"Emily," Cecee started, she turned slightly to face me.
"The collection room is right behind you but strictly for survey purposes only."
I gasped. Just what I might have been looking for.
"You mean the place where all my books were stored for later sorting and distribution to the orphans before dawn?"
Cecee nodded.
" In as much as that is undoubtedly accurate. Which is, as a matter of fact is entirely suspicious. I'll try to believe you're not up to anything illegal."
She sighed.
" Showing you around might cost me my job. And it kills me to know that escorting guests is part of my assignment."
" So.. the collection room it is then." Cecee led the way and I followed behind like a stray puppy.
I could see why it was named the collection room because there were tons of donated items arranged in rows of shelves and large cupboards.
Probably things from months back were still there.
Cecee stepped up beside me and looked up at the upper shelf which my eyes were fixated on.
"Every week, those are Orphans would gather here to pick goods of their choice,
Some would smile.. the rest cried. Tears of joy though."
Her voice became sullen.
"And those weren't tears.. they were glad that someone cares. Someone that isn't family or in blood relationship with them."
"Thank You. Nirit." She spoke without turning to me,
"..For caring."
Cecee's words were inspiring. I had no idea how much impact those silly novels were on real people.
Well.. if it wasn't for the fact that one of them had come to life I wouldn't be having conflicting feelings by now.
"The donations my mom made?"
"They haven't been unboxed yet." She adjusted her classes again and buffed. "And I'll try to convince myself you wouldn't try anything stupid."
Cecee's tone rose suddenly to superiority.
" You should go home."
She swung the door open.
Footsteps.
Then shut.
_______
The receptionist eyes gleamed on seeing me.
"Oh, here she is!"
My mom turned around, a sigh that meant she had been worried sick about me.
"Don't worry I didn't get lost.." I beamed like I already knew what was on her mind. But actually I did.
That's all she can ever think of in this situation.
"Oh sweetie Cecee told us everything." The receptionist said before I got to explain myself.
I looked up to see Cecee standing beside her. Barely had I noticed her presence from the moment I walked in.
Mom smiled. "I can see you're finally bonding with real people."
Mom laid emphasis on the 'bonding' part like I was some sort of weirdo allergic to making friends.
"We should head the home now, Nirit. it's been a long day."
I couldn't agree less. It'd really been a long day.
I hadn't found my novel yet and I wouldn't put any effort in looking for it either..
There's one thing that I learned to know, it's that nothing forever stays hidden.
It will return to me on its own accord. Eventually.
***
On the balcony, Quintiel sat on the edge of a railing.
"Let's see where that gets you. Osam."
_____
Ever since Nirit left Whisper-Realm after being framed of treason, for some reason, Quintiel could finally read her mind.
By night fall, Quintiel surveyed the collection room and without doubt, the novel wasn't there.
He sighed in exhaustion and plopped on the floor to the entrance of the door.
"Not a sign of the damn novel!" He muttered to himself.
A gleaming light eeped from the ceiling.
Golden rays emitted from it.
To Quintiel, it felt rather irksome than surprising. An echo sounded from the light above.
"Aren't you pleased to see me?--"
The light deemed down, revealing a young man about Quintiel's height and exact facial features, but golden hair instead.
"--Brother."
"I've told you several times to stop calling me that, Quell."
"Then what else should I call you.?" Quell hovered around him, flapping his feathered wings in every direction and motion to his flare.
"Cousin? friend... Perhaps, sibling..?" He asked Quintiel.
"Disappearing could be a better option! Your absence is less annoying."
Quell smiled in a hearty way. Contrast to Quintiel's heavy gaze and smug look.
"Tell me favorite twin, whom shall I kill today. If anything, I hate when someone messes with us."
He leaned closer. His eyes glinting with an unnatural light.
"And by us, I mean you. It's unforgivable!"
Quintiel sighed. Why was his brother like this. He brushed past his hair with the side of his palm,
"No one is and don't think I'll ever tell you to begin with."
He stood up and with refurnished energy.
His white skin peeled out of him as a summoned his real form.
Olive skin, darker brown hair and bright golden eyes.
His linen wings were just a disguise to fit in to Whisper-Realm. They fell off and from his back grew fathered red wings like to his brother's.
"Okay. First.. cute. And second, if you are coming back, then it has to be the final." Quell pouted.
Quintiel ignored him and made for the golden portal which he had transmigrated from.
"I have an important announcement to make. If you so much as care. Try not to interfere!"
The portal closed as Quintiel disappeared behind it.
Quell kicked a stray box that had fallen out of the shelf during Quell's transmigration wave.
"Such an air-head." He pouted.
A rumbling sound came from around the corner.
Quell followed the noise which led him to the only person present all awhile...
..Cecee.