NovelGoldMight as well make sure this girl never ties the knot. Ever.
| asked, "Are you guys gearing up for a showdown at The Silent Shadows' entrance?"
"A showdown? With this tiny crew? That's practically a suicide mission."
Sophie leaned back, saying, "We're just going for a look-see, but that's risky enough. You and your buddy will
hang back."
| nodded, playing along.
The car cruised towards the foot of The Silent Shadows. As we piled out, everyone was fussing over their gear,
prepping for the trek.
| remembered Mom tellinghow every venture into those mountains was a brush with death.
Dad helped Mom strap on her gear. Adler gave us a stern look, "You two stay put. Don't even think about moving,
or else..." He mimicked a throat-slash.
Alec and | just stood there, unfazed. Mr. Wesley was known for his tic flair. We grew up on his tales of
terror.
"Tom, Jerry, keep an eye on them. No jungle adventures, got it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
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Sophie slipped on her gloves, turned to me, and asked, "By the way, what's your name?"
"Fiona. Mom says tflies, and their journey is full of memories worth keeping, so I'm Fiona."
"Fiona..." Sophie mused, "That's a lovely name."
"Of course, it is. Mom picked it." My eyes got a bit misty.
Heading into those mountains was no joke. | never truly grasped the peril until now. My parents, as tough as they
were, were just human after all. Vulnerable to tand fate.
In the face of danger, they forged ahead, sheer grit and guts.
"Fiona, your mom must be thrilled to have you."
Sophie clasped Colby's hand. | watched them walk, hand in hand, into the valley. No hesitation. Like they were
embracing their fate. Or perhaps, it was the path they were destined to tread.
When | woke, sunlight was streaming in, blinding me.
| shielded my eyes. Alec was still out cold. | nudged him, "Alec! Wake up! You awake?"
It took a few shakes before his eyes fluttered open, realizing it was morning.
Last night, | sneaked over the potion. Never thought we'd have such wild dreams.
After Alec woke, we both stayed silent. The room was wrapped in a minute of quiet.
| broke the silence, "Did you dream too?"
"Yeah."
"Was it the sdream?"
"Yeah."
"This is just nuts."
Who knew a tiny bottle could do that? I thought it was just a sleeping aid.
Mom's voice echoed from outside. | jumped out of bed, opened the door, and saw Mom and Dad downstairs.
When they saw Alec andemerging together, Dad's brow furrowed.
| flashed back to the dream-Dad in his military get-up, all intense and commanding. But now, even though he
was well-preserved, there were those little wrinkles and a few gray hairs peeking through.
Mom looked the same. Treally does catch up with you.
"What shenanigans were you two up to last night? Your godfather called first thing."
"My godfather? How'd he know we were..."
| clamped my hand over my mouth.
Godfather must've noticed the potion was gone and decided to catch us. But why not just wake us himself? Why
call in the parental reinforcements?
"We were just wiped, so we crashed," | mumbled, shooting Alec a look.
"Yeah... just needed ssleep.”
Mom tapped my forehead, "When will you learn? Didn't you notice your uncles
and aunties nodding off? You should've arranged for a ride home.”
| nearly pointed out that with their stamina, a night on the floor wouldn't faze them. But then Mom rubbed her
aching back.
Dad moved to support her.
That's when it hitmy parents were getting older. Not the invincible figures from my dream.
| felt a lump in my throat, "Sorry, won't do it again."
Mom wasn't mad. She just pinched my nose, "lI wonder who'll be able to handle you, you little rascal."
Someone not too shabby, ideally as
dashing as Dad once was, with Godfather's smarts, Uncle Odie's wealth, and crucially, someone tougher than Mr.
Wesley.
But I'd already shared all that with my young mom in the dream.
"Mom, Dad, having you is the best. Being your daughter is the greatest joy in the world."
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