All They Didn't Know

Chapter 11

Joseph is turning away, as if to leave. But as he does, he pauses, reaches into his pocket and drops something into my palm.

"There's more to it than that, though, Callie. You have to do this for her. It is in your blood, our bloodline. This... belongs to you now." Joseph looks at me, smiles briefly, then grips my shoulder. "I doubt I'll see you again. If they don't catch me, I'll be far far away, on the other side of the world. Maybe I'll become an explorer. Or an astronaut!" He grins, shrugging his shoulders. "Look after yourself. Do what you have to do." Squeezing my closed fist, he slowly turns.

Tipping his beanie hat and flashing me one last smile, he begins to walk away.

He doesn't look back, but as his figure grows smaller, he lifts his left arm and waves. Then he turns left.

Then he's gone.

Still standing on the station platform, it is only then that I open my palm.

I stare down at it.

I stumble, literally falling to my knees. I cough, splutter,

"No." But...

Yes.

There it is.

A necklace, a fine silver chain with a sparkling blue bird at the end of it. The bird is made of crystal, or sapphire, or something, and it's carved so amazingly - so intricately - but as it hangs there, the chain almost invisible, it is so lifelike it could be flying.

It's beak is open as if it's singing.

Or carrying a note from one person to another.

It's Jayden's bird.

It's a blue jay.

And it's mine.