Sharla - Family Secrets

Tresure Chest

"Tico, we’ve looked everywhere. We can't find anything resembling the key to open that chest," Marlo complained. 

“We’ve been through piles of parchment, books, draws, even his bathroom, which had another set of bookshelves in it.” He added.

“Guess this guy spends tons of hours in the bathroom, that must be why he has lots of books in here,” Tico said.

The doorknob started turning slowly.

"Someone is coming. Hide!” Tico said diving under the bed.

The door opened and everyone held their breath, hoping whoever it was would hurry and leave.

The door closed and the voices seemed to be whispering.

"Nico…” Pointing to his right. “ I think that chest is a replica of the one we saw in the secret room."

"You are right Sharla, it is."

Both Sharla and Nico ran over to the chest. They examined the chest to ensure no traps were on it. Nico then placed the weird shape three-pronged key into the keyhole and turned it. It then made an unusual clicking, clang sound then sprung open.

They faced each other, then opened the large treasure chest.

Moving from their last-minute hiding places quietly. Sharla and Nico turned in surprise.

"Nico, Sharla what are you guys doing here? I thought we left you at the Chaldias," Marlo said as he came from under the bed, then Liah and Tico came from their hiding spots in the closet and under the desk.

"Oh hey, guys. We came to help you find his chambers, but it looks like you guys found it the same time we did.” Nico explained.

“Something could have happened to you guys and we would never know,” Marlo countered.

“I know, but if we didn't come, how would you open the chest; with your fingernail?" Nico replied.

"Okay fine, good job. Now how did you guys get here?" Tico asked.

"Believe me it’s a long story and one I will gladly tell when we are out of Bishop Demetri's room."

"Hey what is this? Is that a drawing?" Liah asked as Tico took out a picture of a little girl and a teenage boy playing in the streets.

"Do you think that is Bishop Demetri and his sister?

"You think? I didn't even know anyone as evil as he is could have a sister, “Marlo said as he looked over Liah's shoulder at the picture she held.

"How would we know we never saw his face and we don't know anyone alive that has seen his face, much less know him?"

"Let’s take it to Father White, he might know what he looks like, " Sharla said.

"I think we should leave everything as is and leave now. We have been gone too long and Father White might be looking for us. My friend may get in trouble for letting us out." Liah panicked.

"But you said we needed something here first Liah. We are already here, let’s stay and find it," Tico said, determined to be victorious in solving this mystery, and then he can get on to saving the world.

"I think I hear voices coming, we need to leave now," Liah insisted as she peered through the ajar door, before closing it completely.

Nico took out his map and looked it over with his crystal light. Marlo, Liah and Tico looked to Sharla for information on the strange method Nico used to read his map. Sharla only shrugged her shoulders.

"Quick everyone in the closet..." He said.

They entered the closet and waited patiently for his next instructions. He searched the closet walls and found a small lever and pulled it. The floor suddenly gave way like a trap door beneath their feet. They started sliding swiftly in a spiral-like motion, screaming. They tried clawing at the air, feeling nothing to grab to save them from what might be their last attempt of living. 

They continued falling into the darkness which seemed to suffocate them. Trying not to panic, Sharla said a silent prayer. 

“Oh God, please don’t let us die…Help Jesus.”

Suddenly the sliding ended and they felt weightless. A thin blue light glowed in the distance. It got brighter as they got closer... Splash!

The cold water engulfed them as they went under. Bubbles of air escaped them. They pushed upward fighting the current that threatened to keep them down. Trying to keep their heads above the water, they threaded upwards. Bursting above the water, they sent splashes against the tunnel walls. The current of the underground river was forcing them to the edge of the tunnel.

"Liah! Marlo! Tico! Nico!" Sharla shouted over the roar of the river. The illuminating light of the river showed that they were almost at the edge.

She did a frantic search of the walls for anything that could pull them out of the unknown.

A vine, she thought as she looked up. Seeing thick green vines of a tree that lined across the cave walls, trailing till she found a tree root jutting out just inches away from her strong fingers to grasp.

"Closer, just a little further," she said as she stretched her hands and grabbed the vine.

"Quickly everyone, grab the vine," she yelled.

They looked up just in time and grabbed the vine that seemed like a lifeline to them. Holding on for dear life, they slowly climbed the vine and stood on the ledge of the root of the tree, that covered the upper ledge of the cave floor. 

"That was close!" Nico said turning on his belly to climb from the ledge.

"Too close," Sharla replied while helping others to move from the ledge and more inland.

"Just out of curiosity Liah, did you see any of this in your vision?” Nico asked.

"No...I...I'm sorry; it's all my fault we almost died. I can't see everything...I..." Liah stammered.

