A True Soul

Part Two

Much to the doctor’s discouragement, Faux was released that morning as well. We were both wheeled out of the hospital and helped into my father’s SUV. Immediately after we got to the house I was ordered to pack for the ‘trip’.

At first I jammed as many items as I could into my barely worn travel set. But frustration got the better of me. The contents of my suitcase was dumped on the bed. I had no idea how to pack for this trip or where to begin. I ran down the hall to my father’s room to find out what he was taking with us.

However, I received no answer from knocking on his door I opened it to look inside. He wasn’t there.

“Dad?” I called out, but I knew there would be no response. His closet door was open, but nothing was missing from it. His travel ware was still neatly pilled behind the double doors of the closet.

I threw opened the bathroom door. Again none of his items were out of their normal places.

Feeling confused, I ran down the stairs into the kitchen. “Dad?” I asked again. He was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a strong smelling cup of coffee.

“Yes Angie?”

“What’s going on? Why aren’t you packing?” I asked frustrated and slammed my body on one of the chairs.

He took a long sip of coffee before he answered. “I’m not going.”

“What? But why?” I cried. “You can’t just leave me! You have to go. I need you!” I slammed my fist on the table. I was still drained and weak from everything that had happened and swayed a little as I stood.

I wanted to demand that he go. I needed him. “That’s enough Angela.” His voice was stern, like he was chastising a small child.

“Please, dad,” I begged. But the firm look on his face told me he wouldn’t be giving in. “But why?”

“It’s for your own good. It’s for your protection,” he answered.

“What do you mean my own good? How can you say that? I thought things weren’t going to be planned without me any longer? I thought I had a say in all this?” Why was he doing this to me?

“ENOUGH!” He slammed the coffee down and the table shook. “This is not your decision to make. I am making this decision on my own. I am saying that it’s best if I stay.”

“You can’t do this to me! Don’t leave me too!”

“Angie! Can’t you see that your father is staying here to cover you so Cain won’t know you’re leaving? Don’t you know that by him staying here, he’s putting himself in danger for you?” Dax entered the room when I screamed. My father sat back with an unpleasant expression.

“Dax, I can handle my own daughter,” my father said sternly.

Dax snarled.

“Stay out of this! This doesn’t concern you!” I growled at Dax. My emotions spewed out of me. What little control I had over my anger was long gone, rage seethed though my voice.

“What is going on in here?” Faux had come into the room. She was barely able to stand on her own. She leaned against the counter top as she tried to concentrate on our disgruntled yelling match. Faux was still extremely weakened from Shawnda stabbing her only days before. Which was weird considering most Natural Born s healed at a rapid pace.

“I’m really tired of people just telling me what’s going to happen. I’m sick of not knowing what’s going on. Why can’t you listen to what I have to say before you make decisions about my life?” I asked the three of them. “Do you not think I realize that I need to leave? Do you not think I realize that people have already died for me? I feel horrible that Faux got hurt! It should have been ME! But I also have a right to my opinion and should have a say in what happens to me. I’m not anyone’s puppet!”

“You’re a sixteen year old girl. I am your father and will have final say in what happens, am I clear? I have protected you as long as I can, but it is out of my capabilities to continue to do so. You will leave with them.” This was a demand not up for debate.

I didn’t care. “Do you think I don’t know that dad? But I could’ve made that decision on my own. Faux had already informed me that I would have to leave soon enough. So I would have agreed to go! And I still don’t see how you staying here will help protect me more than coming with me. I don’t even know where the hell it is we’re going.” I was panting. My cheeks had turned red and my hair had flown in my face. Faux slowly sat, looking rather irritated.

“Why don’t you show some respect? Why don’t you act like you appreciate all that we’re trying to do for you?” Dax stormed at me, glaring. His fists were balled at his side. “We don’t want to lose you like we lost your mother.”

“Stay out of this Dax. I don’t need you to talk down to me like I’m a child! Why don’t you start by showing me some respect.”

“You’re done both of you!” My father yelled at us.

