Chapter 8

Year 2000

ADAM tried to move his left leg but felt nothing. He touched and pushed his knee, hoping to shift it.

“Don’t move. You’re badly injured.”

A man’s voice sounded close to his ear. Adam opened his eyes slightly, catching sight of the figure doing something nearby.

He tried to sit up, only to feel the man supporting his right arm. “Who are you? What happened?”

“You were in an accident. I pulled you out of the car.”

Adam frowned. Accident? “My kids!” He struggled, frantically looking for his two children who had been with him in the car. His eyes flew wide, scanning the area.

“I already got them out,” the man said, stopping Adam from standing. “They’re here.”

Adam immediately turned to his right. The sight of his son and daughter lying unconscious hit him hard. He dragged his body toward them. “Dylan... Donna...”

The man placed a hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Your son is safe. But I’m sorry... I couldn’t save your daughter.”

Adam stared at the man, taking in his odd appearance from head to toe. But his focus snapped back to his daughter, the one who hadn’t been saved. “Donna...”

“Be strong. Life and death are in God’s hands.”

Adam could only cry, his voice lost to grief. His body felt weak, incapable of moving his legs, let alone holding and embracing the child he loved.

The car suddenly exploded behind him, but he paid it no mind. All he wanted was to hold and kiss his daughter, who was now lifeless.

ADAM sat in silence, his face somber. From his wheelchair, all he could do was watch as his daughter’s body was laid to rest.

“Honey, let’s go.”

Adam stopped Zehra from pushing his wheelchair away from the burial site.

Zehra paused, then gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll wait for you by the car.” Understanding her husband's feelings, she excused herself, giving his shoulder a soft pat before walking off.

Adam’s focus returned to the grave. Regret lingered in his chest, unspoken. He could only sit there in silence.

“Who are you, and why are you following me?” Adam asked suddenly, realizing he was no longer alone.

The same man who had saved him during the accident stood tall not far from him.

“I’m Philips Knight, and I have something important to discuss with you.”

“I thought we were done when you saved me and my kids. I already thanked you at the hospital.”

“I’m not here for your gratitude. I need your help.”

Adam frowned. “Look at me now. What help could I possibly give you?”

Philips went quiet, observing Adam's family from a distance. After leaving Crystal Valley, he had wandered the human world for years in search of the Magic Charms. Eventually, he traced it to Adam’s family.

Until now, he had only watched from afar. But with death now in the picture, he had to act before more misfortune struck the family.

“Your father kept something that belongs to me. I need it back.”

Adam’s brow furrowed. “My father?”

“You might find this hard to believe, but as long as that thing stays with your family, more accidents might happen.”

Adam fell silent before unexpectedly laughing. “You want money? Because you saved us? How much?”

Philips shook his head. “It’s not money that I want.”

Adam shot him another look.

“It’s a talisman.”

Adam’s frown deepened at the mention of that word.

Year 2020

THE place resembled a ghost town. The houses looked abandoned, weathered, and eerie. The atmosphere was confusing—many things that seemed real were actually illusions, while what appeared to be fantasy turned out to be real. Like a dream with no end.

More than 15 years had passed. Maybe even longer. Adam wasn’t sure how long he had been trapped there. One thing was certain—he had grown used to life in this strange place. Strangely enough, they hadn’t killed him. Why? He had no idea.

But Adam never forgot his wife and son. Zehra and Dylan remained the most important people in his life.

"If anything happens to me, I want you to take Dylan far away from here, far from this village."

He recalled his last conversation with his wife.

"Why? What are you running from? Is someone trying to kill you?" Zehra had searched his face. "Or are you... lying to me?"

Adam shook his head. "Trust me. I love you and Dylan more than my own life. Everything I’m doing is to protect our family."

"Then why can’t I know what’s going on? Who’s that man always meeting with you? Are you doing something illegal?"

Adam had clasped both her hands tightly. "Listen to me. If my father tries to give you anything, don’t take it. Promise me. Take care of Dylan. If I don’t make it back..." He pulled Zehra into his embrace. "You must continue living well." He patted her back gently and stroked her hair.

Adam shut his eyes tightly, overcome with longing. Memories from over a decade ago were all he had to survive.

A firefly flew near Adam. Another one landed on the back of his left hand. Soon, hundreds of them appeared, lighting up the eerie surroundings—the only living creatures in that strange world. They seemed to understand Adam’s unspoken thoughts.

A cynical smile crept across his face. "The only thing keeping me going is my wife and son. That’s the only reason I’m still here."

Adam sighed heavily, remembering his last conversation with Philips.

"Philips..."

"I’m sorry, Adam. The more disasters and misfortunes befall humanity, the harder it becomes for us to retrieve the scale. Especially since it’s been with humans for so long."

"You mean the worse our lives get, the stronger the scale becomes?" Adam had asked.

Philips had nodded solemnly. "You must return the Magic Charms to Crystal Valley. You must return it to its rightful place."

"How do I get there?"

Philips didn’t immediately answer. He moved closer to the bed where Dylan was lying.

"What are you doing?" Adam asked, seeing Philips place his palm on Dylan’s chest.

"Your son needs protection. My powers can shield him. As long as this protection stays with him, no creature can harm him—except death already decreed by God."

Adam remained silent, allowing Philips to proceed. Philips muttered something under his breath, his eyes shut tightly before reopening them. He took a deep breath. "Follow me to Crystal Valley..." Those were Philips’s final words before his body suddenly vanished.

Adam blinked, confused. "Philips?" He looked around the room, searching for any trace of the creature, but Philips was gone.

Adam looked at the Magic Charms in his hand and then at Dylan, peacefully asleep. He gently stroked his son’s head.

A hissing sound broke the silence. Adam shut his eyes tightly before turning toward the window. A snake coiled there, its mouth wide open, revealing rows of sharp teeth and a gaping throat.

Adam clenched his jaw. His left hand, gripping the Magic Charms, moved discreetly. He transferred the scale into Dylan’s grasp. He was ready—resigned, even—if the snake intended to kill him.

"You’re still stubborn."

The voice cut through Adam’s thoughts.

"Do you want your family to keep suffering?" The voice, feminine in tone, spoke again.

It was another strange being, appearing as unexpectedly as the fireflies.

Adam wasn’t sure if the creature truly existed or was just another illusion like many things in this place. But he was certain this being was the one keeping him imprisoned.

"You’re selfish, Adam," the voice accused.

"There must be a reason you haven’t killed me, right? You wouldn’t let me live this long without a good reason. Why? Can’t you defeat a weak human like me?"

The hissing grew louder.

"I don’t know which tribe of snakes you belong to. I don’t even know what grudge you have against Philips. Whether he’s alive or dead..." Adam shook his head. "But what’s the point of keeping me here?" He sneered. "Because you haven’t managed to get the scale yet? That’s it, right?"

Adam burst into laughter. "Looks like the Magic Charms is getting stronger. Don’t let it end up hurting you instead." He continued laughing mockingly.

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