Eye of The Wyvern

VIII

By the time Karissa was ready to make her choice, Headmaster Andla and Chasm had left, giving her three days to make her choice. Though, she didn't need three, for the following night had come, and she laid awake, thoughts scrambling wildly. What if I make the wrong choice? What's gonna happen to dad? What will I learn? 

Loud banging rang through the house making Karissa sit straight up, the tension in her spine making her shiver. An orange hue danced with the moonlight through her window. Fire? Karissa thought. She rose to her feet and peaked out. A group of men and women stood at her door, torches in hand. One of the larger men banged on the door again, this time yelling something Karissa couldn't quite make out. 

She watched from her window as Peter answered the door. She listened from the opened door behind her. "How can I help you at such late hours?" Peter asked politely. Their faces were angry, some fearful. One of the men stepped forward, "There are rumors, Peter," he said through gritted teeth, "that thing you call a daughter. Some of the children saw her at the lake. A red eye?" 

"She's a witch!" One of the women cried. "Maybe worse! A monster!" Another man shouted. Peter's face went cold, "I can assure you my daughter is no such thing!" He was angry, "Now, you need to tell those children not to make up such ridiculous myths. My daughter is no monster, and she does not have a red eye. If she did, it would be an illness, not the damned color!" 

"Oh, yeah," a woman came up, "then where is she? If she doesn't have a red eye then she could show us that you aren't just lying to save her skin!" The others shouted in agreement. Peter sighed in frustration. "I am not waking her up for your antics," He grabbed the door's handle, "have the night you deserve, leave my house." He slammed the door in their faces. 

Karissa backed away from the window. Oh fuck, she thought. She walked out of her room and to the kitchen, where her father was fixing tea. He looked up from the boiling pot, "How much did you hear..?" He asked, his face long. She hesitated, sitting on a stool, "All of it." 

He sighed and looked down. The tea bubbled quietly as Peter picked up the pot. He poured them each a cup. Karissa stood and hopped onto the counter, sitting criss-crossed. She often sat this way as a little girl, especially on late nights where her and Peter couldn't sleep. Peter sat on the stool and handed her one of the cups. 

"Karissa," he started with hesitation. Karissa could see the pain in his eyes. It pierced her heart seeing her father feel such ways. "I need you to live. You cannot stay here anymore." Karissa sipped her tea, swallowing the lump that slowly formed in her throat. "You need to go with them, Karissa. You need to live. Even if it isn't with me, Hun, you have to live." His voice was a bit shaky as he looked her in the eyes. 

She looked down at her tea, a light auburn color with small bits of leaves in it. "I know." was all Karissa could say. She couldn't bear to look up at him knowing how heartbroken he must've felt in that moment. She felt a gentle hand grab her shoulder, "I know it is scary," Peter continued, "but this is for the best, sweetheart." Karissa nodded and met his gaze. "I'll go." She said, "I'll go, and I'll live. But promise me you will be okay.." 

Peter smiled softly and gave her shoulder a light squeeze, "I promise, KK." 

*     *     *     *

A light knock rang through Karissa's room. She turned from her study as the door opened. Peter walked in with a box, "Alright," He grunted as he sat the box on her bed. "What is that?" She tilted her head. "This..." the box swung open as Peter flicked the lid, "is our mailbox. Well- your mother's. This is what her and Rhian would use for communicating with the Sanctuary."