“I don’t need you to tell me what I should do! I don’t need you to yell at me! I don’t need you!” I screamed at Dax. My hands flew over my mouth, but it was too late. The words had hung in the air with their rotted nasty after taste radiating towards the people I cared the most about.

“Fine. I guess you can do this on your own. You obviously don’t need me girly.” He stomped out of the kitchen.

Faux sighed, but didn’t say anything. I ran after Dax. “Dax! Dax! DAX wait!” I grabbed his arm, but his pulled away and slammed the door. I dropped to my knees and bawled. This wasn’t what I wanted.

I stood and sluggishly walked back into the kitchen. Faux was still sitting. My father had cleaned the coffee spill. I hung my head in silence. Dax was gone, and it was all my fault. My father was staying behind and Faux was as mad as I’d ever seen her. I had really screwed things over.

Faux turned to me her face pinched together. She was not about to go easy on me, but simple asked, in an aggravated voice, “So, what would you like to do to? Go or stay here and waste all of our efforts?”

“I’ll go.” My voice sounded meek and childish, like the way I had acted.

“Dry your tears and act like an adult. I’m staying here. Go get your things packed. Don’t forget sun screen and make sure to pack summer clothing.” My father ordered in a low voice.

“Yes, dad.” I couldn’t look him in the eyes. I knew I had been in the wrong. “Is Dax coming back?”

Faux scoffed angrily. “Not likely.”

In the matter of the few mere hours since I’d been released from the hospital I’d managed to piss everyone off in the house and caused to Dax to leave. Now Faux said he wasn’t coming back.

I knew the tantrum I’d thrown was juvenile. I had just wanted to cling to what little normalcy I still had. I wasn’t ready to be on my own without my father, but apparently I had no choice. I had to get over it, plain and simple.

This whole situation, starting with the car accident, had taken what was left of my innocent naivety. Maybe I shouldn’t have been kept in the dark about what I was. But that wasn’t important, not now. Now I had become an adult and let go of my childish longings.

It took me until my suitcase was completely crammed full of my belongings to come to this conclusion. I had two regular suit cases of clothing materials and one small round case of bathroom and miscellaneous materials. This was supposed to last me indefinitely because no one felt the need to tell me exactly how long we would be gone. How do I say goodbye to this place? How do I say goodbye to my father?

I sat on my bed. I hadn’t felt sorry for myself, no. Those feeling had long passed many weeks earlier. This was a completely different emotion not wanting to be quietly contained. Fear of change, fear of the unknown. I was scared. I would lose what little piece of myself I had been holding on to. I feared that I wouldn’t know who I was any longer. But hadn’t I already lost this part of me? I thought so, but I had been wrong. Being here in my home I could still recognize a part of me that I knew to be true. When I left this place, would this girl come with me? Or would I lose her forever?

I walked over and grabbed one of the picture’s I had of my mother and me. It was the one on my first birthday. She was standing next my high chair. Her face beaming with pride as she helped me blow out my candles. Already my hair had been long enough to put in a short, stubby, pebbles, ponytail.

I walked over to my suitcase and was just about to dropped in the picture when my door opened. “Angie, can I come in?” It was my father; his voice was lighter, airier.

“You don’t have to ask dad.” My back was still turned to him as I zipped the picture away.

He walked in and sat on my bed. “I should be treating you more like an adult. Yes, I’m still the parent, but you have a point. This is your life. Even though these situations are out of everyone’s control, your opinion should be taken into account.”

I kept standing, not brave enough to look at him yet. I shook my head, “It doesn’t matter now.”

“Of course it does, why wouldn’t it?” He asked me.

“Because I’m leaving.”

“Ang, it’s not forever, you’ll be back.” He tried to pull me into what was supposed to be a comforting embrace, but he let go quickly after I didn’t return the hug.

“But no one knows when I’ll be back. And I don’t know when I’ll see you again. I know you’re staying. I know. And I can’t make you come with me. It’s just… It’s just that, I don’t want to lose you too,” I said my head was still lowered. I wasn’t ready to let him see how much scared I actually was.

