The Journal [A Sequel To Maya's Diary]

Chapter Thirty-six

#unedited

#01:44

"I'm sorry mom. He got what he deserved," she said. I suddenly remembered the other complaint the teacher had made. I was less concerned about whatever the reason of their fight had been and more concerned about why she had been doodling the symbol if the Arch.

"I'm sorry mom. But... The image kept coming into my head."

With interest, I inched forward releasing a slight squeak on my seat.
"Nothing... Just darkness... Oh wait! Ele mai rabasoki tus adan krup."

"What was that?" I asked.

"I don't know."

•••••

I sat on my study rereading the daily about the mayor's death. He had died of food poisoning they said but I wasn't so sure I was going to believe that. It was possible that a new threat was in town and that was a major concern.

I sighed in frustration when I realized that my studies and late night research was leading nowhere. I squeezed my eyeballs on its socket and started for my laptop still in the study. I was going to appeal for the release of Edward if I could get a concrete proof of his innocence. I was no lawyer, just a journalist but I believed firmly that my articles went places. That was the least I could do for Annabelle.

Leone hadn't returned home for some time and it got me worried. He kept emphasizing on the fact that his work ate the better part of his life and I completely understood but it had been a complete day and he hadn't texted, that got me worried too.

"Are you reading? Do you usually read like this at night?" I turned and beheld Eva on her white nighty and her hair covering the better part of her face and I jumped.

"Eva, you're awake?"

"Why did you jump? Do I make you scared?"

I walked closer to her with small steps reaching to grab her shoulder. I bent low and saw the sparkles in her watery eyes. I smiled and rubbed her cheek and it turned pale pink with my touch.

"You don't make me scared ok? I just didn't expect anyone in here by this time of the night."

"You can never love me the way you love Carly right?" She asked letting the tears fall.

"No... where is this idea coming from? You are my baby always and I love you two. You're sick and so is Carly but aunty Annabelle and I are doing our best to see you two get well. And you know what? We are going to go to see your dad. He has something we need."

******

A different security man, dragged Edward into the room this time and he sat on the stool provided. I held Eva and Carly firmly with my hand and used the other to reach the telephone at my end.

"My babies! You brought them?" He asked.

"You didn't leave me much choice did you? Plus I think I owed you that one. Can I have the papers now?"

He brought out the folded paper from his trouser and passed them through the little hole on the glass separating us.

"I understand that they won't want to talk to me, but seeing them is enough for me. We made a deal and we've fulfilled it. I should go now."

"You're the man in my dreams." Carly was the first to speak up. She pushed herself away from me and walked closer to the glass. "You're my father?"

"Yes. I'm sorry you had to see me this way but I want you to know that I'd do anything to see you two are safe. I had the message translated for you Maya. You have a lead from there," he said and gave me a reaffirming nod.

My phone beeped and I hurriedly ran my hand into my bag searching for it. I dragged it out as it appeared stuck by the bag's inner cloth. I pulled with a lesser effort and it came out then. I drew a pattern with my finger and Annabelle's message came up.

You need to come to my house this minute. I think I have the answers to every question we've been asking. You might not like what I have to say though.

I stood uo immediately and clutching on both hands of my daughters and indicated to Edward that I had to leave. I drove the children home, to be under the watch and care of a babysitter I hired to stand in for me when my busy schedules didn't permit me to return home on time.

When I was sure they had everything for the time being, I drove over to Annabelle's.

"I got your text and came over as fast as I could," I said tossing my key on the dinning table.

"Great! I know what is going on. Ok I went over to the warehouse where the Arch have their meetings but there was nothing there. It just looked like a warehouse maybe I don't have the right entry words or something but I saw something. A black stone. I read about it somewhere that it symbolizes a common mindset and it can be used for divination or enchantment. What I'm trying to say is, I can extract the power and use all the energy to lure all the Arch members together."

"Then what?" I asked.

"Then, I will make them my flock and I will be their queen. I will be the Archbearer."

"You're insane. All these while, that was your plan?"

"Yes. Look at it like a win win. I get what I want and you get what you want."

"I thought the plan was to destroy the cult entirely?"

"We established the fact that it cannot be destroyed. Authority and power can only be conferred to the next person."

"How does any of this help Carly and Eva?"

"They will be merged. Two of them will fuse to become one person. Think about it, one person wasn't made to control so much power. The rule of the game was to let a twin die, so the other can live and harness a particular ability. Since neither died, the power that was to be restored to the Arch, still breathes and lives."

"You're saying that my babies will become one person? Who will dominate?"

"The stronger, but the weaker can be called out whenever you want to hear from her."

I rubbed my temple vigorously and thought for a while. I didn't exactly have much of a choice and felt that was the best idea so far. Eva would obviously dominate Carly since she appears stronger.

"What about those things she has been saying?"

"She was predicting her death. In five days, she'll die if she's not merged."

"This is so much to take in," I cried. "Do you know who killed the mayor then?" I pressed.

"Leone Stewart. Your boyfriend."