The Sadian Chronicles: Book One: Broken Candle

Splattered Blood: Part 1

Chapter Two: Splattered Blood

As the weeks passed, I settled into the new quarter at school. Because of Father's new-found support I didn't feel so out of place. Although, most of my classmates were at least three years my senior, I was the one fought over when it came to study groups. To think, a twelve-year-old child could be a great cause for so much adoration.

I started my reading of Uncle Martin's book, but it was the letter he wrote that I always kept in my mind. As I scanned over each word, his cryptic message became more confusing to me.

Mother came into my room that evening, oddly wearing her brown jumpsuit. The clothing she only wore to the lab.

"Hello, Mother," I said and put my book down. "Don't tell me..."

"Yes, dear," she said as a disappointed look came to my face.

"Not the lab," I whined as I slipped off my bed. "Again?"

"It's very important that we go," Mother said, trying to reason with me. "There's been some minor mishap."

"Are you sure?" I asked as an uneasy feeling came over me.

"Don't worry, dear," she said, trying to reassure me. Just be good to mind Anna and eat all your dinner." She kissed my forehead and made her way towards the door.

The feeling grew stronger with each of her passing steps, until my fear took a voice of its own. "Don't go." The two words that escaped my lips made my mother turn in astonishment. Mother didn't speak, just held her mouth open. "Please, don't go, Mother," I said, with tears trying to form in my eyes, but I did my best to keep them at bay. "You won't come back."

I had no idea why I said those words. It was like I was a messenger of doom who came to deliver an edict from the grim reaper. I sat on the edge of my bed with my hands in my lap and my head down.

"Why would you say that?" she asked and came back towards me. I looked up at her, frightened that if she walked out of my room I would never see her again.

"I don't know," I said, trying to sort out in my mind why I felt that way. "I just had a feeling."

"Oh, Mary," she said and sat on my bed and held me. "Nothing is going to happen."

She slowly caressed my dark brown hair between her fingers. Tears came to my eyes, but I became more insistent in my plea.

"Mother, please," I pleaded with her. I was on the brink of hysteria, although I did my best to hide it.

She wiped away my tears and said, "It's all right, Mary." She caressed my hair gently like she always did when I was upset, but for some reason this time it wasn't working. "We'll be back before you know we're missing."

"I'll know, Mother," I said, looking straight into her eyes. That way she would know that I wasn't lying. "I always know when you're gone."

"Now, Mary, it's time you stop acting like a child," she said, but I didn't want to listen to her.

"But, Mother..."

"But nothing," she said, cutting off my words. She was paying no attention to my protests, and I realized there was nothing I could say that would make her stay. She rose to her feet and left my room. I knew that somehow, I would have to do something that would make this terrible feeling go away.

I ran to my window when I heard the sound of a car engine. When I looked outside I saw my father's car drive off into the night. The feeling of dread I had just grew, so I grabbed my jacket and left my room. I felt a dark cloud in the air and was determined to create that silver lining to make it sparkle again.

 Not long after my parents left, I ran to the stables to mount my horse, Charlotte's Rose. She was a prize pony Father presented me with on my eighth birthday, and next to Aurora, my best friend. I remembered to bring her some carrots, which was her favorite snack.

"Good girl," I said at I fed her the snack. She had made short work of the food, and I stroked her mane when she was finished. "How about a moonlit ride?" I asked her and she bobbed her head up and down. I hadn't ridden her for a few days, and I knew she would appreciate the exercise.

I put her saddle on as quickly as I could and was about to mount her when someone sneaked up behind me.

"Aurora," I called out just above a whisper. "Don't scare me like that."

"Sorry, Mary," she said, whispering back "Are you going for a ride this late?"

"Yes, Charlotte Rose hasn't been out for a few days," I said, trying to convince her it was just a casual ride for the horse's benefit.

"I'll come with you," looking over at one of the other horses.

"No," I said quickly, maybe too quickly. "I'm on a secret mission."

"Sounds exciting," she said and jumped up and down. "Can I come?"

"Not this time," I said and she looked disappointed. "Can you stay behind and cover for me?"

"Sure, Mary," she said with a pouty face. I wish I could have taken her with me, but I didn't want to get her into trouble. "Let me know how it turns out."

I didn't say anything after that. I just smiled at Aurora's innocent fascination. I got on my horse and looked at her one last time before riding off on my horse. I picked up speed quickly, but the faster I went, the more anxious I became. Dread enveloped me, a feeling I couldn't shake. I just hoped my intuition was wrong this time. 

To Be Continued....