Paradox of Being - Sukani's Return

“I don’t think Mom’s gonna come pick us up tonight,” Momo said, his voice low and a little deflated.

I let out a shaky breath, feeling the tension in the air.

"I guess," I muttered.

"Anyways, what’s for dinner?" Jojo asked, stepping back into the kitchen, trying to escape the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Her footsteps sounded quicker, like she wanted to avoid the thick silence hanging between us.

"Just whip up anything convenient," I called after her, my tone more tired than I intended.

I didn’t even care what we ate. My mind was somewhere else.

"Yes!" Momo suddenly exclaimed, his face lighting up like he’d just solved the world’s biggest problem.

“Chester, I know how Aunt is with books—”

Before he could finish his thought, Jojo rushed back into the living room, her eyes wide with excitement, like they were both competing for my attention.

They both sat beside me, squishing me into the couch like I was caught between two hyperactive puppies.

“Can I borrow a book of thoughts?” they asked in unison, like some kind of twin telepathy thing. They had this weird connection where they always seemed to be on the same wavelength. It was cute but also maddening at times.

Before I could even answer, they kept going, finishing each other’s sentences and talking over each other.

“Jinx!”

"Jinx!"

“No way, I asked him first.”

"No way, I asked him first.”

"Jojo!"

"Momo!"

“Guys, just let me breathe for a second, jeez,” I groaned, feeling trapped.

And that’s when it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. “Books,” I said suddenly, the word escaping my mouth.

“What?” they both asked, confused, turning to look at me as if I’d lost my mind.

“Books!” I exclaimed again, standing up so fast that they recoiled, their eyes wide with surprise.

“Where the hell is my chronicle?!”

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest.

“No. No, no, no,” I muttered under my breath, panic rising. “This can’t be happening.”

“What’s wrong?” Momo asked, now looking genuinely concerned.

“Did you, like, lose something?”Juju giggled nervously. “You’re not freaking out about a book, are you?”

But I couldn’t respond. I was already halfway to my room, shutting the door behind me with a slam. My heart was racing, my thoughts spiraling.

This couldn’t be happening. Not my chronicle. I started pacing, my hands running through my hair as I muttered to myself like a lunatic. Where was it? Where could it have gone? I replayed the day in my head, trying to retrace every step.

“I went to Mikey’s with it, right?” I asked myself, feeling the panic tightening in my chest. “I placed it on our table. Then I went to the restroom, and when Mom called...” I left after that. But did I leave it with Kimberly? Or did I misplace it somewhere else?

"Fuck!” I groaned, clutching my head.

This was bad. Really bad. My mind immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario.

Kimberly. Could she have...?

No, she couldn’t have. No way. "Think harder, Chester," I told myself, pacing back and forth. I left it right there on the table. How could I? What on earth did I do? Not my chronicle. That book cannot fall into anyone's hands.

Not now. Not ever.

It has too many things in it—my life, my thoughts… everything. Even Sukani.

I swallowed hard, my heart thundering in my chest.

Sukani.

I felt the panic setting in. I wrote everything about the wishing well in that journal. Everything that no one—not even my closest friends—should ever know.

This can't be happening.

I stopped and pressed my palms against my temples, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to force myself to think straight. Could Kimberly have…?

No. No way. She wouldn’t. But then why did she act so strangely today? Something was wrong with her, and I knew it.

I wanted to scream. I needed to do something. The coffee shop had already closed, so there was no chance I could just run over and check for it.

But what were the odds that it was still there anyway? I grabbed my phone with trembling, sweaty hands and pulled up Kimberly’s contact. My finger hovered over the call button for a second before I pressed it, feeling like my heart was in my throat.

It rang once… twice… I held my breath. Finally, she picked up on the third ring.

“Hey,” I said, my voice shaky despite trying to stay calm.

“Yes?” she replied, her tone cold, clipped—nothing like the Kimberly I knew. She didn’t even sound like the girl who loved BTS or who blushed when I called her pretty. This was the Kimberly from months ago—the one who barely smiled, barely even noticed me.

“Did you, uh…” I hesitated.

“Did you see my chron...jour... journal? I think I left it at the coffee shop this morning.” My words came out faster than I meant them to, but I couldn’t help it.

I was freaking out.

There was a short pause. My stomach twisted as I waited for her response.

“No. I didn’t see any journal,” she finally said, her voice flat.

I bit down on my lip and pressed my hand against my forehead.

Dammit.

This wasn’t happening. My chest felt like it was caving in, the weight of everything crashing down on me all at once. What had changed? Why was she acting like this all of a sudden?

“Are you sure?” I asked, desperately hoping she’d suddenly remember.

“I’m sure.” Her voice had an edge to it, like she was done with this conversation.

There was a pause, then she added, “Anything else?”

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “No, that’s it.”

Without another word, she hung up.

I stood there, staring at my phone in disbelief.

The Kimberly I’d known for the past few months—the one who laughed and joked with me, the one I thought I understood—was gone. Replaced by someone colder, distant, and calculating.

