“What was that you gave my mom?”
“It was an amulet. In our place, we believe it serves as protection from evil. It makes you invisible from the eyes of those who desire evil things for others. Why did you ask?”
“Oh. It’s nothing. Thank you for wishing my mom well, uncle Orion.”
“Don’t mind, Titus. Thank you for coming with me.”
I don’t know about this man but his presence just makes me feel so secure. It’s only my dad and my mom who makes me feel this way; but uncle Orion is just like my parents. The words that he utters manifest truth and authority at the same time. Others might find him intimidating, but I find sir Orion interesting.
“By the way Titus, we’ll be using my private plane going to my place instead. You know, your grandfather and I love planes, any type of planes. I see how your father was influenced greatly by your grandfather.”
“Does mom know we’ll use your private plane?”
He just winked at me. I know my mom will freak out when she finds out. I’m scared a bit but excitement pretty much eats my fear away.
“My mom will not know, right?”
“Well, no. I promise.”
I just smiled.
I glanced from my uncle to the window and then focused on Sky.
“Will he enjoy it?”
I asked uncle Orion but was patting Sky as he sleeps on my lap.
“You’ll be surprised how wolves love traveling in the sky.”
This is the second time Sky was called a wolf. It’s weird.
“I got Sky a day before my birthday. An old man gave him to me.”
“Well, that is one good present you got for your birthday. Sky is special so you better take good care of him.”
I kept thinking about sir Orion’s words. Perhaps, Sky really is special. I remembered how Sky changed size during that night. And in my dreams, I saw how he looked at the figures which my mom and I couldn’t see. I wanted to tell someone all these things but I just don’t know if people would believe me.
I caught sir Orion looking at my right wrist. May be he noticed how I hold every time it hurts.
“Where did you get that?”
He was pointing at my scar on the wrist which seems to be more obvious now.
“This? It’s a birthmark. Mom said that the midwife told her it glowed the first few seconds I came out. But she didn’t believe it because she didn’t see it with her own eyes.”
Uncle Orion smirked.
“People only believe what they see; and when they see it that makes them a fool for themselves.”
“But we do believe in God.”
“How do you know he exists?”
“I know because I believe so.”
That was the last exchange of ideas we had for the rest of our travel going to the airport. It took us almost an hour to reach the airport. Sky seems to be more excited than me now. I’m feeling kind of homesick. How I wish my mom’s here to see this.
I am nostalgic when I saw the row of planes waiting in the landing area. I still can recall how I pulled my dad’s hand because I was begging him to let me ride on the plane. I cried when he said no but he gave in and let me ride on it but made sure I don’t touch or press anything. I remember how my dad smiled at me before he started his last flight test of the Bald Eagle.
“Your dad and your grandfather are smiling at you right now.”
I didn’t know I was standing and staring blankly for a few minutes. Uncle’s remark made me realize he was right. They are definitely happy to see me ride on a private plane with sir Orion.
“You see that?”
Uncle Orion was pointing at a grey medium-sized plane near the hangar. It was gorgeous.
“That’s one of my babies.”
“A Cessna 525.”
Uncle Orion’s face grew bright when he heard me name his plane.
“So you have an obsession for planes too eh?”
I heard a young, lively man on my uncle’s voice. I can tell he’s so excited showing off all these stuff he got here. After my father’s death, I promised myself I’d be just like my dad. In order for me to not lose track of my goal, I started collecting plane toys and even studied all those types. Spending time collecting toys and studying all about planes make me feel my father’s presence. It’s a connection between the two of us.
The last time I rode a plane was when I was eleven and that wasn’t even flying, my father just let me in so I would stop crying. Flying is divine. The thought that you are at par with the clouds that you only look up to makes you think that the world is within your reach.
“Uncle, why do we have to wear this parachute?”
Uncle has not talked yet the moment we stepped into the plane. He’s been staring blankly through the small window; just like the time I first saw him in our living room. Sky too is quiet. He’s by my feet and from time to time would check on me with his grey eyes. It’s less than a week since I got Sky for my present but he seems to be growing fast. Then, the pilot who I didn’t get to see broke in.
“45° N approaching. Please fasten your seatbelt and be ready.”
“Ready for what?”
Uncle Orion stood up then sat beside me. He fastened my seatbelt then checked if my parachute is comfortable on me. Sky, which seems to know what’s happening, jumped at my uncle’s lap. Suddenly, the plane shook so hard. It feels like where in a washing machine it makes me want to throw up. I was pretty sure our plane is going down. I glanced at my uncle and Sky but they act like nothing’s happening. Everything around me’s turning round and round. I fainted.
“Titus.”
“Dad?”
I looked at the place where I am in right now. Nothing’s there, no trees, no birds chirping, no moist earth, and no grass. Everything’s painted white. What is this place? The absence of colors in this place makes it hard for me to breathe. It’s like I am trapped in a box and it starts to suffocate me.
I looked down to see where I was standing; I noticed I don’t even have my shadow. Of all the dreams, this I feel is the worst that I’ve had so far. I kept searching and searching for something colored from this place; then I heard that same voice again.
“Titus.”
“Dad?”
I stared at him and walk three steps towards him. The closer I get to him, the more details I see in him. He was wearing a white silk-like robe. It made him look like a king in a film I’ve watched. I kept studying him and I noticed how cleanly shaven he was. He was just there looking at me the way I look at him. I want to go nearer but the sight of my father makes me immobile. I felt sudden warmth on my face as I stared at him. I didn’t know I’m in tears. I closed my eyes trying to take all in what I am seeing right now. He called out my name.
“Titus.”
My heart melts whenever I hear his voice. I know this is just a dream but his voice sounded so real.
“Titus.”
His voice seemed to be nearer now. Slowly, I opened my eyes. I almost lose my balance when I saw him almost three steps away. I tried to regain composure but I finally lost it when I saw my father’s eyes as gray as Sky’s.
YOU ARE READING
The Three Marked Guardians
Teen FictionA story of an ordinary teenager who grew up taking care of his depressed mother after his father died on war plane simulation. His life will change of his sixteenth birthday. Little did he know that he carries one of the Three Ancient Marks destined...
