CHAPTER 2

3 days after the incident, Carl doesn't contact me or even visit me. I moved to another apartment a bit distanced from the old one.

Good thing my parents are working at the NASA, they are far from my place and have no time to call me. For some reason, I got the feeling that my parents are hiding something.

The apartment looks so aesthetically comforting for me, a brick wall and a studio vibe. Tall curtains and a soft sofa-bed. The only problem that I'm facing would be the neighbors' loud noises.

Cats screech at night, old woman shouting to rebel teens and even noisy motor of bikers. Despite flaws, I feel a little bit of comfort, except for leaks in the ceiling of course.

I feel like I'm some sort of a wanted criminal, living in a small space. Suddenly, my phone rings. "Hello?"

"Clyde? Is that you?" a manly voice said. "Pete?!" it's my brother calling me! "I told you to call me when you moved back there!"

"My bad , sorry, I was busy fixing my things"

"FOR 2 WEEKS!"

"I'm fixing some paper works" Kidding aside, Half of those week I spent in fixing papers and taxes while the other half would be exploring the town. A lot of changes happened and I must recognize some other things when I need some.

"You're lying!"

"I'm not!"

"Ok fine! But make sure to drink those pills that were instructed for you ok?"

"Yeah yeah"

"And don't forg-" before he could finish his sentence, I already hanged him up. Blah, blah, blah, yada, yada, yada.

I'm sitting on the bed when I'm trying to recall what happened. Carl dashed from my apartment, Louis can fly… does that mean I have a powers too?

I stood up and tried things, I dance, I focused on levitating objects and even call out names like some sort of Sailor moon or something but nothing happened.

Out of distress, I sat on the floor thinking that I'm not so special than my friends. Suddenly my clock rings, "Oh! it's time for my pills" The pills are for my heart. The doctor said that I should take this medicine to help in my heart muscle.

After drinking some pills, I felt that my stomach is rumbling. I stood up and dress to buy some grocery and probably some foods as well.

When I am stressed out , I like to stroll around the market to entertain myself and change my attention. While walking down the street , I noticed some skeletons and other decorations from different stalls.

Is it Halloween? Might as well buy some candies for kids. A minute after I happened to bumped on one of the elderly.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't look at my way."

"It's ok"

"Let me help you pick your things."

"What a nice child, What's your name?" The old woman looks nice and familiar. She's kind and grey haired but she's strong. For a kilo of marmalade, I should help her the very least.

"My name is Clyde"

"Oh! Clyde? That child that plays with Louis and Carl?"

"Yes ma'am"

"Oh dear! It's me! Louis Grandmother!"

"Oh Mrs. Lin! I din not recognize you! you are getting stronger and stronger!"

Surprisingly, Mrs. Lin is the only one that I know living with Louis. He doesn't talked about his mother, father or any other family members. Mrs. Lin was very kind when we were a kid.

She used to bake some chocolate cookies and almond cookies.

"Don't be silly child, How are you? You look so handsome. You know my grand son is also as handsome as you."

"Speaking of which, where is your grand son? I haven't seen him." For an old woman like you Mrs. Lin, You shouldn't be walking on the street alone despite of how strong and brave you are.

"Let's talk in my house would ya?"

"Sure!"

"But first!, have you eaten already?"

"No, Mrs. Lin but I'm going to the grocery store to buy some foods and snacks."

"Good choice! How about we joined together?"

"Sounds great!"

Mrs. Lin and I walked to the grocery store together. She talked a lot of how the town changed for the better.

While on the grocery, shopping for some fruits and vegetables, She happened to ask me a question.

"Did you know that Louis was depressed when you left? He was diagnosed for an acute depression and took some anti depressant pills.

I never saw him smile like before. He always watching at the window, waiting for someone to come. Which leads me to a question, Why did you left this town?"

The soothing voice of the old woman as she stare at me with her wrinkling face. I have a soft spot for elderly people and I can't resist to respond to her.

"Actually Mrs. Lin, It's a secret but I'm trusting you."

"Oh dear child, Your secret is safe with me." She said with a smile.

I was holding our grocery cart, gripping tight to the handle and looking at the surrounding. "I'm actually diagnosed with tetralogy of fallot."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I have a multiple complication in my heart."

"Our dear, poor child. But when you were a child, I didn't saw you weak. You were running and joyfully playing with the other kids. What happened?"

"Actually Mrs. Lin, At home, I drunk a lot of medicine before. I also had some surgeries but to some point, we needed to go out of town just so we can have a quality of health care and resource for my case.

It was hard but we found a doctor and we went to his private facility. There, they cut me open and put some machines in me. They plugged other things as if I'm a lab rat or something.

But look at me now! I'm fine! Though I have to drink my maintenance."

I explained to her and smiled. She grabbed handkerchief in her purse and wiped her teary eyes. "Oh dear child! Come!" she said as she opens her arms and came close to me.

She hugged me as tight as she could. "What do you want to eat?" She said after. I was surprised of her invitation.

"Mrs.Lin?"

"Oh don't call me Mrs. Lin, just call me Aunt Lin. I'll be preparing your dinner tonight since you are close to my neighborhood, just a few blocks away and we can spent the time together!

Oh! don't worry about people in my house! No one lived there anymore except me!"

She said as she looked for her IDs in her bag. I gazed on her, she's living alone? For a woman like her ,it must have been hard!

"Excuse me Mrs- I mean, Aunt Lin. You are living alone? Did I hear that right?"

"Clyde, don't worry about me, It's ok for me and who said that I'm living alone? I'm just alone for now~"

"What do you mean Aunt Lin?"

"Uh~ you know, Louis might be there, somewhere."

"Louis is not living with you?"

"My dear sweet child Louis will never leave me, believe me my child. He visits me always. Some morning, I woke up and saw my breakfast are prepared!

There's no ghost in my house, I lived there for about 72 years! Only Louis visits me and I can feel him when he's around."

I just looked at the old woman's faith for someone that doesn't live with her. Even if I am Louis, knowing him since we were young, he would never leave his grandmother alone.

After all, she raised him well equipped with good morals. Speaking of Louis, Where could he be?

"Clyde! Don't space out!" Mrs. Lin said annoyed. "I'm sorry Aunt Lin"

"Going back to my question, What do you want me to cook?"

"Uhmmm…How about… surprise me Aunt Lin!" I honestly can't think of any food. I don't have any favorite food but I like her cooking, I remember that savory duck that she cooked when it was Louis' birthday. Yummy! Can't help but remember.

"Ok then, if you want a surprise then I'll cook the best thing I know!"

"Thank you Aunt Lin!"

"Let's go to the dairy section!" She said. We walked in the market with her gaiting for 30 minutes. I can tell that she's used to being independent.

My feet are aching but she keeps on walking and walking at a slow phase but happily talking to people that she knows. We also had some discounts to some products and ingredients.

After that we headed to her house. As expected, there wasn't a bit change from their place. The house is designed with yarns and other indoor plants. There are also fluffy hand made materials such as the couch's sheet, the rocking wooden chair and even the sewing machine.

Everything in her house are almost hand made and still strong up to this day. The feeling and the atmosphere here makes me feel like living with my grand parents. It is very cozy and comfortable.

"Make yourself at home dear, I'm just going to cook this."

"I want to help!"

"Hop in then!" she said as we went together at her kitchen.

~End of Chapter