A Call To Answer

Episode 3(Peridot dies)

“Peridot!”Kehlani called again but there was no sign of Peridot.

The other neighbors who had come to mourn Uriah's death were surprised as well as Peridot had gone missing.

“She might have gone to the forest”One of the villagers said and some nodded in agreement.

“Quick! Let's go in search of her”A young man suggested and seven other men joined him and they all marched down to the forest in search of Peridot.

★★★★

★★★★

Peridot was done mixing the poisonous herbs which her mother had told her to never touch.It was planted at the back of the cottage and it's purpose for being planted there was so it could help chase away snakes but it was very harmful to humans as well.

Peridot filtered the liquid extract from the squeezed herbs into a cup and emptied it in one gulp.It tastes bitter but she doesn't mind.

“I'm on my way Uri.I'm yours forever.I can never be alive when you're dead already.We're going to be together in a few seconds”Peridot said weakly and smiled.She sat on her bed and released a doleful smile when she realised she'll be breaking her mother's heart when she finds her dead.Kehlani will be shattered.

Sweet memories of Peridot and her mother came flooding into her mind and she wept bitterly.

Soon,her stomach began rumbling and her head felt like it was spinning.She could feel an unusual cold and her eyes were as hot as a burning furnace.

“it's time”She muttered as she felt some liquid emitting her nose. She guessed it to be blood_it was indeed some blood.

She felt her body becoming weak and she slumped on the wooden floor, her whole body was numb.Her eyes went shut_she is dead.

★★★★

★★★★

Roxanne strolled to where Kehlani was seated staring into space. She was lost in thought. Where could her only child have gone to?

How she never noticed Peridot's leaving, still baffled her.Oh,she wishes for Peridot's safety. She can't survive without her daughter_Peridot is her only family.

“Lani”Roxanne called softly jolting Kehlani from her thoughts.Kehlani sighed sullenly and turned to look at her.

“Why don't you go home and freshen up? You have been weeping since last night.You need to liven up a little. My son is dead you know,but there's nothing I can do to bring him back.

Peridot will be found soon,just go home and have some rest okay?”Roxanne suggested and Kehlani stood up reluctantly. She bid Roxanne goodbye and headed for her cottage.

As Kehlani approached her cottage, her eyes began twitching.This only happens to her when something bad was about to happen or has happened.

Kehlani increased her pace and tugged the door open.she looked around but there was no sign of anything bad.Then she walked into Peridot's room where Peridot lay lifeless.

Kehlani's heart twisted on seeing the lifeless body of her daughter. She needn't check if Peridot was dead.Her body was stiff and pale.

“NOOOO!!”Kehlani screamed and dashed out of the cottage. She ran straight up to Roxanne's cottage .

Roxanne was seated next to one of her neighbors who was comforting her when the neighbor sighted Kehlani running towards them.

“i think Kehlani has seen Peridot ”The neighbor said and stood up.

★★★★

★★★★

Wailings and Yowling could be heard as Peridot's body was being buried.Kehlani was inside her cottage wailing as well.Roxanne sat beside her,trying to placate her but to no avail.

This was too much for Kehlani.Her only family was dead,she's now left on her pat Malone in this world.

“Ma...ma”

A female voice was heard from outside the cottage.

“Come in”Roxanne yelled at whoever it was.She can't leave Kehlani just yet or Kehlani might likely attempt a suicide.

A slender looking girl walked in,three streaks of tears could be seen on her flawless cheeks.Her eyes were bloated already from crying.

“What is it my girl?”Roxanne asked weakly.

“The eight men who volunteered to go fetch Peridot from the forest have returned and they reported to have seen just Uriah's footwear”

Roxanne's countenance changed when Uriah's name was mentioned.Just hearing his name breaks her heart.Her only son has been eaten by some spirit being or something.His body cannot be recovered so she could see him one more time.

“Thank you my dear.Ask then to leave if they wish to.I have to be by Kehlani.”Roxanne said and the girl nodded her head and exited the cottage.

Roxanne burst into tears as well.She's been acting strong but it's not going to be that easy.

Zachary on the other hand had been in his cottage all through the time late Peridot told them of Uriah's disappearance. He's locked himself up in his room.

Roxanne and Kehlani cried like they were going to lose their lives;their kids were gone forever.

★★★★

★★★★

Night came in a flash.Everywhere was quiet.Kehlani was wide awake in her room.Ma Susanne was seated beside her on the bed trying to keep her company.

Footsteps could be heard at the back of the window.Ma Susanne shook with fear.She glanced at Kehlani but there was no sign of fear or alertness in Kehlani's face_she didn't even notice the sound.

Ma Susanne tried pulling herself together until she heard the footsteps stop by the window and a roaring wind began.Ma Susanne clutch at Kehlani's shirt tightly.This caught Kehlani's attention as she stared at Ma Susanne in surprise.

“Is everything alright Ma Susanne? ”Kehlani asked

“I...I think Peridot's wraith is here”Ma Susanne said in a whisper and Kehlani's eyes widened in surprise.

“Really?My Perry is here? Peridot, Peridot ”Kehlani called joyfully as she got down from the bed and started eye-searching everywhere in the room.

“Can't you see I'm scared Kehlani? ”Ma Susanne asked with a frown and tried getting down from the bed. She got hold of her stick and stood very close to Kehlani in fear.

★★★★

★★★★

Uriah's gaze was fixed on the tomb beside Kehlani's cottage.His eyes were red in color shining bright in the dark night,his fingers had metamorphosed into claws and his canines had elongated into fangs.

“Why did you leave me?”He asked sadly but his voice sounded like a whispering wind to humans.

★

★

★

★

“Princess Gersemi”

A female voice jolted princess Gersemi from the book she was reading.

Arggh...princess Gersemi groused in displeasure .She's been engrossed in this book for an hour now.

“You're a princess and not some novel addict.Your Father, the king,will be displeased to find you here,now get up before you get caught”Pearlene,Princess Gersemi's bestfriend who works at the castle as a maid said to her.

Princess Gersemi stood up from her seat and returned the book back in the shelf where she had collected it from.

They began walking out of the library.

“Why did you interrupt me when I was on the verge of finding what happened to My Uriah?”

“Who is Uriah? ”Pearlene asked in confusion. Her royal best friend always loved to read book,regardless of it's prohibition by the king.Hell,most of the people in Castle Coral found it boring.

“He's Perry's sweetheart. Oh poor Perry,she killed herself out of guilt...”

“Okay.I don't think I'm interested in knowing the contents of the novel you were reading.Gross! what do you derive in reading those bulky books? Your father will be mad at you if he found out you know? Girls aren't allowed to read books ”Pearlene spelt out as they turned to a large hallway adorned with resplendent wall paper and Gothic drawings on the opposite wall.

Magnificent chandeliers hung low,few feet above their heads and the floor was made with white marbles.

“well,he wouldn't find out if you kept quiet”Princess Gersemi said with a wink.Pearlene nodded vigorously as they took another turn leading to a vast hallway that houses four chambers.

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TBC

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