Between Heaven and Hell
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

HE FLINCHED the moment his mother's palm landed on his cheek. It made his cheek numb, as well as his whole body.

"Why, Jonathan?" his mom asked in between her sobs. "Why did you do that?"

His fists clenched. He wanted to cry so bad, but he chose not to. Jonathan did not want her mother to see him crying. He did not want her to see him as a weakling.

"If I were the one to drown, would you cry? Would you be like this too?" Jonathan could not contain his feelings any longer. He finally let it burst.

"W-what are you talking about? What's eating you, Jonathan?"

He stepped backwards when his mom tried to reach him.

"Never in my life I have felt that you love me," he said in a hoarse voice. "You care so much for her when she's not even your daughter! Mommy... tell me why... Why can't you love me and care for me just like the way you did to her? Do you resent me because I was a product of your mistake in the past?"

"S-son..."

"Son? I would be delighted to hear you call me that if only I have felt your love..."

"That's enough, Marissa," said his step-father, Alejandro. "You are now catching people's attention."

They were at the hospital at that moment. After that incident where Andie almost got drown, she was rushed to the hospital.

His mother stared at him coldly before coming into Andie's hospital suite. Again, he felt a pain in his chest. Jonathan turned around abruptly and let his tears fell.

He took the fire exit and ran up to the hospital's rooftop.

From there, he had a glimpse of the beautiful city lights that seemed to dance. It was full of life, far from the one that he has. With his eyes getting blurry, he climbed on the ledge. Jonathan closed his eyes as he felt the cold wind that envelope him. But no matter how cold it was, his heart was colder from the start.

Then, he jumped.

Jonathan woke up with a jolt. It has been years since he last dreamed of it. It seemed like he was stressed again.

He drew a breath, and his eyes wandered around the room. He could not replace nor see Momo. She must have gone outside the room when he fell asleep. What a liar! She said she would guard him, yet she left.

After a few moments, Jonathan felt something. He thought it was Momo, so he prepared himself to scold her. But when he turned in the direction of the door, it was not whom he expected. Instead, he saw a shadow pacing back and forth near the door. His body trembled as fear crept throughout his system. Jonathan knew it was not just a mere ghost. It was something more.

He took a series of deep breaths to calm himself. Then, he fished his phone in his pocket and called his cousin.

"Yes, Kuya? said Oreo upon answering his call.

"I think this quest is not for me..." His voice trembled.

The shadow disappeared. Where did it go? Jonathan has no idea.

"Why?" his cousin asked puzzled.

"We should pass this quest to Agatha..." It was almost a whisper.

"Oh! I get it now," said Oreo. "Come out now, Kuya. It's not safe for you in there."

Jonathan went out of the room quickly.

"Where is Momo?" he asked Oreo when they met at the lobby of the motel.

His cousin's forehead creased. "Why are you asking me about Momo? It's you who can see and talk to her."

He could not see her in the lobby too. Where did Momo go?

"She knows how to go home, though," he uttered absent-mindedly. "Let's go." Jonathan tapped his cousin on the shoulder.

"Kuya..." Oreo called after they went out of the motel.

"Hmm?" He turned to his cousin.

"Don't get me wrong, okay? Until when will you keep Momo?"

He put his hands on his pockets and looked up at the sky.

"I really don't know," Jonathan said. "Momo told me, once she finished her quest here on Earth, our deal ends..."

"We both know that anytime soon she could turn into a bad spirit if she failed to crossover to the afterlife..." Oreo heaved a deep sigh. His voice was filled with worry.

He gave his cousin a side-way glance.

"You know what to do if ever that thing happens."

They both heaved a sigh.

Jonathan wished for Momo's success on her quest before it's too late. Somehow, he was concerned with her.

"Kuya, hop in," said Oreo, who was now settled on the driver's seat.

He opened the door and hopped in to Oreo's car.

"Drop me to the nearest mall," Jonathan told his cousin.

"What are you gonna do "

"Just drop me there," he said sternly.

AS SOON as Jonathan's feet set to the mall, he strode towards the direction of the bookstore. He looked for that particular book Momo told her about and bought it. Now that she was not around, he finally had the chance to do that. Not that he wanted to keep it a secret from anybody, but Jonathan was not ready yet to open up about it...

After successfully purchasing the book, he went out of the bookstore and phoned Rico.

"Ey!" Rico greeted him the moment he answered his call.

"Is the boss in?" He headed to the mall's exit.

"The lady boss or the other one?"

"The lady one."

"She's here, as usual."

"Great." Jonathan hung up and hailed a taxi.

His lady boss was on break when he arrived at the coffee shop. She was having chitchat with her talkative daughter, who never run out of questions. Holding the book, Jonathan sauntered towards them.

The kid waved at him. He waved back with a smile before turning to his lady boss.

"Oh, what brought you here, Jonathan? It's your off today," said Avon.

"Can you spare me some time?" He put his hand inside his pocket.

"Sure." His lady boss tapped her daughter's back. "Go inside daddy's office, Ara."

The kid did what she was told.

Jonathan pulled the chair across his lady boss and sat there and handed her the book that he bought from the bookstore.

"I know this is a book," Avon said with furrowed brows. "But what's your issue with this? I'm not even the author of this story." She put the book down on the table and sighed.

"But you're a writer," he said.

"Mmm-hmm..." She nodded slowly.

"By any chance, do you know who's behind that pen name?"

Jonathan was hoping that she could somehow confirm his assumption.

She tapped her finger beside the author's name on the cover page.

"Cassiopeia... I'm not acquainted to this author, but as far as I remember her book got published under this indie publishing house owned by a certain Amara Briones. What's the name of the publishing house again?" Avon tapped her chin. "Ah! Stardust Publishing."

Jonathan stood up and grabbed the book from the table. "Thanks."

He went home to do his research. But Jonathan did not expect the surprise waiting for him when he got home. When he opened the door to his room, he saw Andie's necklace floating above his bed. But since he has a special ability, he knew that Momo was behind it. Which astonished him even more because a mere soul could only possess a thing if it has a connection with it. Momo and Andie's necklace...

Jonathan's eyes widened as the realization hit him.

"A-Andie...?" he said with a shaky voice.

The book dropped on the floor.

The human-shaped white smoke slowly resembled an opaque image of a human. Now, he could finally see its face.

His knees suddenly lost their strength. He plopped down on the floor with his body feeling numb all over.

"You know who I am?" asked Momo, Andie rather.

Jonathan was torn between feeling happy and sad. His tears rolled down his cheeks without warning.

Why does it have to be you, Andie? Why?

His fists clenched above his lap as he and his heart cried.

"Jonathan..." she called.

He wanted to hug her. But how?