Zack's mind kept on coming up with scary images and theories of what the graveyard
meant. He finally managed to hold on to one safe and logical theory: That
Hilaia was maybe playing in the graveyard. Then again, the thoughts did
sound rather weird. Just then, he noticed the sun was starting to set. Even
though it started getting dark, Zack began to compare the scenery in his mind.
It didn't really seem as scary and zombie-like like the ones in the terrible
horror movies with scenes that took place in creepy graveyards during the dark
nights.
He didn't spot anyone in the graveyard. He jumped in fright when he was tapped
by the gravekeeper, an elderly Usul. She gave him an encouraging smile, and
asked, "What is it that you are looking for?"
Zack wasn't sure if the Usul was someone he could trust. She was a complete
stranger to him, but still gave a smile that looked so kind that Zack didn't
notice that she was in rags and was rather haunting-looking. "Um... do you know
the names of all of the pets here?" The Usul first paused for a while. Then,
she said in a low tone, "Yes. I have kept a memory of every spirit who resides
here. Tell me. Who are you seeking?"
"I seek--I mean, I'm looking for someone who's ALIVE, not... you know. Have
you seen someone named Hilaia?" Zack stopped and reached into his backpack,
and pulling out an old Neomail from his pen pal. He began reading the description
of the appearance Hilaia tried to explain on how she looked like. "Um... oh
yeah. Hilaia's a female green Kacheek... usually wears a sunflower-golden hat,
and... thinks I write neat--ACK! Everything except for the last comment."
The Usul rested her elbows onto a large shovel she was carrying, lifting her
head to the sky in order to think. "I am afraid I only know those who have decided
to rest here. I've seen several pets playing here of different species, but
never one who came and FROLICKED here. This Hilaia of yours is unknown to me
if you say she is alive and well--"
"What are you even saying--" Zack broke off her sentence, quite enraged.
"Listen. Just go over to the group of tombstones and try looking for her there,
where there is a large rock residing there. I am pretty sure you will find her.
If you don't find her, come back here later during the ceremony."
The Jubjub walked madly, shaking his backpack furiously as his feet angrily
rocked back and forth. Amy began yelping, dazed. Zack kept muttering in an enraged
tone, "Who does that Usul think she is? She thinks that if she doesn't know
people, she claims they aren't alive. What a weird one that one is."
Zack's rage stopped thrashing through his mind when he got to the part where
the strange Usul had pointed out. He didn't pay any attention to the graves,
but to a green Kacheek with a sunflower-golden hat. It was almost as if she
popped out of the ground with no one looking.
She gave him a grin as if she already expected him. "I've received your Neomail"
"H-h-h..." Zack's throat wouldn't let him continue the word he was going to
say. Clearing his throat, he said, "Hilaia?" The Kacheek showed a toothy grin
and jumped off the rock she had been sitting on. She managed to regain her footing
and land perfectly, and nodded enthusiastically at Zack's assumed question.
Even though they introduced each other a long time ago by Neomail, it was like
they had just met for the first time, not knowing anything at all from all the
letters ever sent to each other. A slightly frigid wind gathered up several
dried leaves off the ground, spinning around and around, making a rustling sound.
It finally stopped.
Amy sprang out of her owner's backpack and jumped right into Hilaia's arms.
She was a bit surprised at first, but was relieved of what she remembered in
her letters. "Ah, is this cute monster Ammy?"
"Actually, it's Amy. I accidentally misspelled it a while ago. Sorry about
that," replied Zack. At last, the graveyard was left alone, all except for the
same elderly Usul. "A mischievous spirit wanders off early." She heaved a deep
sigh and used her shovel to support her, and walked all the way back from the
entrance.
A while ago...
Hilaia's family worried for her daughter's health greatly. She had the most
serious case of Neopox they had even seen. The hospital in the village charged
too much NP in order to help her feel better. To make things even worse, they
weren't even able to pay the bills for their NeoHome, making it an insolvable
problem. Their only chance was a mischievous and NP-scamming Techo named Frank
Frowgle. He was the only one actually willing to help them out.
