I am Number Twelve

12

12

With a pair of sweatpants and a very baggy t-shirt, I retrieve my chest (in tiny form) from my drawer along with the black cube. I enlarge the chest to normal size.

I sit down on my bed and I press my hand against the cold metal lock. After a few seconds I hear a now familiar 'click' and the lock snaps open.

I lift the creaking lid up, and I can finally, without any pressure, take in the contents of my chest. As I know, the sides are wooden, intricate carvings line the faces. Inside, I also know the sides are lined with pure white Aquillian silk. Its the contents I know nothing about.

Inside, I can see a yellow crystal, a blue, rectangular case, a red stone, a pendant with a smokey center, a piece of metal, a pair of scissors, and a clear, long crystal, also with a smokey center. And that's just on top. I rummage around, and underneath, I find two black drawstring bags, several stones, gems, and a vial of purple liquid.

Right at the bottom though, is the letter I found which I put in here, and another letter.

I open the one I found. Pristine white paper is filled with a scrawl that I can only recognize as Jack's.

Zeda,

Oh Zeda. As I'm sure many of the other Cepans here on earth have done, I have written and re-written this letter many, many times. I cannot count the amount of times I've cried while writing each redraft of this letter. I'm crying during this one, because I'm sad, I love you, and I'm dying. I have just been saved by another Cepan and Garde member. A woman named Susan, and a boy named Eli. He is number Eleven. After what will be only my second, and last encounter with a Zentolion, I have much to tell you.

Firstly, I don't know when you'll find this, along with your chest, but never trust Lola. Her sister and niece, were the Zens who attacked me. Lola is of Zentolion blood, and is waiting for the right time Zeda. Get out of that house. Leave her. 

I have asked Susan and Eli to watch over you, to make sure Lola won't hurt you. Eli, at the moment has no Legacies. Neither do you, but although you are strong without them, don't spark trouble with Lola if you don't have any yet. A few Legacies will emerge right after your first. So be alert when it happens! I did put years ago, in event that this should ever happen, a letter, explaining to you what every item in your chest does.

In saying this, your chest is hidden in the furnace, you should have found it if you are reading this letter. I will try and drive the rest of the way home. If you are reading this, I am dead. I asked Susan to hide it. I told her where your chest was.

I wonder if this Susan lady knows the strange boy who was watching me train? I continue reading, fighting back tears.

Eli is a good boy. He is every bit as strong as you are. I didn't know until Susan told me today, but each Garde is paired, except number One. Each pair is designed to fit together, their legacies completing the others. Your pair, is Eli, number Eleven. Find  him. Trust him. I still don't know things I wish I did. I certainly wish I'd never helped Lola, and that is no ones fault but my own.

I love you Zeda, and I will miss you with every ounce of my being. It was breathtaking watching you turn into a strong, cunning young Aquillian who can hold herself, who can fight. You are tough, Zeda, and you Garde, will win.

It saddens me to go. But I must get home to you. I love you. Take care of yourself, my precious child.

-Jack.

The tears do not stop. I put the now slightly wet paper back into its dusty envelope. I don't want to know what everything in my chest does just yet, so I don't open that letter.

I place the one I just read, upside down in my chest, so I can't see my name written in his handwriting. The lid is closed the tiniest ounce when I see two familiar symbols drawn in the corner of the envelope. I yank the letter out, the lid screeching on its hinges.

I recognize the Aquillian symbol for the number 12, identical to the one branded on my left ankle. Next to it, is another symbol, that has become familiar to me in the past week. A black spiral with a vertical line through it. A shape that is tattooed behind Jakes ear.

For the second time today, I nearly pass out. For the second time today, I have discovered another member of the Garde.