Pheonix

Chapter 1

The flight altered its promise as transport to paradise and became a hot, stale air capsule, enclosing her for hours. Pouring sun rays beat down on her through her seat window, only adding to the dread knotting in her stomach, and the stench of topical creams and drinks filled the air. This trip would be challenging, shifting her attention away from the other passengers to her mother. A mouse of women who made a point to sit there ever so quietly the entire flight. Yet, she would occasionally fidget with her necklace and constantly check her phone every five minutes without bothering to start a conversation. An everyday thing that posed no surprise on Daniella's mind.'Pay attention to her,' Nan said. 'Don't stray too far and cause her to worry,' Nan said. Yeah right. That was second nature. Plus, she didn't think there was much need for it. Mom could take care of herself with something like this, and so could Daniella.Furthermore, there were more pressing matters for her to think about. What was really important for this trip was not babysitting Mom or sunbathing on the beach at the resort like the other passengers on this plane had planned. No, it was to retrieve his things. Her mystery fathers' things. The part of her past that she had no answers to. Despite her hard work, she only got stories that sounded more like fairy tales.This trip was going to give both of them some clarity. Both of them could finally move on and away from this strange, flaming red-haired man with whom her Mom had a summer fairy tale. Afterwards, to her grandparent's horror, she went missing for a few months before returning to the same spot she was left. To this day, the authorities were of no help in the situation and her grandparents were left with a daughter, who later was found pregnant and could not stop talking about made-up things. A fairy tale that never really left her mind, even 17 years later. For 17 years, her Mom would talk about this man as though he was a hero straight out of a book. And as time went on, she needed more than a child's imagination of a father, one that was perhaps breathing.The stories her Mom would tell her eventually got written down in a book her Mom took around with her, like a child and their favourite stuffed animal. Listening to them repeatedly as a child, Daniella could admit, led to some fantasies of her own, to her grandparents' dismay.But this trip was to lead to hard facts and the reality her grandparents wanted information the moment she got it. After all these years, her grandparents still wanted to know who completely changed their daughter into something dependent and vulnerable.The resort only wanted the person closest to him, her mother, to come. Since Daniella was produced during that time, Nan and Granddad figured she could go on their behalf. This was going to be a long flight.A few stray clouds were cleared as they descended. Opening up to the sight of the ocean from above was a sight to behold. The light blue of the water glimmering in the sunlight, and the white sands, were vastly different than the dark, murky lakes back home. A small piece of tropical paradise. "Isn't this place wonderful," Mom began? Edging closer to me. "There is so much I want to show you. You'll love it." Mom said with glee, the first she spoke during the trip, as they looked out the window. The sunny haze blazed over me, cutting out what Mom mostly said. Which left her piecing together instead, snapshots of Bermuda in her mind, her leg slightly shaking for the need to get up and go check things out.At first glance, the terminal did not hold any gripping intrigue; following Mom and the other passengers seemed the only option. What else could there be here to discover? Her giddiness grew, wanting to get to the resort as soon as possible. So many questions for the staff and new things to see and try."Welcome to Bermuda! You must be Marianna," a man says, making her turn to see Mom a few meters away in front of the man in question. Dammit, why didn't I notice them? She hurries to stop daydreaming, catching up to her mother."Yes! Glad to be back. We are happy to be here," Marianna answers with a smile, and the man smiles and glances at me sideways. Rude much. Going to ignore my presence? I am here too, you know, was all she could think. She shook her head a bit. Being unacknowledged did not mean she should be rudely making assumptions too."My name is Thomas, and I will escort you to the resort. Under these circumstances, we hope you know how great it will be to get these belongings out of our hands. You were his closest contact, and the authorities were unsure what to do with these items after his disappearance. Throwing away guests' belongings is our last resort," Thomas sighs. "Hopefully, there will be some things you will wish to take. There were some high-value items." He adds, and my ears perked. What kind of value? Something related to his side of the family. Or just a nice watch; that would be boring. And yet, Daniella wanted to know it all, good or boring. Any travel agitation was slipping away like waves on the shore. All the two had to do was follow Thomas, and I would be led straight to my prize. In and out as quickly as possible. With both insights achieved and back to normalcy at home.The resort itself was fortunately not a disappointment. It was one of the biggest hotels she'd ever seen. It had an open layout, with large windows lighting up the place with natural light and furniture, in green like a palm leaf, brown wicker chairs, sand and ocean water coloured aesthetic to the walls and any extra material. And from how close they were to the water, there must be a beach to lounge on. She wondered what other amenities they got. Other guests bustled around her in sun dresses and polos, all with plans of their own. She should also indulge in some of those activities, though she doesn't want to waste a beach getaway. Getting in and out of here might have to wait."Let us begin with checking in. One moment please," Thomas asks, walking towards the front desk. A few other guests were also lining up at the desk, but Thomas skipped the line and took charge of one of the computers. What was with this special treatment? Why couldn't they have gotten here just fine on their own? Why did the resort find this simple matter so crucial that treating two ordinary people like VIPs was necessary? And why was her Mom going along with it without comment?Walking back over, "Here is your