“Angie, it’s ok to be upset, believe me. But I promise you won’t lose me.”

“You promise?”

“Promise. I love you too much to let anything like that happen to you.” He squeezed me a little.

“Love you too dad.” I tried to smile back. I wanted him to know that’d I’d be strong for him even if it meant leaving with the possibility of not returning. But, no matter how many times he tried to reassure me I’d be back, my gut wasn’t buying it.

He moved closer to me on the bed. “It’s time for you to know the truth. You need to know how your mother really died. No matter how hard it is for me. It’s not fair for me to keep the truth from you.”

“Dad, you don’t have to tell me if you’re not ready.” I said and shifted my weight on my legs.

“Honestly, I’ll never be completely ready. Nevertheless, you should have known a long time ago. I should have told you the truth from the begging. I kept it from you because I knew you wouldn’t remember what really happened, you were so young.”

I nodded. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to hear to truth for myself. Knowing the truth about my mother’s death had been kept from me was mind boggling and caused a pain deep inside me.

“Faux told me you knew your mother’s sister, Eve, lived at the castle. Chloe was the queen at the time. For some reason your mother never trusted her, but she never explained why. I thought she would have been able to protect you and your mother. But, on the night that Ember died, something happened that was beyond her control.

“A woman named Lonna, who was Cain’s mother, went after you. The three of us were staying in the cottages that were located on the palace grounds. Chloe sent a message to our cottage, informing your mother that she was needed in the castle…” He’s eyes watered, but he quickly whipped them away, forcing himself to continue. I was on the edge of the bed, my heart pounded.

“That was the last time I saw your mother… I hadn’t been too concerned at the time. I thought it had something to do with a program she’d ran at the academy, but I’ll never know now.

“After she left, a group of masked people entered the house, I demanded that they leave. One of them came up behind me and knocked me out. They started the cottage on fire with you inside. I awoke couple hours later outside. Faux’s mother, Candice, informed me that you were ok. There had also been a fire inside the castle, and your mother wasn’t able to escape.” He looked away from me and sighed. “Candice told me that wasn’t the cause of death. Ember had been murdered, along with Eve.”

I let out a little gasp, and covered my mouth with my hands. “… Who?” But I wasn’t able to continue, I was shaking at this point. Maybe this was the fire from the nightmares. This was a horrifying thought. I had never told anyone about these terrible dreams.

My father shook his head. “They found several other bodies. Among them were Chloe’s eldest son, her husband, and Cain’s mother. I believe it was Lonna who killed them. Lonna’s body was almost unrecognizable, not because of the fire, but because someone had killed her as well. As far as I’m aware no one knows who her killer is. But I’m sure your mother didn’t go down without a fight.” My father held out his hand for me and locked his eyes with mine. He hadn’t cried when he told me this, but there was a deep sorrow I felt just by the look on his face that no amount of tears could ever convey.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So now Cain is after you. After years of trying to hide you away from the Natural Born world, he’s found you. It might be more than his hatred for True Souls that’s fueling his rage; he might be after vengeance for his mother. Who I would have killed myself if someone hadn’t beaten me to it. Lonna deserved what she got and more. And so does Cain for laying his filthy disgusting hands on you,” My father said this with such a hardened hatred filled voice. For the first time in my life he frightened me.

Sleep came in bits and pieces that night. When I did sleep nightmares of fire plagued my dreams. During my wakeful moments, I tried to force myself to hear the tires of Dax’s truck on the gravel of our driveway. I wanted to pull him back to us, back to me. I knew I’d screwed up yesterday and lost a lot of support from my friends, the people I loved. Now I realized how much I needed them.

I flipped my alarm clock to face me. It was 4:00, the plane left at 7 from Syracuse. I could hear Faux downstairs getting ready. My father would be awake soon to get ready to drive us to the airport. I forced my body into sitting position. While my father told me to pack for warm weather, it was still freezing here in New York; so a long sleeve shirt and pants would work for now.

I opened my door as my father was getting out of the bathroom.

“Morning Ang,” Julian said.

