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**Journey To Fantasia**

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CHAPTER FIVE

I felt worst than yesterday. Maybe the flu bug has got me now and there’s no way I am going to get away from it. I placed my palm on my forehead.

Damn it’s burning!

Then I tried to swallow my saliva down my sultry throat.

Its so damn painful. Shouldn’t have done that. bad, bad idea. Maybe I should drink plenty of plain water rather than to gulping down those Cokes. Guess no time for any regrets now.

I looked at the alarm clock. The buzzer was off so that’s the reason why I managed to sleep longer that morning as I had a hard time falling asleep last night. The house kept creaking around me. Some of the voices sounded almost human-like.

Growling, moaning.

My eyes burnt with the stinging sensation as I tried to close it for the second time. Maybe I should stop thinking and try to get some sleep before mom comes to wake me up. She’ll definitely barge in once she finds out that I am still ‘chilling’ in my bed. But who cares! I need my beauty sleep.

Finally after much tossing and turning , I managed to fall asleep. For a minute.

It was just like any other long nights, peaceful and quite until the sound of a shrill squeal woke me up. I squinted in the dark, studying the room. What was that bright light glaring in my eyes?

Hey! I wasn’t in my bed anymore! Where am I?

I’m lying still on a hard bed in the middle of a room, more like an operating room.

My heart began to pound. What in hell is going on?

A tall and lanky figure loomed over me. A woman I guess. I couldn’t see her face because of the light that was blinding my eyes. All I could see was the outline of her head. She wore a surgical cap and mask.

She held up a gloved hand. A piece of metal glittered in her grip.

My eyes widened in horror. No! This is not happening to me!

A scalpel!

Maybe I shouldn’t have said hell in the first place! This is bad! This is really bad! How did I land into such a state? The last thing I remembered was me laying comfortably on my bed, and not going anywhere further than that.

Once again the reflection on the scalpel brought me back to my current fears.

‘Mom! Mom! Help me! Mom! Lyssa! Help me damn it! Help!’ I shouted.

Surprisingly enough, no sound seemed to come from my throat. Nothing at all.

‘Relax Nick...nobody can hear you now...they’re waiting for you Nick... look…’ She pushed the bed and switched on the lights from the other end of the room.

Mom?

‘What have you done to her? What have you done to her? Mom? Mom!’ I shouted again as I tried to move my hands. But I seemed to lose control of them. They refused to move no matter how hard I tried.

Mom was being chained on a wooden plank. She was unconscious and her head was bleeding. She wore a white overall, just like the one used on patients waiting to be operated.

‘Nothing...just a little experiment...you shouldn’t have come here in the first place Nick...this place doesn’t belongs to you and you can’t take it away from me-’’

‘Look I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about! I don’t know this place! What have you done to my mom?’ I clenched my fists as I continued to try to get up and run.

‘I told you, just a little experiment...but too bad, I’ve lost her and now is your turn, and after that you can wait for your sister-’’

‘No! Leave her alone! I said leave her alone!’ Then she pushed the bed and switched on another light from the other room. I saw Lyssa being tied up and her mouth was taped. She was struggling and I could see it clearly from where I am.

‘Oh you’re scared aren’t you Nick? Then you shouldn’t be here-’’

‘I told you I don’t live here and I don’t take anything from you! Don’t you understand English huh? Now, let me go.’ My shaking voice matched that inside me.

‘Why do you have to be so rude now Nick? Fine I can let you go but not your sister! She’s my assets!’ Her impossible deep voice boomed in my ears. It sounded like a worn, stretched cassette tape.

Assets? This little brat is her assets? I don’t believe this is happening to me.

‘Sssshhh now Nick...its time for me to go to work...relax...its gonna be painful but only for a short while...you won’t feel any pain after that...trust me…’

No, no! This can’t be! I felt a sharp pain pierced along my abdomen. Then I could feel something trickling down and realised that its my BLOOD!

My heart raced. I wanted to jump. To run. But I couldn’t make my body obey me. Both my hands and legs were tied to the bed so there’s no way that I can escape now.

This is a nightmare! A damn horrible nightmare!

That’s when it hit me.

It was indeed a NIGHTMARE!

Yeah, that’s it! I thought.

I’m dreaming. This isn’t real.

That’s why I can’t control myself from doing anything.

It’s a dream. That’s all. Just a damn horrible dream.

My heartbeat began to slow down its pace.

And then the woman in mask lowered the scalpel to my ear and began to scrape it across my face.

