[Closed For Editting]The Arnashian Sagas : The Genesis

Chapter 7

"Seriously Dirk, wasn't it you who had said "I am gonna take care of my lil' sisters" ?", said Sarah scoffing. "It didn't click me before. Moreover you are telling as if you know the way.", said Dirk defensively. "For your kind information, mister, I knew something like this would happen and so I had checked all landmarks so I don't forget the way back.", said Sarah.

"You are a genius! You seriously are!", said Phyllis. It took them a while to figure out the way back home. When they reached home, "Dear dear where had you been for so long? I had started worrying.", said Mrs. Truscott. "We had so much fun Mommy. You know we-", started Phyllis. "No dear, first freshen up yourselves, eat lunch and then I will hear you.", said Mrs. Truscott.

After they had done all things including the narration of their exploration, Mrs. Truscott said, "Today I had gone to St. Claire's day school ("The name sounds too boring and feels like a girl's school.", said Dirk. "God! You seriously are a 'girl-hating' jerk.", said Sarah rolling her eyes. "Hey!". "Come on stop both of you!", said Mrs. Truscott), its the best in Inglehampton. Its a private school. The school's nice. They told me that you three can join from the next month. By that, you won't lose out on a year. Meanwhile I guess you can stroll around this place. After all you have got nothing else to do."

"I am excited to meet new friends!", said Sarah. "Me too.", said Phyllis. Before leaving Mrs. Truscott said a little sadly, "And children I guess you won't be able to see your father for a few days. He is very busy.". "Ohhhh. That's bad.", said Phyllis. "But cheer up! Think about your new school!". "Oh yes of course.", Phyllis said, "How about paying a visit to Mrs. Heff? I have heard that she is a widow and very lonely. We can give company.", said Phyllis. "Nice idea. I will go with you. ", said Sarah. "Are you sure she needs company? Does she like children? Some old people don't...", said Dirk doubtfully. "Until and unless we go we wouldn't know. If she hates us we will come back.", said Sarah.

They went to Mrs. Heff's little cottage. Dirk knocked on the door. A plump, old, shriveled, lady opened the door. "Yes. How can I help you? Pardon me but I don't think recognize you.", said Mrs. Heff. "Er sorry to disturb you but we are new here. We shifted next to you, we are the Truscotts. This is my elder brother, Dirk, and this is my younger sister, Phyllis.", said Sarah. "Oh, oh, you are the Truscott children? Come in, come in, what are you waiting for?', said Mrs. Heff looking closely at them.

They entered the cottage. It was mostly empty (empty from the point of view of furnitures, I mean). The walls were full of photo frames. Pictures of her husband and son and relatives. "Your mother had visited me yesterday. She is very nice and gentle, your mother. I am always alone but I like children a lot. I am glad you all shifted here.", said Mrs. Heff as she brought mugs of raspberry juices for them. "Do sit down."

"Is that, is that your son?", asked Phyllis pointing towards a picture of a man in early twenties looking firm. "Yes indeed. Nice little boy isn't he? All was well till he made some nasty friends who knew nothing but gambling, abusing, and their heart had nothing but greed. He started getting influenced by his friends. He started gambling with them. I had tried to stop him many times but he had lost his control. On somedays he even used to return home late at night, all drunk and stinky. He used to abuse me if I tried to stop him. He wasn't like that before, my Jack. He had become a monster. Because of his gambling, money was getting tighter. He had become bankrupt. He started asking his father for money."

"After somedays his father got furious and refused to lend him money anymore. He had gone to the extent of stealing. Then one day his father got really angry and threatened him to kick out of the house, and told him that he no longer was his son. My son lost his temper and in the commotion he.... he... murdered his father. Terrified of my own son who had become a murderer now, murdering his own father, I left the home and got here. After many months I got news that he had been arrested and after being released he had a fight with one of his friends and in the quarrel he had got shot....... I am ashamed of my son."

