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Alphose allowed himself to look at Kassandra then, "What about her?"

"She's—" Ismena began.

ButSandra cut her off, raising her hand up, "Her, is also coming too."

Their eyes locked.

For a moment, Sandra would have sworn that the world around them stilled.

Alphose's face might be without expression, but he did not break their eyes' connection.

Ismena cleared her throat, which forced them to look away from each other, finally.

Just then, the door opened and her father walked in. He stopped suddenly when he saw Alphose.

"Oh, w-we have company?" Alfred faltered when he came face to face with the Changeling male.

"Yes, we do, daddy. This is my friend, Alphose." Ismena came forward and was introduced with a smile. "We...uhm...he's my colleague at work too."

Alphose bowed his head respectfully. "Good day, sir."

"Good d-day, my son. How are you—" He began but Ismena suddenly took his arms and pulled him aside.

"Daddy, I have to get going now. Alphose came to tell me that...uhm...I'm needed at work. My boss is requesting for me, so I'm afraid that I can't stay any lo—"

"It's okay, my daughter." Alfred responded, trying to hide the relief in his voice. He knows fully well how unsafe this place is for his daughter now. "I understand."

"Oh?" Ismena blinked in surprise. She'd expected him to refuse, she'd prepared herself to convince him a little bit more but he is agreeing with her. "I'm glad you understand, daddy."

He pulled her into a hug then. She hugged him too, allowing herself to feel the warmth of his body. Ever since she was a child, she'd never forgotten—not even for one day—to thank God for giving her a father like him, after she lost her own father.

"I love you so much, dad." She whispered.

Alfred teared up instantly.

After his confrontation with that bastard, Simon, and the raw wounds of the past opened again, it was soothing to hear such lovely words from Ismena's mouth.

"I love you too, my child." He replied, blinking back tears. "I love you so much. Very much. I will do everything I can to protect you, your mother, and your sister."

"I know, dad. I know." She pulled back from him, smiling warmly.

He kissed her forehead, "Take care of yourself."

"I will." She replied before she pulled away from him. She walked towards a sleeping Valentina, bent down, and kissed her forehead.

"Love you so much, Tina. Please, be well." She whispered, softly. She lingered over her.

"If you're going to leave, I suggest you do so now, sweetie.", Her father injected from behind her. "Before your mother comes back. It'll be harder to leave then."

Ismena knows how right her father is, so she nodded and pulled away from her little sister.

Together, she, Sandra, and Alphose left the hospital room.

CHAPTER 17. DISBELIEF AND A MESSAGE.

It was early evening and they were almost in Naturiah. The private taxi they entered is almost approaching the huge land-spaces where the changelings call The Camouflage Zones.

The Camouflage Zones are paths that can lead very deep into the woods, which leads to the borders of Naturiah. But only changelings know their way in the woods because of all the camouflages in those mischievous, misleading paths.