Frank Frowgle was the richest pet in the village, but was a greedy one, and
didn't offer to help Hilaia's family in a compassionate way. Instead, he only
wished that a great loan would be an everlasting burden in their hands forever,
making them even more miserable. You see, Hilaia's family never got along with
Frowgle, in business, in friendship, in everything. Hilaia's father was Frowgle's
enemy during their entire childhood. They were against each other, competing
in academics, athletics, economics, until it proved that her father was much
better than the menacing Frowgle.
The Techo, enraged that everyone he knew claimed the competing had been proven,
finally had a chance to take revenge. Hilaia herself didn't enjoy the company
of Frowgle. Even though Hilaia's father never told any bad things about the
Techo to his daughter, she already felt that she couldn't trust him in any way.
"I HAVE the NP to pay for your bills, which can leave the rest of your attention
to your pitiful daughter," Frank Frowgle proudly said.
"NO! Hilaia is not a pitiful daughter, and I don't care if you don't help
us!" cried Hilaia's mother, a Faerie Kacheek, with tears slightly falling down
her eyes. Her father walked before Frank and said in a slight angry tone. "We
DO NOT need your help, Frank. Now please, go along with your own life and try
to fix the issues!" Frank, still smiling, walked slowly out the door. When the
family didn't see see any sight of him, he cursed and began going on in an unstoppable
rampage.
Who do they think they are, not taking MY offer? thought Frowgle, But
on the other hand, the bills will finally have to destroy the house, and those
proud idiots will have nothing to be proud about!
Present time...
Frank Frowgle was still the richest pet in the village, and whistled an attractive
tune, with no worries of Hilaia's father and mother anymore. When he turned,
walking down the next block, he passed by a poor Poogle in rags. His happy face
turned into anger, saying, "Get your own NP, your fault you don't have any."
The Poogle, who carried a small grin, put his head down. Frank was never eager
to donate NP even to the Money Tree. When he reached the corner of the next
block, he spotted Hilaia and Zack walking down, talking continuously.
It was till the last minute that Frank knew it was his enemy's daughter who
just passed him shocked with surprise. "HIS DAUGHTER? I was sure I heard the
news of her demise a week ago."
Suddenly, when they were walking under a patio, a shopper, carrying a bundle
of groceries, she tripped over a wooden pole. The pole snapped, leaving no support
for the roof of the patio. The pets and owners, who were under it quickly scattered,
left only Zack and Hilaia standing there. Zack closed his eyes in fear, but
Hilaia just held his hand.
WHAM! The patio, weighing more than two Grarrls, collapsed on top of
the two. But strangely, none of the two were hurt in any way. Hilaia leaped
out of the collapsed patio, with Zack still holding her hand. For a while, the
Neopian witnesses noticed Hilaia and Zack had a transparent glow. After a few
second, they (including Amy) were all safe, and didn't have any scratch marks.
Hilaia looked at Zack curiously, but before anyone could say anything, she was
gone.
Zack looked around, his eyes searching almost every direction. "Hilaia? Hilaia?"
He couldn't find her.
It became night quickly, with everyone, including Joey and Sen, were all gathered
in a crowd during the long-awaited Spirits' Return Ceremony. They never knew
what it was, and how they ever came. The strangest place to have the ceremony
was the very graveyard. Somehow, there were more Neopians there than he had
seen in the village. He looked for Hilaia's family to see if they were attending
the party. While he was walking, he was interrupted with, "Hi," from someone.
It was his pen pal. She frowned, and slowly said, "Well, it's goodbye. I came
out a bit earlier than the Spirits' Return Ceremony. Bye."
Zack was confused. "What? What do you mean a bit early?" A hand landed on
his shoulder. He turned and noticed it was a tall Kacheek and a Faerie Kacheek.
He figured they were her parents. He gave them a look meaning his question.
Hilaia's father said, "It was a serious case of Neopox a week ago..." Hilaia's
mother reached out a hand to Hilaia, and Hilaia did the same. Her hand went
through, bringing a tear to her eye. Hilaia smiled the same toothy grin, and
disappeared in front of a tombstone. Zack read the tombstone, with the engravings:
In memory of Hilaia, Year 5.
Zack would never forget his first and best pen pal, Hilaia.
The End |