Elijah went with me home. Since, his still a child, and younger than Alicia, who still doesn't know what's happening around him.
Being with Alicia made him forget his current situation. My sister was also making him understand things, only children are able to comprehend.
They played in the living room. I also showed him to my parents, and they welcomed him and told Elijah to play with Alicia till they're exhausted.
No matter how long they wanted.
Unfortunately, they don't get exhausted.
Alicia and Elijah went to my room, jumping around the bed. While I'm lying there, trying to get some sleep, since tomorrow's a bid Monday.
I don't want to be late. Once was enough.
Millien was starting to get annoyed too. Since they're laughter echoed, filling out my room.
Also the cons of having a system. Their noise kept ringing in my ears.
"Alicia... Can you let your brother sleep? I still have school tomorrow. Please?" I looked at her with puppy eyes.
Which was...gross. Not manly at all.
But I have too. Since she always falls for it.
"Sorry Kuya. We will go to the garden and play there." Alicia said looking genuinely apologetic.
"Thanks. I'll give you a cookie tomorrow." I propped myself comfortably on my bed, as Alicia and Elijah left my room.
"I'm gonna stay with them." Millien said out of the blue.
"Why?" I asked.
Since he never offered such things unless there's a reason for it.
"Lately, something's been keeping an eye on Alicia. Ghost eaters. I hope I'm mistaken." Millien said, but his usual nonchalant voice was gone.
"What? You sure? I wasn't informed about it." I sat up immediately, and looked down from my window, to where Alicia and Elijah were playing..
"That's why I'm going there. Somehow, I'm able to defend her and the other kid." Millien left, without a second look.
Jumping down from my window towards the garden.
Alicia and Elijah was pleased to see him, and Millien played along.
I felt worried, but sleep was already knocking on my eyelids. I went back to bed and called it a day.
The next morning, Alicia woke me up, jumping around my bed. Like always.
"Kuya... Wake up. Mama told me to wake you up."
I groaned as I swung my legs out of bed.
"Mama's already used to not seeing you but knows you're here. Sorry can't let them see you again, it's limited." I ruffled her hair but she was just giggling.
"It's alright kuya. Mama knows I'm around because she feels me."
Alicia jumped out of bed and went to Millien's little space. An opened drawer, with a small makeshift bed.
That's where he sleeps now.
"Millien... Wake up ..." Alicia said in a low, gentle, voice.
One time they're enemies, next they're friends. They're more like siblings than me.
But all good. As long as Alicia's happy. And that brings me....
"Where's Elijah?" I looked around before I took my bathe.
"He said he's going to his parents. Said, they're saying goodbye." Alicia said, looking sad.
"I see. I'll take a bathe first."
I took a quick bathe, and hurried towards the dining table. Mama's already setting up the table while papa's drinking his coffee.
"Son, I can drop you off on the way."
"Thanks papa. It's alright. I don't want to delay you. I can commute." I said picking up my fork as I sat on my spot.
"Is Millien awake?" My mother asked. Like Millien's been apart of this family.
Even if they don't see him. They always know his around since he's a big eater.
All the bowl left with food, would be emptied out a moment later.
"Alicia woke him up. He'll be here...oh... They're already here."
Alicia was hopping down the stairs with Millien in her arms.
Mother and father followed my gaze, even though they couldn't see them, they've already accepted this kind of arrangement.
Alicia's case was very special. Until now, I don't have a clue.
After breakfast, I bid my goodbye, and commuted towards the University.
There... Sarah and Gino were already seated in our shared class.
"Good morning, Anthony." Sarah greeted me first. Gino followed.
Then Sarah pulled me, and looked at my shoulder.
"Your little friend's not here?" She whispered. Only the two of us shared this secret.
"Nope. He's got better things to do."
Millien was adamant in staying with Alicia. Because until now, he's restless. Until he's sure that the ghost eater was just his illusion.
I hoped so too.
"What are you whispering about?" Gino leaned forward to join in.
"You wouldn't believe it even if we told you." Sarah giggled.
But Gino doesn't want to be left out. And raised a brow.
"Try me." He said confidently.
Sarah looked at me, and I looked back at her.
"Oh well. Sure. But not now. Maybe after the class. We meet at the gym, at 5 PM. You good with that?" I said.
Just trying to see if he's going to push through it.
"Sure. Since I've also have something I wanted to know." Gino said quite enthusiastically.
Then he settled back on his chair, me and Sarah followed. As the professor arrived.
The class went on for the day, Sarah went to her major classes, as Gino and I head to ours.
By 5 PM. Gino and I were already at the gym waiting for Sarah.
She was quite late she arrived twenty minutes after, looking like she ran quite the distance on how she was panting.
"Sarah, why were you running?" I asked worriedly.
"Anthony. The shadowman...." She said panting.
"What shadowman? Do you believe those rumors too?" Gino crossed his arms looking at Sarah.
"You said you wanted in right? Then listen up, big guy. Anthony and I...we can see entities. But Anthony's the real deal. He can communicate with them." Sarah's panting eased up and was now chatting away.
Gino on the other hand, just laughed.
"Guys, guys... We're already too modern to believe those. They're nothing more than just fork lores." Gino said confidently.
Well, let's see. Since the shadowman hates people like him. Who mocks their existence as mere tales.