Neathandral - The Journey Begins

Chapter 1: The Golden Boy

On a cool, mysterious dawn, when the whole world was asleep, a little boy was sitting astride a thick branch of an oak tree at the outskirts of Loonaelly. He was watching the wondrous sun rise in the east, at the break of a new day, and how beautifully the warm colours lit up the dark sky, driving away the dark. A cuckoo was calling nearby, and the boy's mind rose with hope along with the merry chirping. He looked around to check if he was alone, and then clasped his hands together in fervent prayer - an ode to the rising sun. As the light fell on his dark brown, neatly parted hair and bright eyes, a heartfelt desire left his lips in almost a whisper, a wish he made in the loneliness of a new day, something that he'd never tell another soul... accompanied by a teardrop that glistened like gold in the soft rays of the morning sun.

***

''Colin? Where have you been dear? I've been searching for you so long!'', Aunt Silver asked Colin. ''Did you hurt yourself?'', she added, after looking him over, and noticing a few dirt marks on his three-quarters, and some new bruises in his soft hands.
'' I just went to the Old Yale to see the Sun rise - it's wonderful, you know...''
Aunt Silver's eyes softened, ''Oh, and you climbed on it, right?''
Colin nodded shyly.
She smiled.
''I hope you enjoyed it! Happy tenth birthday! You're double-digits now!''
Colin blushed a deep shade of red. ''Umm, thanks Aunt Silver.''
''Here's your present. Its very special. Keep it with you at all times '', she handed him a small packet with a smile.
''Thank you'', Colin beamed.
''You're welcome. Now I have tonnes of work to do, making all the food for your birthday party before your friends arrive, and decorating, and cleaning, and taking care of the gardens....'', she trailed off, running away to the kitchens in a hurry.
Colin made his way to his bedroom up the grand marble staircase thinking about Aunt Silver. She was their middle-aged housekeeper, and one of those people he trusted completely. He climbed on his king-sized four-poster bed and unwrapped his birthday gift, and saw that inside was a packet of his favourite chocolates. Also, inside a small box, there was an ornate ring set in gold, with a finely crafted big onyx set in it in an oval shape. A note written in black loopy handwriting peeped out from a corner of the box.

This was your mother's. I wanted your father to give it to you, but he's very busy, so I had to pass it to you.
Love,
Your Aunt Silver

This made him look even more carefully at the onyx ring, made it so much more precious. Ever since Colin's mother had left him and his father about nine years ago, their small family had been devastated. Mr. Jacobs had loved his wife so much that after her shocking departure, he'd shut down emotionally, which had resulted in the neglect of the newborn child.

Had it not been for Silver Lefrere, the Jacobs would have fallen to a disaster. She was the one who took the task of looking after the father-infant duo upon herself.

Colin got up from his bed and opened his wardrobe, where in a corner, under a secret opening, he kept his secret box. There was only one picture in it, among other things - one of his parents together. He took it out, and stared at it for a long time. A tall, handsome man with a buzz-cut and huge smile was holding hands with an attractive woman, who had long black hair, and twinkling eyes the shade of roasted coffee.
'' Mom, please, oh please come back to me....''
It was at this very moment that his dad burst into his room, almost panting. Colin was taken aback... his father hardly talked with him, and he had never seen his Dad looking so disturbed.
'' Colin!!! Pack your things... fast!!!'', Mr. Jacobs shouted, and after seeing that his son wasn't listening to him, he  took a deep breath, and kneeled down in front of the frightened child.
'' Happy tenth birthday, Colin. You're a magician. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but now there is no time. A deadly killer is after you.''