Coal [on hold]

Chapter 5

Aidan and I either danced or talked all evening, generally having a pleasant time. As the evening wore on I came to know Aidan better, bit by bit. He wasn't the open book I had thought he was. He had been old Creator Noah's apprentice before he died. Then he had been transferred over to Fletcher. Fletcher didn't like Aidan and Aidan most definitely did not like Fletcher.

"He makes me do all the dirty work that even his errand boys don't have to do,", Aidan complained after a few drinks. I didn't really drink so I was just watching everyone else make a fool of themselves as the night wore on. "He says I'm lazy and incompetent. He think he's so high and almighty just because he's a year or two older and graduated from apprenticeship. I'm sick of it!" I smiled at him. I knew exactly what he was talking about. Arrogance was Fletcher's thing.

"You shouldn't talk like that,", I said. Aidan looked at me.

"And why not?", he asked. I shook my head.

"Because, Aidan,", I said. "Anyone could be listening. Do you want to risk your apprenticeship for a bit of ranting? I wouldn't, that's for sure." He pondered that for a bit. Then he sighed as he realized I was right.

"You're right," He grabbed a flagon from a passing servant and was about to fill his glass up when the servant stopped him.

"No!", the servant cried like we were about to drink poison. "Not that one!" Then he noticed how strange he sounded. "I-I-I mean,", he fumbled. "Uh, thi-this flagon is reserved for Mr. Banner, the Head Creator, a-and his associates. Um, yes, that's right." There was something very odd about that servant so I fastened his features to memory. He was tall, blond and thin with a pale scar from his forehead, down his nose and over his lips. The servant hurried away with the flagon. I watched as he smoothly offered Cedric some. Cedric took the glass and drained it. My ears begun to itch like they always do when something is about to go wrong. The worse the itch is, the worse my situation. And my ears were itching like crazy. Cedric continued his conversation normally. Yet my itch didn't go away, so I watched him, a slight frown on my face. I barely noticed Aidan's slurred chit-chat. Cedric coughed and cowered his mouth. He coughed again. What was happening? Then Cedric collapsed. I knew it! Why didn't I stop the servant! I rushed forward to my father, calling out his name. People stopped talking and the music ceased all around me. The world slowed down and everything blurred at the edges. All I saw was my father and he needed me. I fell to my knees beside him and grasped his face.

"Dad!", I heard myself cry out, but it sounded distant. Like I was hearing it through thick carpets. Cedric clasped my hands and held them tight. He was foaming at the mouth, but his eyes were still clear.

"Carbo,", he said. I shook my head. This couldn't be happening.

"Just hang in there, dad,", I said. "Help is on its way." The problem was that no one moved. Everyone just stood there, stunned silent.

"No, Carbo,", my father said. I shook my head rapidly, refusing to believe what was happening. He squeezed my hands to the point which they almost hurt.

"I'm going to die,", he said. "I don't have much time!"

"You knew,", I said. "You knew something like this was going to happen!"

"Yes, ", he replied. "For quite some time now, but-"

"How long?", I demanded. My father shook his head.

"No time, Carbo!", he snapped, spilling some foam over the dress he had given me. "I have a lot to say. Listen!" I nodded frantically, trying to accept the situation.

"Now,", Cedric said. "My Last Will and Testament are in my pocket." He got the papers out and shoved them into my arms. "Then I have one last thing to tell you." His breath was coming in ragged gasps now and each word was an effort. He wheezed something I did not quite catch so I leaned a bit closer.

"You are the key." I blinked. What did he mean?

"I don't understand,", I said softly. "What do you mean?"

"Keep the necklace safe,", he whispered. "You...the key. The...key to your own...dreams." I still did not understand, but those words floated on his dying breath and Cedric Banner was gone.

I was an orphan once more.

It has been a while wattpad... I've been so busy that I haven't uploaded in a while. But here we are! The fifth chapter! The sixth is on its way and voila! I hope you enjoy this story!