" I feel ashamed to call him my son.... He was not at all, not at all, like this before..... Thats why I like children so much..... They are always innocent... They are like angels.........", said Mrs. Heff, lost in her own thoughts tears trickling down her cheek.

Silence followed. The three of them did not know what to say. They looked at each others face. They were feeling very sorry for her, especially Phyllis. "Uh Mrs. Heff please don't cry. Whats past is past. I think you should look ahead. Now you will make us cry.", said Sarah. "I am so sorry, I shouldn't have told you, after all you are kids. I shouldn't have broken down.... Never mind. Hows the juice? Its made from my garden's raspberries.", said Mrs. Heff sniffing hard. "Yeah...... yeah, its great.", said Dirk trying to smile as he sipped from his mug.

Mrs. Heff was otherwise pleasant. They talked about many things. After talking about various things, Mrs. Heff said, "No you cannot say that Inglehampton is all peaceful.". "Why so?", asked Phyllis. "Well don't take it as a condemnation, but beyond the woods a very old man lives in a worn down, old cottage. He is really weird and spooky both in behavior and appearance. Some say he is a ghost. He rarely does get out of his house. I remember seeing him only once or twice. I remember catching sight of him in the woods. It seemed as if he had a great way with animals and plants.", said Mrs. Heff.

"Well its weird indeed.", said Dirk. "Interesting. Can you tell us more?", asked Phyllis eagerly. "It seems by his looks that he is near or above 100 years old.", said Mrs. Heff. "Huh? Thats rare...", said Sarah. "Yeah, it is. Nobody dares to go near him. You would be scared enough by the look of his house. I have heard that he sometimes keeps muttering an unknown language.... I don't know whether its true..... I wonder where does he come from...", said Mrs. Heff.

"What is his name?", asked Phyllis. "I have heard he is called Laveras. Laveras Dunmoore.", said Mrs. Heff. "Excuse us Mrs. Heff, I think we need to go now.", said Sarah looking at the watch. "Yes.... Yes. Do pay me visits. I am often lonely...... ", said Mrs. Heff. "Nice to meet you kids. You all are just like your mother.".

As they waved Mrs. Heff goodbye, Sarah said, "Hey, even those two boys, Simon and David, didn't they tell us they live beyond the woods? That means this Laveras Dunmoore's house will be somewhere nearby.", said Sarah. "Yes, I had completely forgotten. We will pay them a visit tomorrow.", said Dirk. "You intend to meet Laveras Dunmoore? See I am not interested and don't want to meet him. If you do I will tell Mum about this.", warned Sarah. Dirk was about to argue back but then he closed his mouth and hesitated for a moment. "All right, all right, I am not talking about Laveras Dunmoore. I am talking about paying a visit to the brothers.", said Dirk trying to act cool. "In that case its okay. We will go too, won't we Phyllis?", asked Sarah. "Of course.", said Phyllis.

When they entered the house, Mrs. Truscott came running to them. "Look what we have found.", said Mrs. Truscott. The three of them peered and Sarah gasped. "Tia! TIA! How did he come here? From where did he come here? I thought you sold him.", exclaimed Sarah. "So did we think, but your father found him in the dickey of the jeep. Probably somehow he had managed to escape and get into our jeep.", said Mrs. Truscott. "Oh my clever old Tia. How did you do it? You missed me so much?", said Sarah taking Tia in her hands. He still had his red ribbon on.

"If a bird or animal is very loyal and close to its master, then it can trace back its master. Animals have a very good sixth sense and knowledge of direction.", said Dirk knowledgeably.

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Dear readers,

Yusss! This time i managed to keep my chapter a little bigger than the previous ones. I hope you like this chapter. Sorry for the late update. And I feel really pissed off that I won't be able to update my chaps more often as my school's reopening from summer hols. I guess we have to be patient. Please vote and comment. I will try my best to update next chap soon. Thanks a lot for reading. Stay tuned. And lastly, never stop dreaming!

Yours sincerely and lovingly,

Ana :)