My Savior's Secret

Chapter 5

I had no motivation to attend the funeral that night, but the Weverins would’ve dragged me, image and courtesy and all. The funeral was at some place that looked like a Roman cathedral where spectators were more like specks drowning in its monstrosity.

I was right across the mahogany casket. White flowers and green ferns decorated the case which held the body of my mother who was apparently burnt to distortion. The Weverins after they got confirmation from investigators, had told me I could visit the house. I’d seen bits of it through the videos they’d sent me, but I’d been told not much remained.

There were cries, prayers, hugs, speeches. They talked about someone I didn’t know, someone they probably didn’t know themselves. I was an empty can. There was no warmth from the presence of my mother in that coffin.

I refused to speak to anyone, and the Weverins thought it best to leave me alone. The moment we returned to the mansion, I raced upstairs and shut myself in my room. Ignoring the sympathy cards Rego had piled on my table from the visitation, I unzipped the top of my suitcase and retrieved the envelope Elliot’s messenger had given me.

There was no date, but it was old from the faded smell of paper and ink. Cross-legged on the bed, I opened the letter. A bronze pocket-watch fell out which I caught by the chain. The dial was frozen. Where had I seen this before?

I unfolded the letter inside.

Dear Scarlet.

If you’re reading this, I must not be alive or in a condition you can see me again.

Pain stabbed my chest, and I closed the letter, blinking rapidly at the ceiling. I couldn’t remember the last time I read my parents’ words. This was nothing. Nothing but a piece of paper. Finish it. Close it.

Your father and I wanted to be your role model, but our biggest regret is not being able to give you the life you deserve. For lying to you. The least we can do is give you an explanation, but you must promise me to destroy this letter and forget everything afterwards.

My heart thumped as my eyes slowed to every subsequent word.

My homeland is Etheria. You were born here, too. Etheria hides secrets no outsider should know, plagued by a centuries-old threat. It hides dangers that can’t ever escape to the mainland. Beings no one should know about or encounter.

Your father was sent here to research them and find a solution. As an investigator, I helped him. No one knows what we do. No one else was brave enough to confront these creatures.

Creatures. What creature in this world wasn’t under the mercy of humans? The burden of saving everyone shouldn’t have to fall upon their shoulders. They weren’t gods or humanitarians. Why would the government hide a whole island because of that?

Your father was killed by one of them. It wasn’t a car accident.

My back bolted up. He’d died twelve years ago. Twelve. Why was I learning the truth now? My parents had slaved over this so-called mission for that long. Was that dedication or insanity?

It broke me, but I continued his legacy. Believe me, Scar, we wanted to leave everything behind the moment you were born. We didn’t want to hide our whereabouts. Things got so bad in Etheria, we had to finish what we started. We weren’t doing it just for us, or Etheria, or the world. We were doing it for your future.

I clenched the paper. I didn’t know whether to feel sorry or dreadful. Whether to feel betrayed for this life they gave me, or weirdly proud of them for doing something I didn’t even know yet they claimed was the cornerstone for human survival. My survival.

The next few words sent a cold tremor through me.

When we discovered the creature’s weakness, their kryptonite, we knew we might never get out of this. It could harm not only those creatures, but humans. People would start getting greedy for that kryptonite. We’d make a lot of enemies in Etheria. Enemies we aren’t even aware of.

Was that why—I found my answer in the next line.

We had to keep you away to keep you safe. Even visiting you was a risk. We could only send you letters and videos through your grandmother. Every day, we tried to leave you something to remember us by.

I sighed and slumped my head back. Those letters and videos were my parents’ only keepsakes before my dad’s death. I hated getting them. They’d repeatedly reminded me of my parents’ existence when I wanted to desperately forget them and their betrayal.

I am sorry for lying, sweetheart. I am sorry for letting you be alone when your father and grandmother passed away. All the secrets we kept from you are not to show we don’t trust you, but to show how much we fear losing you, our dearest daughter.

