Vince could only scratch his head as he read a message from Felix. The Blanco family was one of their close relatives, and he already knew that this day would come—they could no longer avoid the inevitable.
He let out a heavy sigh.
"What's the matter, Vince?" his eldest sister asked.
"We've got a visitor," he said.
"Then why do you look so annoyed?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
He exhaled deeply. "Tata will be staying here for now. It's semestral break, so Thalia will be spending it here," he explained.
He noticed the surprise on her face.
"You're only telling me now that we have a guest? I need to prepare a room!" she said in a panic.
"Can you calm down for a second, sis?" Vince asked.
"How can I calm down when you only now informed me about her arrival?" she said, clearly frustrated.
"Felix just told me," he explained.
"I need to clean up. Go to the next town and wait for the bus Thalia's on—she might get lost," she ordered him.
Felix, I'm really going to kick you when I see you. He muttered mentally as he walked out and grabbed the key to his multicab from the garage. He'd stop by the market first; the bus terminal was nearby anyway, and he still had to pick up a few things his sister requested.
He needed to call Felix to ask why Thalia was coming alone.
He dialed his number, but it just kept ringing.
Probably busy with something again. He thought to himself and continued driving toward his destination.
The town wasn't far.
He bought a few snacks and tried calling Felix again.
"Hello?" Felix finally answered.
"Felix," Vince said, his voice firm. "What is Tata doing here?"
"Oh? I didn't tell you? Sorry for the inconvenience, Vince," Felix said casually.
Vince clenched his jaw. "Is this about your premonition?"
Felix sighed on the other line. "Yeah. That's why I've been extra careful lately. Please look after Thalia and whatever she ends up doing there."
"You know I'm always at the warehouse. I won't be able to keep a close eye on your sister," Vince said bluntly.
"I know, Vince. But I trust she's safe with you," Felix replied.
Vince sighed. He didn't want to argue.
"I'll help her however I can, but I can't guarantee anything—especially when she's around the warehouse," he warned him, his voice turning serious.
"I understand, Vince. Maybe this is my karma," Felix said with a bitter laugh.
Vince knew Felix was blaming himself again. "Stop blaming yourself. I also have my share of faults. I couldn't save Fernan or his siblings," he said, gripping the steering wheel tightly.
"I'll call Tata later. You know we all have abilities," Felix said.
Vince gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah," he murmured. He didn't want to mention his own ability.
"You don't have to say anything—I already know you have it too," Felix told him.
"You know too much. Anyway, we need to use these abilities—not just to survive, but to confront our karma," Vince replied.
"Cheers to that!" Felix chuckled.
"Alright. I have to go. Make sure to handle things there, Vince."
"Yeah."
He ended the call and sighed. Now all he could do was wait for the bus to arrive.
A few minutes passed before a bus finally pulled in. He watched as the passengers disembarked. Among them, he spotted a young woman.
Thalia. You haven't changed at all. He smiled to himself at the thought.
He got out of the vehicle and walked toward her. She spotted him immediately.
"Uncle Vince!" Thalia waved excitedly.
He approached his cousin. She wore a white shirt, pants, and a backpack slung over her shoulder.
"I was surprised when your brother called to tell me you were coming here for sem break," he said.
"Sorry for the trouble, bro. I guess I just missed the province," she replied.
They walked toward the multicab. Thalia placed her backpack in the backseat and climbed in beside him.
"How's Sister Kimberly?" she asked.
"Still as loud as ever," he said, chuckling. "How are Jenny and Greg?"
"They're fine. They're still in school—it's their exam week. Their sem break starts tomorrow," she explained.
"That's good! Will your sister be visiting here too?" Vince asked.
It was a casual conversation during their drive. He could tell Thalia was enjoying it, but he noticed how her smile faded when she gazed out at a thick forest and the warehouse. Vince knew what she was remembering. He had been there that night.
He'd heard about the death of the classmate who was with her. Zenne had stopped him from getting involved back then.
He sighed quietly. Maybe this was his chance to atone for his own mistakes. He wouldn't allow anyone else to get hurt—not again. Not on his watch.
"We're here!" he said cheerfully.
"Nothing's changed much, bro," Thalia replied with a soft laugh.
"The air here is so fresh," she added.
"Oh, you're here already!" his sister greeted them warmly.
"Sister!" Thalia said with a cheerful wave.
"She's grown up so much!" Vince's sister laughed.
He watched them head into the house while he parked the multicab back in the garage.
He hesitated before following.
The future was uncertain again. But this time, he had to do something.
He had to help Felix.
Because he knew the mysteries surrounding them were far from over.