Sapphire's Point of View
Though I sighted a middle-aged lady, slender in appearance, with curly hair woven at the tip, accompanied by some gang of enforcers who walked side by side with her, I never wanted to leave the sight of the youngsters who had interfered, thus saving me earlier.
I had tried to introduce Jordan to Auntie Rebecca as mentioned by Auntie Susan and solicit for her assistance, but she looked the hell too protective. Like, who the hell with her right senses abandons some pathetic fellows who are consumed with grief without rendering an iota of help at least to soothe their grief even after being accompanied by some enforcers?
Was she that scared of evil? I guess no. Maybe the right word here should be apprehensive. Yes, she was being too apprehensive, I thought.
“But, Auntie Becky, they mean no harm.”
I pleaded while following along to at least observe if she had a change of mind.
Sweetheart, you know, you hardly know who's who in the woods, and from the ordeal as explained by Susan, we've got to be very careful.
“So, let's go.” She ordered.
“Auntie Becky, but the enforcers are here too pro...”
“Sssssshhhh,”
I heard her hiss, ordering me to shut up even before I could complete my sentence.
"That will be all for now", she retorted while opening the back door of the SUV Hyundai car for me.
I could understand her fears, but yet, there should be other better ways to deal with this issue.
But what could I possibly do, as I was also at their mercy, yearning to survive? So maybe that's it, abandon them to their fate and move on.
“Gosh, I'm famished.” I yearned and instantly reached out to the contents of the bag given to me by Auntie Susan. That was the very first time I had gotten a glance of the content there. Perhaps I was too distracted by fleeing for my life.
Apparently, she was really prepared for the worst, in case of any event, and it turned out so. There was a bottle of water, some underwear and some comfortable dresses at least to change. There was also cash, my toothbrush and comb, my writing pad, which wowed me. How would she know I needed this so badly? And finally, a letter.
I had suddenly recalled that I was a living being and needed all the characteristics of living things to survive. I'd soak my throat with the bottled water from Auntie Susan. I was resting in the vehicle but still, I needed food badly.
As if Auntie Becky knew what was in my mind, she blurted, “Sweetheart, not to worry as you'll have more than enough to eat on arrival.”
I loved her assurance, but yet, it was obvious she never understood the ordeal I'd been through in the woods, thus, her prompting to get home first.
I had already pulled out a bottle of water and poured a reasonable amount of the content into my mouth.
“Ooops, what a privilege to be alive again,” I chortled, causing an instant stare at my auntie and the enforcers who were watching from the mirror.
“Hmmm, why the stare,”
I questioned, but no one dared say a word. It seemed I was overly outspoken against my usual temperament. Nevertheless, being expressive was part of me when I felt comfortable with the people around me.
Well, I could forgive their stare, as they never understood the combat I'd been engaged with in the woods just to survive. I bet you, not even the enforcers have been through such training.
Not long after, we arrived at the Silver Claw Pack, with sounds of drums and composed rhythms playing out.
I was particularly startled by the dancers who danced stylishly in uniformed motions as the drummers played out excitedly with happy chatters also dancing to the rhythm of the music.
There was a particular carpet sprayed from the pack's gate where the car was packed. Thus, we were ushered out with lovely coloured flowers by the maidens of the pack who were graciously scattering them on the floor as we progressed along the path.
“But what are they celebrating?” I babbled, turning to auntie Becky for a response while we walked graciously, with the joyous crowd which was almost cheering our hearts out.
I heard Auntie Rebecca utter to me “Sorry sweetheart, it was meant to be a surprise.”
“But what was the surprise for?” Still feeling curious.
“I mean, who was the surprise meant for? Is it your birthday? Your engagement or something?” Though still furious, I reached out to her hands for felicitation.
“Oh, happy birthday Auntie, I never knew today was your birthday, and you never hinted at me.” I apologized.
She laughed excitedly, revealing her set of immaculate white dentition. As though she understood my worries, she held my hand and drew me closer to herself, petting me at my back.
“Sapphire darling, it isn't my birthday like you insinuated, and the celebration isn't meant for me.” She explained.
“It isn't my birthday either, or am I getting married?” I teased.
No! no! That couldn't be true, not at this stage of my life, I soliloquized.
Due to my curiosity, I never waited for her to complete her explanations, but kept pestering and insisting on knowing what was up. You won't blame me for that, I would say, that was one of my demons. Persistency.
Just like Aunty Susan had earlier explained that Auntie Becky was a delta in the Pack a very special one at that, she was empowered with mysteries and certain abilities which made her. She is referred to as the Pack's witch.
However, she was well respected and honored by the Pack members, both high and low, that it was just a stone through to solicit the king's approval for my membership of the Pack. There was nothing she requested that wasn't given. Though she looked welcoming, I still had my reservations about her.
Her stern appearance spoke a lot about her disciplinary attitude and, gosh, how would someone cope with something such as this?.I loved doing things my own way and not according to orders. It makes me feel little. You'd say, of course, that I'm little, but to me, that sounds like an insult. Nevertheless, I had to give in to her as my new guardian.
“Don't worry, you'll lov…,” this was interrupted with a sudden voomp sound as we all shivered in fear. “Oh my goodness, what's that?”