open that box for years and I couldn’t. I wondered why she left this to you. How did you manage to open it?”

I showed my father the letter. “I just read the words on here. No clue what they mean but I got it open.” I shrugged.

“What did you find out?”

“It showed me mom, dad.” he was dazed for a second. Afterward, I saw his eyes twinkle again. He looked hopeful. “Here, look! See?”

“Son, where?”

“You can’t see her?” He shook his head. I realized only I could and he can’t. “I’m sorry, dad.” 

He sadly smiled. I felt like I got his hopes crushed. “It’s okay. So what do you see?” I carried on.

“The pendant the old lady had. Mom handed it to her.” 

He paused for a second. “Mismaia.” He mumbled. “That’s her name. Mismaia was your mother’s friend. The only other person she would trust. She was here when your mother gave birth to you and your brother. She disappeared after your mother’s death. That’s why I found it bizarre that all of a sudden she returned. But why now?”

I held up the gem. “I think I have to find her. I'm sure it has something to do with this.” I’m not sure if I was correct in assuming that that’s what I was supposed to do.

My father nodded in agreement.

“Where will you start?” He asked.

“I’m not sure, dad.” It's not like I know where her hang-out spot is, I thought.

“But if she’s here for you then you’ll easily find her. I think this is how it should be which means you have to go alone, without me.” My father looked at me proudly with a faint sadness in his eyes. "You'll be fine. I know you will."

“You mean it?” I was so happy. I hugged him.

“You deserve to know the truth, son.” He hugged me tighter. “Just remember to be safe. Call me every day.”

“Of course, dad. Thank you so much.”

The morning came Thursday. I woke up and packed my bags. I called my boss. I had to let him know I couldn’t go to work today. My father prepared me breakfast. Then I put the gem in my pocket. I’m all set.

“You ready, son?” I nodded in response. “I packed in some extra food and money.”

“Thanks, dad. I’m really going to miss you.” I gave him one last hug.

“I’m going to miss you too, son.” He whispered.

“Take care of yourself while I’m gone, dad. Okay?”

“I will, son. Be back as soon as you can.” He pushed me back gently and gave me a longing look. “Goodbye, my boy.”