Purple Roses

Chapter 19 - A Helping Hand

Surprisingly, I'm shook awake by Mum. I mumble in my sleepy trance as I ask what's going on.

"Sorry to wake you so early, Ozzy, I just need to ask you a few questions." Mum tells me.

"Oh?" I ask.

"You remember Crystal, right?" Mum tells me.

"Of course mum." I reply laughing.

"Right, well she wants us all to give a little insight on the security measures of the wall, its flaws and everything else, and you seem to be the only one who knows all of it." Mum informs me.

Great, I love doing this at six in the morning.

"Well, I found out by doing a lot of research online, and also I analysed a lot of the old books from the school library." I tell mum.

"Yes, but, how did you find out there was a Security flaw in the first place?"

I decided to be very honest.

"I was taking a little stroll through the woods against the Sunside wall when I noticed this large hole hidden behind some bushes, I gazed under it and it was open. The Backlands looked so beautiful, so I just had to go in." I tell her.

"What happened next?" Mum pushes.

"Well, I explored and didn't really find much. Eventually I came across this massive wall, the Shadownite wall for certain. I was about to turn back when I discovered a loosened ventilation shaft." I tell her. "I didn't go in immediately, on this occasion I went home, but every day on the way back from school I went to the Backlands, then, one night when I couldn't sleep, I eventually worked up the courage to see what was on the other side. I had read up on some of the Shadownite security measures, which I used to my advantage."

"Good lord, I sort of wish I'd never asked... that was really dangerous." Mum sighs.

"It was, but I won't do it again." I tell her.

"Good, please don't." Mum makes me promise. "Honestly, sometimes you're the reason I'm already getting grey hairs."

I chuckle slightly.

She laughs in return, but I see a slight sadness in her eyes, which indicates to me, she might not find it as funny.

"Anyway, I'll take these notes to Crystal, I've also added some information on those crystals of yours too... she's downstairs, but I thought I'd give you the dignity of not interviewing a potential Prime Minister in your pyjamas." Mum says with a laugh.

"Yeah... that's a good idea!" I reply, also laughing.

"She seems to like you, she likes the very thing that makes me worry. It's quite interesting, actually." Mum tells me. "Well I was just as adventurous as you when I was young so it makes sense... well... I didn't run off as far as you, but still."

I just give a shy smile.

"Wow. Sometimes you really do look like your father, you know that?" Mum tells me.

Okay. Suddenly? Well, she does have a point.

"I guess so." I reply.

"We really ought to tell James about him." Mum tells me. "That reminds me, did you ever tell Luca about your father-" Mum tries to say before cutting herself off.

"Sorry, I'm... I'm still getting used to that." She says in an apologetic manner.

"I ended up telling James, sorta came up in conversation." I say with honesty, attempting to dodge the Luca comment.

"Oh, you did?" Mum tells me.

I realise now would be a good time to change the subject.

"So... what has Crystal going to do about everything if she gets into power?" I question.

"Ensure the security of the wall, allow better equality rules, all of that." Mum tells me.

"Oooh nice... I hope she gets in." I reply.

I hear footsteps approach, and the door comes smashing open.

"What are you two chatting about?" Mabel asks.

"Stuff." I reply blankly.

"Outstanding." Mabel says, wearing the most dead expression, before turning her attention to Mum. "I'm going out to get some stuff, James is in the workshop in case you're looking for him."

"Oh... alright, love, stay safe!" Mum tells her.

"Will do." Mabel says as she turns and leaves.

"Oh she really gets on my nerves sometimes." I tell Mum.

"That's exactly what she says about you. You're constantly on each other's case." Mum tells me.

"I can't believe she's bonding better with somebody she's known for like a few months more than her own brother." I say, with an upset tone of voice.

"She loves you, you just get on each other's nerves a lot." Mum reassures me.

"Sure doesn't seem like it." I mutter under my breath.

"Everyone has their ups and downs, don't stress about it." Mum replies.

"Honestly the only reason we've talked recently is because of James and Luca, before then we barely spoke and after the fact it was only ever really to James and Luca." I say. "I just want to make up with her, but she makes it really hard on me!"

"Calm it. It'll be fine, she needs space. Also, she's grieving too. She misses Luca just as much as we do, even if she may not show it. You're both in your teens, you're twelve, she's seventeen, she's practically an adult, she sees you as an annoying kid. That will go away once you get older... you're a really intelligent Oscar, but you have to admit that sometimes you run in without considering others... and in some cases yourself. Just please be careful."

"I will, and I hope Mabel gets nicer too." I reply.

"Oh me too." Mum tells me. "Anyway, I best get back downstairs now, got these notes to give. I'll be back up later when it's time to get ready for school.

"Alrighty!" I say happily.