Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 30: HEAL ANNE

"One of the powers I inherited from the gods is healing." She raised her hand. "My father did not know it though. I can heal even the worst illness, as long as the person is still alive. We can try it for your sister."

Zane could not contain his happiness. He was laughing while crying at the same time. He smiled while tears fell down his cheeks. "You are giving me so much hope. You're my angel, Aera. Thank you." He wiped his tears using the sleeve of his shirt. His heart was beating fast, and his hands were shaking. "We have been suffering emotionally, mentally and financially because of her current situation, and I could not help but blame myself for what happened to her."

"If I can't heal her, I can ask other gods to help me. I'm sure someone from Olympus has the heart to grant my request."

She suddenly thought of something important thing. "How can I try it to your sister? Are we going to say an immortal came down to heal her? Maybe we can try it during her sleep?" she suggested.

He nodded. "That's probably a good idea. Let's try anything to cure her. I want her to live a normal life. It hurts me every time I see her suffering in that wheelchair."

"Okay then, we'll do it tonight once everyone is sleeping." She gave him a thumbs up as approval.

"Thank you, Aera. It means a lot to me," he said sincerely.

"Also..." Aera paused. "When are you going to tell your parents about your power, though, and ask them if they are immortal or you were adopted?"

Zane looked down. "I don't know if I have the strength to ask them. I am afraid to know the truth. I have an ideal family that anyone could hope for."

Aera gave him a puzzled look. "Come on. You won't be at ease if you keep asking yourself about those things for the rest of your life. You need to ask them sooner or later to have peace of mind."

"Maybe you're right. I'll try tonight. I need some strength and courage to do so. Let's find your mother first after lunch."

"Okay," Aera gave up convincing him. "If you say so."

"Where are we going to start looking for your mother?"

"Let's go to our old house. The new owner probably knew something."

"Brother," Wane called outside his room. He knocked twice before opening the door. "Mom is calling you both for lunch."

"We're coming." He looked at Aera. "Let's go. I'll talk to Dad also to drive us around and find your Mom. I'm sure he will help us."

"Thank you."

They all proceeded to the dining area. His father was already seated at the table, smiling warmly at Aera. "Have a seat."

"Thank you, Mr. Cole." Aera sat facing Wane, and Zane seated beside her, facing Anne.

"Thank you for visiting us, Aera," Althea said. "I am happy Zane found a good friend. He never brought anyone here. Not even once."

"He is shy and timid, but he is a good person and well-mannered." She gave them an assuring look. "I can see why. He grew up with great parents and siblings."

"That made me feel at ease, hearing that my son grew up as a fine man." Bren breathed a sigh of relief.

"Dad, can you drive for us later to Aera's old house? It's just nearby here."

"You also live here?" Zane's father asked Aera.

"We lived here before, and Zane was my schoolmate during grade school days. We just moved out because of my father's job." She glanced at Zane. "My Mom and Dad separated and I have no idea where my mother is."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Aera. It must be difficult for you." Althea looked at her husband. "Help them later, Honey."

"Of course, Honey. We will leave after our lunch. Let's eat now. Enjoy your meal, Aera."

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Cole."

"You can call us Aunt Althea and Uncle Bren." She gave a wide smile.

"Okay, Aunt Althea." She glanced at Zane.

He just shook his head. "They could not stop shipping me and Aera," he said to himself.

***

After finishing their lunch, Bren prepared the car and they left the house to look for Aera's mother.

"When was the last communication you had with your mother?" Zane asked.

"About two years or so. She stopped sending me emails. I couldn't do anything but wait." She sighed. "I'm not even sure if the one sending me emails was my mother or my father pretending to be my mother."

"Why would your father do that?" His forehead wrinkled.

"To protect me, most likely. I know my father so well. He wouldn't want me to be hurt."

"Most fathers are like that. We protect our children from any harm," Bren said. "We just do not know how to show it the right way."

"You're right, Uncle. My father looks cold from the outside, but he is warm inside." She glanced at Zane. "He knows that. He knows my father."

Bren gave his son a puzzled look. "You know Aera's father? Wow! Son, you know how to win the heart of the girl you like."

"Dad! We're friends. Aera would kill me later." He gave her an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. Don't get mad at me."

"Why would I get mad at you?" She laughed. "Oh, that's our old house." She pointed at the big white house at the corner of the street. Bren parked the car in front of it. "It seems someone just moved in." They saw a trucking service and a few men, taking out furniture from the truck to the house.

Aera got out of the car and approached the driver, who just got out of the truck.

"Excuse me, may I ask if the owner of the house is in there? We are the former owner of the house. We just want to greet them."

"Really? I thought this was her old house and they just went back here. She's inside." He pointed towards the gate.

Aera got confused because of the driver's response. "T-thank you, Sir."

"What does that mean?" Zane was also confused when he heard it.

Aera, Zane and Bren went to the gate and peeked to see the owner, but she was shocked when she saw her mother hugging a man she did not know, who was carrying a young boy about six or seven years old.