Everything seemed unreal, like a twisted conspiracy spun by my mom’s doppelganger. No matter how much I wanted to deny the contents of the letter, her swirly writing could only belong to hers. The letters they both had sent over the years were still sitting in my storage in Canada.

I have only two wishes if I ever orphan you. One is, don’t ever come near Etheria. I’ve left this letter to a trusted individual to give you. Do not search for him or anyone. Pretend you never saw this letter.

Too late. My parents were the ones who went off and died in Etheria, beckoning me to them.

My second wish is for you to be safe and happy. Don’t think about any of this.

My insides weighed down.

No matter what happens, do whatever you need to do to be safe and happy. Promise me, okay? We made sacrifices to protect you. We cannot lose you, too. Please, we cannot.

Dried stains marked the letter towards the end. My mother’s tear stains had blotted the blue ink.

Once I go, I know you’ll be alone again. That is the worst thing I can do to you, but my dear, I know you will be strong. You deserve happiness. Be happy. Be safe. I’m counting on you.

Love, Mom

I lowered the letter. This wasn’t fair. She thought I’d be strong? She wanted me to be happy? As if dying could grant any of those wishes. She had dropped this bomb of a reality yet hadn’t given me a chance to reply.

Rich ore deposits or deadly wild animals, Etheria sure was a damned special snowflake. I tucked the letter back in my suitcase, showered, turned the lights off, and slipped under the blankets in pitch darkness, praying some drug-like slumber could rid my mind of the rubbish I'd read.

I wore the necklace and stared at the pocket-watch, unable to put it away from sight.

Don’t ever come near Etheria. I turned to my other side. Your father was killed by one of them. Chills scattered in the room, and I pulled up my blanket.

Don’t think about any of this.

*

Even if Rubi had given me a tour, I went around the house twice to find a way to the backyard, given I avoided opening doors that’d trap me in a maze. I waited until Boyne and Mildred left the mansion that morning to start my venture.

I didn’t want to be seen or questioned, but I wasn’t in luck. Just as I found another door behind the staircase, the front door swung open.

A pouncing blob of black entered. We both froze, seeing each other even from a mile away.

The boy’s chestnut hair was a mess like he’d rolled out of bed with it, togs just as bizarre, boots the size of boulders, and his fingers paused on a lit cigarette. His thick brows slanted. Eyes naturally vicious. Or simply unfeeling.

Someone reopened the door behind him. “Where are my keys—Darian!” Mildred slapped his back. “I told you not to smoke in here. Spit it out.” When he didn’t respond, her eyes followed his gaze. “Oh, Scarlet, my—I’m sorry for the…just give me a moment.” She walked around the dude—Darian—and prodded his pockets. “Give me the lighter and pack. Now.”

He blew a puff. “Move.” His voice was unimaginably passive.

Mildred confiscated the lighter and cigarettes. “No smoking. You better not go to the Underground again, or I’m taking away your car, too.” She marched to the kitchen with his belongings.

He released the last puff, and as if he hadn’t seen me or Mildred, he walked in my direction. A wave of smoke hit me as he neared, the scabs etched on his face becoming clear. I found myself moving away when he opened the door behind the stairs and disappeared. Well, I wasn’t touching that door again.

Mildred apologized for his intrusion and the unexpected and subpar introduction of her son. Rubi’s younger brother. The guy who’d given the other guy—the creepy cloak one—a cigarette at the visitation.

She got her car keys and paused at the door. “I forgot to tell you, we have guests coming for dinner today. You met them the other day.” Had I? “Why don’t you pick a nice dress? There’s a ton in Rubi’s studio.” Down in that basement Darian just went to? Hell no. 

After she left, I finally found the sliding glass doors to the back. I’d actually passed them before, but my navigational skills were no match for this place. Cool sunlight bathed my face when I stepped out on the patio.