Tempting Fate

89 Chapter 90: The Wake

They were on the way to Avery’s house. As expected, they had a lot of customers. Seventy percent of the 100 people who came into their store were interested in buying their unit and house. So they went out late.

“You must be happy with my performance, Reed, right?” Devin asked.

“Of course, Sir Reed is happy, because now we have a quota again,” Jasmin said.

Reed didn’t speak, he just kept driving. Devin and Jasmin were sitting next to each other in the backseat, which is why Emy turned around and asked.

“Have you ever been to Avery’s house?” Emy said.

Jasmin replied, “Yes, Miss Emy.”

They are going through a part of the area where it is dark. There are no houses, and they walk through vast fields.

“Ah, Sir Reed and Sir Devin, in Avery’s place, there are many shamans. Avery’s grandmother is a shaman, so it’s possible that...”

Emy was looking at Reed. “There are things at Avery’s house. They say there are cures for evil spirits.” Jasmin also said.

.....

“Are you saying that we shouldn’t go?” Devin asked.

“Of course not, no. Knowing what you truly do worries me, so I’m letting you know.” Jasmin said.

None of them said a word. A few minutes later, they got to Avery’s house. It was near the highway, so they saw it right away, but just like where they were going, there were sugarcane fields and other fields around the barangay they went to.

From the road, one can see that there are a lot of cars lined up in front of the house. Reed and Devin caught Emy’s eye.

“Just stay in the car for now.”

“There’s nothing we can do...” Devin said.

Reed just smiled and did not say a word. Emy and Jasmin got out of the car and started walking away. They walked together up to Avery’s house.

Reed and Devin were looking at them from their car. They looked at the house and saw what looked like water moving around the house. It covers the area as if with an invisible shield. Emy and Jasmin went in. Normal people can’t see that thing. But it did not surprise Devin and Reed to see that.

“Wow, that house is quite a shield...” Devin said, laughing. “I’m curious why..”

Reed looked at Devin. “You want to check everything out? Let’s try to figure out why.”

Devin’s smile got bigger as they got inside the car.

—-

Emy gave Avery an instant hug when she saw her. Avery did not expect to see Emy in their place. Avery’s eyes swelled. The girl also lost a little weight and looked worn out. How much of her changed since then?

“Condolences, Avery... I’ve just learned about Jasmin.” Amy said.

“Thank you very much, Miss Emy. Thank you for coming as well. It’s good that Sir allowed you to.” Avery said.

“Ah, he and Devin are with us,” Amy said.

“Huh? “Where did they go?” Avery spoke up.

“Weary from the long trip. Your home is distant. They are taking a nap in the car.” Emy said.

“Have you eaten yet? First, eat.” Avery said.”

We’re OK.” They were right next to Avery in front of the casket. “How do you feel?”

In the meantime, Devin and Reed toured the area. They moved through the trees in the woods right behind Avery’s house. Avery’s place is quiet and cool. They were standing on a tree branch and enjoying the cool air. Devin and Reed looked at each other and both felt something strange in the air. It got around.

“Looks like it’s not just Avery’s grandma. Looks like more...” Devin said.

“They can feel us...” Reed said.

“Isn’t it exciting?” Devin asked while grinning.

“Have you ever fought with a shaman?” asked Reed.

“Hmm, not yet, but I want one...” Devin said. “Why? Have you ever fought anyone?”

“Yes, the weak one. But the ones right here in this place. They have power.”

Devin smirked. “Are you frightened?”

“No, of course not,” she said. “Why should I be afraid? Maybe you.”

Devin’s laughter grew louder. “I am not. I’m really curious about how strong those shamans are.”

—

Everyone turned around when someone shouted. Avery, Jasmin, and Emy all looked at each other, then Avery quickly got up and went to her grandmother’s room. Jasmin and Emy came too. When they went into the room, they saw what it looked like on the inside. They put many saints on a long table. All of their candles are burning. There are also leaves along the wall. On the bed lay Avery’s grandmother, who was also the mother of the person who had passed away. Emy and Jasmin both think that the old woman is still strong. When he saw Avery, he got out of bed.

“Grandma, was it a bad dream again?” Avery asked her. She was sitting next to her grandma.

“There are bad things here, Avery...” The old woman said, “I can feel them.”

Emy and Jasmin both looked at each other. “What’re you talking about, grandma?” Avery asked her.

