Chapter 60 (Final) - A boring life at school, or maybe….

The morning after the New Year's celebration, an unsettling silence descended upon the house, as if the exhaustion from the previous night's festivities had sucked the life out of everyone. Sylvia, still clad in her traditional dress, lay sleeping at the dining table, and I gently draped a blanket over her.

As I began to tidy up the messy room, the silence was only broken by the sound of my footsteps and the rustling of trash bags. I collected the garbage and stepped outside, just as my phone rang, shrill in the stillness. The caller ID was unknown, but I knew exactly who it was - the timing was too coincidental.

I answered, and Soro's voice was curt and commanding on the other end. "Meet me at the army base again... at 1800 hours." The line went dead, leaving me with no choice but to comply. Soro's tone brooked no argument, and I knew that my decision time had arrived.

As I finished cleaning the house, careful not to disturb the sleeping figures, I felt an overwhelming urge to escape the confines of the walls. I slipped outside, breathing in the salty air, and made my way to the beach. The sound of the waves gently lapping at the shore was a balm to my frazzled nerves.

I stood at the water's edge, gazing out at the vast expanse of the sea. The turquoise waters sparkled in the morning light, seemingly stretching on forever. I felt small yet connected to something much larger than myself.

As I lost myself in the rhythmic motion of the waves, my mind began to wander. Thoughts of Soro's mysterious phone call, the weight of my decisions, and the uncertainty of my future swirled in my head. But the sea's calming presence soothed my worries, and I felt a sense of clarity begin to emerge.

As I stood there, the waves washing over my feet, I couldn't help but reflect on the series of events that had led me to this moment. The Borneo Foundation, my family's complex history, my mom's secrets... it all swirled together in my mind like the ocean currents.

And then there were the strange visions - glimpses into someone else's life, echoes of Frederica's story. The clone incidents, the coincidences... it was as if an invisible hand was guiding me, pulling me towards a destination unknown.

I believed in fate, in the idea that our paths were predetermined. And as a Muslim, I knew that Allah was all-knowing, that every event was part of a larger plan.

But what was my role in this grand design? Was I merely a pawn, or was I being called to something greater?

As I pondered these questions, a gentle whisper echoed in my mind - Frederica's voice, soft and familiar.

"Do you believe in destiny, Alex?" she asked, her presence comforting and reassuring.

"I do," I replied, my thoughts flowing inward. "I think our lives are intertwined, that every event leads us to where we need to be.”

Frederica's voice whispered again, "I think you might be right, Alex. And I'm proud of you for trusting in the journey.”

In that moment, I felt a sense of peace, knowing that Frederica was with me, guiding me through the twists and turns of my life.

As I stood at the crossroads, the waves crashing against the shore, another voice echoed in my mind - Darrel's, his tone laced with a mix of concern and resignation.

"Homie, this is it. This is where you need to decide which path to take. I can't make this choice for you, because both roads have their own share of pain and challenges. You're on your own, bro.”

I gazed down at the water, the current swirling beneath my feet. I knew I had to make a decision. Sylvia was leaving, and I had to choose whether to follow her or stay behind. The thought of being apart from her was unbearable, but I also knew that I had to think about my own future.

As I looked down at my arm, I noticed something strange. It was tainted with blood, but there was also a faint glow emanating from it. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered the memory of Lilith, a fragment of my past that I still couldn't quite piece together.

And then there was the school, a new semester about to begin. It seemed almost mundane after everything I had been through. But I knew that I couldn't let my guard down, not now. I had to be prepared for what lay ahead.

As I stood there, weighing my options, I felt a strange sensation in my arm. The blood seemed to be pulsing with a life of its own, and the light was growing brighter. Suddenly, visions began to flash before my eyes - glimpses of a future I couldn't quite comprehend.

I saw myself walking down a dark road, surrounded by shadows. I saw Sylvia and Natalie, their face etched with worry. And I saw myself, Alex, standing at the edge of a cliff, staring out into an uncertain future.

The visions faded, leaving me breathless and disoriented. But I knew that I had to make a decision, and fast. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear - I couldn't turn back now.

As I turned back towards home, the weight of my decision settled in. I thought I knew what I wanted, but seeing my loved ones again would be the final test. Would I be able to leave them behind, or would the comfort of familiarity hold me back?

As I walked through the door, the aroma of freshly cooked breakfast enveloped me, and my stomach growled in response. Sylvia was busy in the kitchen, expertly juggling pans and utensils like a seasoned chef. Mom, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, greeted me with a warm smile.

"Where were you off to so early?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of curiosity.

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just went for a jog," I replied, trying to brush it off.

Mom raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. Instead, she turned to Sylvia and said, "Well, darling, it looks like we've got a lot of leftovers from last night's party. Why don't we finish them off for breakfast?”

