A short story challenge: unfinished

Chapter one

I lay awake in my bed, a cold sweat forming on my forehead. Once again I had that dream. The dream that has haunted me for the better parts of my life. The dream where an unknown being stomps a path of carnage through my city. The dream where all I had left was a singular coin. The coin seemed eerily familiar, though.  Before I could think on it any longer, I heard a yell. "Astrona! Wake up lazy bones! Your gunna be late for the Soldiers March!" Goddamn it Godfry! Let me sleep! I thought to myself. Ah well, there's no shaking him off now. He yelled once again, this time while running up my stairs. "Astrona!" I couldn't even feign sleeping, he has already seen my eyes open. "Goddamn it Godfry, can't you see I need my beauty sleep?" He laughed at me, like he often does. "Well, no amount of sleep could possibly fix all that ugly!" We both laughed for a second. Godfry has been my best friend ever since I was a small child. He was always like an older brother to me.  My mom works long hours in the factory, and my dad... no one but my mom knows where he went. He was a nice man, from what I could remember. Always smiling and telling me grand stories of places beyond the city. Then one day, he just never came home. I could only guess that he had died, considering how teary eyed mom gets when I ask. Before I got too deep into thought, Godfry snapped his fingers, putting me back into the task at hand.

I quickly got dressed and we made our way out into the busy streets. Every day, there are always a lot of people out and about, either rushing to work or headed to the market district, however, today was the Soldiers March. The Soldiers March is in celebration of the royal army's defeat of the great forces of Nil, a mysterious and quite evil kingdom in the far reaches of the world. Beyond that, though, it's something to celebrate if you enjoy food. Vendors from all over Tamera come to the city to sell their goods. The whole city smelled of food and drink. Trumpets sounded, signifying the kings speech. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I quickly turned around, preparing for some sort of pickpocket or the like that usually stalks around the festivals. I was greeted by the smiling face of my mother. I smiled back and offered her a huge hug. "I got off early to see the festival with you! I know how upset you get when I work too much, so I figured I'd humor you just this once." She gave a joking laugh. Something about her seemed more dire, though. Her eyes where sad, as if she was told some of the worst news. I figured now wasn't the time to bring up seriousness, though. The king began his speech, praising everyone for their work, praising the royal army and mourning the people who where lost in the century long war.  I've heard nothing but good things about the man. His leadership and care for his people was astounding.

After the festival, My mother, Godfry and I all headed back to the small house we lived in and celebrated with treats we had all bought. My mother never took her eyes off me, though, giving me a look of utter concern. "Astrona, could you come with me to my room for a bit?" I gave her a confused look. "Why? Is something the matter?" She gave a half-hearted smile, and left to her room. Godfry looked at me with concern. I gave him a just as confused one , and left for my moms room. As soon as I entered, she embraced me with tears in her eyes. I hugged her tightly. "What's wrong? You've had this look of sadness on all day..." She didn't speak a word, but only hugged me tighter. She stopped hugging me, and with a sigh, she sat down on the edge of her bed. She looked me up and down, and finally spoke. "You remember your father, right?" She spoke between sniffles, her normally blue eyes turning cloudy grey, contrasting with her blond hair. "Of course I do, you always told me about how nice of a man he was to us." She smiled and sniffed again. "Yes, oh yes he was a great man. A great, great man." I still sat there confused. "Why?" I was half-heartedly hoping she was going to finally tell me where it is he actually went, if my suspicion was true. "Your father left something for you. He told me to give it to you on your 18th year of the festival." She pulled out an old, ornate looking wood box and handed it to me. "Go ahead, open it." I was hesitant. I was never really one for getting emotional, and I halfway feared what he had left for me. Slowly, I unlatched the box and opened to reveal a note, underneath the note was a necklace with what appeared to be an ornate coin attached. The note read My dear Astrona. As I write this, this will be the last day you may see me for a very very long time. I wish I could tell you where I'm going, but in all truth, I hardly even know. If I had more time, i'd explain why everything is the way it is. All I can say is this. This necklace will help you when you need it the most. As much as you may not want to, you need to leave the city and travel to the town of Yore. There, you will meet a great friend of mine. Say to the town guard, "Sora sent me" - love, Father.  I was still just as confused as ever. This offered no answers to any of my questions. Why did I have to leave? Who is this friend, and why do I need to meet them? "Put on the necklace, it's for the best." This sentence, for some reason, sparked an anger in me. I balled my fists and slammed the box shut. "Who is he, to have vanished from my life, and leave nothing but cryptics for me in place of explanation?! A nice man...more like a man dodging his responsibility as a father!" My others face turned to concern. "Listen, Astrona, I understand your anger but your father did what was best to protect us! It's not his fault he was being hunted by..." She covered her mouth. "Hunted by what..." I spoke angrily.