Along the road, on our travel back home. Millien was just sitting on his usual spot he declared his throne.
My shoulders.
I wanted to speak with him, if he's fine leaving the province. But wouldn't want my parents looking at me like I've gone crazy.
Despite my mother, wanting to leave early, we were held back when the neighbors knew they're there.
Giving them another set of crops from their own harvests. That's how they always were.
The talk got longer and we left Lola's house, already dark.
"We've got a lot of food crops with us. Gotta share it with my co-workers." Mama said, still had that smile on her face.
"Me too. My boss always love the things we brought back from the province." Papa had his eyes on the road.
Mine was drifting, looking out the window. Praying nothing would join us in our ride home.
And....I jinxed it again.
By the right side of the road, under a very large tree. I don't know it's say. But it was gigantic.
There was....another white lady.
Standing idle under it. And my gaze accidentally lingered for a few seconds at her.
Which was a great mistake.
I looked away from her, but it was too late. I could feel a chill beside me.
Damn! Yawa! I was just a second late, looking away. And she's already beside me.
Millien was unbothered. Why would he? They're part of the same group. Paranormals.
The white lady was just sitting beside me. Eyes on the road. Hands clasped together on her lap.
Very demure.
Very feminine.
And I didn't bother looking. Again.
I ignored her presence. As much as I can. She doesn't scare me much, not after having 6 disfigured faces always following me for days.
Her hair was long, covering her face. The usual kind. The usual image.
But because my eyes was a traitor. I let it drift sideways. And her face was inches away from me with a glare.
My breath hitched, and I choked on my own saliva.
Why do they always do that?
Can't they stop with the jumpscare?
"Anthony, you invited another one. Please don't tell me she's as bully as Paula." Millien looked at her, with a glare.
The white lady, seeing Millien's hostility, backed away and sat straight again.
"Talk to her if you want. Leave me out of it." I said in a whisper.
"What's that honey?" Mama asked. She's always good at hearing things when unnecessary.
"Nothing mama. Just...sleepy." I yawned to back my excuse.
"Then take a nap. We'll wake you up when we arrive." Mama said, pulling out hee scarf for me to use, as a temporary blanket.
I closed my eyes, because I have to.
When we reached the final curve before we hit the city borders, the white lady disappeared.
She left the car and was now standing by the roadside again, then disappeared once again, when a truck passed by.
She sat there overlapping the driver's companion, sitting beside him.
The white lady was having her road trip. Maybe, every night. Back and forth.
When we finally reached out home, I helped papa carry the sack of crops inside.
And it wasn't that long, that I was exhausted and passed out on my bed.
The system was silent even at the presence of that white lady. Maybe not part of my task.
Or so I thought.
[PARALLEL WORLD HAS BEEN UNLOCKED. INITIATING TRANSFER]
I didn't even notice how I was transported to a parallel world.
When I woke up, I'm in my own bed. Millien was even beside me sleeping too.
So duwende's also sleep huh.
I was oblivious to that fact. And also to the fact that this wasn't the real world I grew up in.
I did my usual routine. Went to the bathroom did number 1 and yawned.
I was just in my boxers, because why not. I'm comfortable wearing just this at home
My parents were in the dining, already having their morning coffee.
"Morning. What's for breakfast?" I asked scratching my stomach, and yawned.
"Anthony, great timing, I cooked eggs and hotdogs if you want to eat rice." She said with a warm smile.
My mother was the same. So I haven't noticed anything yet.
My father was the same too. Already on the rush to avoid the morning traffic. Gave me a nod and left.
But as I was enjoying my breakfast, Millien walked towards me, hopping and skipping, until he reached me.
Climbed up and sat on my shoulder.
"You didn't notice anything huh." He said, nonchalantly.
"Notice anything? What do you mean?"
With that question, I looked around again. That's when I noticed something was off.
My mother was the same, father was too, but the surroundings was a bit weird.
[FINALLY YOU NOTICED. WELCOME TO THE PARALLEL WORLD HOST.]
I dropped my spoon and looked at the system with wide eyes.
[TASK ACQUIRED: FIND THE MISSING SOUL OF YOUR FAMILY]
Missing soul? What does that even mean? I scrolled up but there's nothing else.
Seems like, I need to do it on my own. Find clues before the system gives out the details.
I picked up my fork, and jumped back, scraping my chair loudly, with it.
The chair fell down, as I looked totally scared out of my senses.
Below the table....
There was a child. No....a child's ghost smiling at me. She was pale. But behind that smile, the back of her head was open.
It was so deep that it went through her skill, whatever was used to hit her.
I was about to puke, when mama looked at me confused.
"Anthony, you look pale. Is the food not to your liking? Or.....seen something worth sharing?"
My mother smiled. But it wasn't warm. It was a sinister one, something that made all my hair stand up.
In this world, she was someone capable of smiling creepily. When she was supposed to be gentle.