I returned to RJ's family household. My mind couldn't get over the encounter I had with Reina; it was lost, trying to figure everything out. What did she mean when she said I knew nothing?
"Do you guys have something good to say?" I asked, trying to sound cool.
Only my friends and RJ were there—Nonno and Nanna had left earlier.
"Here's mine… I dropped by the hospital in this area for a start, and I looked for babies born on that day. I found three babies born that day. I talked to their families, and they agreed to come here after school," Micah said. "I also checked the number of babies born in this country—it was down to 112," she added.
I nodded and smiled bitterly, then looked at Jad and RJ.
"I also checked the world statistics. They match—1.2 million people were born worldwide that day. I checked the timestamp you mentioned, between 10:30–11:00 p.m., and we're down to 9,876,543 people. Take it or leave it," Jad said, showing me the data.
I nodded again. I looked around and saw RJ busy with his work. I didn't dare disturb him, so instead, I walked back into the room.
Jad followed me.
"What's going on? You can lie to everyone, but not to me," he said as he sat beside me.
I sighed, defeated. "I met Reina," I admitted.
"What? When? Did she do anything to you?" he asked repeatedly.
"We just… had a miscommunication. I don't know, but I feel like I took her for granted… or maybe I somehow made her a backburner. She told me something about my parents and how naïve I am. I—I don't know, Jad."
"We'll soon find out. And no… you're not naïve. You're actually the smartest—you're just not in the right place yet, so you haven't discovered it," he said softly.
For years, we've known each other, but we've never talked like this—this sincerely. This was the first time I truly opened up to him.
"All I wanted was to change schools, to go somewhere I wanted. I didn't wish for a major," I said.
"Yet it happened. This is destiny, Mary—your destiny. Destined to know the truth, destined to spread the truth."
"But why me? I mean, I have nothing special—"
"What are you saying? You are special. So special that even Emerald and Astrid chose you. You have to believe in yourself, Mary, the way we believe in you."
I nodded, feeling his words strike me to the bone.
"What's with you today? So much for words of affirmation, huh?" I said, chuckling, trying to lighten the mood. I saw him roll his eyes.
"Maybe you should tell me what happened between you and Harmony?" I turned the tables.
His smile faded as soon as I mentioned Harmony.
"Quit it, Mary. If you need anything, we're just outside, okay?" He tapped my shoulder before leaving.
I was alone again. I picked up a book and scrolled through it for a bit.
"Why did you choose me? Why me?" I murmured to myself.
It was as if the book heard me—it lit up. A bright light filled the room, and then… three shadows stood right in front of me.
They were back. The Mutchesters.
"Mutchesters," I murmured. "Finally, I see you again. I know what happened to Emerald, and I know this is all connected. I just want to know how… or why."
They didn't answer. Instead, they walked closer to me. One of them held my hand—or rather, my ring.
Before I knew it, they vanished—along with my ring.
"Wait… I still need answers. You're not done guiding me. J-just wait," I broke down.
I felt defeated. I thought they would help. I remembered when I asked what they needed before—they pointed at my ring, and I agreed to let them take it. I just didn't know it would be now. Now, when I was already struggling with everything.
I was so lost. What could I do with what they said? Who is she?
This was too much to take. Why couldn't the universe give me things one at a time? I'm not that strong. I don't even know why I have to do this. What have I done—or what did Reina actually do to me that night that caused all of this?
Frustration overwhelmed me. I questioned everything and felt like giving up when suddenly, the doorknob twisted open.
"Mary, we found something," RJ's voice called out.
I wiped the tears from my face. "What is it? Can't it wait?" I said.
"Mary… just look at this first. I found the location where that necklace came from, and you're not going to believe it," he said from outside. That intrigued me, so I fixed myself and opened the door.
He looked directly at me, holding his laptop.
"Oh, Mary, you really have to see this," Jad urged, motioning for me to come closer.
"You're not going to believe what RJ just found," Micah added.
I sighed and looked at them tiredly."At this point, Mic, I'll believe anything," I muttered.
"Here. Using my major, I located where the necklace came from. You said Emerald's daughter might be with the necklace, based on what you saw during your time travel," RJ explained. I raised an eyebrow. "Now look at where this place is."
He showed me the screen. At first, it looked like an ordinary place.
But then I realized—it was our house.
"How… how is this possible? Are you sure this is reliable?" I asked, unable to believe what I was seeing. If the necklace came from our house, that meant Amirah was also there—and…
"I also checked our old belongings. This is our ancestral home. Our house is the same house owned by our great-great-grandfather, Severius. And our house is only three kilometers away from Harry and Savannah's mansion. Three kilometers from here… is the school," RJ continued.
I was taken aback.
I always thought the school was founded by my father. How could it be in the exact location of Savannah and Harry's castle? I thought it belonged to Harry's family. Does that mean my father is related to Harry?
"So if your house is the exact place where Emerald was imprisoned and died years ago, that explains how your mother obtained the Astrid," RJ said.
I was shaking, listening as he explained everything. I don't know what to think, nothing is sinking in my head.
"The real question is…" he paused.
"What happened to Amirah?"