chapter 51: the lock box

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Chapter 51

The lock box

 

 

 

 

 

     Then next day, I had remembered that she had said about the gift she had for us up stairs hidden in the wall. I headed up there alone to get it and see while everyone else was out doing something.

I searched over the walls in her room till I found an odd piece of the wall. I pulled on it a little and it actually slid out. I reached in the whole and pulled out something. It was a small, strong, steel, gray box. I looked it over closer. It was actually a lock box. A very strong one at that. It had a big dial on the front for the combination.

     I took it downstairs to the main table in the living room and examined it a little more. Then I wiped the layers of dust off of it. It looked like it had been there longer than a month. It was smooth and in very good shape too.

     I grabbed the dial and span in the numbers carefully. “12...19...30” I said aloud. A loud clink grew from inside. A final click and it opened. The top opened only about half an inch. I lifted the lid the rest the way. Inside were two pieces of parchment paper. One was really new looking, and the other was far from old, it was super old. Tattered and torn al the way around. There was also a single stone inside as well.

I took out the papers and stone just as Sammie and Derek returned. “Sit,” I said to them, “ let me read this to you. Its what my mom left us and I would rather read it with you guys than alone.” They went over and got comfortable on the couch.

     I wiped my eyes dry and cleared my throat. I unfolded the newer looking paper and read it out loud for them:

 

Amber, Samantha, and Derek,

 

     If you’re reading this, I’m dead for real this time. I never was able to say everything by the time I left, so this is saying the things I needed to. So here is my farewell letter. Derek, I may not have known you long, but I still like you. Take good care of Amber now, I know she really loves you. And remember, if you don’t watch her closely, I’m watching you. Samantha, don’t cry for me, you knew I was sick, you knew this was coming baby. Just do me a favor and grow up to be something special ok? Don’t mess your life up as I did mine. And Amber, I know I lost you as a child, and it feels like I’m losing you again. I’m still so sorry. Take care of Samantha now. She’ll be your sister and a best friend. I’m sure she’ll need you now more than ever. Objects and possessions will break and go, but memories will last all you guys forever. I don’t really regret anything except what I did to Amber, but at least I found you again. And you all know I’m only leaving you for now. I will see you again one day, I promise. You guys are all on your own now, but together, never alone. Goodbye everyone.

 

Love forever,

 

Mum

 

     That’s all she wrote. Just as she called it, her “final farewell” to us. I stood there for a moment to take it all in, as did the others, but that passed over. I didn’t want to feel sad anymore even though I was.

I moved right along and set the note back on the table and picked up the other paper in the lock box. “Let’s just read the other then shall we?” I said to the grieving others. “Ok, go ahead, after that I’m sure it can’t be any worse huh?” Sammie said. “Right then.” I said with a sniffle.

     I grabbed the second older looking sheet and unfolded it. I skimmed over it first before I would read it out loud. It had “THE WULFIN WAYS AND SECRETS” as its heading at the top. That had my interest already. I had inherited the secrets and ways of the Wulfin tribe and forest! That was amazing. I had lost the secrets and such before when the wind took it away from me quite a while ago.

But there was a catch to this. I was not allowed to tell them to anyone who didn’t know them, and the terms are still the same way. I would have to have consent from every single Wulfin member. It’s just not worth the hassle even if I did want to tell. I was glad to have them. It was and is my responsibility to guard them from any harm or from other people.

     But to switch subjects for the moment, we went on the rest the day as normal, except for the sadness and heavy hearts. We knew it would pass soon enough. I got to know Sammie better that day and so did Derek. She got to know us better too. She was a cool kid. But she was only thirteen. I was to take care of her as her guardian. It would almost be like Derek and I had a daughter. Well, sorta, just a bit different.

     We lived on and loved. We did fight sometimes, but who doesn’t? All in all, they were still my family. Wouldn’t give it up for anything either. It was all good. Things went by and through and through, were livin’ still aye? That’s all that mattered then still, we were together, and we were doing well.

     After the day, we ate dinner, wrapped it all up and went to bed for the first night without my mother in a little over a month. It was weird and painful, but I still had Derek to comfort me, and Sammie ended up sleeping with us that night, she was too upset to sleep alone. “Things will be ok eventually.” I thought to myself as I layed in my bed stroking Sammie’s hair while she slept. “Eventually…..”