Sylvia's eyes lit up, and she began expertly portioning out the food. "Great idea, Mother! We can't let all this delicious food go to waste.”

As we sat down to eat, the tension was palpable. I knew I had to make my decision soon, but for now, I just wanted to savor this moment with the people I loved.

As we savored the last bites of breakfast, the conversation flowed effortlessly, but I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that I was concealing a secret. Mom and Sylvia chatted about their plans for the day, blissfully unaware of the internal turmoil brewing inside me.

But as I stole a glance at Sylvia, I caught a flicker of understanding in her eyes. She knew something was bothering me, and I wondered if she suspected what was really going on. Her gaze lingered on mine, as if trying to read between the lines.

After breakfast, Mom excused herself to take a shower, leaving Sylvia and me alone in the kitchen. The silence between us was palpable, thick with unspoken words. I fidgeted with my napkin, unsure how to broach the subject.

"Sylvia, can I talk to you about something?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She turned to me, her eyes locked on mine, filled with a deep concern. "Of course, what's on your mind?”

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just hoping for another great year for us..." I trailed off, unable to share my true thoughts.

Sylvia's eyes narrowed slightly, her gaze piercing. "Are you sure that's all? I know that look, Alex. You're thinking something, and I can tell it's more than just hopes for a great year.”

I shifted uncomfortably, trying to deflect her scrutiny. "What makes you think that?”

Sylvia leaned in, her voice low. "I know you, Alex. I can see the wheels turning in your head. You're hiding something, and I want to know what it is.”

"nah...I just wanted to cherish this moment..." I smiled at her, trying to convince her that nothing was wrong, although I knew that Sylvia and Natalie shared a similar intuition that could sense when something was amiss.

Sylvia's eyes searched mine, her gaze lingering as if trying to uncover the truth. But I maintained my facade, not wanting to burden her with my secrets.

"Okay, but don't leave it behind like that, okay?" she said, her voice laced with concern.

"Don't hold this inside by yourself. I'm here, remember?" She reached out and took my hand, her touch warm and reassuring, as we sat together on the bench outside the house.

In that moment, I knew what I had to do. I needed to protect Sylvia, to ensure that she could focus on her future without being influenced by my own predicament. I couldn't let my secrets weigh her down or distract her from her own path.

As I looked at her, I felt a surge of determination. I would keep my secrets hidden, no matter how hard it got. I would shield her from the truth, even if it meant carrying the burden alone. Because in the end, her happiness and well-being were all that mattered to me.

Sylvia squeezed my hand, her eyes never leaving mine. "I mean it, Alex. If something's bothering you, I'm here to listen. We're in this together, always.”

I smiled, trying to reassure her, but inside, I knew that I was already shouldering the weight of my secrets alone. And I wondered how long I could keep it up before the truth finally surfaced.

As Sylvia went inside, she left a gentle kiss on my cheek, her reassuring touch lingering long after she was gone. I sat on the bench, my mind already made up. I had decided to seek out Soro's guidance, to learn from him and his unique approach to handling the supernatural forces that had disrupted our lives.

With all the events that had transpired in LA, I knew in my heart that Soro was the only one who could teach me how to navigate this treacherous new world. His experience and expertise were unparalleled, and I was willing to do whatever it took to learn from him.

As I sat there, I thought back to all that had happened - the visions, the voices, the encounters with forces beyond my understanding. I knew that I couldn't face it alone, but with Soro by my side, I felt a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in a long time.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I would seek out Soro, learn from him, and follow in his footsteps. Together, we would face whatever challenges came our way, and I would finally find the answers I had been searching for.

Night had fallen, casting a dark veil over the sleeping household. I slipped out unnoticed, wearing my hoodie and carefully pulling my bike away from the house to avoid making a sound. The guards at the base recognized me as I approached, but I was surprised to see Mr. Habeeb and Mr. Marcus already there, standing alongside Maya, Maruk, Soro, and Spectre.

As I stepped off my bike, Spectre spoke up, his voice tinged with sarcasm. "About bloody time…"

Mr. Marcus turned to Maruk and said, "Seems my training is being passed on to you, then.”

Maruk nodded, his eyes fixed on me. "Seems like you're ready, Alex.”

Mr. Habeeb's gaze pierced through me, as if seeing into my very soul. "I can see in your eyes that you know what you want."

Soro's eyes gleamed with an intense knowing, his voice low and gravelly. "Ready to learn, cousin?”

I nodded, my heart racing with anticipation. "I'm ready.”

Soro's smile was small and enigmatic. "Then let's begin.”

As I stood there, I knew that my mundane school life was about to take a dramatic turn.

The journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but I was ready to face it head-on.

A boring life at school, or maybe eh….

THE END