Curse of the Oak

Chapter Fourteen

Liz quickly moved toward the door after her son. Des had always wanted to know the truth of what happened, but this was more than she expected. But she couldn't help but feel better knowing the truth. No matter how hard it is to stomach over the lies that have been forced down her. The incident which was nothing other than the answer she was looking for. The truth that Des has been wanting to know her entire life. It was more than what she expected, but it was better than not knowing.

Using her finger, she wiped a single tear from her blue eye, letting it drip no farther than the corner of her eye as she hung her head so that no one in the room would see.

Josie and Lucy were over in an instant, giving her a hug, squeezing her with love she needed in this time of trials. Griffin grabbed her hand, letting her squeeze the anger and sadness from her body. Transporting it to a bottle to be open later in time.

"There, there sweetie," Josie was saying, her long elegant fingers combing through Desiree's blonde locks. Trying to soothe her soul. "Everything is going to be okay. Your father is just going through a rough patch right now."

"A rough patch that has lasted for over four years now," Lucy snarked, showing her frustration with the man's inability to handle grief.

Josie casted a glowering look.

"What?" Lucy asked, acting as if nothing was wrong. Lucy walked back over to the computer monitors where Alfred still sitting, observing the various screens of the forest.

"So, what happens now?" Des asked, trying to distract herself, her hands shaking in her lap.

"Now it's time to rest," Josie replied.

Looking up a Josie, Des let out a heavy sigh. Frustrated with being coddled as a child, she determined it was time to quit acting like one. She no longer wanted to rest, or be kept away from this new world of responsibility. Des wanted to learn more about this duty and debt she's forced to endure. If her mother, along with her other ancestors were forced to bear it, then she would not be weak.

She would be strong.

She would be courageous.

She would be compassionate.

She would not hide away.

Not like her father did to her.

Rising from the chair she walked over to the mural on the wall. There was a cluster of individuals in dark green uniforms. The designs and silks were very different than the ones she saw earlier. Des realized she was looking at the past generations of hunters in the collage. Looking at all the brave faces that have fought for her and her family.

"Des, are you okay?" Josie asked, walking up beside her.

With strength fixated upon her determination, she turned around staring at Liz, who had snuck back in the door, along with the hunter bearing the scar across his face.

"My whole life, I've had this feeling of emptiness inside of me. Like there was a piece of me hidden in the unknown world. Even before my mom died. There was this purpose that I was searching for. A purpose that would help me discover this missing part of me. Every single person in this room had done their duty for this cause. They have literally put their blood, sweat, and tears, losing loved ones, and hiding this realm from the world. From the innocent." Des took a step forward, her fists clenched at her side.

"No longer will I stand here and let others fight this battle. It's time for me to stand up for myself and find the hunter inside. I'm ready to embrace this part of my life. I think," Des continued, stopping to have her arm go out in a slashing movement. "No. I know I'm ready to find out who I truly am in the world."