Finding Destiny

Chapter 14 - Finding Eden

Parker's P.O.V.

I honestly couldn't believe I was finally going to score a date with Amber. Gosh, she was cute.

The two of us finished shopping in the baby section, picking up various things and then we headed over to the hardware section. It was absolutely something else.

An attendant was standing behind the counter and when he saw us, he adjusted his navy, blue vest and smiled. "Can I help you?"

I flashed a look at his employee badge.
"Bill"

He looked like a Bill. Balding head, full, gray mustache and cheerful eyes.

"Yes!" Amber began. "We're building a house and we need supplies."

"A house?" The man frowned. "Do you have a warrant for that?"

"She means a shed or something like that," I interrupted, laughing. "What kind of sheds and barns do you have?"

Bill seemed to think we had no idea what we were talking about, which was true. We didn't. But nevertheless, he motioned us to follow him. He shook his head as if to say, "young people these days."
"What price are you looking to buy for and can you specify what exactly it is ya want?" He asked, holding the door to an outside area where sheds were on display.

"We're trying to go for something less than three thousand," I replied. "Something easy to put together. We have minimal building experience."

"Is that so?" the man raised his eyebrows. "Do you want something instant, then?"

He gestured to a table with small bottles. "You can take one of those bottles for a thousand,"

I walked over to one of the tables and read the label. "Instant - small - housing -wood-shilling-two. br- one bath" I picked up one of the bottles and turned it in my hand. It looked like it was coated in silver. "What is this?"

"Instant housing. We had to use those when we were rebuilding the city. You really must not be from around here.....' The man replied. "Just read the instructions and you won't need anything else in terms of supplies.

Amber-edged closer to me. "Parker, are you sure ab-"

'"If it fails, we can just get a tent. I'm curious now." I replied, glancing back up at Bill. "Do you have a brick option?"

"That'll cost you one thousand, five hundred."

"Park-"

"We'll take it."

The purchase was quickly made and I hung onto my receipt.

We can always return it," I said, shrugging at Amber.

"I can't wait to see this," Amber rolled her eyes, toting the fabric bag full of baby clothes in her hand as we made our way to the parking lot to meet up with the others.
"Alright then, Piper. Where do we go from Skyline?"
"Okay, do you see the road?"
"Yes."
"Walk on the pavement along the road...in the direction of the suburban houses. Once you get there, let me know."

I nodded and began to lead the way towards where the suburbia began. Before we got very far, though, I made sure to tuck the bottle inside of my jacket.
The sun was setting and I'd completely forgotten to buy a flashlight. Hopefully one of the others had one otherwise, it would be an interesting night. I sighed and went back to looking at my surroundings.
We only had a mile to go before we got to this emptiness that separated the town from the neighborhoods.
It was complete ruins on either side of the road and I wondered what had become of it. I meant to ask Piper about it but. Before I had a chance, I looked at the mountains that lay beyond as well as a curious building that rested upon one of them. It looked like a high tech castle of sorts.
"Hey, Piper. There's some sort of building in the mountains over there. What is it?"
"It used to be my home," he muttered in reply. "But that was a long time ago. Just know that whatever you do, you never go over that way."
I realized that if Piper's father used to rule this place, that must be equivalent to the white house.
"What about all these ashes?" Joy inquired, glancing at the ground as she handed Destiny off to Grayson.
"Our cabin wasn't the only house they burnt. Many lost their families, their homes, their freedom and their lives. We're subject to whatever they want to do to us." Piper shrugged. He paused. "Until Destiny is older. Then, maybe she'll rule instead."
Nobody really spoke after that.
Why did he gave so much faith in this baby?
There was something about this kid....He looked like he was twelve, he was blind and innocent and you could hear brokenness in his voice when he spoke. He was the kind of person who was probably very happy once. His warmth still showed beneath his slight distrust, though. And at the same time, I knew he had the power to be a leader. He was wise and alert, despite his disability. And I noticed how protective of a brother he most definitely was.

"Okay, Piper, we're here." Amber said.
"What do we do now?"
"Do you see the forest behind the houses?" He asked.

"Yeah..."
"We need to go into it.  Find the path and follow it."
We reached the edge of the woods just as the last bits of sun disappeared and the sky was painted a pale blue with mists of white clouds and pink swirled in.
"Amber, do you mind if I hold your hand?" I looked at Piper and he seemed uncomfortable asking. "I just need someone to guide me along so I don't trip. O-only if your boyfriend doesn't mind."
I nearly choked.
Amber giggled and whispered something in Piper's ear.
I saw a small smile tug at his lips.  "Oh. Well, I should say if Parker doesn't mind."
"Of course I don't mind.  Why would I? I mean, why does it matter if I did? I-"
"Parker," Amber said softly.
I looked at her.
"You're turning bright red. Just save it." She winked at me and I turned to see Grayson and Joy exchanging glances.
Amber slipped her hand into Piper's and began to lead him through the woods we were walking through.
"How far do we have to walk? It's getting pretty dark."
"Don't worry. It's only a mile or so once you find the path."
"Where's the path? I don't see it." I muttered.
"Look hard. I know the woods are thick-But my mom always told me it took a minute to find."
I scanned very carefully.
Trees, bushes, a large boulder....
Wait.
Is it behind the boulder? I asked.
"Yes! Exactly!"
We had reached the path.
It only took a mile or so before we came to a dead end and stopped walking.
"Piper, we're at a dead end. What do we do now?"
"Pull back the vines. There should be a wooded valley beyond."
Joy eagerly pulled the curtain of greenery back.
I gasped at what I saw. Underneath the starlit night and full moon, was a grassy slope with clumps of flowers, berry bushes, fruit trees, a small lake reflecting the moonlight and a small pile in the center of the clearing. A pile of ashes that had yet to become one with the soil, from what was once a home.
"What is this place?" I asked, awestruck.

"It's called...Eden." Piper replied smiling. "And it's my home."

A/N: I would have had this chapter up sooner but I've been sick and miserable the past week. Sorry :((( VOTE AND COMMENT THOUGH!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!! By the way, I haven't been getting as much activity lately. Is this book boring you guys?? Let me know what you'd like to see happen. <3