"BROGGY LIKED me better now." Michael sat with a serious expression beside Miracle. "Is it because I got a little... fat? He's afraid I might kick him right on the balls?"

Miracle closed her eyes for a second. Ymar snorted not too far away. "Leave her alone, all right? She's sorting your clothes and your questions doesn't really help."


Michael bared his teeth. "You're not helping either. Shut it."

"Don't talk to him that way," Miracle reprimanded him out of habit. "He's a Roselir."

"Well?" Ymar said with a smug, "Cat got your tongue, huh?"


Miracle rolled her eyes. She smiled at Ymar so sweetly before nodding at Michael. "You're allowed to follow him around the house. Never leave him alone."

Ymar stopped moving altogether. He gasped, "What? Oh, come on."


"Ask him every questions that you have, Michael. And don't ever stop. Because you're a baby and you're still learning. You are allowed to be curious."

Michael had a suspicious expression but he nodded nonetheless. "Miracle always had sense in her. You can learn from her, Ymar. Duh. I'll eat my cookies first then I'll go with him. Okay, Mira?"

"Of course, baby boy!"

Michael gave her a triumphant laugh before staggering out of the room. The moment he left, Ymar changed his seat position and faced her directly. He closed the book that he is currently reading. "Do you think they were still after us?"

"How can they be so sure that you're still alive? No one was in contact with the Old Sy. The information about your survival could only be a guess. Those people were just using you as an excuse to get inside that Calistre woods." Miracle folded her hand in her lap. "I know you're used to think that everyone wants you and you have great importance such as the sun—"

"Stop, please." Ymar cringed. "I already said sorry about the last time, okay?"

Miracle was fond of his bashful eyes. She swallowed thickly before she presumed, "I'm worried about Mr. Joaquin."

Ymar raised his head. "Why? Did you see anything in your dreams?"

She tried to recollect the dream that she had but it was unclear. The scenes had become blurry hut the feeling that she had on that moment stayed within her.

It was fear.

"All I can remember is that... he's inside a large coffin. A closed coffin. I didn't know how did I knew it was Sir Joaquin but I called him. He asked for Ms. Pen but I can't see her around. I... helped him out of that compartment but..."

Unknown when did it started, she sobbed heavily.

"…it was a different man. He's still Sir Joaquin but he looked different. He smiled at me, when a moment ago he was almost crying. His lips were blood red and he still keep on smiling. I... what happened to him?"

Ymar stood and closed their distance. He held her shoulder. Unaware of how loud his chest because of his concern to the girl. "That will never happen. What could go wrong? That dream is almost impossible to happen. He's fine."

Miracle gripped his arms hard. She forcefully tore down the thought that has been circling in her mind lately.

'I was never wrong before about my instinct. And that's what terrifies me the most.'

JOAQUIN SAT unflinching. He can finally see. He should be thrilled or happy about this but instead, he felt trapped. Even in his dreams, Joaquin couldn't see faces. He couldn't imagine scenarios. And when he had nightmares, most of the time it was the feeling of being tortured that haunts him.

Tonight, it was different.

This evening, he had come face to face with his own self.

"Why don't we share a cup of wine? It's been years since the last time you've seen yourself. How was it?" His other self had an arrogant tone. He wore a lavish suit that he would rather not wear. His black hair was brushed up with some slick. He looked rich. "Although, it's clear to see that between the both of us, I looked more accomplished than you."

And venomous.

"Who are you?" Joaquin dared to ask, "What do you want? You keep on disturbing me."

The guy huffed as though tired. He laid back with the wine glass still in his hand. After a moment, he grinned. "Don't you like to see what Penelope looks like? I can let you see. For a day."

Joaquin's mouth slacked open. Later on, he shook his head. "And what's the catch? What do you want in return?"

"Nothing." The other him deadpanned. "You think there's something on you that I lacked?"

"Oh, come on, loser." He continued, "the man owes you. You did nothing wrong yet you still suffered from your father's negligence. Doesn't that qualify you a chance to see the world one more time even just for a day?"

Joaquin avoided his hands and countered, "The world owed me nothing. This is my destiny. No one is at fault. Stop doing this. I don't need your offer—"

"I know you've been doubting Penelope's sincerity towards you." The man frowned. "You are a disabled man after all. Who would want to take you in for eternity? You'll be a baggage that will slow down her progress in life. Nothing but pity towards you, Joaquin."

"You have..." Joaquin calmed the storm in his heart. "…no right to say that. What's between us has nothing to do with you!"

"I. am. you." He spoke deliberately, "and whatever happens to you will effect me either way."

"I only wanted... the best for you, Joaquin. I will never put you in danger. I am not Adarmus. I was never selfish towards you."

Joaquin woke up with a cough. His sinuses burn with his eyes wet with tears. 'Who's that man? Who was the man who spoke lastly?'

He had never heard that voice before.

It was odd, yet very comforting. 'Do I know him?'

Joaquin faced Penelope's direction. He can see nothing but darkness. He can almost hear his other self laughing at him.

'What do I do?' Joaquin held his head and went silent for a very long time.