VI. The Picture

After I got done explaining every little detail to her, she just stared at me in disbelief. “How are you acting so calm right now? I would be freaking out! What are you going to do? Who do you think is after you? How could they hate you if they don’t know you? What in the world does this wooden ball have to do with it all?” She was spitting out question after question so fast I could barely keep up with her. “Whoa, calm down Nik. Believe me my nerves are shot. I am trying to keep a straight head for Belle. As for what I am going to do I have no idea. I should call James and see if he can find anything out about this ball of fate. The more I know about it the more I know what it has to do with those men breaking in to my house. Will you go check on Belle and I will call James.” I said as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I dialed James’s number and listened to it ring. He picked up after the first ring, “Eden. Was Nikai there? Is everything okay?”  I just smiled. “Calm down you worry wart. You don’t think I can handle myself?” I heard him sigh on the other side, “Yes, I know you can handle yourself. I just worry about you after what happened this morning. You act like it didn’t even happen.” I rolled my eyes. “That is what I called you about actually. I got here and Nik said I had a package. I honestly didn’t know what to expect it to be, but when I opened the box I found a small wooden ball with flower engravings and words in Latin that said ‘Your destiny is in the ball of fate. It will lead you on the path you seek’. Any idea what this is? Could you do some sort of history check on it or something?”  There was a pause on his end. “James?” Another pause.

 “Sorry, I was just going through some of my books. I have heard of this ball you speak of before, I just don’t know where. I believe there is something about it in one of my many books here in my office. I will call you when I find it okay?” He didn’t even say bye he just hung up. I wonder what it is that has him so excited about this ball. I turned around to see Nikai and Annabelle both smiling at me. “You want to watch a movie?” Nikai had a smile and a “please” face that could get you to do anything. “Oh why not. I’ll make some popcorn.” I said as I went into the kitchen. I threw the bag into the microwave and hit the popcorn button. As I was going to the fridge to grab a couple cans of pop, I froze halfway through opening the fridge door. Nikai had a picture of our parents on her fridge that I had never seen before. They were somewhere tropical holding each other and sitting at a bar. They looked so happy and colorful. I grabbed the picture and looked at it closer. They didn’t even have wedding rings on yet. This was before they were married? I grabbed the picture and stuck it in my back pocket. The microwave went off just as I was grabbing the pops out of the fridge. I grabbed the popcorn and went into the living room. Nikai had Belle playing on the floor on a blanket. I handed her a pop and sat the popcorn on the coffee table. “Hey Nik? Where did you get this picture of mom and dad?” I said as I pulled the picture out of my pocket. She looked at it and said, “ This one I found at mom’s when I went through her things after she passed. They looked so happy I wanted to keep seeing them that way forever. So I kept this one.” She looked at it like she was lost in memories.

 “You realize that this picture was taken before they were married? Look they have no rings on.” I pointed to the picture. She looked at it again. “You’re right. That’s strange. They said they had been married since high school. They look to be in their 20’s here. Why would they lie about something like that?” She handed the picture back to me. I looked at it again. “You know she had me when she was 18, if that was before they were married maybe they didn’t want us knowing that. They always taught us to wait till we were married to have children. How could they back that up if we knew they weren’t when they had me?” I was just trying to make sense of all of this. My phone started ringing. It was James. “Hey James, did you find what you were looking for?”  He seemed a little out of breath and his voice sounded shaky. “ Eden, you have to find a safe place for Annabelle for a few days and you have to see what I found. I am on my way to Nikai’s.” I was kind of confused. “Find a place for Belle? What is going on James? What exactly did you find?” “Don’t worry I will be there shortly. Just trust me Eden, Call your aunt. That is the perfect place for Belle right now.” He hung up the phone. I felt really nauseated and didn’t like what was being said to me. I don’t want to find a safe place for Belle. Who could protect her better than me? But I trusted James with everything so I did what he asked, even though everything in me was saying no. I called my Aunt Sage who lived a couple states away. “Hello? Aunt Sage? It’s me Eden.” “Oh! Dear how have you been? How is that baby of yours?” She sounded like she hadn’t had a phone call in days. 

“Aunt Sage we are all just fine. Could you do me a really big favor? I am going out of town for a few days and was wondering if you would like to watch Annabelle for me? I would really appreciate it and I will pay you generously.” I felt so horrible for asking. I didn’t want to stick her with a baby for a couple days and I sure as hell didn’t want to leave Belle. “Oh I would just love that! How exciting! A few days you say? That is just wonderful! Oh you don’t have to pay me! When will you be here doll?” I have never heard someone so happy to baby sit. “I am thinking within tonight or tomorrow morning. Are you sure you don’t mind?” “I cannot wait to see you two! Any time is perfect doll! You know I would do anything for my sister’s daughters! See you soon!” I hung up the phone. I looked at Nikai. “Something bad is going to happen I have a feeling. I really hope James has good news.” I picked up Annabelle and snuggled her. I didn’t want to leave my precious little bug with anyone, but I want her safe and if someone is after me, my aunts is a good place for her right now. 

Author's Note

This is chapter six