“Mornin’ Dad,” I replied back. We stood there for a moment looking at each other. I attempted to not look as tired as I felt. My father sighed and wrapped me in a hug that I felt I could finally return. He’d obviously forgiven me for my outburst yesterday, even if I hadn’t forgiven myself yet. And neither had Dax… He still had not come back. If I was being honest with myself I knew he wouldn’t.

I brushed my teeth and pulled back my hair so it was out of my face before I went downstairs.

Faux still moved a little slower than normal. She managed a small smile in my direction. I could tell she was a little upset with me, even if she hid her feelings fairly well.

“There’s fresh coffee made. Granola bars will have to work as breakfast for now, but we can get something more on the plane.” Faux was wearing a soft blue turtle neck dress, leggings and fake black fur boots that went passed her knees.

“Faux, I- I’m… About yesterday…”

“No need to say anything Angie. It’s done and over with,” she let out a small smile and put her hands on my shoulder, “And all is forgiven. We’re all animals here, so we’re bound to have outbursts, it’s natural.” I smiled back glad that even if she was still a little unhappy, at least she understood. Or maybe it wasn’t that she was unhappy, maybe she was still in a lot of pain…

I grabbed a couple of granola bars, and a peach, and headed out the door. We put the luggage in my father’s Explore. Her car was put in the garage and would stay there. It began to sleet outside, still my father drove slower than he probably could have just to prolong the goodbye.

When we got to the airport Faux and my father walked ahead to check our bags in. I stayed behind choosing instead to do more damage to my already shaking mental state. I sat by the window and looked for any signs that Dax might actually come back. I told myself that even if he didn’t go with us, it would be enough to simply say goodbye. I didn’t expect to be forgiven, that was asking too much.

“Angela,” Faux said which made me jump in my seat. She saw the disappointed look on my face and already knew what was on my mind. “Angie, if I know Dax, which I do, I’m sure we’ll see him again. Eventually. He just needs some time to cool off.”

I nodded. “But he won’t be going on this trip with us. It’s my fault he left.” I shook my head and tried not to let it phase me.

She looked out the window and glared, “He shouldn’t have let a small fit enrage him like that. There are more important things that he should be worried about.”

We heard footsteps making their way in our direction and turned to look. I was surprised to see both my father and Freddie were making their way over to where Faux and I had been sitting.

“Girls, Freddie will be going along with you,” my father informed me.

This hadn’t seemed to shock Faux. “Dax’s ticket is nonrefundable anyway. But Freddie you don’t have to go. Granted it’s a lot safer for Angie there than it is here, but you don’t have to feel obligated to accompany us,” Faux told him.

“Obligated doesn’t even begin to describe my desire to go.” He turned to me. “I need to go because by protecting your life I hope I can repay some of the debt I owe.. Like I said before, I haven’t always been a good person, a good doctor, and I need this chance. It’s the only way I can forgive myself for all the damage I’ve caused with my own two hands.”

I really wanted to know what he meant by this, but I could tell by the agony so prominently displayed in his dark eyes that this wasn’t the time or place. All explanations would have to wait. “You don’t need my permission, if you feel you have to go by all means come with.” I smiled at him and his face relaxed into something of joy.

Our flight was announced, it was time to take our seats. Faux hugged my father, “Julian, I’ll miss you. Thanks so much for protecting Angie, you did amazing.”

Julian hugged her back. “No need to thank me for doing my job, now it’s your turn to keep her safe. Bring her back to me.” He held her at arm’s length with a somber face.

“Will do.” Faux curtly nodded as she stepped aside to let my dad and I have one last moment together.

“Dad…” This had been harder than I’d thought it was going to be. I wanted to run back to the car and not let anyone take me away from here.

“You have to be brave. You’re so smart and wonderful and beautiful. You’re everything I could have ever wanted in a daughter and so much more. Don’t let anything change who you are no matter what you find out there.” He was trying to stay calm for me, but I could tell he was at his breaking point. “You’ll be back again soon. Don’t be afraid of what you are.” He put his hands on my face. It was such a comforting actions, a father soothing his hurting daughter. “Remember, you are your mother’s daughter. She would be so proud of you.” He hugged me one last time. “I love you Angie.”

