Chapter 32: Round and Round

As if in daze, he couldn't deduce whether it's longing or emptiness is what she's wearing on her eyes.

Haru placed the meal beside Alicia's seat and told her that she should eat.

"Alicia… We found the first ruby," He softly spoke. "It seems like the tear-shaped rubies are placed on the night parades. Assuming that they come every night, we can complete the portal stone in 4 more days. Just… hang in there, okay?"

There was silence for a while.

"Then… it's about 12 days more in total, right?" Alicia asked, not turning her head. "If we add the week after activating the stone portal, we have to stay here for a week before proceeding to the next world."

"That's right."

"How many more worlds do we have to go through before we can go home?"

Haru couldn't answer.

"Haru, I have a request to make," She finally said. "If you're okay with it, will you please do this for me?"

After their short talk, Haru returned to his circus tent and saw Camille and Ali soundly sleeping on the bed.

He crouched and slowly pulled out the container he hid beneath his bed.

Inside it, he found parchment papers that had the continuation of the devil's journal entries.

He sat on the ground, leaned on the drawer, and read the journal one by one.

In the midst of it, his head suddenly ached and the pangs in each memory flashed over again.

It was from Alicia.

When he watched the conversation between Alicia and the doctor, he couldn't believe what he had learned.

Just a night after Eugene's confinement, Dr. Reyes requested for Alicia's consent to run tests on her son the following morning.

"Dr. Reyes, do you suspect him to have a certain disease?" Alicia worriedly asked.

"That's right, Ms. Alicia. Everything will be cleared up once I become sure of the diagnosis. This may cost a bit, but I can assure you that this is all for your son, madam."

Alicia was hesitant. "Alright, please do what you must, Dr. Reyes. I trust you to take care of Eugene."

Few days later, results were out and conclusions were finally drawn. It's as if Alicia was struck with lightning after hearing the doctor's evaluation.

Eugene was identified with a disease called ALL. Basically, it's a type of cancer. It seemed that it's been around for a while too and has spread on Eugene's body.

Alicia was shaking with a looming fear.

She could barely suppress her voice from breaking while talking to the doctor who calmly explained to her the tests, the treatments, and the maintenance for Eugene.

--

In a certain Philippine medical university in Manila…

"Alicia Anne Garcia, sir?" The staff asked for confirmation. "Is that the name of the person you're looking for?"

"Yes," Dr. Reyes nodded. "I heard she's studying here."

"I've checked the database, sir," The employee politely responded. "However, reviewing her records, something seems wrong here."

"Why? What's going on?"

"The thing is, she attended the university for a few weeks already, but soon filed for LOA. Her application was available for a single semester, but it's been days since it's up and she hasn't attended any of her classes yet until now."

"An AWOL?"

"That seems to be the case, sir."

"Can I at least ask for the names of her professors?"

The staff stared at him for a while, weighing what she should do.

She ended up giving the names and the doctor finally left.

When the staff returned her gaze on the database, she was surprised to see Alicia's profile.