Chapter 008: The Pain of Parting

However, this is truly not easy

Lola, then.

All evidence of your existence has been erased, as if you have been dead for a long time, long enough that no one can remember you

People fled in terror from the electric poles entwined with Mars, some running and calling for help. However, others fell in the chaos, even causing temporary traffic disruption

Misfortune is spreading, like an invisible hand urging Merlin to leave this place

He walked to the outside of the garage, turned back to gaze for a moment, then extended his hand. Amid the clattering sound of the rolling shutter, the entire garage returned to tranquility once more

In a few days, this place will no longer belong to the Coulson family forever

Even such supernatural events, where his existence is erased, could likely be resolved through magic or other peculiar means

He averted his gaze and pressed down hard on the accelerator. Lola, with mud from the grass still clinging to her wheels, seemed to sense her owner's anxious mood. This classic convertible sports car accelerated once more, swiftly leaving the city.

bang

That was yet another life lost because of him

A thought suddenly appeared in Merlin's mind

This weighed heavily on Merlin's heart, yet it did not lead him to complete despair

However, a person in dire straits needs a hope to sustain them

However, losing the farm is a significant blow for Phil, as he was born and raised here. Compared to the bustling Madison, this place feels more like home to him

The young man endured a headache as he extended his finger to caress the exterior of the classic Corvette, the cold sensation evoking a complex mix of emotions within Merlin

The next morning, a weary Phil Coulson returned to Coulson Farm

He had seen such scenery countless times, but never before had it been filled with an indescribable sense of parting and sorrow as it was this time

The demonic contract that was supposed to be fulfilled was disrupted by the phantom stranger, resulting in the ritual's failure to complete, which likely led to a third possibility beyond success and failure

He stood up, a wave of dizziness washing over him, and the objects before him began to blur once again. The symptoms of double vision seemed to worsen once more. A viscous liquid trickled from his nostrils, carrying a hint of a familiar metallic scent

sufficient to support him through the most difficult and darkest times

He then took out some money that he had hidden among a few books on the shelf. It was money he had earned from working. After replacing Lola's engine, most of the money he had earned was already spent, but this amount was enough for Merlin to buy a ticket to another place, sufficient for him to leave his hometown

She belongs to you now, Phil Coulson, take good care of her

Then, he picked up the suitcase, placed the slightly worn black denim hat on his head, and used sunglasses to conceal the unusualness of his eyes

If one day, this world suddenly forgot you, what would that scene be like

Finally, Merlin took the car keys out of his pocket and placed them on the driver's seat, then stuck the note he was holding under the windshield wiper

Driven by this thought, Merlin hurriedly opened the bedside cabinet and took out his admission notice. However, as he opened the white envelope, he despaired to see that the admission notice, which should have been properly preserved, had already turned into a crumpled piece of faded yellow paper, as if it had been thrown into the river of time and washed away for over a decade.

But why does it stop here

Unfortunately, in order for my father to recover better and to allow Phil to complete his studies, my mother still made the painful decision to sell it

Then, my little darling, I shall call you ... ...

It is time to leave

Merlin extended his hand, adjusted the black cowboy hat on his head, and then took a few steps back. He bent down and helped a lady who had twisted her ankle, assisting her to the roadside. Amid her repeated expressions of gratitude, Merlin pushed through the crowd and quickened his pace towards the parking lot

The writing above has long since become blurred and indistinct, resembling a poorly drawn sketch, mocking Merlin's whimsical ideas

Although he had prepared for the possible supernatural events many times over the past 18 years, he still appeared at a loss after everything suddenly occurred

While his mother was taking care of his father in the hospital, Phil had to return home to pack his things and prepare to move away from there. As the young man walked through the farm, he immediately noticed that the garage door was locked, which surprised Phil, as he distinctly remembered that door usually remained open.

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It is like a classical beauty dressed in a red gown, quietly waiting in her boudoir for the arrival of her master

In the dark garage, Merlin leaned against Lola's car, trembling hands igniting a cigarette. The Coulson family had no history of smoking, and Merlin was not particularly fond of the taste of tobacco, but at that moment, he desperately needed something to calm himself down

The longer he stays in one place, the more severe the accumulation of misfortune becomes. Whether he is willing or not, he must take a step forward and explore the unknown world

A sense of weakness rose from Merlin's heart, flowing like water, filling his already weary heart. He collapsed onto the soft bed, covering his face with his hands, but this time, he did not cry

Is this a prank

Shadows ... ... The shadows after dusk enveloped the Coulson Farm and the surrounding neighborhoods in this eerie manner. In the distant neighborhoods, a few screams echoed, and Merlin, who witnessed it all, felt an invisible wind stirring his body, once again experiencing that bone-chilling coldness

At the Coulson Farm, in Merlin's room, Merlin picked up the family photo from the bedside. In that photo, his image had completely vanished, while Phil, James, and Mrs. Coulson appeared to be the perfect family, seemingly without any place for Merlin.

A gust of wind swept through, causing the trees along the street to rustle. A branch fell, crashing down behind Mei Lin's car amidst the startled exclamations of passersby. The swirling fallen leaves seemed to signify that this tempest had begun to brew, a harbinger of the most traditional disaster in Wisconsin

For some reason, Phil felt that the font was very familiar, even though he had never seen it before

He dragged the suitcase and walked into the garage in the darkness

The young man forced a smile as he placed the picture frame back in its original position. He reached out to open the wardrobe, took out his own clothes, and packed them into a large suitcase

In fact, he fell in love with the car at first sight.

