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Celestial: Fallen
Chapter 39 - Echoes of Silence

Chapter 39 - Echoes of Silence

It's been three days since we last heard from Nick. Michael and Rafail keep assuring me—and my parents—that Nick is fine. But their reassurances feel thin, like a fragile shield against the growing tension in the air. We've informed the elders about his disappearance, and while they confirm Nick is alive and well, they still can't say where he is or what exactly he's doing. That gnawing uncertainty is like a weight on my chest.

Miel has been my rock through all of this, especially with my... "glowing" episodes. We've pored over endless books about our bloodline, desperately trying to find answers hidden in the Circle's history. But so far, nothing matches what I'm going through. Strangely, the glowing has stopped, almost as if my body is signaling that Nick is truly okay. I'm trying to believe that. I want to believe it.

Today marks the second day that I haven't gone to school. Yesterday, Joshua and Leroy dropped by to check on me. I reassured them I was fine, just needing rest, and promised I'd be back next week. They seemed satisfied with my explanation, but inside, I was anything but settled. Between my own strange condition and Nick's disappearance, my mind feels like it's on a constant loop of worry and confusion. But there's something else too. A nagging thought—someone who keeps creeping into my mind. I can't shake it, and it frustrates me to no end. Why am I thinking about this person when everything is already so overwhelming?

I take a deep breath, rubbing my tired eyes. Miel and I have been reading since dawn, scouring ancient texts for answers. My brain feels fried, and I realize we need a break. Quietly, I slip away and head for the rooftop. The house feels suffocating, filled with the constant worry of everyone around me. Though I know my parents, Michael, Rafail, and Miel are all here, trying to protect and comfort me, there's still a gaping hole in the shape of Nick's absence.

Papa's been busy managing his shop over the phone, while Mom spends her days trying to keep everything running smoothly. She's been feeding us constantly, taking care of Grae, keeping the household together as best she can. On the surface, everything seems peaceful, but the silence surrounding Nick casts a heavy shadow over it all.

I walk up the stairs to the rooftop, my thoughts swirling like storm clouds. When I finally step outside, the cool air hits me, and I wrap my arms around myself to ward off the chill. The sky is painted in the soft colors of sunset, casting a golden glow over everything. The sea glistens like a bed of scattered diamonds, breathtaking in its beauty, but I can't fully enjoy it. The breeze feels too sharp, too cold. I stare at the orange horizon, watching birds fly across the fading light, and feel a strange mix of calm and loneliness.

"Nick..." I whisper as if the wind might carry my voice to wherever he is.

As I scrolled through Instagram, I found myself mindlessly watching a few videos of BTS, their familiar faces and music filling the screen. It was comforting in a way, a small escape from the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. Each smile, dance move, and melody offered a brief moment of distraction, pulling me away from the weight of the uncertainty surrounding Nick.

But even as I watched the videos, I felt a twinge of guilt. Here I was, indulging in something that made me happy, while my brother was still out there somewhere, unreachable. My thumb hovered over the screen for a moment, pausing the video as a wave of mixed emotions hit me—relief that I could lose myself in something familiar and frustration that I couldn't do anything to help Nick.

I sighed, letting the video play on. Maybe, just for a little while, it was okay to feel something other than worry.

When suddenly, my phone rang, shattering the peaceful moment BTS had created. The familiar comfort of their music vanishes instantly, replaced by a sharp jolt of anxiety. Frowning, I glance down at the screen, my thumb frozen mid-scroll. An unknown number flashes on the display, and my heart skips a beat.

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Could it be Nick? The thought pulses through my mind, bringing with it a rush of hope and dread all at once. My breath catches in my throat, and without thinking, I swipe to answer, hands trembling slightly. A thousand possibilities flood my mind—this could be the call I've been waiting for, the one to tell me Nick is okay, or worse, something I'm not ready to hear.

"Hello?" My voice is barely steady, hope flaring in my chest as I wait for the response.

"Arwen?"

It's a female voice. My heart sinks a little. It's not Nick.

"Yes, who's this?" I ask, trying to recognize the voice.

"Oh, sorry! I forgot to introduce myself. It's me, Brigit."

I exhale in relief, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Brigit! How are you?"

"I should be asking you that," she teases, her tone light and cheerful.

"I'm okay, just resting," I reply, though my mind is racing with thoughts I can't quite shake. There's a question I want to ask—about someone in particular—but I stop myself. I can't let my mind wander there. Not now.

"So, how are you guys?" I ask, steering the conversation away from my own uncertainty.

"We're good, but... someone's really missing you," Brigit says, her voice playful, almost teasing.

My breath catches, and I turn my gaze back to the view, trying to ground myself. I don't respond immediately, but a soft laugh escapes me, masking the swirl of emotions inside.

"Well, I guess that someone is you, Brigit?" I tease back, though we both know who she's really talking about. My heart knows it too, and that truth leaves me feeling both excited and anxious.

"Ahh, you could say that," she giggles. "Anyway, I'm really worried. Is it okay if I come over? Just me and Rhian?"

I can almost see her now, giving me those puppy-dog eyes and her signature pout. The thought makes me smile despite the turmoil inside.

"Of course! When are you thinking of stopping by?" I reply.

"After class, if that's alright?" Her voice is hesitant like she's unsure if I'll say yes.

"Sure, come over. Maybe we can hang out on the rooftop? My parents are home, by the way," I say with a sheepish grin, even though she can't see it.

"Great! See you later!" Brigit says excitedly before hanging up.

As the call ends, I stare at my phone for a moment longer. A strange mixture of emotions stirs in me—part excitement, part anxiety. I can't tell if it's just the anticipation of seeing Brigit and Rhian or if it's something more. My chest flutters, a sensation both thrilling and unsettling.

I take another deep breath, setting my phone down on the side table before heading back to the living room. Rafail and Miel had already left earlier for some meetings. Michael, on the other hand, was in Nick's room, probably wrapped up in whatever mysterious task he's been working on lately.

In the living room, I find Mom sitting on the couch, completely absorbed in her TV show. Grae is nearby in his crib, playing happily. Pa went out to tend to his shop and would be back later in the evening.

I sit down beside Mom, joining her in watching whatever series she's hooked on.

"I heard you talking to someone on the phone," she says, her eyes never leaving the screen.

"Yeah, one of my classmates wants to come over," I reply, keeping my voice casual.

"Will they be staying for dinner?" she asks, her tone flat but curious.

"I'm not sure. They didn't say," I start to answer, but the sound of the door opening catches my attention. Michael walks in, still on the phone. He glances my way, offering a quick smile before heading to the kitchen.

To be honest, I'm starting to get restless. Everything feels... too normal, almost unsettlingly so. Considering all that's happened—the glowing, Nick's disappearance—it's strange how ordinary life seems. But beneath the surface, there's an unshakable tension. I can feel it.

Michael has given us some updates about Nick's condition, but he's been frustratingly vague about where Nick is. He keeps telling us that Nick is "fine," but I can't help worrying. I bite my lip, sinking deeper into my thoughts, wondering what's really going on with my brother.

Miel has been helping me with my emotions lately, showing me how to control my feelings. She says the glowing is somehow tied to my emotional stability, which scares me. If I can't control how I feel, I can't control the glowing. Everything is connected, and it's a terrifying thought.