A Gifted Queen

Chapter 26 Part 1

Chapter 26

One Extra

One of the older children stands up. Can we go and look for her ourselves? Can we help hunt for her?

That's a wonderful offer, but we have 100 warriors going out with us hunting for her. Its going to be very dangerous, and I don't want to see you get hurt or get lost.

I'm not a child, I could help.

I will discuss it with Mrs. Pringles. But as it is right now, I think it's better that the young ones stay here.

I don't mean to be disrespectful, the boy says calmer now. But she's the only one who ever saw that I was a good person. She made me want to be a good person. Can I do something? I dont want to lose her. I cant sit here and do nothing.

There is nothing more that I... He cuts me off.

My mother left me. My father left me. She comes here every day just so she gets to see me, because she wants me. Tears fill the boys eyes, and his voice begins to break. She wants me in her life. I do not want to sit here and just wait for her to be found.

Let me talk it over with Mrs. Pringles. I will get back with you before the days over. I say to the very determined young man.

Thank you, I appreciate it.

The rest of you, how about making some pretty cards and making little notes, telling Ray how much you miss her and love her. Then I will have the teachers gather them up and they'll send them to wherever I am. That way the minute I find her if she's sad I can show her all the love waiting here for her, and she will get happy.

Can I just paint you a picture and put my name on it?

Yes. Anything you want to send her is ok. I have to go now, remember be strong.

Can we still be a little sad?

As long as you dont let the sad ruin the love and smiles.

You forgot the giggles and laughs, again.

Youre right the giggles and laughs too. Reaching down I pick up a little girl who is still looking so sad, she can't be more than five maybe six, and I rub her back looking at her face. Do you love Ray?

In her small voice she says, Yes, she taught me about giggles and laughs, she is my best friend.

Then you have to be strong for her. She's being strong for you.

I'll try, but it hurts right here. The little girl points to her heart.

I know, sweetheart my heart hurts too. It is hard but we can do it for Ray.

Children it is time to go back to class, you have to get started on the cards and letters. We will send one to her every week. If you hurry the princes can take some today. Miss Pringles saw my sad expression, thankfully, she is sending the kids back to class.

I set the little girl back down in her chair, then patted her head, Be strong I will see you again. I turn to Ms. Pringles, We need to have a talk.

Come back to my office with me.

Who is the young man who wants to go find Ray? He seems very determined.

His name is Fred. When he came here, he was a handful. But because of Ray, he's done a 180. He's a different person. But I see some of the darkness coming back because he can't find her. He is missing Ray the most it seems, because she took a lot of time working with him.

How old is he?

He is fifteen. He'll be sixteen in a month.

Is there anything I should know about him if I took him with me?

I think for Rays sake he would do anything you asked. Some of these kids come from very sad situations. They need that connection, to feel they are wanted and understood. She gives it to them. Don't get me wrong, we all love the kids, but there's something about her that just makes it better.

I know, she's the one that gives us all hope. Now that hope is gone since she is lost. How fast can you get his stuff together?

I'll have him pack if you want to take him in twenty minutes. You'll have to fill out these papers. Just so I have records. The only way you can legally take him is if you take custody of him, even if it's just temporary.

That'll be fine. We'll do that. He can run errands or something like that to let him feel part of things.

He would love that. Thank you. Ill have them drawn up right now.

Ill be back for him in an hour or two. I need to see my father.

We will have him ready in the next thirty minutes.

Fine. I'll wait for him outside when I get back. I then quickly correct myself, No, better yet just send him to the palace when hes done. Do you have some way to get him there?

Yes. She says as she tries to get the paperwork together. We can drive him over as soon as he is ready.

Have him dropped off by the warriors. They are all outside the palace in a group. I'll have the palaces Beta Max there waiting for him.

Yes, Sir. That's wonderful. We'll get it done. She says as she hands me the papers to sign.

I sign it here? Picking up the pen I think to myself: I don't know why I'm doing this, taking a kid a long, having to watch out for him. This is not a very good idea, but it looks like he misses Ray like I miss Ray. Well, probably not as bad and not in the same way, but bad enough for a kid, and he has lost a lot already. Ray would want me to do this for him. So even if all he does is walk the grounds with the guys, hell feel like he's doing something. I snapped out of my thoughts.

This is so important to him, and I want him to stay on the right path. Mrs. Pringles says. This will hopefully do that, please sign these here and on the last page too. Thank you for being understanding. Is that what I am being? Or am I wanting to make brownie points with Ray when I find her? Micah is back in his thoughts while the woman is still talking. Ray would be happy you did this. Ill put them in his folder. And when you get back with the princess, we'll release you from your temporary custody.

I am good with that. Make sure he understands it is only for the search, I am not adopting him. I dont even want to have my own kids, why would I want someone elses? Kids are messy and needy. Who wants to deal with that?

We will explain it to him. He is a smart kid and will understand it is just for rules that we did this.