The Soul Reborn: From Silence to Sovereignty Chapter 88

Chapter 88: The Theme Park Experience

So… it turned out he did have the full amount.

After rummaging in the back for far too long, the shopkeeper finally returned, grumbling under his breath yet looking oddly pleased, carrying a shiny black briefcase stuffed with bills so crisp they practically reeked of smug satisfaction.

I gave him a long, knowing look.

“Let me guess,” I said with sarcasm dripping from every word. “You just happened to find another hundred thousand dollars behind a magic panel in your safe?”

He didn’t answer, only fixing me with that neutral, professional deadpan, as if I would drop all suspicion.

But I leaned in closer anyway.

“What kind of businessman tells the exact amount of cash they have on hand, huh?” I whispered. “You were lowballing me from the start, I imagine, smart. A respectable hustle, but also the last time I come here.”

He was left utterly speechless, and I had no desire to hear a rebuttal.

It’s too bad for him; that I wasn’t an easy woman to handle.

With an angelic smile, I accepted the briefcase he slid across the counter and promptly handed it off to Noah.

“Hold this, dear,” I said, patting his arm. “You’re my vault now.”

“Noah accepted the case with a calm nod, as though hundreds of thousands in cash were nothing new. Honestly, they weren’t.”

Behind me, Elowen and Livia were both standing near the entrance, eyes darting around the pawn shop like it was a museum of cursed objects.

Elowen leaned toward Livia and whispered, “That box is full of paper; how is it worth more than gold?”

“No idea,” Livia replied, stunned. “That man didn’t even bow once. He just… talked to her like she was a normal female off the street.”

I stifled a laugh and turned back to them. “Alright girls, it’s time.”

They straightened instantly, alert.

“I’m going to blow your minds with some good food first,” I said with enthusiasm. “Then…”

I paused dramatically, watching both their expressions fall slightly.

“… We’re going to a theme park!”

Elowen blinked. “What's a… theme park?”

I just grinned, knowing full well what kind of experience they were about to have. “It’s a sacred realm, a kingdom of dreams, and possibly a lot of waiting in long lines.”

Livia narrowed her eyes. “If this is anything like your so-called pitch earlier…”

“Relax,” I said, waving her off. “Most of the rides are tame and for kids. You’ll survive.”

I followed with a jest. “But some are not,” I added with a smirk. “So if you start crying mid-ride, I will take pictures.”

“Do you really enjoy terrorizing us this much?” Livia muttered.

“Disaster tourism is my love language.” I turned back toward the car with a grin. “First up are burgers, fries, and milkshakes. Then we’ll see if we survive a rollercoaster that feels like flying through the stars.”

As we piled into the car once again, the briefcase rested on Noah’s lap while Lyra snuggled quietly into her blanket, looking perfectly at ease with her surroundings. The other two, however, were pale with dread at what was to come.

Elowen’s nose was pressed to the glass, wide eyes tracking every car that passed us like it was a type of magical beast.

Livia, who tried to look calm, kept glancing at street signs and blinking at stoplights like they were sorcery.

“See?” I said with a smug smile. “You’re already enchanted, and we haven’t even gotten to the dancing mouse or the overpriced food yet.”

Elowen pointed at a man walking by with glowing earbuds and a dog in a baby stroller. “What is this place?”

“It’s somewhere that’s advanced centuries ahead of our own world, believe it or not.” I chuckled while looking at the oddity.

The food I was planning to show them was from one of my favorite places to go when I used to live in California, In-N-Out.

Like I said previously, I got us burgers, fries, and those thick milkshakes you have to use all your sucking power to get to the bottom.

Watching their faces change as they started eating the food was gratifying because they were all so cute with their different expressions.

Getting them to eat with their hands was a chore thanks to all that etiquette nonsense. In the end, I just shoved my burger into Noah’s mouth and snatched his for myself. His eyes lit up at the taste, and he kept eating, only to ask for another afterward.

Livia, on the other hand, was cautiously dissecting her burger with a plastic knife, muttering about “food sorcery.”

Elowen was dipping her fries into her milkshake with the reverent curiosity of someone discovering a new element on the periodic table.

“You’re all officially corrupted,” I laughed, getting the attention of those around me, but I didn’t care as I was sipping my vanilla shake like the queen of bad influences. “Welcome to modern decadence.”

They didn’t argue… just looked at me with knowing faces, unable to counter any of my banter.

After our bellies were full and the mood was high, we made our way to Anaheim, California. When I say ‘on our way,’ I mean sitting in traffic for a few hours going about five miles per hour. Fuck me.”

It was already mid-afternoon when we arrived at the park with a briefcase full of cash and every intention to blow everyone’s mind on the technology of this world.

Is there anywhere better to showcase such ingenuity than a place that fills every guest with joy the moment they pass through its gates?

Not one of them had a neutral expression. They were all looking at the different colors and mascots that were roaming around. Not to mention all the flashing signs.

Their eyes were huge!

“Is that a castle?” Elowen gasped.

“Why is there a giant mouse on so many signs?” Livia added, furrowing her brow.

“This,” I said proudly, slowing the car as we pulled into the lot, “is what true entertainment looks like. Music, fantasy, lights, characters, and magic that runs on electricity. Dreams brought to life, not just bedtime stories. After today, you’ll realize just how boring our world truly is.”

Noah leaned forward slightly, gazing out the windshield at the looming gates and whimsical architecture.

“You’ve always talked about the wonders of this place,” he murmured. “But this…”

Noah’s expression could be best described as flabbergasted.

I just smiled at him as I ran my fingers down his arm, which would normally get a rise out of him, but he was too preoccupied at the moment.