Yes, he is reluctant to give it up just like that

I can complete my studies

Could it be that the house has been burglarized

This is undoubtedly truly good news for this family that has suffered a setback

Since the demon has appeared before him, and since there are beings in the world similar to the Phantom Stranger, it implies that the magic and witchcraft that only exist in legends are indeed real. Their existence means that in that magical world, there must also be methods to resolve his physical issues

He stood in place, right beneath the short-circuited utility pole, gazing at the lifeless bird on the ground before him, its gray, shattered feathers swirling and falling through the air in front of him.

Worse still, you are also plagued by misfortune

The three most important people in his life over the past 18 years were in that hospital

The suddenly snapped power line swayed in the wind, sending feathers flying from an innocent bird that was electrocuted. Its pitiful life came to an end at that moment, and it fell straight to the ground, emitting a strange aroma reminiscent of roasted meat

You can only live for yourself, you can only live in solitude

He stands in the darkness, treating the memories of the past as the most beautiful treasures, sealing them bit by bit in the deepest recesses of his mind. For a traveler about to leave home, these memories are not a burden, but rather the best support.

buzz

Merlin's heart tightened once again

The 15-year-old young man has recently encountered many events that have completely overturned his previously simple life. Fortunately, his father, who was involved in a car accident, underwent his first surgery last night, which was very successful. The doctor stated that, if fortunate, James might awaken in a few months.

A sudden explosion caused a series of terrified screams from pedestrians on Madison Street in the afternoon. A series of sparks erupted from the top of the utility pole above the intersection.

... ...

Merlin gritted his teeth, grabbed the suitcase, and hurriedly exited the room. Just as he stood at the door of the house, a spark suddenly flared up on a distant utility pole, startling a flock of crows that cawed and took to the sky.

He is simply like a walking source of disaster

As he spent more time in this city, the misfortune that plagued Merlin became increasingly intense. What began as mere bad luck for himself has now, after several hours, evolved into an invisible misfortune that has started to affect the things around him.

Phil took down the note, which had a message written on it

The streetlights that have just been lit, like extinguished candles, are going out one by one before Merlin's eyes

Young people do not believe that they have friends who are generous enough to casually give away a car. In his memory, his father also seemed to lack such friends. So what exactly is the story behind this car

Phil extended his hand, pulling up the door. As sunlight streamed into the garage, Phil Coulson, with a vigilant expression, could not help but widen his eyes at the presence of something in the garage

bang

Until now, everything that has happened in the present, he still cannot let go

In the darkness, Merlin gazed at Lola, parked in the garage, the best 18th birthday gift that James had left for him

Upon seeing the note, Phil was completely baffled

Merlin, filled with extreme disappointment, slammed his fist on the table, and his final destination was mercilessly erased in this manner

However, the lifeless body of the small bird before me seems to serve as a warning

It is as if the most beautiful and precious treasures are completely sealed away

The acrid smoke rose in the darkness, enveloping Merlin's blurred cheeks.

Of course, all of this is predicated on Merlin's ability to find those magical creatures in the real world

He is not a bad person; he does not wish to provoke a greater disaster

But he must distance himself from them, even to the extent of completely disappearing from their lives

Moments later, accompanied by the low rumble of the engine, the red Lola burst out of the parking lot of Madison Hospital, with Merlin in the driver's seat taking one last glance back at the hospital behind him

Why is it you? And why is it me?

Phil's first thought was to call the police, but when his gaze fell upon the red car, the gleam of affection in his eyes was impossible to conceal

But in reality, you are still alive. You weave through the bustling crowd like a wandering ghost, with no one knowing you and no one caring about you

Merlin looked at the dead little bird beneath his feet, murmuring to himself

Unfortunately, its owner is about to leave, and Merlin will no longer be able to drive Lola across the land

Merlin touched with his finger, and in his eyes, which were beginning to see double again, he saw a streak of crimson on his fingertip

Perhaps I can go to New York

Merlin was unaware of what was happening to him; he knew nothing about magic or energy. He could only speculate that this entangling misfortune was likely related to that contract

A series of indistinguishable whispers echoed in his ears, akin to tinnitus, causing Merlin to shake his head in discomfort, attempting to shake the vague sounds from his mind

Phil walked into the garage with a puzzled expression. He circled around the super cool car and then found the car keys in the driver's seat, along with a note on the windshield wiper

This thought caused Phil to instinctively rush back into the room. A few minutes later, he approached the garage cautiously, holding a baseball bat and wearing a baseball helmet.

Phil Coulson extended his hand, gently caressing the super cool car, embracing it as if it were a long-lost treasure, embracing the entire world. In this garage, he spoke to himself:

bang

After a little over ten minutes, Merlin had prepared everything he needed for his journey. He sat somewhat dazed on his bed, gazing out at the setting sun. The fiery red halo enveloped the horizon, resembling the most beautiful and splendid landscape.

The rolling shutter door has not been locked; it has merely been closed

Merlin patted the cold hood of Lola's car, as if it were a final farewell. He took the half-burned cigarette from his lips, tossed it to the ground, and extinguished it with his foot

That was an incredibly cool red sports car, a classic 1962 Corvette. Phil vaguely remembers that when he was a child, his father seemed to have had such a cool car as well, but unfortunately, that car was eventually sold.

However, Merlin did not panic like they did