Emanuel's Gift

Chapter - 3

1918

One year passed and I turned 9 nine years old. I had been so lonely forever wanting to connect to the outside world. Countless times I asked my mother to write a letter to Anna-Maria, we eventually did though waiting for a reply made me feel so impatient. Amount of times the mail came I rushed out to where my father had placed the mail down on the table. Often much to my dismay there wasn't one address to me. I felt so disheartened my excitement and anticipation for one piece of mail was dashed with nothing.

"I don't understand, I sent her a letter, why didn't she send me anything" 

I stomped my foot in anger and clearly was annoyed with this. I started to wonder if Anna-Maria had forgotten about me. My parents looked woefully at me. They could tell how upset I was.

"Maybe she is busy, Emanuel I'm sure she will send something soon" 

Mother went over to me and gave me a hug which I reluctantly accepted, anything to make this disappointment ebb from me.

"I can't help but feel she is clearly avoiding me, bad enough I don't even get to see her now she won't respond to my letters" 

I really wanted to be able to run away from everyone. I wanted to find a way to get to wherever Anna-Maria lived. I miss her immensely. It was then noise downstairs, father got up and headed down to notice there was another letter stuffed through the mail slot.

"I should just give up on my mother, she clearly doesn't want to be friends anymore after what happened..." 

I whimpered, burying myself against her dress.

"Emanuel seems the mailman had missed a letter"

I felt the disheartened feeling give away to hope, I left my mother and went over to notice the letter in my father's hand.

"It's from her...I want to open it and read it now" 

This was everything I was waiting for, father went over to where his desk was and came back with a letter opener in hand. I noticed the back of the envelope had a wax seal on it holding it closed. Father took the letter and carefully opened it before pulling the piece of paper from the envelope.

"Did you want us to read it to you or you want to try and read it yourself" 

Father held the piece of paper, honestly I wanted to read it alone.

"You might as well read it. '' 

I muttered though he ended up giving me the piece of paper as the doorbell rang downstairs.

"Oh she's here, Emanuel you're going to Aunt Fran take care of you for a while," 

Great more excitement though, the fact my parents are going away without telling me much still left me in the dark.

"I hope you collected the bags we best be off" 

Before I knew it I had to pocket the letter my parents were ushering me downstairs, they had a bag in hand each. Mother opened the front door and there stood my Aunt behind her was another man. Mother turned and gave me a hug as I watched them get into the other car the man was driving.

"Bye will be back soon" 

Mother said with a smile. I waved them off then turned to see Aunt Fran standing there.

"Are we going to go anywhere, Aunty?" I really wanted to get out of the house I was stuck inside.

"Well, I'm sure we can go to the markets or something. But I'm worried about you," 

I couldn't blame her, everyone seemed to feel worried about me.

"Don't be worried, Aunty, I'll be fine." 

A smile graced my face anything to try and sway her into taking me somewhere now my parents were gone.

"Alright we can get to the markets for a while, in dire need of an adventure aren't we" 

I leapt down the stairs and ran over to where her car was parked. Aunt Fran quickly closed the front door and locked it before joining me inside her car.

"Let's go" At last things were starting to feel a lot more cheerful for me. I had the letter from Anna-Maria nestled in my pocket still to be read, though I eventually noticed silvery strands of hair shimmering in the light.

"Emanuel, you don't need to feel down anymore..." Cilan's voice hissed in my ear.

"I'm terrified of you, why don't you let me be,." 

I didn't say this out loud, not with Aunt driving in the front seat unaware that I was communicating with a ghost.

"Emanuel you don't mean that, I'm the only friend you have to talk to."

 He stroked my hair lightly as I shook my head.

"Hey... Why are you being so close to me?" 

I gently shoved him it was pointless. My hand wasn't going to affect the spirit.

"Because you and I are the same. I live vicariously inside you, keeping you alive, also bestowing powers to see into dead people's minds," he was still coiled around me.

"I really wish to see Anna-Maria," 

My hand dug into the pocket and fished out the letter still folded neatly. Cilan didn't look happy at all that, he moved away and took up space on the vacant seat next to me.

"Emanuel, Anna-Maria probably doesn't wish to see you," 

He hissed at me coldly. It was like he had something against me seeing my friend. Was he jealous? I never quite understood Cilan at all. I stared at him until my Aunt's voice broke the tiff I was having with myself.

My aunty eyes looked at me in the rear view mirror. 

"Emanuel, who are you talking to, dear?" I looked at her little surprised face.

"No one, Aunty."

Soon the markets came into view, the pavement was bustling with people, aisles of vendors selling various wears and goods to the many customers who came by their stalls. I took in the atmosphere and welcomed the scenery change I needed.

"I guess your parents haven't taken you to the markets in a while," 

My aunt said, parking the car on the side of the street.

"No, I haven't been out since my day in the park. I hate being stuck indoors." 

I muttered watching the people go by. It felt wonderful to breathe fresh air, to walk places even though I dare never run. I took my time because I was worried that my aliment would ruin everything.

"Oh your parents, they want to spend so much time with you because they don't know how much time you have left,"

She said as we headed into the markets.

"If they want to spend time with me, why did they leave?"

I noticed my Aunt had drifted towards one of the stalls, my question was left hanging in the air as she started gazing at the goods for sale. I decided to not ask again, try and make the most of it at least I was with my favourite relative. The rest of the day was wonderful. Aunt brought me some new toys, along with food to eat, I did find myself feeling weary by the time we got back to the house.

"I'm surprised by you Emanuel, though best for you to have a rest. I'll start cooking up some dinner" 

I took one of the toys from my Aunt and wandered back to my room. She trailed behind me and placed the others on the shelf before watching me climb onto my bed to cuddle my bear.

The letter was still in my pocket. It was time I opened it and read it, I wanted to know how Anna-Maria was, did she miss me? So many other questions swirling about my head I just kept Cilan negativity blocked from coming into the front of my mind. Opening the letter my eyes gazed upon the text trying to make out what was written, I sighed and closed my eyes and fell asleep.

End of timeline - next part 1919