room, guys. Shall I get a bellhop to get your luggage?" Thomas asks."No, we'll be fine," Daniella said before Mom most likely agreed."Of course. We will see you back again later for Supper and after we show you the items," Thomas answers, now with the biggest fake customer service smile. His fingers shook a bit as he walked away. Well, that was that then, no big deal."Come on, Daniella, let us check out our room, shall we," Mom starts, leading the way to the elevator.Someone should have told her to expect this, but here it was. One giant king-sized bed. Just one. The staff planned for only her Mom to come, not Daniella or her grandparents. This explains Thomas' reaction to Daniella's presence at the airport. "Well, I guess it looks like we are going to be sharing," is all Mom can get out with a slight chuckle. Placing all their heavy luggage beside the bed, Daniella shakes off the weight of welcomeness, "I'm thinking of going right to the beach," Daniella asks her Mom."All right, have fun. I'll just be here. I still have a bit of jet lag," Mom replies, turning out the bed covers. So Daniella quickly changed her clothes, found her sunscreen and headed out the door.The beach has got to be the best part of this resort. White lounge chairs and umbrellas line the outer edges of the beach, leaving plenty of room for beach towels and families to have space to play. An open bar for drinks and snacks was off to the side, as well as a pool. Daniella wondered, had my parent met somewhere out here? The sun blared down on her and coated her like silk, and the smell of the sea welcomed her.She theorized that heat stroke could have made Mom's head fuzzy enough to believe those stories he would eventually tell her. Daniella knew she had to be more focused. Relaxing on the beach mid-afternoon was one thing, but finding clues was another, even if her inner self urged her to get a mocktail at the bar and relax in a chair, enjoying the heat over the coolness of the upper east coast of the states.And yet, Oh what the heck, she mentally exclaimed, I'm going to get one. Walking to the bar, she eventually finds an empty seat and relaxes. It won't hurt to chill out and relax away troubles, sipping her pineapple drink. Ultimately, as the minutes rolled on, she closed her eyes and drifted off.Once upon a time,There was once this magical kingdom, a place of swords and magic. People and creatures of many kinds. In this kingdom, there was a little prince that was very lonely. Between the lessons and the balls, he dreamed. Dreamed of the adventures he could have beyond the palace walls and the people he could meet. Friends that would treat him like an equal and not a prince. For friends who would not be scared of him. For you see, the royal family had a special gift. They were blessed with solid fire magic, so strong that their hair moved like a real flame. The little prince was the same, and anyone who wasn't a royal who got close to it without proper protection had always gotten burned. His bright flaming red hair glowed in the sun.Just like your red hair, my dear, Mom says. As he got older. He came to find that all the people around him only wanted one thing. Power. Power by associating with him. You see, he was to be king one day. With it came responsibility, which weighed heavily on his shoulders. This power sewed misdeeds among some nobles, and the king grew worried. This was good for the prince, for he could escape the palace for a while and do things he only dreamed of....."Miss. I beg your pardon," came a stranger's voice; Daniella rubbed her eyes. She must have dozed off for a minute."Yes," Daniella asks."Would you like a refill of your drink?" he asks, gazing at her empty glass."Yes, please. And may I ask what time it is?" smiling at the consideration of the waiter."10 minutes to 5, miss," he responds, setting down the refill he had brought."Thank you," Daniella replies, getting up with a stretch. Taking her drink, she heads inside for Supper. Supper was a magnificent buffet of different seafood, meats and sides. This was where she met up with her Mom, who already had a table."How was the beach," Mom asks, finishing her plate."It was great. I practically fell asleep in one of the chairs, though," Daniella sighed, She'd practically given in to her whims."That sounds relaxing," Mom giggles.Putting down her fork, "I gotta ask. What to think the resort will have of dads?""Well, I remember that there was mostly clothing, but he also had this huge ruby ring he said was his father's." Mom ponders.Her ears twitched again, and interest ignited even more, "Really, how big?""Big enough that it could only be worn on your thumb. He let me try it on, and how the gold band glittered," Mom answers with a sigh of nostalgia. "Though the strangest thing was that he had a hilt.""A hilt? Like a sword? Why would he have that?" Daniella replies, dumbfounded. Why would a guy have a sword with him at a resort?"He never let me get too close to it. Saying it was safer to leave it alone. I didn't bother asking further cause I was too focused on other things he told me," Mom replies, unfortunately. More of this rose colour glasses talk, she sighed. Luckily, Mom going into one of her blisses over the memories was a common occurrence. But Daniella knew it was still her fault for the asking. It was her curiosity that wanted to know more, every detail. And the only time she could get it was during one of these episodes. Fortunately, knowing facts from obvious fiction came with age."There you are," came Thomas's familiar voice behind me. "We have the items ready for you down the hall. Are you finished?" he urged, seemingly wanting this to go quickly."Well, I am. How about you, dear," Mom asks, and Daniella nods."Excellent, please follow me," Thomas ushers them out of the filled dining hall.The room Thomas took them to was small, with a long table in the middle displaying various items across it. Scanning over the belongings, many things began to pique her interest. Plain medieval-like style clothing, simple yet strange to find. Eventually, getting to one end of the table, there were multiple pieces of jewelry and the hilt her Mom mentioned with its long golden handle with a big red gem in the center near the top of the handle. Daniella focused on the rock. Vibrant, small intricate angles focused down inside the jewel. But something was different about this one compared to the others. The spark inside seemed alive. Like a living flame was in cased in stone.