‘NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!’ I yelled with all my strength. ‘Nooooooooooooooo!!’

Suddenly I could move. I bolted up in bed, gasping. I touched my abdomen and my face. Thank God! No scars, no blood and definitely nothing unusual about them.

Sweat poured down my cheeks and my back.

I looked around.

I was back in a dark bedroom. The same room in the creaking house.

The woman with the scalpel had gone. I gave a loud relief sigh but not for long as the door swung open.

I strained my eyesight as my vision was still blur, trying my best to recognise the figure standing by the door.

It was tall and lanky. A woman, pretty much like a woman standing holding something in her grip. Then as she walked closer to me, I saw her wearing a mask. Don’t tell me that its happening again?

‘Nick?’ Mom called as she pulled down her mask. I bet she must be wondering why in hell I sweat this much. Can’t help it mom, just got attack from a nightmare.

‘Heemmm…’ I said. So, the sore throat is back.

‘Are you alright? I thought I heard you call out.’ She said as she sat at the edge of my bed.

‘Huh? I think I was dreaming mom.’ Dreaming? Yeah right Nickolas! You almost died in your nightmare! ‘Sorry if I woke you up.’

‘No...its alright...its seven thirty anyway-’’

‘What? Seven thirty? Damn! I’m gonna be late for school today!’ I said as I stretched out my hand for my shirt on the chair.

‘You don’t have to go to school today...I’ve told Lyssa to inform your teacher that you are not feeling well…’ I gave a relief sigh. At least I don’t have to spend the whole day doing nothing except replying letters with AJ in class. AJ? I’ve promised to meet him today and if I don’t come, he’ll think that I’m a geek or what. No, I’ve got to get to school.

‘But mom, I’ve promised to help Mrs Lopez out today-’’

‘Its alright Nick, I’m sure that she’ll understand this. Furthermore I’ve called for a doctor and he’ll be here shortly.’

‘But mom, you know that I hate to see a doctor-’’

‘Sorry to disappoint you Nick but I think you really need to see one. You are down with high fever this morning and you didn’t even wake up when I called for you. You must see him no matter what-’’

‘But mom-’’

‘I don’t want to get into any longgerheads with you this morning young man. He’s coming and you’re to see him later. I’ll be grateful if you can co-operate with him and tell him about your condition.’ Oh come on mom! Its not as though I am going to die or something. Its merely a fever and a sore throat, nothing else.

‘Are you listening to me Nick?’

‘Yes.’ I said as I laid back on my bed. I covered half of my body with the comforter while I tried to get some sleep. Mom drew the curtains so that there’s more ventilation in the room. Then she sat next to me and stroke my hair. The same way she did when I was still a small kid.

‘Look Nick...I didn’t mean to be harsh on you but...I’ve lost your father and I can’t afford to lose you at any costs. You freak me out just now when you didn’t answer my calls and you didn’t even wake up when I shook your body...I know how much you dread seeing a doctor but its for your own good.’ Then mom closed her eyes as though she was trying to control herself from crying.

Damn! She don’t have to cry in front of me. I hate it when woman cried in front of me. I felt helpless.

‘I know mom. I’ll see him later but tell him, no stupid questions alright!’ I said trying to lighten up the tension. She smiled and nodded her head.

‘Sure I’ll tell him that. Now...get some sleep while I finished tidying up the room.’ Mom advised. I gave her a nod.

I laid back down. I stared at the ceiling while my racing heart slowed down.

I closed my eyes.

But it was a long time before I fall asleep again.

* * *

‘Morning Lyssa!’ Greeted Anna from afar. She was with her brother and his two other friends. They were sitting under a shady tree when she saw Lyssa walked her way to school. Anna signalled for her to come over.

Lyssa made a detour to the left and walked towards Anna and her gang instead of heading to school.

‘Hi Anna!’ Anna gave Lyssa a wide smile. She has one of the most beautiful smile, she has ever seen. It was so demure and angelic. Her mom used to say that she has an angelic smile but she thinks that Anna got one too. In fact sweeter than hers.

‘Meet my brother, Ashley Angel. That is AJ and Nate. Guys this is Alyssa Carter. She’s new here.’ Lyssa was given a short introduction by Anna. She nodded her head as she tried to remember their names by heart.

‘Wait a sec...your name seems to ring a bell here...do you have a brother in this school?’ Asked AJ to be sure.

‘Yes I do...he’s in the graduating class...but I wasn’t really sure which class he’s in.’

‘His name Nickolas Gene Carter?’ Asked Nate for further confirmation.