“I love you too dad.” I buried my face in his chest. He squeezed me in a tight hug. I let go of him and dapped my eyes with my sleeve.

Faux wrapped her arm around me. “I’ll bring her back, I promise. It’s time to go.” She had said as gently as she possibly could, not knowing how much these words hurt.

The stewardess gave me a sympathetic look when I boarded the plane, but she hadn’t dared to say anything. Maybe that was a good thing, I needed some time to gather my thoughts and calm myself. I knew by leaving I was protecting myself, but at the same time it would put my father in danger. Freddie informed me that Victor would keep an eye on my father. This was a sickening thought that made my skin crawl.

Faux and Freddie left me alone most of the flight. I didn’t mind this though. After about eight hours of flying, we stopped somewhere in Europe to board another plane. I probably should’ve been paying attention to my surroundings better. Then I would’ve known exactly where we were.

I scanned through the facing around me, searching for the twins. “Where are Sadie and Spencer?”

“They’re in Egypt already,” Faux answered.

“Egypt? Why are they there? Is that were the palace is?” I asked Faux again.

“Cairo, Egypt is where our next flight ends. The twins wanted us to meet them there.”

I sat on a bench to wait for our flight to be called. “So, where exactly in Africa are we going? And why did the twins want to meet us in Egypt?”

“The palace is in a remote place between the Congo and the Central African Republic. And I believe that Spencer and Sadie are looking for something in Egypt, but they were vague as to what… which does concern me,” Faux stated.

“And no one’s found this palace?” What could they twins possibly be looking for?

“There are a variety of animals guarding the palace and the Queen. It’s getting harder as time goes on, but no unwanted human has gotten passed the Queen’s defense. Some of the African people who live off the land there know about us. But they respect our habitat and help protect us, in return we make sure they are protected as well. And the Natural Borns there give them the materials they need for survival. They are no threat to our kind.” Faux explained to me. It was like she was a walking dictionary; she had an answer to almost everything I’d asked her. How many secrets was she keeping away in the mind of hers? She was brilliant.

“Girls, it’s time to get going.” Freddie came to get us to board our next flight.

I had no idea have many hours we have flown or what time it was. I must have fallen asleep again and awoke when the plane was landing. The sun had already sunk and it was chilly outside. Faux help me sturdy myself as my body was sore and achy from sitting in the same position for so long. I quickly shook myself awake as we gathered our bags.

“FAUX! ANGIE! FREDDIE!” Sadie jumped enthusiastically. She reminded me of a high school cheerleader. Spencer simply stood with an eager smile as he waved at us.

At least the twins offered me familiar faces, which made things a little easier to adjust to in this ever increasingly bizarre world. I hugged them.

“I’m so sorry we weren’t there when you were attacked,” Sadie said on the verge of tears. “The whole point of us being there was to make sure you didn’t get hurt, and look what happened… We’ve never screwed up this bad.

“Sadie, I’m ok really. I’m not mad.” She hugged me tighter, which made it a little hard to breath.

“We’ll do what we can to set the record straight.” Spencer said.

I thanked them for being there for me again. I could admit to myself that I was a little annoyed that they’d left me that night with Cain so close at hand, but at the same time I was glad that they hadn’t been there. Faux already got hurt because of me, no one else needed to. I could defend myself now, but that hadn’t done any good so far. I needed to make sure that my training didn’t go to waste.

“So, Spencer said you guys were here looking for something… However, he skipped on the details. What is it that’s so important?” Faux looked a little crossed. She didn’t like to be left out of the loop.

Sadie and Spencer looked at each for a brief moment before turning back to Faux. The twins could have a whole conversation in the blink of an eye. “You see…” Spencer began. “It’s our opinion that there might be some one of more use to Angie than the Queen.”

