Soul of the Phoenix

Chapter 16

When Zachary finished his explanation, Maranda was surprised. She knew there was abuse with Sakiya in their home, but she didn't know it was to this extent for a sibling to get involved and have outside help. Sakiya didn't tell her the full story, and even now she wasnted to question her and have her tell what was going on for them to be in this position. When Maranda agreed to meet Sakiya at the library, she didn't know Sylis was coming along, nor did she know they were practically running far away. That's partly why she didn't mention anything to her mom as she didn't know exactly what was going on herself.

"Did Sylis tell you what was going on with everything?" Maranda asked. Zachary didn't know how to answer that question, as he didn't want to give anything away that he didn't have permission to speak on. He knew what he talked to Sylis about was confidential, as he didn't want to intrude in that way. Especially after he asked Sylis to not mention the things he told them to his son, so he needed to hold himself to the same standards. "I'll leave it up to them to tell you more than what I've mentioned already. I don't want to overstep my boundary in order to inform ya, so It'd be better if they were to tell you themselves." Zachary replied. Maranda understood his indignance, considering he didn't want to get in the middle of the teens current relationship, he wanted to leave it up to them to discuss it. He stared at Maranda for a second, waiting to see if she would reply. She put her head down momentarily, thinking why she had to ask another person when she could just go straight to the sources themselves. "I think I'm gonna go handle that, thanks for the brief talk, and for looking out for us all." Maranda told him, earning a salute and a smile from him. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for my son and his friends." He replied. Maranda walked away, heading back down to the cabins. She approached Sakiya as her and Sylis were discussing something about back home. She walked in, grabbing their attention. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we need to talk." Maranda stated, looking between Sakiya and Sylis. "Can you give us a moment, Sy?" Sakiya asked. Sylis nodded and walked away, heading to his cabin to give the girls some space. Sakiya pulled Maranda into their cabin, shutting the door behind them before moving over to the big bed to sit down. "I'm sure I already know what this is about. I'm sorry Maranda, I wasn't trying to keep anything from you. Everything has just been crazy lately." Sakiya started, Marada awaiting for her to continue. "I know you were worried about me, and I know you're still upset about your phone. It was for good reason though. After the last time I talked to you, Sadie kidnapped me from my room back home and locked me in a secret concrete dorm. She planned on holding me there until she thought she could get her way. Do you remember us talking about the Mr. Black guy who seemed to dominate everyone's presence?" Sakiya asked her. Maranda nodded.

"Well, what you didn't know is the reason she kidnapped me was because she knows that he wants me for some reason, and he tried to get me moved to another home. I knew if I went there I would most likely be murdered. I think Mr. Black knows I'm the daughter of Paul and Debbie who had supposedly tried to kill the king. Sadie took advantage of having me in her possesion by trying to blackmail Mr. Black into marrying her. I think she knows way more than is led on, and also more than Sylis. She has something up her sleeve, Maranda. I feel it. I have no clue how she could have reacted once she found out I was gone along with Sylis, and that he's the one that came to my rescue. So much for being twins, huh?" Sakiya laughed bitterly. "Wait, so if she wanted to hold you hostage, do you think she has something on Mr. Black in order to feel confident enough to do such a thing?" Maranda questioned. Sakiya knew what she was getting at, and she had the same question herself. "Once we get to where we're going, I'm hoping I can find an answer to that. The answer we're all looking for thus far. What is the deal with Mr. Black and my foster parents? Who all is involved? And also just to add, My foster mom apparently had an affair with a guy that works with my foster dad at the agency, and he's the main reason we were able to escape by letting us go. I don't know why, but I have a feeling he may be one of the good guys in all of this." Sakiya finished. Maranda was dumbfounded on how she couldn't see any of this unfolding before, or why her own mother didn't question any of it while she was back home. It started to make her wonder if her own mother was involved, and if it was a good thing she didn't inform her mother that she was leaving. That's another way to cover their tracks, atleast until they find out more.

As Maranda and Sakiya were both thinking on their conversation so far, they felt a huge bump within the boat. Since they were below deck, they had no idea what was going on above them to cause the commotion they had just felt. Sakiya knew they already had one run in, and was hoping this one was just a dud.

Sakiya jumped up out of the bed to run to Sylis' room, Maranda trailing right behind her. "What the hell was that?" Sakiya asked as she burst through Sylis' door. Sylis stared at her stone faced, a determined look on his face. "I think our first enemies have arrived." He replied, his eyes turning a deep black color, causing Maranda and Sakiya to both gasp. "Sylis, what is wrong with you?" Maranda asked, her nerves on edge at the sudden change in Sylis' demeanor. "I'm going to kill them all, if it means saving you." He replied. Sakiya and Maranda both looked to eachother, each of them visibly gulping at what they had just witnessed, and the deep increase in Sylis voice as he said those words. "This can't be good." They both said in unison. Sylis moved past them as if they were invisible to him, making his way up the stairs to the upper deck.