The Night Rider

Chapter 2

10 years later

"Cell!", I'm looking up from the book where I was dreaming.  Nuri takes up my sight and looks at me with an awkward look.  Her slim body is shrouded in a beautiful black lace dress, one she wears a lot.  Her eyebrows are frowned upon and she seems to be looking for something.  I look through the space just like her, the space filled with old knowledge.  The light gives what this room shows an ominous and cosy tone at the same time.

"Have you seen Rafiki?  Nuri's eyes are back on me.  They speak volumes, asking for an answer.  I put the book that was in my hands on the wooden table in front of me, upside down so that I won't lose where I was.  I give a single glance through the room full of books and then fix my gaze back on Nuri 'No', is my simple answer.

A deep sigh leaves her mouth.  'This is the fourth time this week that she is untraceable, how can a child of ten be so invisible?' In her grumbling both ridicule and anxiety can be heard.  'Whose teachings did she learn it from?  Maybe her mother?', I'm joking.  Nuri sends me a killing look.

'Celeste, what are you still sitting there? Help me find my daughter' Her message is clear.    Though this may sound like an angry remark, it's more like an impulse and a question to help her in her search.  I blow my nose once and then slide from the the chair I was sitting on.  I put myself straight on my black heels and pull my dress straight.

'Now where was the little princess last spotted' Nuri bites her lip, looking for the words.  'At your brother's', she mumbles.  I let a deep sigh slip over my lips.  'How many times do I have to tell you that Elieen is not fit to babysit a child, or rather anything'.  Nuri balances back and forth on her heels, hiding her hands behind her back.  'Too often', she mumbles.

With long steps I pass her and walk towards the door of the library.  Nuri rushes behind me, to be heard by the short sounds of her heels on the wooden floor.  "Look Cell I've got a good explanation, Jamie had the' 'I don't need to hear it' I interrupt her.  There's a silence between us.  My head spins overtime to figure out where the little girl's been hiding.

I walk as fast as I can through the huge corridors.  If you didn't know your way around here, you'd be wandering forever in half an hour.  My goal is pretty clear, I know where my little brother is hiding.  Always look back to where it was last, in this case my little brother.  Nuri still follows me closely, her heels betray her again.

Door after door passes my sight, none of them catch my attention until the last one of the corridor.  The last sounds glide through the corridors until I stop in front of the black door.  Without thinking for a few seconds I put my hand on the iron doorknob and pull the door open.  The boy I've known all his life appears in my sight.  His black cut hair is shaped with gel, his deep black eyes are the mischievous look that never disappeared and his muscles are clearly visible by the absence of his shirt.

'Eliën, where's Rafiki?', short and powerful.  He pulls his fingers through his combed black hair and seems to be looking for an answer with a little grimace.  My eyes glide through his room.  The colour black is not to be missed as the dominant colour in the room, dark paintings fill the wall and Cheea is not to be missed in the room either.  'Hi Cell', the young blond lady greets me. I just raise my hand as a greeting.

Only then does my question seem to reach my little brother.  'Shit', leaves his mouth and then he leaves the room at full speed.  Cheea is the only one who keeps her place on the bed.  'Couldn't you have thought better, too?' I address her.  She throws her arms in the air.  Cheea is a lady you can't really blame, she's too wise for that.  'When I saw Elieen, Rafiki wasn't around', she defended herself.  I sigh and leave the room again.

Nuri still follows me closely, looking for her daughter.  'Are you going to the stables?' It's more of a request than a question I ask.  She nods and then disappears into the hallways.    I let my brain crack deep.  I know Rafiki well and sometimes I know her places better than her own parents.  There are little things that make her who she is, the biggest thing only I understand.

With my brain I glide through the whole castle, looking for the places where the little princess could hide.  Suddenly, a clear moment springs to my mind.  I know exactly where the girl is hiding.  I can tell myself crazy that I have not thought about this before.

Shaking my head, I continue my way through the corridors, on my way to my goal. Once my way would have gone so much faster, I can miss that time to the bone. I made the choice myself at the time, and with a reason that is still very clear to me. Yet there are moments that I curse.

Arriving at the end of the corridor, I open the door to which I was on my way. A long wooden staircase lies in front of me. Without any doubt I place my foot on the first step and then continue my way up. Step by step slides under my feet. The narrow corridor up will scare people who don't know where it leads to. I can imagine better than ever that these stone walls can drive you mad.

After minutes of climbing the stairs, I arrive at the door. I can already hear the wind gliding past the huge building, a sound that feels like home to me. I put my hand on the door handle and gently push it down. With a slight crackle the wooden door opens itself. As soon as the red stones take over my sight I look around for the reason that brought me here. My eyes linger on the little girl who has taken a seat on the tiles of the roof.