Whispers Between The Two Houses

Chapter four

As the wind blew through the broken windows of the train station, the old man's lantern flickered. Daniel and Amara stood still, looking at him. Neither of them said anything for a while. The old man's eyes slowly moved back and forth between them, as if he had been waiting a long time to see them together. Daniel finally asked, You knew our grandfathers? He sounded calm, but his heart was racing inside. The old man nodded slowly. Yes, he said. I knew them very well. Amara moved forward slowly. Then you must know why our families hate each other if that's true. The old man sighed deeply, as if he were carrying the weight of a long memory.

He didn't say anything for a few seconds.

He then carefully set the lantern down on an old wooden bench that was close by. Fourth years ago he said, he said quietly, your grandfathers were not enemies. Daniel and Amara looked at each other quickly. The idea seemed impossible.

The old man went on, They were partners, good friends they had complete trust in each other.

Amara shook her head in disbelief. That can't be true. The old man said calmly, "It is." I worked for them back then. I helped them keep track of some of their business records. Daniel frowned, what kind of business? He asked. The land, the old man said, A big piece of land near the town.

Daniel's thoughts raced. My dad always said that the Okafor family took land that was ours.

Amara answered right away, and my dad says your family cheated us out of the deal.

The old man shook his head slowly, that is not what happened. They both moved closer. What happened then? Daniel wanted to know. The old man deepened his hand in his pocket, and it was a yellow envelope from a long time. The edges were tattered, and the paper looked like it had been hidden for a very long time. I kept this all these years, Daniel looked confused. What is it? A letter the old man said.

He held it carefully, as if it were very important. This letter was written by Amara's grandpa. Amara's eyes got bigger. "Grandfather?" The old man nodded his head. Yes. He wrote it the night everything went wrong. Daniel moved slowly forward. Why didn't he send it? The old man gave him a serious look. He did send it.

Daniel frowned. Then why didn't my grandfather ever see it? The old man's face got darker. Because someone made sure it didn't get there. The broken windows let in more wind, which made the lantern light flicker a lot. Daniel felt a shiver run down his back. He asked, What do you mean? The old man thought for a moment. It means that someone wanted your grandfathers to be enemies. Amara's heart began pounding, but why would someone do that? But before the old man could respond, they suddenly heard a loud engine sound from a distance. They all turned towards the entrance. The old man’s face changed immediately, you must leave now he said without delay.

The old man grabbed Daniel's hand and placed the envelope in his palm, the old man lowered his voice, listen carefully you must not open the letter here. But why not? Amara asked. The old man stared at them cautiously, because the person that cause the whole fight might be watching. Daniel grabbed Amara's hand we need to leave now, without saying another word they both ran towards the back of the station. They didn't stop running until they got to the quiet part of the station. They were both breathing so heavily, and Daniel looked at the letter in his hand, this letter could explain everything he said. But before Amara could say anything her phone rang, it was her father. Her face turned pale, just answer the call, Daniel said. Hello? Her father's voice was so flat. Amara where are you right now? Amara tried to stay calm, I'm with Lydia. Come home immediately the father said and ended the call. Amara lowered the phone, what's wrong? Daniel asked I think someone saw us she said nervously.