XXV

“Nice staff” Flint complimented. I couldn’t answer him. Not that I didn’t want to but I just couldn’t. My thought dragged me out of reality. What do I do? She was fearless. Strong. Fought the war. I can't be me. The staff. Saving Oceania. Can't be me. The future. My destiny. Rest on my shoulders. That was how scrambled up my thoughts were. Flint held his head. “Your thoughts are hurting”. He said. I still didn’t answer. “We’ll get through this”. He held my body closer to his. My hand gripped the staff tighter. I need to get out of here first. In no time, we were back in front of the restaurant. I still couldn’t move or talk. Flint helped me upstairs to Avari’s room. “Hey! Wiberly! Flint!” She said hugging me. She pulled back, “you’re cold Wiberly”, she said, “what happened?” I wish I could answer. I know she was really worried. “I think we need to give her time to rest”, Flint suggested, “her thoughts proved that the Water serpent gave it to her straight”. “That’s awful” she retorted, “they are just as bad as Shamita. Has she been like this for long?” “Ever since she came out of the cove”. Was Flint's short answer. Avari sighed heavily, “I think I know how to help her”, she said, “she needs time away from all these. We have to send her back”. “She can’t swim in her condition”. Flint countered. “The water might wake her senses. Besides, she stronger than she thinks so she will make it back”. “I guess you’re right”, Flint gave in, “let's get her to Lenold”. They both put my arms around their necks And they pulled me downstairs. They walked with me hoping that I would wake up. “Is she okay?” Lenold asked immediately he saw me. “She visited Water serpent”. Flint answered. “I should have guessed. They always make things worse”. He complained. They show the future one is not ready to face. Even though they don’t have the right to. One of these days, Shamita will handle them for this. Lenold completed in his mind. “Are you ready?” Avari asked me. I think I blinked because she smiled before telling Flint, “she’s ready”. “Wait!” Lenold stopped them. He rushed inside the hut and brought out a thick black cloth. “For the staff” he said. Flint wrapped the staff till it looked like a regular metal rod. The only thing I felt since the cove meeting was the coolness of the water. My skin matched the water. I wasn’t swimming yet. My legs didn’t move and I was falling down instead of going up. You have to do this Wiberly. You have people who are counting on you to be strong. Even if you don’t believe in yourself, do it for them. I thought. My lungs finally opened and the water entered. It wasn’t drowning me; it was giving me life. I paddled with my feet using the staff as a steering. I gasped as soon as I reached the surface. I smiled to myself before I walked out. The sun was just setting in the city. I wonder how many days I spent there? I wondered while swimming to the shore. My clothes were getting dry with every step I took on the beach. My shoes were totally dry already. I called a cab and it drove me home. I’m not sure if it was the honk or they were already outside but Shelly and Martin came to hug me. “Oh my goodness!” Shelly breathed into my hair. I pulled away and smiled. “We were scared that you weren’t coming back”. She said. “How long was I gone?” I asked. “Your entire summer break. School starts tomorrow”. Martin replied. “What?!” I couldn’t believe it, “I was only there for some days”. “The time differs a lot. Cammie was always confused too”. Shelly smiled. I put my arm over her shoulder as we walked inside. “What do you have there?” Martin asked pointing to the staff. “It's my Dad's staff”. I said shortly. I heard voices coming from upstairs. The voices sounded very familiar. I looked at them and they got my questioned look. “It's Helen and Bill”. Shelly answered. “Aunt Shelly!” I whined, “you know they can't be involved in all these”. “I know sweetie but they were so worried they’d come here everyday and just talked in your room”. I exhaled grabbing a handful of my hair. I took in deep breaths. I wanted to walk up but I remembered that she was hurt when I left. “How are you guys? ” I asked softly. “We’re fine but I still need to go for checkups weekly”. Shelly smiled weakly. “I'm sorry I couldn’t help”. I apologized. “I think you should save your apology for those guys upstairs”. I nodded walking up there. “Wiberly!” they both screamed as I walked in. They ran to hug me. Their list of questions started. “Where were you?” “Why didn’t you say anything?” “Why didn’t you pick up your calls?” “Are you okay?” “Guys!” I called them, “can I sit down first? I promise to answer your questions”. “Actually”, Helen smiled, “go have a shower first. We’ll wait. I’m sure it's a long story”. “You have no idea”. I said before rushing to the bath tub. I made the water nice and warm before entering. I missed this feeling. The warmness and coolness at the same time. My head was clearing up. I have to tell them about Shelly and Martin not being my real parents. That’s how far I can go. Now that I know that a war is coming for Oceania, I can’t get them involved. “What’s this?” Bill asked. My mind shot up. “It feels heavy”. “Will brought it up”. Helen answered. So much for a relaxing bath. I wore my robe and I opened the door. “That’s the only piece of metal left at our house”. I said in a small voice. “What house?” Bill asked furrowing his eyebrows. “My parents house. My real parents house”. My answer made Helen's eyes wide as saucers. I entered the closet and quickly wore a black long sleeve top and sweatpants. I put the wet strands of my hair behind my ears. I sat on my bed beside them and I started the story. I told them about finding out that Shelly and Martin weren’t my real parents to our trip to Alameda. I told them that the hunt was just to find out more about them and that was the only way I would know their real address. I told them that I traveled to the house to try and remember things about them because Shelly explained that I lost my memories after the fire. They were both hooked on my story. I even forced tears out of my eyes to make it more believable. Helen was crying with me and she squeezed me in a hug. I smiled guiltily. I love you guys but the truth is far more dangerous.