THE JOURNEY HOME

CHAPTER 8: BLOCK

Purple wasn't a common colour for envelopes. Delicate fingers toyed with the envelope. It was not only purple, it had gold linings and flowery designs. but that wasn't what held the beautiful lady's attention.  It was completely sealed with no flap or obvious way to open it. Her green eyes sparkled with interest, what could be inside?

'Suzy'. The sudden voice startled her and she subconsciously hid the envelope. 

'What are you doing?' It was only Benjamin.

'Nothing' Came her lie. 

'You can't keep that. It's for Mrs. Harry'

He had seen her little puzzle. She gave up the envelope with a disappointed sigh.

'I wasn't going to keep it'

Benjamin reached out and took it. 

'By the way, do you know if Amber will be here today' he asked as nonchalantly as he could manage, turning to the living quarters. 

'I'm not sure' Suzy replied.

Benjamin made his way to te room Mrs. Harry used to hand over her package. The old stairs at the bottom groaned a little at his weight as he made his way up, soon he was knocking on Mrs. Harry's door.

'Slide it underneath the door'  Mrs. Harry replied without opening the door. Benjamin complied. 

Mrs Harry stood in the middle of her room with a purple vial necklace in her hand. She wore at all times underneath her clothes but had taken it out for this particular purpose. She picked up the envelope and placed it on her bed. Then she opened her vial, immediately a flowery smell filled the room as purple vapour escaped.  She inhaled the purplish vapour that emanated from the vial, placing it directly beneath her nose for about a minute then closed the vial, replacing it on her neck, hidden beneath her clothes. 

Mrs. Harold, now seated on the bed, touched the envelope with a finger. Immediately, it budded like a flower and she got an impressed imagery of the events of the portal lord's last meeting.  

Her breathing became uneven as she processed the information, she had to fight against a portal maker.

'Actually, there's something else I wanted to ask you' Benjamin, who had been outside her door the entire time, finally spoke up. He had turned to leave severally but curiousity got the better of him and he decided to ask Mrs. Harry about what was bothering him.

'Benjamin' a familiar female voice called. 

It was Amber. Benjamin suddenly stopped his questioning midway, regretting not leaving as soon as he had delivered the package. 

'Amber, you came around today' He managed a small smile. 

'Yes, I wanted to see Mrs. Harry about something' She was also being evasive. 

'Well, don't let me stop you' He smiled and briskly walked away. 

Amber watched him walk a few paces then continued walking, past Mrs. Harry's room. She had actually come to try the door to the portal again.

. . . . . 

Pearl was sitting expectantly in the portal hall when Mrs. Rose walked in behind her. 

'I have been expecting you' Pearl spoke as a way of greeting without so much as turning around. 

'Pearl. I need intelligence' Mrs. Rose asked in her usual business-like manner. 

'Yes, what do you want to know?' Pearl replied.

'I just got news that there's someone with the ability block in our jurisdiction. Is that right?'

Pearl had a hand on her chin and she finally turned to face Mrs. Rose.