Marlo reached out and took her hand, "it’s okay, we are all okay."

Nico looked in his bag, took out the map, and the picture he stole from the Bishop's chest.

"Oh man, everything is wet. I don’t think the map is going to work guys...Guys," Nico yelled trying to get their attention. 

They continued babbling about their narrow escape from death and how to return to their home before anything else happened to them.

"What did you say Nico?" asked Sharla. 

She made her way over to where Nico had emptied the contents of his bag on the ground. She towered over him watching him pick up the items one by one, before putting them back in his bag.

He took up the picture and watched as it seemed to move. He rubbed his eyes trying to ensure it wasn’t the near-death experience making his imagination run wild. He drew it closer to examine it. It was still changing. This ink was now flowing on his hands. 

"The picture…it’s changing...” Nico exclaimed.

"What do you mean it’s changing, the picture got damaged in the water, that's all," Sharla replied. She then took the picture from Nico's hands.

The colours in the painting ran down the frame. Another image emerged showing a painting of a half-demon half-man. She shook her head. She drew the picture closer. The painting rippled, and his eyes glowed red. His hand stretched towards Sharla, she gasped and dropped the picture which fell on the root face-up with a thundering BANG.

Her surroundings began to blur and the sounds muffled. The demon started reaching out to the surface of the painting. Its horns grew with each second that ticked on. It then stepped out of the frame. Smiling he held Sharla by the hand. Feeling him pulling her into the frame, she began screaming and kicking, trying to escape his tight grip.

"Help me!" She screamed.

Her voice sounded hollow. 

“HELP!” She screamed louder, hoping to break the hollow barrier, but no one seemed to hear her. 

Suddenly his hand covered her mouth. She struggled to break free of his grasp. The demon then appeared to glide in front of her, his hand no longer covering her mouth, but she still could not speak. He smiled at her, but his eyes looked familiar somehow…It’s not possible, she thought. Her eyes widened in horror as the beast increased its size. Something black flashed over her eyes and she felt the darkness closing in. Her heartbeat sped up, her breathing became quick and harsher. She clawed at the invisible blackness that covered her eyes.

"Oh God, my father, please deliver me from this evil that is trying to overcome me. I don't want to be trapped in this dark place. Please God SAVE ME."

"Sharla, Sharla! What are you looking at for so long?" Marlo asked, trying to pry the frame from her stiff hands.

"You can't escape me, Sharla. I know your mother. You belong to me." The demon replied, coiling his snake-like body around her.

"No! You can't have me. I am God's child. I am his and his alone." Sharla shouted at the demon, which she now realized was plaguing her mind. If only she could break the hold he had over her.

"Sharla, from before you were conceived in your mother's womb you were mine. The symbols you have on your body, represent your family. You and I are one and the same."

"What is your name, demon?" Sharla asked.

"You already know who I am, Sharla. Search your heart, you know what I say is true, “ he said.

“I don’t know you. Let me go,” she said.

“Just know that I am your father and you are mine. Your mother tried to hide you from me. But I knew it was just a matter of time before you came searching for me."

"What do you mean; I came looking for Bishop Demetri, and for anything that can be used against him," Sharla said as she continued to squirm in his visor like grip. 

"Demetri is no more than a pawn within the cogwheel of something more complex and will be revealed in due time."

"Sharla, let go, you are gripping the frame too hard. It might break...." Marlo said.

"I know what can loosen it. Here try this olive oil. It's the only oil I have, but it should work," Nico replied.

"Sharla, come on, this is getting ridiculous. If you don't let go I am going to have to use this and you know you are allergic to olive oil." Marlo continued.

She did not respond.

Marlo poured olive oil on her hands to loosen her grip.

Sharla screamed out in pain and her hands flashed open releasing the painting, landing between the root of the tree and Nico’s bag.

"Marlo, wipe it off, it's burning her. Do you smell that, it smells like burnt flesh? Look smoke is coming from her hands," Liah said.

Marlo quickly wiped the oil off Sharla's hands. Then wrapped it in a bandage, while Liah took up the picture and turned it over trying to see why her best friend seemed so fixated on it. She then placed it in Nico’s bag and rushed to Sharla’s side. 

"Sharla! Are you okay?" Liah asked as Marlo placed her in her arms, rocking her back and forth as she lay in her lap.

As tears welled in Liah's eyes, she kissed her best friends forehead and prayed.

***

Three days later 

A pot hung over a makeshift fire with Tico, stirring the pot. Lifting the spoon every now and again to taste it. Each time he added some spices or ingredients he found in the wild. 

"Mhmm something sure smells good," Sharla said, glancing around to see where the scent was coming from.

"Sharla, you're up! Oh, thank God." Liah chimed, hugging her.

