Chapter 3

I was walking around Chestnut Street to get to the bus stop. I’ve spent all afternoon trying to figure out where I could find her. Finally, I remembered she knows where I work at. She’s probably there at the boardwalk. But how can I be sure that she’s there? The only thing I know is that dad seems to think she’s here for me. She disappeared after mom died and now she resurfaced. So I guess I have to believe he is right.

The bus pulls up in front of me and I went aboard it. After fifteen minutes, I arrived at the boardwalk. There are a lot more people today since it’s a Friday. Suddenly got me thinking of my boss. There’s probably an overwhelming line of people. And yes, there was. A lot of people gathered up. I saw my boss juggle through orders and cooking. I felt bad but he’s alright. He works very fast. I just have to hide and make sure he doesn’t spot me. So I went over by the bench just beside the truck. Scanning the whole beach, keeping an eye out in case she appears. I stayed there for ten minutes and I was really getting bored.  I stood up then walked to circle the place. Maybe she’s here somewhere. There was no sign of her and I already circled the boardwalk three times. She wasn’t by the beach, by the other food trucks and she wasn’t by the parking lot.

It was already getting dark. I was tired and hungry, I haven’t eaten all day. I started thinking more of places she would be. Then it hit me. The bookshop! Oh yeah, that’s where I first met her. I quickly ran, leaving the boardwalk. I hurried because the shop might close soon. At last, I’m here. I was sweating and out of breath. Kind of like déjà vu. I inhaled more air and proceeded to go inside the shop.

“Welcome back, sir!” Wow, she remembered me.

“Hi, I was wondering if you happened to see an old woman in a black coat with a very ancient-looking pendant necklace come by here.” As I said it, I sounded like a complete weirdo. Made me cringe at myself.

“I didn’t notice.” She said unsure.

“It’s fine, I’ll just go look. Thank you.” I searched for her by the tables around back and there was no sign of her. I checked every row and aisle, nothing. I went back to the counter. “Never mind, she’s not here. I’ll just go now. Thanks again.” She gave me a flustered smile and I headed out the door. I felt defeated. I really thought she’d be at the two places I knew she’d be in. Then as soon as I was out the door, I saw her. I quickly ran up to her.

“Are you Mismaia?” I asked.

“You know my name?” She said shocked. I don’t know why she reacted like that when she clearly knew me the other day.

I nodded. “I was looking for you all day. I have something to show you.” I said. Then I grabbed her on the arm and led her to an alleyway. Out of sight from other people. I was convinced this should be shown in confidence. “I need that.” I pointed at her pendant around her neck. She looked skeptical at first. I inserted my hand inside my jean pocket and took out the red gem to show her. “I need that for this,” I demanded.

“You opened the box.” She started fidgeting her fingers for a second. Eventually, she agreed and handed me the pendant.

I put the gem on top of it. We watched it seal itself around the pendant. Then it glowed. I stepped closer to Mismaia so she can have a see. It was showing me something again. It was mom. Looked like she was in a park or something. She had in her hand what seemed to be a broken, slab-shaped quarter of a circle. It was small, the same size as a water bottle cap.  And it looked old and worn down. It had inscriptions on it but I couldn’t quite make out the words. It’s in gibberish again.

“Not again. I don’t understand this!” I grunted.

“It is Latin,” Mismaia mumbled. I must say I’m impressed. She knows Latin.

“What does it say?” I asked.

“A warning.”

“A warning?” I repeated.

“This is only one piece of the whole key. Completed, it will reveal a warning.” I got confused. So this thing is a key? Key to what?

“Why is my mother showing us this and how many more keys are out there?” She didn’t answer me. She looked like she was thinking but didn’t bother to share her thoughts with me. So we just continued watching more of what the gem was showing us.

Next, mom walked past a sign. ‘McHenry Rd’. She lowers down to pick up the huge boulder under the tree. Underneath it was a deep hole. She dropped the slab and covered it with earth then put back the boulder. She gets up and looks around. From her view, I see a music center. I squinted to get a clearer view and it came into focus. ‘UCSC Music center’. I looked at Mismaia.

