END ROADS

CHAPTER 51: MY BIRTHDAY, MOTHER IS EVERYWHERE!

A long time ago in the northern Cresent castle lived a king who loved his fifth daughter the most. He had many wives but the last whom he had thlo kill by his own hands he loved her more. Her daughter Flora was a cheeky girl, had the complexion of her father but grew with the character of her mother. She had to run away. Live away from her family, live alone as young as seven. She learnt survival, trickery and knowledge as young as she was. She had the spirit of exploration and discovery which played a role in her boring life. She always wanted to know what and why. She loved a man who gave her what she wanted and one of them is Angela the Princess.
I laughed after the little girl narrated her little story.
"Did mama tell you the story?"
"She told me in a different way, but I made it more romantic. I prefer romantic stories other than tragic stories" she explained
"So where do you stay?"
"The north. The castle is still there. You may think it's old. Of course it does look old but it is well maintained and beautiful"
"Flora stays there too?"
"She does stay there. The place is beautiful, do you want to see it?"
"Can I? Can you take me there?" I asked in fascination
"Yeah, for a few hours I don't want anyone else to find out it is still there or where it is. It won't be safe" she spoke like some educated knowledgeable person. I envied her she was always too accurate and knew more than I did.
"Alright let's go"
"You will arrive there unconscious, you are not just anyone. You are way too powerful than myself"
I nodded awkwardly, I wished to questions more but. I would look more idiotic if I did.
She placed her little hands over my eyes and whispered
"I want to sleep" then everything was dark.
The next time I opened my eyes I was on some intricately designed castle. The room was entirely ancient, the chandeliers were some design I do never seen. The walls were cream and brown, the mahogany table was huge and the sofas themselves were a little creepy. The curtains were huge and dark. I walked over and drew the curtain. It was dark outside the sky was starless and dark. The landscape beyond was covered with trees and mist was thick in air. I could barely see anything other than a few bars flying here and there. I let down the curtains that covered the massive window. I walked back to the room and opened the massive door. I was welcomed by an endless wide hallway lined with several doors curved with complex flowery patterns and vines. On the walls were beautified by photos of men and women whom I assumed to be great and significant people to the witch and the vampire clan. I studied the portraits as I walked by, one caught my eye. A woman in a beautiful red dress smiling sweetly. Her smile reminded me of Angela. She was only familiar to me. Beside her was a man in a black tuxedo standing by the window. A crow rested on his shoulder. His eyes resembled Flora's, the next was a grey haired fierce looking woman standing beside a man with white hair. Unlike the woman the man had a warm smile.
How odd was that? Were they married?
"Loving what you see?" A voice interrupted my admiration.
I turned around slowly, a female figure stood at the far end of the hallway. I could tell who it was even without seeing the face that was hidden in shadows.
"Flora...
"Being too familiar with me? Do you know me even in dark?"
"Who else can be as beautiful as you are?"
"Well, maybe Ashura, she's also a beautiful woman" she responded as she approached me . "What are you admiring?"
"This portraits. The people here are all magnificent, who are they?"
"The old couple are my grandparents, the man in tuxedo is my dad and the lady over there is my mother"
"Wow, they are all elegant. Such a fine family" I complimented.
"Well, all families have a knot and a loop. We all look fine but it may never be the case"
"I understand."
"As you should, it's healthy"
My brows knitted again. What is she always speaking like my mother. Or should I ask her if she ever met my mother by any chance?
"Ashura was pretty. She vanished after Grey was born, those days I was busy composing the spell book. I thought it would be destroyed if the vampires found it, bit I think it is still around"
"Why do you think so?"
"Well, sometimes I know things am not supposed to know" she smiled and began heading the other way.
"Have you ever met my mother? Her name is Lauren." She halted and I almost bumped into her .
"Lauren" she repeated almost in a whisper, her face darkened then she seemed to be in deep thoughts. Seconds later she was smiling again.
"My memory has nothing about someone called Lauren. If I remember I will surely tell you" she smiled at me but her smile didn't reach her eyes. For the first time!
I nodded awkwardly and walked ahead. She stood there for a long time then followed me.
"This castle is several centuries old, no one knows who built it or how it was built. My great grandfather used a spell tolock himself away, no one knows where it happened but we all know living for too long is boring."
"How old are you?" I suddenly asked
"I lost count, but I have been around for centuries."
"Do you know your birth date?"
"I don't"
"Your life is wierd" I said dismissively. She laughed lightly.
"I hope yours will be better. I would wish if you lived better, better than me"
I was frozen again. My mother's words. Those days papa used to beat her up and locked her in her room. I always found her crying and she would say...
I hope your life will be better. I would wish if you lived better, better than me...
Why was she using my mother's words and she seemed not to notice what she was doing to me. I missed my mother often when I was around Flora.
"Come on I have a surprise for you kiddo. Hurry" she beckoned me into the last room in the hallway. I was welcomed by a sweet aroma foods arranged on the table. My eyes glistened when a smell of fried chicken wings wafted my nose. I licked my lips subconsciously. A feast, I miss food!
