HIS SALVATION

Episode 3: Second meeting

Amethyst P.O.V

My night was short, and a certain name was still lingering in my mind, “OTIS”.

I don’t know if he was being shy, but he seems like someone who doesn’t really talk much, I‘m not really sure but i guess I’m looking forward to our next meeting, because I would love to have him as a friend.

I was deep in my thoughts when I heard my name being called, I looked towards the direction of the door and it was mum, I guess it’s time to start the day.

We had gone down for breakfast when I noticed the mood was tense, despite the fact that my grandmother and grandfather still had their signature smile on, and on the table was Mr Ivan, the man my grandfather introduced me to the day before.

And it’s seems we were the last one to get to the dining, mum apologize for the lateness which my grandfather laughed and shrug off, “He doesn’t seem to really mind”.

Let’s all pray, my grandfather said after we were all seated.

We said our prayers and everyone starts eating after my grandfather took and bite and made a gesture indicating for us all to eat.

“Apart from the clatter of spoons on plates, no one said anything. Breakfast was really quiet.”

My grandfather stood up after breakfast and he signal for me to follow up, which I did.

We would be right back he said to the others at the table and we both left the dining to his study room.

On getting to his study room, grandpa sat in his chair and made me seat opposite to him. I was intimidated, it’s the first time I’m seeing my grandpa in a serious mode and I was not prepared for that.

He didn’t say a word for quite sometime, he was just looking directly into my eyes as if he were searching for my soul.

Are you uncomfortable he asked, maybe he could sense i discomfort I thought, but nothing would have prepared me for the day I would be with my grandpa and he isn’t smiling.

No, I replied. because the my grandfather is the last person I would appear to be weak in front of.

Good, he said.

What do you think of Mr Ivan?

I was surprised by his question, because the only encounter I had with Mr Ivan was on his birthday and during breakfast today and moreover I don’t think I’m at the age where I can study people, or has my grandfather forgotten that I’m still a kid?

I don’t know what do think of him, I only had two encounter with him,I replied.

Would you like to go study in Russia?

Why, I replied while staring straight at the purples eyes of his that I shared the same.

My grandfather sighed heavily then and he said.

“The cat is weak, and the rats thinks it’s time for them to come out to play, and you know rats only knows how to damage right”?

I’m lost, when will this man learn how to stop speaking in parables, I’m just 11, how am I suppose to comprehend his words.

I’ve not given a replied when he starts talking again.

Little purple he said while standing up and walking towards me, I want you to be the cat’s backup, we can’t have rats running around ruining properties right?

So little purple you have to go to Russia with Mr Ivan, he walked pass me and towards his safe, he put in the pin unlocked it and brought out a box, he placed the box on the table as he stood beside me, then he unlocked the box.

Inside the box was a key and my grandfather’s ring, which I only noticed was not on his finger after he opened the box.

Take this key, and make sure to keep it safe, and as for this ring the code is 2310 take a good look at it, I’m not going to give it to you now but it will find it’s way back to you.

I took the ring from him, hid it my pocket, because my gown has one. I looked at my grandfather and I couldn’t help but feel a little bit scared because I had no idea of what exactly is going on.

My grandpa seems not to be done, because after I hid the key to told me that whenever I got the ring, I would know what to do with the key. And with a soft smile he told me not to disclose what ever conversation we had to anyone and then he proceed to tell me that I can take my leave.

I left my grandfather’s study, still feeling perplexed and i also had a nagging feeling at the back of my mind, I felt as if something is going to be very wrong with our family.

On getting to the living room I could see everyone seated, no sooner had I gotten to the living room, my uncle stood up and walk towards me.

Amethyst, is there a reason why father called you?

I noticed him checking out my fingers, while asking the question.

“Amethyst would be leaving for Russia with Mr Ivan,

My grandfather replied to my uncle before I could even give a reply to his questions.

My mum rushed forward to me with tears in her eyes, while my dad try to reason with my grandfather.

“Father, she’s too young to go to Russia alone”. I am afraid there will be no one there to take good care of her, don’t do this father. My dad said to my grandfather.

Yes, father she’s still so young to go to Russia and I’m afraid she might be in danger over there, moreover there’s no one there she’s familiar with. My uncle said before my grandfather could even give my dad a reply.

Without bothering to answer any of them, Amethyst my grandfather called, I left my mum embrace to look at him.

What do you think about going to Russia? He asked.

I would love to, it’s a good opportunity to meet new people and learn new things, I answered.

My mum look taken aback by my answer.

I also don’t want to leave, but what was I supposed to say?

I’m helpless too.

Your father and uncle seems to think you won’t be able to cope. “Maybe they have forgotten that no child of Blackwood is a coward”. My grandfather said and faced my dad and uncle, looking pissed at the both of them.

This conversation is over and I don’t want to hear more of it, Amethyst would be going to Russia with mr Ivan tomorrow, so you should say your goodbyes today. My grandfather ended the conversation and he left the living room.

My mum cry harder and she held me close, I was very close to tears but I didn’t cry.

My grandfather did not tell me how long I would be in Russia for and it’s also not easy to leave my family, I would miss them terribly but if I decide to let this tears threatening to drop eventually drop out, my mum wouldn’t stop crying. So I’m not going to cry.

Never.

I looked at dexter and Dixon and see their mum leading them away from the living room, I also didn’t see my grandmother anywhere I reckon she might have followed my grandfather when he was leaving.

My brother onyx is a mess, though he has been cleaning his tears, his bloodshot eyes gave him out.

My uncle patted my head and he left, following the same way his wife passed.

My father came closer to gently pull my mum away from me and he held her close, patting her to stop her from crying.

I’m going to miss you so much my love, my father said, making my Mum cry harder.

Go console your brother, I need to talk to your mum and from the corner of my eyes I could see my brother going to the door that leads to grandmother’s garden.

I went after him as my father said and I couldn’t find him, I was about to search the garden, when I say a familiar figure staring at him from a distance.

We meet again I said, as I walked closer towards Otis. He’s standing at the other side of the fence.

We were separated by fence, seeing him at the orphanage I realized why he has able to sneak into the kitchen.

My grandfather house shared a fence with the orphanage home beside it and my grandmother made the fence of her garden shorter in consideration of the kids in the orphanage home.

I know this because I asked her.

What’s your name, I heard a little deep voice asked me?

I guess you really plan to hold on to your promise of talking more the next time we meet.

My name is Amethyst Blackwood.

Amethyst, he whispered my name softly.

It’s nice to know your name Amethyst, he said. And I noticed he’s got a deep eyes and he has a look of someone that knows all the secret of the world.

How come yesterday was the first time I’m seeing you?

We don’t usually come to the garden, whenever the Blackwood grand children are around, he said.

And why’s that?

We had a bad experience with one of them, he broke one of the kids leg.

“And I don’t need a seer to tell me who exactly is capable of that feat”, it’s Dixon, that devil Incarnate.I’m so sorry about that, is the kid okay now?I asked.

Yes he is, thank you amethyst.

Otis what’s your surname, I would be leaving tomorrow, but I would be back so tell me your surname so I can find you.

From his eyes I could tell he want to ask me more questions, but he held back. He’s so smart I thought.

I don’t have one, would you like to give me one? He asked me and I was taken aback because I wasn’t expecting that.

“Sage” I said to him, you have the eyes of a wise man so your surname should be sage.

He was about to say something when I heard my brother calling for me, I couldn’t wait to here what he had to say.

I hope we meet again Otis I shouted as I left to find my brother.