The Hidden

14

Don't you ever
tame your demons
But always
keep them on a leash
-Hoizer-

BEEEP
"You have one message from General" The machine spoke. You'd think I'd have more messages than this, more demands.

"Hey Kidd, I'm gonna need you to come in today...to the office." He spoke. "I ne— people need to see you Kidd...they're beginning to think you're dead. Alright? Just for a meeting. Bring the girl with you...Alright Kiddo, see you soon."  The General has been beside me since my teenage years before I was adopted into my new family thanks to him. Even as a grown man, the General still refers to me as Kidd. With two D's,  for character I guess. He knows my name and he has said it in many many times of discipline, but outside of discipline my name sounds foreign coming from him.

It took a lot of time for me to trust him. I put him through hell until I finally figured out that he, in his own way, cared about me.

I guess I feel the same.

•••

"The heir of the King and Queen is the next leader. We've been narrowing it down and running test on all new residents at an attempt of finding a DNA match but so far Sir we are unsuccessful in our findings." The doctor spoke nervously fast. He was afraid of the consequences of not being successful. If there were any.

I sat a the head of the table, resting on my knuckles. I was just about done with this meeting and the people in it. All so needy for answers, immediate answers and solutions. All questioning the Heir possibly not returning and the findings. " Doctor, there will be no consequences. In fact please cease any and all testing. Grant these people hospitality and safety into available housing, under the Restoration Funds." I spoke.

"In addition to this—" I shuffled the papers in front of me and accelerated my voice as well as changing my posture to address the entire staff. "—Anyone looking for the heir after today will face harsh face the repercussions of their actions. Further searching is an act of defiance to me and that is intolerable."

"Leave the Heir to me. I shall be the one to help her with her upcoming duties, if she even wants the position, I will be with her in every movement" They stared at me with confused faces. Mouths agape and obvious questions surfing in their minds.

"Sir?—"

" Knowledge of the Heirs return should not leave this room and under any circumstances be knowledgeable to civilians. Meeting adjourned." I figured it out weeks ago. I was in my office smashing things and knocking my books everywhere. When a book opened and there showed a picture of the King and the Queen with child. It looked exactly like the picture Akira had except it was brown and a little torn with no baby. The resemblance was uncanny. Akira favored her mother viciously. I had a feeling she was the heir since the day I saw the picture but... can't be to sure. After her majesty married a human it struck the movement of many others to do so to.

I didn't bring Akira to the office with me, I felt like it would be an obvious mistake for my staff to meet her especially when they are very desperate annoying people. Akira would be overwhelmed by them. The General understood why. After a much needed conversation, he stood by my decisions and quickly stood by them.

Akira was roaming the halls when I got back, looking at the paintings and feeling around the wall, the design intrigued her.

"Akira." I called out, stopping short in front of her.

"I fell asleep early yesterday. You were g-gone when I woke up." She said playing with her fingers again. "I'm sorry for leaving my room."

Her gaze was on the floor in shame. I took her chin and forced her eyes on me. "Well...try not do it again kitten." I told her.