Shadowed Scales

Chapter 23: Quetzalcoatl's Return Was the Beginning

_CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE_

Quetzalcoatl's Return Was the Beginning

When the final day of summer camp closed with a speech by the counsellors, Sameer has never felt so tensed. It was not because of Counsellor Patel lurking amongst the trees.

Oh no, it was because he had to face his parents after being away for months.

I hoped Baba is forgiving, he thought to himself, boarding the bus that will leave for Gryphon Cross. Of course, Arthur was hanging upside down on the bus' roof, Beppi sitting below the bat and Sameer himself was gazing out at the window.

Daymas was sitting at the back, chatting with a brown horse and a white goat. Tek was the only one sitting in front, both of his legs propped on the seats. And Maccus was travelling with other marine animals via the lake.

Apparently, the currents could lead him to the sea, where his home was.

"I'm going to miss those girls," Beppi leaned back into his seat. "They're pretty cool."

"I'm sure we can meet them again during the sport events," Arthur assured him, patting the Tasmanian devil's head. "So, are any of you planning to join clubs?"

"Maybe," was all Sameer could utter. He was experiencing knots in his stomach, watching the scenery out of the bus' window rolled by. He knew his father meant well when he was sent to summer camp and yet he couldn't help but be afraid.

What if his father doesn't believe him?

What about the prestigious dancing school Arabelle wanted to go to? Because he reported Counsellor Patel, will the school shut down?

Arabelle and the Selkie girls might as well have a hunting party ready for him.

Sameer suddenly felt a wave of nausea crawling inside of him. The bus was driving closer until he could spot Gryphon Cross' school logo of the gryphon over a green plaque.

"I'll stay close to you even when your dad picks you up," Arthur's meek voice made Sameer turn his head to the bat's direction. His cloudy blue eyes met his carnelian ones. Sameer couldn't help but smile.

Arthur may be blind but somehow, he saw through the cobra's fear.

"You can tell from my voice?" He asked, still in awe.

Arthur nodded. "I do. Animals who are scared or nervous usually have a quiet tone because the fear is too much. When we do answer, we're trying to crawl out of that fear to reach out. We're telling everyone that we're still here."

Sameer could help but hug his friend.

"No matter what happens Sameer, you will get through," Arthur murmured, burying his face into the Egyptian cobra's neck.

"Yeah! I want to meet your dad," Beppi chimed in, making himself comfortable between the both of them. Sameer figured that Beppi just wanted to join in.

"You might want to back out," Sameer warned him. "Baba isn't the type to have fun."

But Beppi waved his hand dismissively. His other was scratching the side of his face. "Oh please! Give me some time and you might see your dad sing a different tune."

Just then, a taxi arrived at the front gates of the school. Gulping, Sameer slithered down from the bus while Arthur held his tail for support. When his father came out of the door, a few of the students gasped.

Sameer faced his father, hood flattened down. His eyes met his father's gaze, unsure whether or not he was disappointed in him. After all, the counsellors gave their parents an update on how they were behaving at camp.

"Baba," Sameer forced himself to talk, his throat constricted. "I-"

Sameer couldn't finish his sentence because he was engulfed into a hug. Feeling his father's scales against his was comforting. He slowly closed his eyes to basked into the embrace.

"Welcome home, my son," Judge Nadir murmured.

Sameer smiled, gesturing his father to meet his friends. While Beppi was complimenting the older cobra by comparing him to an emperor, Arthur reached out a wing to feel his father's face.

"Baba," Sameer slithered up to the group, catching his father's attention. "There's something I want to tell you..."

...

"I don't believe it..."

Sameer was surfing through the channels on the television out of boredom. He stopped at one of the news channels that was reporting about the tunnels at the camp and the whereabouts of Counsellor Patel.

After he told his father everything, he relayed the message to a few associates in the police force. The said police went to investigate the tunnels, finding a few evidence of the devouring. From tattered pieces of clothing to bits of scales, probably from the terrifying fight.

Counsellor Patel was reported missing.

As a judge, his father had the power to sentenced criminals that committed the worst crimes. Besides sending them to jail, his father can order a group punishment or control criminals from their own movements.

With Counsellor Patel missing, the sentence couldn't be carried out.

"Well, at least he won't be bothering us again, right?" Beppi asked, letting Sameer's newborn sister, Yasmin sits on his lap. Arthur was hanging upside down on the ceiling, ears alert from the news report.

The both of them were hanging out at Sameer's house after school where the boys could play as well as finish their homework together. Even though Beppi was two years younger, he insisted on following both the bat and cobra home.

"He may be gone but he might be hiding somewhere where no one knows the crimes he has committed," said Arthur, wrapping his wings close to his body. "We all know what he did to the girls, but others don't. It took you sometime to tell your dad about this, right?"

"Yes. Baba's doing all he could," Sameer nodded, letting little Yasmin slithered on him. She was a perfect mix of their parents: light brown with mottled black flecks across her body.

A lot has happened since they went back to school. Of course, the boys still bump into each other when they were moving to their next class. Of course, Sameer's class had mixed feelings when he returned, and he expected it.

But now he's not alone since he has Arthur for company. To a certain extent, Tek as well but that raven is always keeping to himself rather than hang out with them during recess.

His classmates were wary about him ever since the incident at the library. To be honest, he felt relief that no one pestered him about how he is exactly like his father.

He can now focus on some time for himself.

Beppi somehow joined him and Arthur during recess, telling both of them of his classmates and complaining about homework. What's concerning is the red marks on his face that the Tasmanian devil kept on scratching.

"Beppi, do you want some ointment?" Sameer asked, narrowing his eyes at his young friend scratching his cheek. "I'm afraid you are going to make your face bleed if you keep scratching."

Beppi stopped but Sameer could tell he was tempting to scratch his face since his claws were trembling. But the Tasmanian devil laughed it off. "Oh, sorry! It's just a habit I picked up. No need to get me anything!"

Sameer arched an eye ridge while Arthur tilted his head at Beppi's direction. Beppi laughed. "Come on, stop it! I'm fine, really!"

"If you say so..." Arthur murmured, landing down to feel Yasmin's face. His method of imagining what someone would look like.

Sameer decided to switch to a different channel. He has sold his venom to a private hospital where he was given fifty quid, which he hasn't spent.

"So, Sameer," Beppi tapped his back to get his attention. "What are you going to do with your new cash?"

Sameer was about so answer when the television blared out music to promote new shows at the theatre. While comforting his crying baby sister, Sameer watched as one of the featured shows would be the Taronga Troops.

"Well, I think I know what I want to spend it on..."