"What... I was only sleeping," Sharla explained.

"Sharla, you have been sleeping for three days," Marlo replied while checking her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Sharla questioned.

"What is the last thing you remember?" Nico asked, feeling more concerned than normal.

"I remember us falling and the vine and water and nothing," Sharla replied, scratching the side of her head.

"You don't remember grabbing a picture and holding it as if your life depended on it."

"I'm sorry, I don't. What picture are you talking about?"

Liah took up the picture and showed Sharla.

"That’s the picture with Bishop Demetri and his little sister."

"That's all you saw. Are you sure?" Tico asked.

"Yes. Why? Sharla questioned.

"Because for the past three days, you have been thrashing and screaming about the sword Apollyon. You kept saying you’re not my father; Frankly, I can't see how a sword can be your father, so we figured you were so caught up in solving this sword mystery that you started having nightmares about it."

"I can't recall anything. None of what you're telling me makes any sense." Sharla said as she tried to understand what she just heard. 

Shaking her head to see if she could clear the fog that seemed to hinder her memory, she asked; "Why would I dream about Apollyon, let alone call it my father or deny that it is my father; which it isn't because a sword is an inanimate object that can't do anything other than what the wielder of the sword wants.” She finished.

“We need to get back to school. We had only twelve hours to return and now it's been four days.” Tico said.

"What punishment would we get if we return now?" Marlo asked.

"What do you think; this is not the first time we have broken curfew is it?" Sharla replied.

"Well, we need to get packing before they send out the search party," Tico said.

"Hellooo… have you met Father White, he is probably leading the search party himself," Liah replied.

"I know a way we can get in without being noticed," Nico replied

Reading his map, he gauged the quickest way back to the Chaldia headquarters safely. He noted the many turns and folded up his map once more. They encountered a variety of overgrown bushes and insects using the underground tunnel. 

As they continued walking and talking, eating light snacks, stopping for personal time.

“I hope we don’t get in too much trouble for sneaking out,” Liah said.

She suddenly felt something crawling on her skin. She brushed it off. Liah then screamed out as a giant roach jumped on her chest. She started, jumping, spinning in circles and brushing herself off frantically trying to rid herself of the stubborn roach that clung to her clothes. Marlo seeing how distressed she was, flicked the roach to the ground then squashed it with his boot.

“I hate those creepy things,” she said.

“Hey don’t worry, I got you,” Marlo said hugging her. She smiled and allowed him to comfort her. 

They soon made headway through the various secret tunnels with more twists and turns leading them finally to the old library basement. They quickly made their way to their dorm rooms, taking turns bathing and refreshing themselves, then turning to bed.

***

Four days earlier.

"Father White, Father White, there is a lady at the gate wishing to speak with you,” said the little boy as he ran into his office.

Father White along with two other priests went to see the woman at the gate.

“It’s been a long time Father White,” Zamilia replied.

“Indeed my child. It has been years. What brings you this way?” Father White asked.

“I got a dream that Atéri was going to consume Sharla. I came as fast as I could.” She replied.

“Come, my child, let us speak in my office,” he said as they walked to his office. She smiled at the children that were out playing in the yard and the priests playing with them.

“I miss those days…I miss my daughter,” she said.

They entered his office and ushered her to sit in a chair before his mahogany white oak desk.

“Do you want anything to drink or eat?” Father White offered. 

“No. I’m good. I just want to see Sharla and know she is safe,” she replied.

“I am afraid you have wasted your time returning. Perhaps, he sent those visions to you, knowing you would find her and he would follow you here to get to her.” Father White said.

“I know. I thought of that, but then I thought what if I was wrong. What if I could have done something to prevent him from taking her? I cannot live with that on my conscience.

“Please let me see her. I won’t say who I am, I just want to see that she is safe,” Zamilia implored.

Father White, thought about it for a moment and then conceded to let the worried mother look for her only child. He couldn’t believe that she looked the same all these years. If only he didn’t have to age. He was almost one hundred years old and he looked like he was in his late fifties. But to be so old and look like twenty was always nerve-racking to him when he saw how the witches were blessed with eternal youth. 

“Father White, I know I promised to stay away. But please let me see her once. Then I promise I will not return unless she wants me to.” She pleaded.

Coming out of his thoughts, “I will take you to her room, Zamilia.”

The priest led Zamilia to the eighth floor which housed GROUPS A dorm room. They knocked and waited for a response. None came, they knocked once more then he opened the door. They noticed the place was tidy and made their way to the bedroom labelled S. Father White knocked gingerly on the closed room door, then slowly opened. 

“See, there is nothing to worry about, she is still in bed,” he said. He checked his watch and noticed it was late.