After parking the car, I popped the trunk and pulled out Lyra’s stroller, buckling her in before we set off. I gave her a quick boop on the nose, earning a sweet giggle in return. Then I turned to the three world travelers accompanying me.

“Ready?”

Livia stared ahead, breath shallow.

Elowen whispered, “I think I can hear music playing from inside.”

“You can,” I said, starting to walk towards the entrance. “They pipe it in from hidden speakers. That’s called atmosphere. You’ll love it.”

We walked up to the gates and passed through security with ease; of course we left Noah’s weapons in the car. After we bought tickets, Livia wondered if such a price was worthy of a place full of… puppets. It surprised me she could already understand the value of a dollar.

“Puppets and joy,” I said cheerfully. “Nostalgia is expensive, but worth it.”

As we entered, an old-fashioned main street stretched down the center, lined with shops and leading toward the attractions.

Of course my party’s expression was priceless once we actually got inside, like children who saw snow for the first time.

Elowen spun in place, gazing up at the pastel buildings, the vintage music, and the bubbles floating through the air from someone’s toy. “It’s like a festival.”

Livia’s eyes followed a parade of children wearing glittery mouse ears. “These people… wear matching outfits… for fun?”

“Correction, they bought overpriced matching outfits for fun.” I chuckled.

Then we turned a corner and saw it.

A giant castle that had nothing on our home, but it was still cute, I guess.

Right there in the distance, framed by flags, music, and tourists snapping a thousand photos per second.

Noah exhaled softly, genuinely awed.

Elowen grabbed onto my arm, completely forgetting what she was taught as a lady. “That’s not a real castle… right?”

“It’s real enough for people to believe in,” I said with a grin.

Lyra cooed from her stroller, eyes wide, and her tiny hands reached up as if she could touch the bright colors all around her.

We walked forward, surrounded by the smells of fresh popcorn and warm cinnamon churros, with laughter echoing from every direction. Music floated through the air, weaving a festive mood as if we had stepped into a storybook.

Livia leaned in. “Is it always like this?”

I nodded. “Every… Single… Day,” My tone left no doubt I had seen it myself.

They looked around, overwhelmed but enchanted.

A permanent smile was plastered across my face as I watched everyone experience a place where dreams and imagination take over.

As we walked past the rides, I pointed out the one I wanted to try first. Roller coasters rushed by around us, and I giggled at the petrified expressions on the girls’ faces.

“Alright,” I declared. “The first ride… log flume.”

Elowen blinked. “Log… what?”

“It’s a giant fake log that drifts along the water, taking you through a scenic ride before ending with a massive drop. Honestly? It's like a noble carriage with emotional trauma and a splash zone.”

Noah raised a brow. “It’s… safe?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at this big man being afraid of such a ride.

“Totally,” I said, already steering us that way. “It’s practically made for families. Slow ride, cute animals, great atmosphere. Then boom—surprise drop. Everyone gets wet, everyone screams, and somehow it turns into the perfect bonding experience.”

Before we approached the line, I had one thing to handle. The ride had a minimum height restriction, so that means I couldn’t bring Lyra. So one of them had to stay behind; I wasn’t going to let both because that’s boring.

“Alright, so… Who wants to stay with Lyra?” It didn’t even take a fraction of a second. Livia quickly took her from my arms.

“I got this; you guys go have fun.” The relief on her face was obvious.

After kissing Lyra goodbye and turning back many times to wave at her, we finally made it to the line.

Elowen was obviously a nervous wreck.

“That thing?” she asked, pointing at the cartoonish oversized log slowly floating past, filled with soaking tourists.

“Yeah,” I fought to keep a straight face. “Don’t worry, it’ll be fun.”

As we waited in line, just about to reach the front, I saw Livia holding Lyra and pointing in our direction. I couldn’t help but jump up and down waving at her. I could see her cute little face crinkle up as she laughed.

Elowen eyed the ride warily. “It drops from that height?”

“Sure,” I said with absolutely no fear, hoping it would ease her trembling body. “It’s safe, so relax and enjoy the ride. You’re only a little likely to scream and question your life choices.”

When we finally got to the loading area and saw the two-seater configuration, I turned with a sly grin.

“So I guess that means I have to sit on Noah’s lap.” He just smiled at me, while I gave a provocative look. “Don’t worry, Elowen, I will allow you to experience the front seat.”

It was also so I could get a better view of her reactions, hehe.

Noah, of course, hopped in, held out a hand to help me onto the log, and then guided me down onto his lap. I’d sat there many times before, so it was quite comfortable.

I turned to Elowen, whose body went stiff.

“Hurry up.” I said as I pointed in front of me. “Do you really think I would get into something that was truly dangerous?”

It was like a light flicked on in her brain, and she understood my intentions. There was no way I would risk myself, especially with just having Lyra.

Elowen flushed. “I… I mean, I guess that’s true.”

She eased herself down, sliding back until she could sit comfortably against the backrest.

As we started moving, I saw how much she flinched while also looking back at me with pleading eyes. I just smiled at her and said nothing.

Noah wrapped his arm around my midsection that was now as flat as the day we met. He kissed my cheek as the log jerked forward on the track.

“I don’t know what’s about to happen,” he whispered in my ear, “but I can already tell I’m going to remember this experience forever.”

"We’ll make so many more unforgettable memories from now on." In front of us, Elowen squeaked as the log bumped forward.

Especially once we entered one of the tunnels that was mostly darkness, she freaked out with a loud yelp.

“If you need some support, grab it.” I slide my hand through the opening on the side, and at the same time she grips it with both hands.

Thankfully she wasn't too far in front of me, or this would be uncomfortable.