Dragon Seekers

Chapter 7

Time seemed to stretch for Jamie.

By time Carl had gotten back in the afternoon, Jamie hid himself away in his room. He didn't want to get in the tormentor's way while he was awake. He only got abused again when he had to go downstairs to make a sandwich for lunch. It started off as hurtful comments about his hair, clothes and other flaws that Carl saw. As Jamie started to clean his dishes, Carl suddenly got threatening and physical. He berated his stepson for doing minor chores and slapped him a few times when he didn't get an answer from the quiet boy. Jasmine tried the best she could to defend her son, but ended up with cuts and bruises too.

Jamie retreated back into his room, sealing himself away once again from the outside world. He imagined once again to him being on his secret island. However, it kept disappearing when he remembered the secret panel in his mother's bedroom. It was like the trust that he had in Jasmine was damaged. It broke him a little just thinking about that. He couldn't even think on practicing magic because of that.

Jamie jumped out of his skin when his door suddenly had been knocked on. He stood up straight, thinking that it might be Carl. He corrected himself however right after thinking that. Carl would barge right in, not knock before entering his room. He got his answer when his door slowly opened to reveal Jasmine. Her son took a huge sigh of relief as she approached him.

"Jamie, Carl and I are just popping out to get a few things. Do you want to come with us?" She asked. Jamie was tempted to say yes so he could try and find someone to talk to after splitting off from the monster. However, for once, he became selfish, wanting nothing more than to find the dragon statue.

"Sorry, Mum. I've got some homework that I need to catch up on," he said. It wasn't a full lie, which made it a little easier. It still hurt though, like a knife being pierced through his body. Jasmine nodded and gave him a quick peck on the head. She quickly left his room, not wanting to keep Carl waiting. Her quick and quiet footsteps, accompanied by Carl's insults, faded to the outside of the house. Jamie got up and watched from the window. Carl continued to berate Jasmine in the car as she started to drive the dusty Vauxhall away. It wasn't until it disappeared around the corner that Jamie felt safe.

Everything in the wardrobe felt like lead weights to Jamie as he started moving them. He could understand why. Everything that he was doing weighed down on him heavily. He knew that what he was doing was wrong, but he felt like there was no other way. He looked at the spot that he saw the door open. There was no evidence of it ever being there, but he knows that he didn't imagine it.

"Vos?" he called out, making his voice as clear as he could. It was a long shot, for all he knew, Jasmine might have a different password to open it. Fortune smiled upon him though as the door suddenly lit up. He watched with astonished eyes as silver lines danced on the door. It was like water flowing through a stream as the lines flawlessly made a shape. A perfect circle formed to begin with, followed by the outline of a dragon inside it. Jamie blinked twice as he saw this. Did Jasmine know something about dragons? But, that's impossible. Isn't it?

The light faded after there was a small click. The door opened a little as it unlocked. Hesitating a little, Jamie opened it wider. There was a slight musty smell as a small breeze whisked out from the tiny space. The shoe box that Jasmine had was laid out in front of Jamie, begging him to look inside it. As he reached for it, he suddenly stopped. What if Jasmine found out? She would be o upset, it might tip her over the edge. But this is something that Jamie needs to know more about.

After a conflicted struggle, Jamie finally reached in and snatched up the box. Dust fell everywhere as it was lifted. Jamie held back the urge to sneeze as some of it travelled up his nose. He carefully opened the box, wanting to cause as less of a disturbance as possible. The dragon statue that he had found stared up at him, sitting on top of a pile of paper. Jamie smiled gleefully as he took it. Now his treasure was back again. He greedily thought that there was no way that he could let it go again. He suddenly glanced down at the papers that the statue sat a top of. The paper seemed old, really old. It looked like parchment paper that people used in the distant past. It seemed so out of place to see that kind of paper here in this day and age.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Jamie picked up one of the papers. He carefully opened it, concerned that it would crumble instantly. It seemed to be a letter, al least that's what Jamie thought initially. However, this writing, this language, he didn't recognise it. It looked like a cross between Japanese and Arabic. What was this? Jamie carefully put the letter back, unsure of how long he futilely tried to make sense of it. He placed the lid back on the box and began to put everything back. However, he couldn't bring himself to close the door. There are too many questions that he has. He'll have to ask them when he and Jasmine are completely alone. Would she even answer them? Jamie will have to have a serious confrontation with her, something he really doesn't want to do in her fragile state.

As Jamie was contemplating this issue, the front door suddenly slammed open and shut. Panic set in as Jamie could hear Carl's booming voice and Jasmine's meek compliance. Jamie hurried as best he could. If he gets caught like this, he'll be in the hospital again for sure. He sealed up the door, remembering the password immediately. He put back everything as it was. Adrenaline kicking in, he started to make a hasty escape.

Right into Carl.