Finding Fate

Revealing The Truth

"That one. That one belonged to your father." Seth's smile faded. Xavier studied the particular branch. "Why is it cracked?" He tilted his head. Seth patted Xavier on the shoulder glumly. "When an Adams family member passes, their portrait cracks." Xavier looked down. "Uncle Seth...why did you bring me out here?" Seth took a deep breath. "I think it's about time you and Luke put up your portraits. You know, carry on the tradition." Seth smiled softly. Xavier looked up at him and grinned happily. "Yeah. Yeah I'd like that." Seth teared up. "Oh come here!" He hugged Xavier practically bouncing up and down.

Xavier laughed and patted his uncle. "We should go inside. It's getting late." Seth smiled. Xavier nodded and escorted Seth inside. "We need to take your photo soon. Before you turn eighteen." Xavier turned to Seth a bit shocked. He had totally forgotten about his birthday. It was only a few days away. Ever since his father had died he didn't care to much for holidays or big events. Seth smiled happily. "We will celebrate it right this year." Xavier grinned widely and ran up to his room. He fell back onto his bed excitedly.

All of a sudden, Luke busted into the room. "It's time for dinner." He growled as he ran down the steps. Xavier sighed and followed his brother downstairs. John was already downstairs, his fedora sat upon his head sloppily. Two things were wrong with this picture, John was known to be very neat, he also never wore his hat at the table, he considered it rude. John poked at his food while Seth sat next to him with a very worried expression. Xavier and Luke took their seats. The whole group ate quietly. Luke glared at Xavier from across the table.

After dinner the house hold went their separate ways and got ready for bed. Xavier curled up under his blankets, Luke fell asleep as soon as he hit the mattress, Seth read a book until he became drowsy, and John....well...he didn't sleep. Instead he picked up his picture frame and walked out back. There he sat in the grass staring up at the tree, hugging the picture frame tightly. His eyes glisened with tears as the moon lit up the night. He watched as the light reflected and danced across the picture frames that hanged from the tree.

John closed his glittering golden eyes and listened intently to the sounds around him. He could hear the wind blow through the trees, the breeze sweep the grass from side to side, and just beyond these gentle noises John could hear a small voice. The voice of a small child. His eyes opened as he raised himself to his feet. He heard the small voice again, it was laughter. "Hello?" John called out as he held the frame tightly in his hand. "C'mon!" The voice became closer, more clearly this time. It was the voice of a little boy.

John stumbled as he followed the sound. He walked into the vast woods as he seeked for the source. "Hello? Is someone there?" John called out once more. The voice replied with a kind bubbly tone "C'mon Papa!" John's eyes widened as he starting running to the voice. "Hello!? Where are you!?" He arrived in a small clearing in the woods. There stood a small boy, not a normal boy....no, this one was glowing. He glowed a light grey and you could see right through him. John shook with confusion as he watched the child. It motioned to him.

"Papa, I want to play. I've been waiting so long." The child spoke as he held out his small hand. John approached him with caution. He got down on one knee and spoke to the boy. "W-Who are you?" The boy grabbed John's arm. All he could feel was a cold chill run down his spine. In the distance he could see another ghostly form gracefully walking over. "His name is Mark John Adams..." The form spoke kindly as it sat next to the boy. It was Amber, the woman from the photograph that John held in his hands.

"...and he is your son." Amber smiled and rested her glowing hand upon Mark's shoulder. John's eyes filled with tears. "A-Amber!? My love...b-but I watched you d-die." John reached for her hand but his fell right through. "And die I did, but not before I gave birth to your child." She touched John's wet face. He felt the cold touch, but he didn't care. This is all he ever wanted...to see her again. John sniffled as he wiped away the rivers that poured down his cheeks. He cried as he attempted to hug his family.

The chill continued to run up and down his spine but he ignored it. The sun began to rise as his family hugged him happily. They soon faded away into glowing dust that blew away with the wind. John cried and cried. "No! Come back! Don't leave me! Not again! Amber!!!" John shouted while he sobbed uncontrollably. After the area had cleared he saw smoke in front of him. Out of the smoke appeared an old house and in front of it standing on the front porch was a young girl. It was Maya. John lifted his head in agony.

"I've been expecting you..." Maya smiled sharply. Suddenly her appearance changed from a sweet goth teenager to what appeared to be a vevry attractive twenty-four year old woman with long black hair. "...Salem." She grinned wickedly as she called out John's first name. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. "P-Please...bring them back. Bring them back!" He cried. Maya sighed sarcastically. "Oh Salem...you want to be with your foolish little mortal family so much, don't you?" She stepped down off the porch and lifted his chin with her sharply nailed hands. His beautiful gold eyes widened at the feeling of her touch.