Faux looked more agitated. Freddie actually moved a couple steps away from her. “And what would make you think that? None of us have even met the new queen…” Her eyes bulged as she finally understood what they were saying. “Oh no, this is not another search party. This ghost hunt is done with. We’re going to the hotel for some sleep before we have to leave tomorrow. Our flight to the C.A.R. leaves early in the morning.” Faux grabbed her bags and stormed off in the direction I assumed was the exit.

“Uh, guys… What was that all about?”

Freddie just shook his head and grabbed some of the remaining luggage. “C’mon Angie, we don’t want to lose her.”

“We didn’t tell Faux because we knew she’d react this way. You see there is, or there was a person who would be able to give you more guidance. He could answer questions for you that we will never be able to.” Sadie explained as we walked in the direction Faux had headed, but kept a good distance from her. The twins didn’t want her to overhear.

“True Souls are born every hundred years, but like Natural Borns, can live twice that long. The True Soul before you is thought to be dead. His name was Jack, but there have been rumored sightings of him since his disappearance 14 years ago, the latest one being here in Egypt,” Spencer continued.

“Everyone thought that since he disappeared, he was dead?” I asked.

“There were a lot of people murdered the night your mother died. Many people believed Jack to be one of them. The old Queen said she lost all form of connection she had with him. Therefore, she thought he was no longer alive,” Freddie explained, in a not so pleased tone of voice. “I believe if Jack was still alive he would have chosen to come out of hiding. It would be difficult for an elderly person to keep hidden for this long, considering the frail condition of his health before.”

“However, he might have faked his own death because his life was in equal danger too. If he was really weak it could damage the connection that the queen has towards. This could lead her to conclude that he was indeed dead.”

“But another True Soul could be out there? Another person like me could still be alive? I asked. A since of relief washed over me. If there was another True Soul alive, than I wouldn’t be alone. If I found Jack then maybe I could finally understand what a True Soul was supposed to be. Maybe I could even find out the real reason Natural Borns hated True Souls. “It there any type of chance we could find him? When can we start looking?”

“Angie… You…” Freddie sounded grave as he stared at the floor.

“I honestly believe he is still out there, somewhere. He has to know the real reason why Queen Mubaka abdicated. It would make sense for him to have stayed in Africa, Jack has been through too much to leave here.” Sadie informed me.

“If he’s still alive, we’ll find him or he’ll find us.” Spencer said.

Freddie just shook his head at me. I knew he had given up on this mysterious True Soul. There were too many uncertainties for Faux and Freddie to believe he was still alive, but it didn’t matter. I had another person to look forward to meeting.

By the time the four of us were done talking Faux was already in the rental car that Spencer and Sadie had acquired. She looked as agitated as she had when I had my meltdown. She was the most confident, happy-go-lucky person I knew, but for the past few days she seemed sullen and gray. I needed to fix this somehow, to mend both the relationships I had with Dax and Faux.

I don’t remember much of Egypt. We left bright and early the next morning, under Faux’s strict orders. No one could even make an attempt to try and persuade her to look for Jack. She wouldn’t hear it, and I knew Faux was still upset with me, so I didn’t pushed the issue even though it was gnawing at the back of my mind.

We rented another jeep when we landed in the C.A.R. Sadie and Spencer kept a look out for any possible signs that Jack had been there, asked a couple of natives if they’d seen him. No one had. Faux couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t cease with their search, since he was more than likely dead. Freddie aired on the side of caution. He kept an eye out for anything out of the ordinary to make sure we weren’t being followed.

This time left me to brood over my own reckless thoughts, which didn’t help keep me in a balanced mood. I dreaded the fact that Dax wasn’t here. I missed my father. I was in a completely new environment and I had no idea what was going to happen day by day.

As we made our way to the palace, Sadie and Spencer continued to question people on Jack’s whereabouts. However, hope died a little every time we got no leads. No one knew anything and we were getting closer and closer to the palace.

We continued to drive through the plains, but they were guarded by a pride of lions. They lifted their head’s as we passed. Freddie stopped the jeep as we gazed at the pride. The head lion and lioness bowed the heads at us, almost welcomed us.

“We’re watching you. The path ahead is safe,” the male informed us.

“Stay brave young ones, your destination is close,” his female said.