‘Yes! How did you know that?’ Asked Lyssa with a shock look on her face. She knew her brother very well. He had always kept a low profile of himself even in the previous school except for his mischievous acts in class. Mom was always summoned to school for that.

Maybe low profile is not the suitable word for him.

Shy.

That’s the right word. He can be shy at times especially when it comes to make friends in new school or new environment. But this time, he has really grown up, she thought.

‘Well...we’re in the same class! He’s such a joker!’ Said AJ as he shook his head.

Joker? Nick Carter is a joker? That’s something new about him, thought Lyssa.

‘Oh really? I never knew that he could crack a joke around!’ Said Lyssa as she smiled at AJ.

‘Man, you are a joker yourself!’ Continued Nate.

‘I’m a joker? We’re gifted with this I guess, anyway thanks for your compliment!’

‘By the way, where’s your brother? I thought the two of you always together?’ Asked Anna as she put her bag on her laps and showed the seat to Lyssa.

That’s a good question! If its not for him, I wouldn’t have to stand among those stinky passengers in the bus. If its not for him, I wouldn’t have to be patting this hard and sweating all over. And if its not for him, I would have reach the school earlier! Mentioning his name is enough to boil my blood! Grumbled Lyssa as she took out a piece of tissue paper and wiped her sweat on her forehead.

‘Oh he’s down with a fever this morning so...mom said that he has to stay at home.’ Said Lyssa, sounding not interested.

‘Sick? I should have guess so. He looked terrible yesterday.’ Continued Anna. Lyssa just gave her a weak smile.

‘Is it bad?’ Asked Ashley.

‘To have a bad flu and high fever, how do you think it feels?’ Asked Lyssa. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound sarcastic but he’s definitely feeling bad right now! Especially when he has to see a doctor!’

‘Why is that so?’ Asked Anna again.

‘Because he dreads seeing a doctor since young.’ Giggled Lyssa when she recalled on one occasion when Nick ran away from the clinic back in Merseyside when he saw the doctor pulling out a syringe from its cover. He ran back home and locked himself in the room. Her mother had a hard time persuading Nick to open up the door. Now, that was Nick Carter.

‘Well...do you mind if we follow you home? I mean, we want to pay a social visit to him. He’s afterall our friend.’ Suggested Ashley. Lyssa was quiet at first because Nick hated to be disturbed, especially at a time like this. He would be mad at her if she brings them home later.

‘So how? Can we come over to your place?’ Anna repeated the question.

‘I’m sure that your mom won’t mind right?’ Interrupted AJ from behind.

‘At least we can accompany you home later on.’ Supported Nate.

‘Alright then, you can come over.’ Lyssa’s agreeable to their suggestion brought a wide smile on Ashley’s face.

Finally he has the chance to meet up with Nick in person. He thought that it would be the best time to warn him about the house.

‘Great! So...we’ll meet you girls here after school alright!’ Ashley then turned to AJ and Nate. They nodded their heads indicating that they agreed to that suggestion. Even Anna nodded her head.

‘Kring!!!!!!!! Kring!!!!!!!!!! Kring!!!!!!!!!’ The school bell rang and they walked together towards the school building before they met again after school.

* * *

I didn’t managed to get any sleep since the man came to have a check on me. He wore a white medical coat with stethoscope around his neck. He reminded me so much of the masked woman in my dream. The only difference was that he’s not holding any scalpel but a thermometer.

He pulled up my shirt and started to knock a few times on my stomach with his knuckle. Its painful damn it!

Then he started to check my heart beat. Fine, its beating in normal rate except that I have to admit its beating pretty fast now that you’re touching me. I hate to be touched like that. Its so irritating!

He turned away from me and wrote something on a description slip. Most probably my medicine slips.

‘How is he?’ Asked mom from behind.

‘His fever is still high but don’t worry I’ll give him something to run down the fever as well as the cough and the throat.’ He said as he looked at me.

‘So I can assume that he’s fine right?’ Asked mom again. I am not going to argue with her on this for a couple of reasons.

First, I am still weak and I just don’t have the desire to say a thing. Secondly, I need some sleep.

‘Yes Mdm not to worry about that.’ There! I told you mom, I’m fine! What I need is some sleep!

‘I’m glad to hear that!’ Me too.

‘These are the medicines for him and make sure that he takes them regularly. Try to avoid empty stomach while taking this.’ Oh no! The medicines! I hate those greenish, yellowish and reddish liquid flowing down my throat. It tasted awful!

