His Only Control, Her Protector

Change ...........is ............ Constant

Zephea

8 years old Emma stood on the roof of the house staring at everything going on in the city.

This was her and Sister Margret's favorite spot.

She was more like her mother than She was to any other child in the Orphanage and Emma did not even feel like an Orphan.

She bore a huge resemblance to Sister Margaret and would have sworn Sister Margaret was her Biological Mother.

Her world fell apart her first and only section with Sister Anne, Who was still her Hermit self, The Chapel was her shell.

Emma had always wondered why She would stay there even as the Proprietress of the orphanage than the luxury the Sisters lodge provided.

Emma lived with Sister Margret in her room and did not have to share a bed space like the other kids did, She was not fed with the other kids too but shared a meal with her Mother as she called her.

When She first noticed something was wrong with her mother, She tried to find out but Sister Margret would always try to assure her that everything was alright.

Sister Anne did not waste time to go to the point when Emma sat down in her office

"Sister Margret is dead" She dropped, "It appeared She was suffering from severe Leukemia and She rejected anyone donating any bone marrow for her, I guess she was in a hurry to meet God.

Emma felt her life pause, She felt light headed and standing up from her seat as if trying to understand what she just heard, She fell.

.

.

Emma was in Coma for Three days and on the third day Sister Anne decided to switch off the oxygen if she doesn't wake up till evening.

Emma felt Sister Margret presence and She was there sitting on her bed in the infirmary.

"Mother" She called, "Please don't leave me"

Margret smiled and held her cheek

"God gave me this few years so I would watch you grow, I am most grateful for that, for having to see someone call me mother, hold my hand and tug on my cloth, smile at me toothless"

Emma smiled at those words.

"I love you Emma and I want you to be the best you can" She continued,

"Mother I would be lonely without you" Emma cried

"You have God, you'd be fine".

.

.

.

Emma woke up with a shout and began to wait loudly, Sister Anne suggested They leave her till she is done.

Emma slept off after two hours, woke up and began to cry again. She continued the routine till Sister Margret burial the next week.

Margret's Parents were in attendance and offered to take Emma, Sister Anne declined.

When Emma learnt of that, She was so Infuriated and sad. She ran to the Cemetery when the Security was not looking and went to her Mother's grave ignoring the Rain.

"You told me it rained when you first saw me and it's raining today, I don't want to leave you please come back to me or take me with you" She cried lying down on the Tomb.

...............................

It rained so heavily that day that Sister Anne felt the end of the world had come and called all the Children to the Church for prayers.

It was then Emma's Absence was noticed.

Sister Anne was furious, Margret made Anne promise her Emma would be well taken care of in her absence and that Emma would not go to live with her parents as they would want to gain Public approval with Emma but would never treat her properly.

The security men knew nothing of her whereabouts too

Everywhere was searched in the Space of land containing the Orphanage and The Church but There was no sign of her.

Sister Anne required She be accompanied to the Cemetery as Emma might have gone there, knowing the way to that place.

Her car soon arrived and Only Emma's clothes lay there on Sister Margret's grave.

Sister Anne for the very first time in 30 years wept.

"I've failed you My daughter'.

* * *

A man stood watching the whole scene, A wicked smile on his face

"Change is Constant" He muttered, "Some things too need a little more Action than words".

Same day............ Marlore

Zena held the plate containing the offering like her life depends on it and it does

Her Husband and Son knelt down in a circle and Around them stood Seven Men, They muttered some words and one took the plate off Zena's hands. They moved round them Seven Times chanting in ancient tones.

"She is here" One exclaimed,

The rest stood, stiff like rocks

Zena smiled, finally there is an answer.

"But She brings trouble with her too," another added

Zena's smile faded

"If the joy is more than the trouble, let her come," Her Husband replied,

"So be it," The rest echoed.

Zena watched them leave, Her Son's hand clutched in hers,

"You would be fine my Love, we would make sure of that," She assured him,

The Boy smiled at her.

Her Husband returned from seeing the Men off.

She handed her son over to the maids and walked inside with him

He stood by the window and watched the waves crash to their walls

Zena walked to him and hugged him from behind.

He turned and returned the hug, kissing her briefly,

"There is no more need to worry," He assured her, "You should rest now,"

Zena smiled, "The gods have finally heard my pleas"

"They are merciful," He agreed.

"Do they know where She is?" She asked, disentangling from the hug,

"Not yet but Soon," He assured, "They are the best seers, They saw the solution, They would bring her to Us"

"I hope so, I just hope so," She replied softly and sat down on the huge bed in the room.

"I know so, Wife, I know so," He answered praying softly it would be true as they said but the consequences he feared, as long as his son is safe, He would pull down even Olympus if the gods bid him to.