“They are strong and there are two of them...” The old woman said, “I feel like they’re two.”

“Grandma, there is no demon. They don’t exist. You can rest now.” Avery said.

Avery tried to put her grandmother down, but she was struggling.

Avery’s grandmother’s eyes got big.

“Who watches over your mother?” The old woman said, “Don’t leave her alone, or they will take her soul.”

“Get some rest grandma....” Avery said.

“We’re about to leave, Avery,” Jasmin said.

Avery nodded. Emy looked inside the room again before they left. Even the leaf of the door has something weird. Jasmin and Emy moved closer to the table where the coffee was. Jasmin immediately got a paper cup and poured coffee into the glass. He also took a cookie and handed it to Emy.

“Miss Emy, you have had nothing to eat yet. Here.” Jasmin gave the plate of coffee and bread to Emy. Emy agreed to that right away. “Let’s go sit down at the table.”

Jasmin walked out of the house, and Emy followed her. They sat down at a table with no one else there. Emy could see that more and more people were in that wake.

“What about Avery’s family? Many people are coming.” Emy said before having coffee.

“Perhaps because of Avery’s grandmother. Her grandmother is a great shaman. “The old man is skilled, so many people trust him,” said Avery, who also started sipping coffee.

“What’s the old man saying? You’re talking about Devin and Reed, and he’s referring to it?”

“Well, I can’t tell you. She is good, so she probably isn’t just talking about Sir Reed and Sir Devin.”

“Miss Emy,”

Emy and Jasmin looked at Avery. It was right beside Emy.

“Sorry, but grandma wants to talk to you,” Avery told me.

“Huh? Me?” Emy asked.

“Yes, I’m sorry, Miss Emy. She won’t stop until he gets what she wants.”

“Ok go ahead,” Emy said as she stood.

“Hold on, I’ll go with you,” Jasmin said.

Jasmin quickly got up and followed Emy and Avery. When they walked into the room, they found the old woman facing the altar.

“Grandma, Miss Emy’s here,” Avery said. “What do you want from her?” the old woman said. “Get out first. I want to talk to her alone.”

All three of them looked at each other. “That’s okay, Miss Emy, we’re just outside,” Jasmin spoke quietly.

Avery and Jasmin left the room, leaving Emy and the old man inside. Emy just stood there while the old man did something behind his back.

“Grandma, what are you going to say? Why are you talking to me?”

Emy went up to the old man to look at him. Suddenly, the old man turned around and threw something at Emy. At first, Emy was surprised. She thought it was just water, but then she felt like someone was caressing her skin.

“Agh!” Emy looked sad. Even though he was sure it wasn’t acid, it hurt his skin strangely.

Reed, meanwhile, was surprised when something stung him.

“Oh, what is this?” Reed inquired.

“It looks like a shaman caught you,” Devin said.

“What? How can I be caught when we’re together, and why are you?” Reed and Devin both looked at the other.

They both said, “It’s Amy!” at the same time.

“He needs my help,” Reed said.

“I’ll go with you.”

The two people disappeared into the air, and then suddenly appeared in Avery’s yard. Devin put his finger on it and got burned.

“Aww! Damn!”

.....

Reed once again felt the pain on his skin. Reed took a deep breath and tried to go inside, but he got burned and bounced back. He jumped away from the house more than once.

Emy sat down on the ground. Her whole body’s in pain. The old woman kept sprinkling water and saying things she didn’t understand.

“If you had only sent me here to hurt you. I’m leaving.” Amy said.

Emy got up and walked straight to the door. The old woman quickly put herself in the way by blocking the door. “You can’t go. I’m taking care of you.”

Emy looked sad. “I’m not sick, though.”

“The demon’s power is all around you. You are in danger of dying.”

“There is no danger to my life. I’m leaving...”

Emy got a piece of paper stuck to her by the old woman. It felt like her whole body was on fire, so she couldn’t stop yelling.

“Ahhh! “Ouch! ”

“Miss Emy? What’s happening? Why are you yelling” Avery asked while she was outside the door.

“Oh, stop! It hurts already.” Emy said. She felt like she was burning, but she couldn’t do anything about it. Emy sweat. Her breathing was getting deeper, and the pain was making her cry so much that she couldn’t stop.

“Ahhhhh!”

It shocked the old woman when two burning demons walked into her room and were slowly getting better. Her shield didn’t work.