He passed the medicines to mom who later arranged them nicely on my study table. Thanks mom, you’re the sweetest and you’re simply the best! I really mean it, even when you have to force me to eat those things.

But on second thought, we’ll talk about it later.

Mom walked him to the door and finally I have the whole room for myself. The giddy was still there. But I insisted on standing up and walked to the table.

There were lozenges for my throat, cough suppressant, antihistamine for my running nose, analgesic for my fever and nasal decongestant. Oh did I forget the antibiotics?

My poor little throat!

I put down the tablets and turned to my notebook. AJ must be cursing me for not turning up in school today, afterall I’ve promised to meet his circle of friends. I flipped through the pages in my notebook when suddenly something that caught my attention.

It was a delicate yellowish newspaper article being cut nicely from a newspaper. Judging from the material of the newspaper, it could be from way, way back in times. Perhaps as back as the early 1900s.

I read the heading.

* THE BISMARK MANSION strikes again!*

Then I turned to the picture next to the article. It was huge and dark.

I continued to read the article.

*The mystery of the Bismark Mansion struck again yesterday and killed the rich family of the Dallas. Mr. Dallas was found dead in his room while his wife was found dead at the stairway. Their deaths remained as a mystery and was speculated to be caused by the cursed of the Dark Side.

The town coroner and polices are still investigating the caused of deaths and anyone who witnessed are to come forward. Your identifications will be kept strictly confidential.*

The Bismark Mansion? Don’t tell me that its that mansion? All the while they’ve been talking about this mansion? Okay, assuming that they are talking about this mansion, what the heck does it got to do with my house?

Correction there, I mean this house. That doesn’t mean I have to start believing in that guy. No way.

That was the only little piece of information that I’ve got from the article. Again it left me with nothing except cliffhangers.

‘Nick?’

‘Mom what are you trying to do?’ I didn’t mean to shout at her but she startled me. Fine, so she doesn’t deserved that but at least stop intruding my room like that. What if I need to change my clothes and she just barged in like that. I am no longer a seven year old kid.

I’m seventeen for God’s sake!

‘What’s wrong? Having headache again?’ Yeah if you keep on startling me like that. Not only do I contracted from a serious headache, maybe I may get a heart attack. Judging by how things are going, it’s gonna be sooner or later.

‘Nothing...just that you give me a fright there...at least knock the door please?’ I said and this time my voice was back to normal.

‘I did but you were too engrossed in reading that...what is that?’ Mom was about to take it away from my hands when I quickly slipped it through my drawer.

‘Nothing. Just a small newspaper article for my class presentation. What are you doing here?’

‘Your breakfast has turned cold and I’ve prepared lunch for you. Come down and have it will ya?’

‘Later mom. I’m not hungry now.’

‘Didn’t you hear what the doctor says just now? You have to take your medicine and to have that, your stomach can’t be emptied.’ Fine, I’ll filled it with things later on then.

‘I know.’ I mumbled as I turned away from her.

‘Its good that you know. I’m waiting for you downstairs and make sure that you make it snappy alright.’ I nodded my head obediently. Mom closed the door and I could hear her footsteps walking away.

Quickly I rushed to the shower room to have a short dip in the cool water. At least to freshen myself up. I may be sick but I can’t stand of not having any bath for a day.

I whistled my way to the shower room with only a towel on my shoulder. I was about to shut the door when I heard a loud tapping on the wall.

‘Mom? What do you want again now? I’m coming down after this alright!’ I shouted as I tried to ignore the tapping sound.

It continued to tap and it became louder each time as I walked towards the shower room.

So it’s not her.

‘Mom? Is that you?’

The tapping became louder.

‘Oh come on stop it Lyssa! I know that it’s you!’

It tapped again.

So it’s not her either.

I searched the shower room but there’s nothing inside. Just then I began to realise something. Debris of sands began to fall from above my head, then I saw thick red liquid appearing from the cracks of the wall and started to drip down on the wet floor.

Oh no! Not again! Tell me that this is a dream! Tell me that this is another dream! I can’t move and I can’t think. I tried to shout but again no voice came out of my throat.

This can’t be happening! Fight it Nick! Fight it! Dad used to say that we have to fight our own fears. These are nothing but pure illusions. You are sick Nick.

Yeah! That’s the most suitable reason you can give to coax yourself now! You’re sick and that’s why you tend to see things. These are nothing but pure illusions.

I began to chant it over and over again until I felt something hard fell on my shoulder.

Chapter 6 *Soon*

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