Sharla - Family Secrets

Missing

“Hmm this is strange…they would normally be up and about making mischief somewhere in the sanctuary.” Zamilia entered the room with Father White a step behind her. He walked over to Sharla's bed and lifted the comforter and saw pillows lay beneath, both of them turned then went to check the other beds. The same only pillows and sheets. “Where is she?” Zamilia asked frantically. “I’m sure they are probably off on another of their wild adventures and will return soon. They sometimes spend a day or two out before returning with some exciting tale of their journey.” Father explained.  She looked up to him nodding hoping to find comfort in his words, but something was nagging at her that something horrible had taken place. Father White seeing the anxiety on her face added. “But just to rule out their hiding around I will check other areas where they do frequently.”  They rushed from the room and searched the library, the lunchroom, the play area, arsenal room and the computer room. They were nowhere to be found. He then called the guards to see if they knew anything about the missing children. He called a wide search of the entire Sanctuary. “I knew something was wrong. I knew this would happen. It was only a matter of time before he found her.” Zamilia cried. “There is nothing here to indicate that the kids were taken. This could be another one of their exploits and will soon return. You will see,” Father White hoped. That night Zamilia slept in Sharla’s room, hugging her clothes and anything that could bring her closer to holding her child. “I should have been here to watch over her”, she kept scolding herself until she fell asleep. Early the next morning, Father White questioned the guards to see which one let the children out as they still had not returned. He found out only Liah, Marlo and Tico left through the north gate and had not been seen since. Father White then ordered another search of the entire premises hoping to find Sharla and Nico. He believed the others would return soon. As the evening rolled in and the sun started setting, Zamilia walked into Father White’s office with a worried and anxious expression on her face with her cheeks still wet with tears. “I cannot wait any longer, Father White. I know something terrible has happened to my daughter. Please let us search elsewhere for her.” She asked. “I understand my child, I am worried about them, but we don’t know the first place to look for them,” he replied. There was a gentle knock on the priest office door. “Come,” Father White said. A little boy entered his office. He looked around the office then looked at Zamilia then at Father White. “Father White, I think I know where you might find them,” the boy said. “Well, where did they go young man?” he asked. “I overheard them talking about going to Bishop Demetri chambers to find something to fight against him.” “Thank you, Timmy. I wished you had told me this sooner,” Father White replied. “Who is this Bishop Demetri you speak of? What has he got to do with finding my little girl?” Zamilia questioned. “He killed the apostles that have helped rid our lands of dangerous witches and demons. He wants to rule the world, claiming himself to be ruler over all and knows what God wants. He is behind all the attacks we have been plagued with year after year. You would think over the years, he would have changed but he seems to have gotten stronger. I believe the children just wanted to find a weak spot. Something or anything that can be used against him. Something that will make him abdicate his so-called throne.” Father White said. *** Five days later. "Those secret caves and tunnels really do work. But I can't shake the feeling that we are missing something," Sharla said. "I can't believe we made it home and no one actually saw us," Liah said.  "Do you get the feeling like something is wrong but you can't yet figure out what it is?" Sharla asked. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Come on let's go find Father White and show him what we found at the Bishops headquarters. As the children ran to the priest office, Father Venjamin greeted them instead of Father White. "Children, you have returned at last," he said. Then stood up and moved to hug them.  "How could you leave for so long and not let anyone know where you were going? Something terrible could have happened" Father Venjamin scolded.  "We are really sorry Father Venjamin, but we had to find out for ourselves how the Bishop can be stopped," Marlo said. "So did you find that weapon to give us the upper hand?" he asked. "We are not sure what our findings will reveal. But we found two pictures; we thought maybe you or Father White could look at it and tell us who they are?" Marlo said. "I don't see what pictures can lead to but sure, let me have a look at it," Father Venjamin replied. Father Venjamin, took up the pictures Marlo had laid on his desk. He looked at the picture with the boy and the girl first. His eyes widened, then his hand shook for a moment, then he looked at the children. "Where did you get this?" He asked, looking at the next photo which was of a woman and a baby. "We got this out of the bishop’s chest and we found this in a hidden room here," Nico replied. "This picture has no bearing on Bishop Demetri. I don't know why he would have this picture but please. Do not venture out these walls again without notifying me first. I know you all think you are capable now and don't need any adult supervision or protection. This person is not someone to play with," Father Venjamin ordered. "Father Venjamin please, I see the terror in your eyes. Who are those people in the pictures?" Sharla asked. "Many years ago, a young woman came to us in fear of her child's life. I saw the man who had changed from a beast into a man the night a baby girl and her mother arrived. That looks like the same boy in the picture with the little girl. But I could be wrong," Father Venjamin said.  He walked around his table for a moment then said. "Please, wait for Father White to return, he should be the one to speak to you about those photos. In the interim, I am sure you are all hungry, so go and eat. I will come and get you when he returns." “Sure Father Venjamin,” they replied. "We need a closer look at the Bishop. We can't investigate from here. We need to know what he is hiding," Sharla replied. "Sharla, just give it a rest for now. Go, all of you and eat," Father Venjamin ordered. They headed out of the office and made their way to the lunchroom. Moments later they shared their food and sat down to eat as if it was their first cooked meal in weeks. "What do you think Father Venjamin is hiding?" Sharla asked as she bit into the juicy fried chicken savouring the flavours that ignited her taste buds. "I don't know but he recognized both pictures so he knows who they are. We just need to know who they are too," Marlo said tearing apart his barbecue ribs. "He said Father White, will tell us, and so let’s wait till he returns. Take our scolding and go conquer the evil in the world another day." Tico advised finishing his meal then got up for seconds. "Or maybe we sneak back out and go ask the Bishop ourselves," Sharla replied. "And how do you suppose we go about that...saying; Oh Bishop Demetri sir, we want to know who these people are to you in the pictures we stole and just how evil you are. And while you’re at it, would you kill us on sight or t*****e us or work some magic on us so we are never seen again." Nico said "I didn't say it was going to be easy. We won't be knocking on the door," Sharla said. "We would find a way to kidnap him and make him tell us," she added. "Sharla, I know you're a fierce woman, but let’s just wait and hear what Father White has to say, okay," Liah said. "After all it’s my fault we almost died, so just wait." "So what about finding the sword and Renwar and Joy?" Sharla asked. "I just think maybe I rushed it, so we should just thank God we are still alive and see what happens later," Liah replied, averting her eyes to another section in the lunchroom as she drank her fruit juice. "Hey I know you feel bad Liah, but this is our calling, our destiny to save the world. You can't give up now. This is not like you to quit, tell us what is really bothering you." Sharla pressed. "Just give me a break Sharla, please," Liah said and got up from the table and headed in the direction her eyes were diverted earlier, almost knocking Tico plate from his hand. "Jeez, what's wrong with her today?" Tico asked as he returned with more plates of food to devour. “I think she is worried about the guard that helped us out. She didn't see him at his post and I think those guys over there are his friends. Maybe she went to check on him." Marlo explained. "Oh ok. I guess I should have known she was worried about Luther. And I say I'm her best friend. How could I not know she was worried about him?" Sharla replied, shaking her head. "Hey, don't beat yourself up about it, you had your own problems out there and you just want to get this over with," Nico said, rubbing her shoulders trying to comfort her. She wasn't used to being comforted by anyone; she shrugged his hand off and excused herself from the table to take a walk. Footsteps rushing to their almost empty table, "Nico, Tico, Marlo come quick, Father Venjamin wants you in Father White's office," said a little girl sounding out of breath as she stood before the three-o.  *** On the outskirts of the guard’s quarters at the north gate, Luther and Liah are having a heated exchange. "How could you do this to me Liah?" he asked. "Luther, I am so sorry. I didn't know we were going to go missing for so long," Liah said trying to explain. "Liah, I almost lost my job and my life when I went looking for you when my shift ended. I thought something had happened to you and your friends. When I returned they were questioning the guards and since I was nowhere to be found at the time, naturally they thought I had something to do with your escape." Luther replied. "I know, I am truly sorry for the trouble we have caused you." She cried. "I thought you said it was three of you, then I went back to your room and noticed no one was there as I thought you guys had returned somehow without my seeing you. The only thing I saw when I lifted the covers were pillows in all of your beds. So you also lied to me Liah." "No, I didn't, my friends found another way out and that's how they got out. I swear this will never happen again." She said as she tried to touch his hand. She quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and tried to hide the hurt she felt when he moved his hand from her grasp. “It does not matter now; I am being transferred to Gerkandi. I will be leaving in the morning," Luther replied. "Really!" Liah said, trying not to sound too excited. "Liah, whatever you are thinking, don't. Please don't transfer there or visit. I can't see you anymore." He replied and slowly walked away. "But you're my friend Luther. You were always there for me. Give me another chance," she cried running after him. "It's too late Liah, I leave in the morning. I'm afraid this is goodbye. Now be a good girl and go back to your friends and go save the world you have always talked about saving." Luther said and bent down to hug her one last time, then kissed her forehead. She watched him walk away wishing there was more she could say. But how could she tell him now? How could she tell him she loved him all these years? He was nineteen and she was fourteen. Surely he doesn't feel the same way as he would have wanted her to follow him anywhere. "All alone," she whispered and slid to the floor holding herself as she slowly curled herself into a ball and releasing the tears she held back, hoping her heart would not shatter too much into the million pieces she felt herself tearing into.  Memories of the first day they met ten years ago when she was only four. She had been playing and fell before him and he helped her up. He trained her to run faster and to be a better fighter over time. Their friendship grew and blossomed as the years went by. His group was the last group given the task to find the sword, but came back empty-handed and was given a choice to join another group to try again or find a station in the church to work in. Luther chose to stay close, as he wanted to stay and look over Liah. He chose to serve as a guard to protect all he holds dear. She remembered the many nights they spoke, the games they played when he was off duty and when she couldn't sleep or the nightmares she had tormented her. She would leave her room in search of him and they would talk until she fell asleep or went walking in the woods. He would then carry her to her room and Sharla would always see him and take her and put her in her bed. Sometimes he watched her as Sharla, her best friend held her and rocked her to sleep. She had friends that loved and cared for her, surely in time, her heart will mend. She knew Marlo liked her, but she only had eyes for Luther. The tears flowed more freely now; closing her eyes to welcome the darkness as it washed over her. "We will see each other again Luther, just wait and see," she moaned. "Liah! Liah! Are you alright?" Marlo asked as he picked her up off the cold concrete floor and placed her in the seat that was a little distance away. Liah moaned, then opened her eyes and closed them with a smile, "You came," she said then kissed him on the cheek and closed her eyes once more, resting her head on Marlo's chest. "Thank you for finding me,'' she whispered, then she fell fast asleep. Marlo carried her to their quarters and placed her in her bed. "What's wrong with her?" Sharla asked with worry in her voice. "I don't know, I found her on the floor and just took her up," Marlo replied. "So what are we going to do about Father White being kidnapped?" Tico asked. "I was hoping Liah would have seen something, but we can't ask her now," Nico said. "So what do you think the note means Sharla?" "I think he wants back his picture and he wants to trade Father White for it?" "Yeah, but why does he want you to bring it?" Nico asked. "I don't know. I have never met the man before. Perhaps he heard how dangerous I am and wants to be on good terms," she joked. "Or maybe he thinks you are weak and he wouldn't have a fight on his hands, Tico countered.  "Do you want to challenge me now and see who wins?" Sharla asked. "I never said…look, we don’t know what his endgame is, so I propose we all go. That way we can keep an eye on each other. “Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!” Nico said. “What about Liah? We can’t leave her alone,” Sharla replied. “I can stay with her. You can call us if you need help, by then hopefully she would be awake.” Marlo said. “Are you sure about this?” Sharla asked. “I am…just be careful and bring back Father White.” He replied. ***