Purple Roses

Chapter 6 - An Unpredictable Challenge

I once again rise to the sunlight, something that I should get used to considering it never sets... I look to my side expecting to meet my gaze with Oscar, but all I see is an empty bed. I feel oddly worried, memories flood back of James disappearing, I'm sure he's safe, is he? I get up and look around the room, under the bed, in the cupboard, all over.

I start to panic, thinking Oscar has been taken, or worse. However, I hear the door open and Oscar walks in.

"Why are you rummaging around like you"ve lost something?" He asks me

"Oh! Nothing!" I replied swiftly. "I was just checking something, that's all!"

"Alright!" Oscar replies. "Anyhow, you should probably get ready soon, we've got places to go today!"

"Ooh right!" I remember. "Gotta see the prime minister today, don't we?"

"Yep!" Oscar says happily.

"You seem a lot more happy about this then I do" I query

"Well I guess so. What are they gonna do? Kill us?" Oscar chuckles

I give a little laugh, although I think it would be helpful for him to know that those exact thoughts are plaguing my mind.

As Oscar goes downstairs to get some breakfast, I get ready, constantly running all the scenarios through my head. What should I say, how will I say it, do I sound confident, do I sound nervous? I think I just need to relax more, they are here to help me after all, I just can't be happy while James is still out there. I need to stop worrying, I'm safe.

As I walk downstairs I have a burning question for Oscar

"So, how are we getting there?" I ask him, not having any clue where we are actually supposed to go

"I'm driving you both!" I hear Oscar's mum cutting in from the other room. "Oscar wanted you two to get the train, but, I think that's an experience for another time!"

"I still think the train would have been better" Oscar boldly intrudes

"Yes Ozzy, but you know why we can't do that yet." Oscar's mum replies to him, kissing him on the head as she does.

"Muuuuuum!" Oscar protests, although I'm not sure if that's because of the fact we can't go on the train, the nickname he was called or the fact he got kissed on the head.

Ozzy, what a peculiar nickname.

I guess I see her point, the last thing you want to see on your early commute to work is just a random Shadownite.

"Now, eat you two!" Oscar's mum laughs "We're leaving in only 20 minutes!"

We finish up eating and we are ready to go

"Make sure she doesn't kill you!" Mabel yells from her workshop.

"Mabel!" Oscar's mum shouts back, "teengers, honestly."

With that we begin our drive through the buzzing town, I just sit gazing out of the window contemplating what is about to happen. It's not every day you get called for a meeting with the national government, especially when your kind is considered a threat.

"Right, I'm off work today so just give me a ring when you're done and I'll pop by and pick you up," Mum says to me and Oscar.

"Alright!" I say, once again trying to sound enthusiastic.

"Be safe, please, I don't want any wandering off, I don't need another heart attack." Oscar's mum laughs but with a serious undertone.

Before I know it we are turning through gates upon gates, security checks upon security checks.