“I know where that is!” I said with an excited voice. I know the place. I’ve been there once. It was years ago when we had a school field trip. We went to the University of California Santa Cruz. I remember thinking to myself that I would study here for college. It was near home and I fell in love with it. It was my dream school. Well, until I dropped out of high school. I always wanted to come back. I thought I never would. I’m so thrilled we’d be going there. “Let’s go.”

We were just walking around the streets. We’ve passed by so many shops and offices in silence. Until my stomach started growling. “I’m hungry,” I said. “How about you?”

“Yes.” She instantly said looking down at her feet.

I felt my stomach rumble more. I spent all day looking for this lady with no food in my system but at least I found her. And finally, I’ll be back at UCSC. I’m excited, of course. I’m also nervous and unsure. This is the first time I’d be away from my father and I don’t even know when I’ll be back. I already miss him. I miss work too. But this is a step to finding more of the truth. I need to know more.

We went to a diner on Beach Street. They serve the best mac and cheese in town. I always come here to order take-out whenever I have no time to cook at home or when I was just feeling lazy. The owner here gives me extra scoops of mac and tosses in a couple of tater tots since I have been such a loyal customer. I come in and they already know what I’ll order.

We entered the diner and sat at the booth at the back. The waitress followed and immediately gave us glasses and poured in water. Then handed us two menus to choose from.

“Evening. What will it be tonight?” The waitress said, note pad ready.

Mismaia was looking at the menu so I ordered first. I already know what I want anyway. “I’ll have mac and cheese, a burger with a side of fries. Oh and a chocolate milkshake. Thanks.”

“And for you?” she glimpsed at Mismaia.

“Anything you like, I’m paying,” I told her.

“Okay. I’ll get a BLT sandwich and orange juice.” Mismaia said.

“You should try the mac and cheese here. It’s amazing!” I said encouragingly.

She looked at the waitress and nodded. The waitress left. Then we heard her tell the cook our order.

Mismaia was staring at the window, watching the cars stream by. “So...” I sang. “How do you know my mother?”

“My lady?” She said.

“Excuse me, what?” What did she mean by that? “Were you two friends?” I continued.

“I suppose you can say that.”

I didn’t say anything after that. We just quietly waited for our orders to arrive. While waiting I thought about how this is weird. I mean, just the other day I thought this woman was some crazy lady. Now, I’m sitting in a booth with her. I even recommended she try my favorite food here. Well, I’d recommend the mac and cheese here to anyone but still, this was weird. And really awkward.

The waitress finally arrived with our food. It smelled so good. It was feeling up my nostrils. My mouth was already watering and my stomach rumbled uncontrollably.

“Anything else?” The waitress asked alternately looking at us both.

I looked at Mismaia but she was already picking up her sandwich and munching down.

“I think we’re good. Thanks.” I said, smiling at the waitress.

The mac and cheese was still so hot. The cheese looked amazing. I ate my fries first while my mac cooled. Mismaia really seemed hungry. She was taking huge bites of her sandwich then drinking gulps of her juice in between. I guess ask questions later, just eat now.

I finished my whole meal first. I was so full. Mismaia finished just a minute after I did. “Wasn’t the mac and cheese amazing?” I winked.

She nodded and smiled. “Thank you. I haven’t had a good meal in years."

I stayed quiet for a couple of minutes, watching customers enter the diner. I thought more about what my father told me. About the night my brother died the same night as my mother. If he died, why did Mismaia call him ‘the devil’? Both of what they told me aren’t lining up.

“About my brother…” I broke the silence.

She waited for me to say more but nothing came out.

“What do you want to know? Ask, I’ll tell you anything. I owe you at least that.”

“Why did you call him ‘the devil’?”

“He literally is the devil.” What? ‘My Lady’? ‘The Devil’? What is she getting at? I was looking at her intensely now. She doesn’t seem like she’s kidding. She’s serious.

“I don’t quite understand what you’re talking about,” I said.

“Let me start again.” She took a deep breath before talking. “Believe me. I know it won’t be so easy to comprehend now…” I braced myself. “That night, your brother didn’t die. Your mother warned me about your uncle, his name is Andreas.” She shuddered after saying his name. “She has a twin too.”