What did she want to tell me about Kevin? What had triggered this change in her behavior? And more importantly… where was my chronicle? Fiona was right. Kimberly wasn’t who I thought she was.

And if my chronicle wasn't with her, then with who? The last thing I wanted was for her to see that chronicle and go through it. Just the thought of her reading all the stuff I’d written about her—it would kill me.

I couldn't shake off the paranoia that she might be sitting somewhere, going through every page, laughing at it with her friends. What was she gaining from all of this? Why did she get so close to me only to pull away? Had I done something wrong? Said something?

My brain felt like it was on the verge of exploding. "Who the hell has my chronicle?" I yelled, the sound echoing back at me in the silence of my room.

There was no answer, of course. Just my frustration bouncing off the walls.

I grabbed my phone and typed out a message, my fingers trembling: 'Please, in case you come across it, return it. That journal is very important. Thank you.'

I sent it with a heavy sigh, my stomach twisting in knots. Almost immediately, Kevin’s message flashed on the screen: 'I called you earlier to ask about that literature project. You didn’t call back. And now, you gave Kimberly my number?'

Wait. How the hell did Kimberly even get Kevin’s number?

I stared at Kevin’s message, my pulse quickening. Without thinking, I called him, and the phone barely rang before he picked up.

"Chester," he said, but there was no warmth in his voice, only a frustration that gnawed at me.

"I just saw your message, Kevin, and I don’t get it. What’s going on? What’s all this about Kimberly?" My voice wavered despite trying to sound calm. There was silence on the other end. It felt thick, suffocating, as if Kevin was holding back something dangerous. Finally, he spoke, his voice slow, deliberate, each word like a slap in the face.

"Chester, why did you give Kimberly my number?"

I froze.

"I—I…" The words stuck in my throat, caught between shock and confusion. "I swear I didn’t. Why would I—?"

"Then who the fuck did?!" Kevin yelled, his voice hitting me like a punch, ringing in my ears. It was the first time he had ever yelled at me. This wasn’t Kevin.

Not the Kevin I knew.

"Kevin, listen to me." I could barely find my voice now, shrinking under the weight of his anger. "I swear I didn’t give her your number. I wouldn’t—"

"Then who did, Chester?!" He was breathing hard, each word sharper than the last. "She told me herself when she called. Why would she lie, huh? And with how close you two have been lately... if you didn’t, then who?"

My head spun. What was happening? "Kevin, you're overreacting. I swear I didn’t—"

"Overreacting?! You think I’m overreacting?" His voice cracked with a mix of rage and something deeper, something raw. "You don’t know what this is about, do you? I hate Kimberly Hart. I despise her with every fiber of my being."

The words hit me harder than his earlier outburst. "Kevin, what are you talking about?" I asked, cutting him off, desperate to understand.

But all I got was a long, shaky sigh, and then the line went dead.

He hung up.

I stared at my phone in disbelief. My hands were trembling, and the tears I had been holding back finally broke free.

Everything felt heavier—the air, my limbs, even the ground beneath my feet. My chest was tight with a mix of fear, anger, and betrayal. My head spun, replaying Kevin’s words, trying to piece together what had gone so horribly wrong.

Kimberly… she had used me. I had been her pawn all along, just a tool to get to Kevin. How could I have been so blind? I wiped my eyes, but the tears kept coming.

My chronicle—where was it? Who had it? The thought of Kimberly reading all my private thoughts, everything I had written about her, about my life, about Sukani, made me feel dead. The chronicle held too many secrets. Things no one was supposed to know.

"Who the hell has my chronicle?!" I shouted at the empty room, but the silence that followed was deafening. I grabbed my phone again and sent Kimberly a text, my hands shaking as I typed: "Please, if you come across it, return it. That journal is very important. Thank you."

As soon as I hit send, Kevin’s message from earlier flashed in my mind, and the fear spiked again.

I called him, praying he’d pick up and explain this madness, but it all felt pointless.

My mind was unraveling. Could Kimberly have already read everything? Could she have found out about Sukani? I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand and closed them, the weight of my panic crushing down on me. I needed to summon Sukani.

I needed to know."Raveix, ouer Sukani?" I whispered, my voice trembling as I called out, but nothing came. Panic clawed at my chest as I chanted again, louder this time. "Raveix, ouer Sukani?"

Nothing.

I kept going, each call becoming more desperate, but still, there was no answer. My heart pounded in my ears as the truth settled in.

Sukani was gone.

Someone had found my wishing well.

"Chester, what have you done?"

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hey lovely readers!

How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having an amazing day so far!

As always, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story. It really means the world to me. How are you liking Chester’s journey so far? I’m super curious to know your thoughts!

Please don't hesitate to leave your feedback, I would love to hear from you. Your reviews, comments, and support really inspire me to keep writing and improving, so feel free to share your thoughts.

And if you're enjoying the book, don’t forget to add it to your library and share it with your friends!

Let’s make this journey bigger and better together! Happy reading, and I can’t wait to see what you think!

This chapter is dedicated to each and everyone of you that love and support Chester!!

With love, _Axeemah_