“Seems we have fans,” Freddie said.

“You’re not feeling a little intimated are you?” Spencer asked. “I mean I may be a wolf, but I’d have my work cut out for me if we angered a fully grown lion.”

“There is nothing wrong with being a poodle. At least not everyone is terrified at the sight of me.”

“There are people who idealize wolves, and look at us as creatures of beauty.” Sadie said.

“Are we having the battle of the animals? If so Angie wins,” Faux said, looking halfway amused for the first time in almost a week.

“That is so unfair…” Even though she was trying to put the odds in my favor, I was having fun listening to their little dispute. The absurdity of it made me laugh. Still, I was glad that Faux seemed more like her old self.

We passed plains quickly and entered into thick green brush, where we had to make another stop because of the pouring rain. The roads were too muddy to drive the old Jeep through, so we had to wait out the stop.

By time the storm ended, the air was heavy with humidity and I was covered in sweat from head to toe. The animals here didn’t try to attack us; they merely looked at us with curiosity. Some even greeted them politely before leaving us to ourselves again.

Early in the afternoon we came to an old wooden bridge. Through the very top of the dark green canopy, I could see the top of the palace. A small tower, with a smooth marble top roof was all that was in my sights. But it was all I needed for my heart to race inside of me.

A saw a rustling in the bushes that apparently no one else did, the others seem to be dead focused on the palace ahead. An old orangutan pushed the leaves out of his face. His light orange fur was showing in clumps on his dark skin. He smiled at me, and put a wrinkled finger to his lips.

“Sshhh.” And he was gone as quickly as he’d come. I turned my head to the front windshield. I soon put the incident out of my mind. After we crossed the bridge, I watch as a huge alligator slid into the adjacent river.

The entrance to the castle was closed off by a large wooden fence with huge doors, forbidding anyone from seeing the castle itself. I jumped when the doors opened and a tan skinned woman with long straight black hair was standing there. Drove through the gates and slowly got out of the Jeep. She looked as if she’d been expecting us all this time. She was wearing white robes with golden jewelry.

“Welcome. It’s been a long time you three. Hello Dr. Lance.” She shook their hands before turning to me. Freddie had been here too? Her face was aged, her mouth almost in a frown. “Hello Angela, it’s been years since you’ve been home. You don’t remember me, but I’m Chloe Mubaka.” She turned her body to face all of us. “I’ll be taking you to the Queen. No one questioned her, so I kept my mouth shut. “A guard will take the Jeep.” Freddie tossed the keys over to a bulky guy wearing a tunic shirt.

Chloe led us through the most beautiful place I’d ever seen. It was bursting with so many exotic plants I couldn’t even begin to name. I could see the cabins my father told me about in the distance toward our left. The palace was the most breathtaking. It was made of white marble, with round pillars, and it had just a few small towers, not many. The palace was engrossed in all types of lush vegetation. I was in awe.

There were kids playing and changing back and forth all over. They acted like it was no big deal. All kinds of animals were there, from hippos, to frogs, to birds, to horses. There was such an amazing verity to everything. There were two ladies in pink and golden robes outside the doorway to the palace. Chloe nodded at them and we continued in, there were other ladies holding large leafs in front of a throne. When they moved the leaves, there sat a tall lioness with golden red fur. Her face glowed. The Lioness stepped forward, I felt this magnificent connection that instinctively pulled me towards her.

“My Queen, I present to you, Sadie and Spencer Pierce, Freddie Lance, Faux Rivera, and Angela Silverwood.” Mubaka bowed deeply in front of us, before stepping back.

She walked towards us and stopped in front of me. Emerald eyes captured my gaze. She stood on her hind legs as her ladies in waiting moved towards her. Two of them pulled a sheet in front of her, while a third one handed her a translucent colored robe that she tied around her. They moved the sheets. A girl with wild red main and bright green eyes stood in front of us.

She smiled as a gorgeous silver crown, molded in the shape of leaves, flowers, and vines, was placed on her head. “My name is Blair Knox, and it is my honor to have you here.”