I looked up at Flora who was wearing a playful smile. She consented to my greed of wanting to devour the meals at that instance. I sat on a chair at the long dining table and served myself. She sat on the other side smiling at me.
"Enjoy, it's my treat" she teased
"Don't worry I won't suggest on splitting the bill"
She laughed heartily serving herself in the most elegant manner. Like a queen, her movements were neat and careful. Slow and steady like a fairly or the most civilized person in the world.
I ignored her, she was giving me peers, I was nothing close to being neat or elegant. Yet, I envied how she held and handled the knife and fork. Just magnificent. Why was she perfect in every aspect?
Just then Angela came in with a plate of noodles. I stared at her wanting to laugh.
"We are having a feat and you are preferring noodles instead?" I questioned her.
"Self made, I love noodles. They are my favourite"
"How unique is that"
"Very unique" she grinned happily.
"So what have you been doing lately? Last seen... Was a blood stained Becky." Flora piped in.
"Well, I found out Grey is a halfling ... Half vamp , half demon" I waited for her to be shocked but she wasn't.
"That is logical, I sense a greater power from him when am around him. That explains it all"
"You knew what he is?"
I didn't... But I suspected he is something greater!" She answered
"I thought you do be scared about it" I shrugged
"I have been scared all my life. Nothing scares me anymore"
"Are you sure? Don't be too confident" I warned her jokingly
"Maybe there is, but for now. Am immune" she wiped her mouth with a table towel "what about you? How are you?"
"Me? Well the mark is keeping me alive and I have a bunch of vampires under me. Am developing abilities that are freaking me out bit they are quite useful"
"Which part of those abilities do you like the most?"
I swallowed thinking for a moment.
"The fact that I can protect Grey and no one looks down on me anymore"
"What else?"
I thought again
"The fact that I am not a lesser being among the vampires and I can protect myself. Know a lot and heal people as well. They are quite useful to me"
"That is good to hear" she nodded slicing a small piece of stake. She picked it with a fork and shoved it into her mouth. She chewed slowly and swallowed.
Mother!
Everything she did reminded me of my mother and it was making me sick . I wanted to cry.
"Why aren't you eating?"
"I was spacing for a moment, sorry"
"What is it?" She raised her elegant brow "what is bothering you?"
I smiled sadly "don't worry am alright"
I answered.
"An overinflated balloon always burst out loud. And when it bursts it may disrupt the people around. Not everyone enjoys such scenes"
"Then I will break their bones if they dare to annoy me"
Her mouth made an O and she raised her hands in surrender.
"Alright princess now eat!"
"Am jealous" Angela suddenly said
"Why little one?"
"Because I am suddenly invisible"
Flora and I burst into laughter simultaneously.
"Sorry little one, what do you want to say?"
She grinned idiotically "just attention seeking" she giggled moving her attention back to her bowl.
We are silently the remaining time. I had the best time in the three months I have been living with the creatures of the night. I gulped a glass of water and sat back rubbing my stomach.
"Enjoyed your meal?"
"Very much, thanks"
"Welcome" she wiped her mouth "there is some dessert in the kitchen counter, go fetch it" I nodded following the door Angela had come in through.
I entered the magnificently furnished kitchen with a taste of modern and ancient. There were a few modern accessories, a microwave, fridge, and an oven. Did they have electricity?
A question to ask later. But there was no  desert on the counter. Maybe I should go back and ask. I turned around to only find a silhouette of a man standing there. A familiar face, familiar scent, someone I admired and was in love with.
Grey!
What was he doing here? How did he get here? And the cake..
"Happy birthday Becky!"
My heart halted for a second then I stared at him awkwardly.
"Thanks, how did you know?"
"Flora sometimes knows things she is not meant to know. The little one brought me here, she told me about it. They prepared a feast for you"
Oh, so that was why there was a feast? They should have told me. I completely forgot that late October was my birthday month. I didn't have a reason to celebrate anyway the year wasn't beautiful anyway.
"Now you are turning nineteen years, are you happy?"
I stared at him for a few, and nodded. "Who wouldn't be?"
He grinned at "come on they are waiting"
I followed him back to the dining room where the two mysterious friends were waiting.
"Happy birthday sister princess" scrramed Angy
"Happy birthday Becky" Flora added.
"Thank y'all, I am really humbled by your kind gesture."
"Come on, make a wish" Angy erupted with excitement as Flora snapped her fingers lighting the candles on the cake. I smiled wearily and closed my eyes.

I wish to see my mother again and I blew the Candles. The three applauded as I cut the cake. Out of instincts I turned towards grey with the cake.
"Can you eat?" Was it awkward to ask a vampire to eat a cake?
"A little won't bite"
Oh he was a demon too, do he could manage a couple of bites. I fed him then Flora and finally Angy.
Angela hummed softly "I wish Sandy were human or witch. She could have enjoyed the cake a lot."
"I can imagine" I agreed as I ate some more.
The cake reminded me about my mother. It was home made and the flavour was my mother's and my favourite.
I looked at Flora who was staring at me the whole time.
"You made it?"
She nodded with a smile.
"Thanks, it's yummy"
"Welcome"
"Do you have electricity?"
"Nope, just a powerful generator I installed a few years back.
"I see, you are a genius"
"Finally you noticed" I laughed at the compliment although I didn't want to laugh that loud.
"It's good to see you happy. Always keep that smile brilliant!"
Always keep that smile brilliant...
Mother!
My mother said that too!