“Okay… what about my uncle?” I never thought we had other families. My father never told me anything. It was just us my whole life. I even didn’t have Christmas holidays with my Grandparents. So I assumed we had no one else.

“He gave your brother a special potion to appear dead. It wasn’t until years after that I found out the truth. He took your brother.” Potions? Magical gem? Oddly made sense to me. I didn’t say anything, waiting for her to tell me more. She moved the plates to her left and propped her arms on the table. “I said he really is the Devil because he currently rules the Underworld.”

I stared at her. Contemplating again if she’s a crazy lunatic. I can process the potions and magic gems because I’ve seen it can be true. But Underworld? Like I said I don’t believe in those things. Just doesn’t sit right with me.

“You have to believe me, Lucas. Right now, we’re probably already in danger.” She started looking at the window. “They’ve been watching me for years and they’ve been trying to kill me.”

“Kill? They? Who’s they?”

“Your uncle’s night creatures. When I found out the truth about your brother, I came back for you. I kept you hidden from them. But it seems the potion is wearing off.”

“Wearing off?” I repeated.

“That day at the bookshop, you saw me and I saw your aura. You and your brother have the same aura. It scared me when I saw it. Exactly like the devil’s.”

“Why are you afraid of him?” I asked.

“Because he has put me through a lot of danger, life-threatening danger. I stayed and fought only to keep my promise to your mother. To protect you, including your father.”

“Is he in danger now too?”

She shook her head. “He’s a human being. He knows nothing about the truth. Only what your mother chose to tell him I suppose.”

“This is too much.” I put both hands on my temple. “Why do you need to protect me?”

“Your uncle wants you dead. He later found out he took the wrong twin. You’re the rightful heir to the throne. You are the heir of the light

“Heir of the what?” I started laughing so hard. I’m seriously buying into this? I just can’t believe everything she’s telling me. Like what? Like I’m a king or something.

“You are destined for the throne, Lucas.” I stopped laughing. I’m destined to rule the Underworld? Isn’t that like greek mythology shit? Is she gonna tell me my real father’s Hades next? I burst out laughing again. It really is the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. People in the diner started looking at us. Mismaia just looked at me, she looked annoyed. 

“Okay. Let’s say I believe you. How am I the rightful heir? Aren’t we twins? How do you know which one is which? Or we’re not identical. Is that how?” I rambled on.

“You have the same auras but yours is brighter. Every ruler of the Underworld has to be an heir of the Light.” I understood nothing from what Mismaia told me. I know it’s probably a serious matter but I just can’t wrap my head around it. I was just cooking mini donuts and waffles like a second ago. I get minimum wage and she’s telling me I’m practically like royalty.

“I wanna believe you. This is just not normal for me.” She held my hand. I swiped it away. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed. “You’ll believe me more when you see night creatures.” She gestured behind me. “They’ve been sitting at the booth there for as long as we have.” I looked over.

“Which ones?”

“Don’t stare too long. Look at me.” I looked back at her. “We’re gonna slip away. I have a potion here. I’ve been saving this for emergencies.” She took out a small vial from her coat pocket.

“What’s that for? And who are you talking about? Those men over there?” I pointed. She slapped my finger down.

“Don’t point!” she said in a hard hushed tone. “Now, here, take a sip of this.” she handed it to me and I took it. As the vial got close to my mouth, I got a whiff of it. I knew it was gonna taste bad because it reeked. It smelled like rotten fish and expired milk. Mismaia pushed the vial to my mouth without warning. Yuck! It tasted exactly what it smelled like.

“You didn’t have to do that!” I grabbed the glass and gargled the water. Mismaia drank the remaining liquid from the vial and didn’t make a disgusted face. “Show off.” I rolled my eyes at her.

“We have to go now. Just act normally.”

We both stood up and slowly walked to the exit of the diner. When we got out. Mismaia grabbed my right arm and dragged me. She sprinted along with me. I tried catching up to her speed. She was so fast. We ran and ran until she stopped. I was so out of breath.

“What did the potion do?” I said sitting down on the curb.

“It masked your aura and our scent.”

“Oh. But I didn’t get to see what they look like.”

“You’ll see more of them soon,” she smirked. “Now let’s get going before they find us again.”