Chapter Three

Despite having to still deal with the suspension and ultimately, expulsion from school, being alone at home, and the terrible human being that I found myself to be, things were getting better by the day. I had made admirals in school. Roshan was a perfect match.

In spite of all the rumours going all round about me, Roshan made it a thing of duty to always see me, and we were nearly always together. I kept our relationship completely guarded, because I didn’t want my parents to know about us

*****

“Daria!”

The one person who could ever call me at this time of the day was mother. Father generally never called after lunch, unless it was to play with me. I dropped my toys on the floor and ran towards the kitchen door, feeling that she was about to send me to get something from the store for dinner.

“Daria, please, I want you to go over to Marcus’s store and get me some tomatoes for stew tonight. Be quick! The sun is about to set.”

“Okay mum.”

“Here, that’s three dollars. Now go.”

I looked at her and smiled, turning to door. However two steps forward, I stopped.

“Is there anything else?”

“Mother, why is it that I always guess correctly what you call me for?”

She seemed a little put off at my question as her answer clearly proved.

“Maybe, because, I make similar requests of you. So you kind of get to know what I might want you to do at a particular time...”

“Every time, mum?”

“Well that sounds a bit crazy. When you get back, you can ask father about it dear.”

I smiled at her dodge. I knew dad would not have an answer to that. That fact she was well aware of.

“Okay mum,” I answered hopping out of the house on my errand.

“Your special abilities only predicts that I time for its use in on the way.” She called behind me. I would be foolish if I did not take those words seriously.

******

The surrounding air grew tense. Along the serrated surrounding mountains an endless storm was rapidly approaching. For those who knew the time and season they lived in, there was no need for any surprise. However, things were far from normal. The rapid tapping of hurrying feet all over the high roads could be significantly heard over long distances, as many moved rapidly homewards.

Continuous rumbling of thunder tore and shattered all over the surrounding atmosphere. The lightenings' zigzag lines filled the dark sky with brilliant flashes. It was but for a moment, and again, the thick darkness, seemingly thicker now, re- descended onto the surroundings slopes. In one of those flashes a beautiful meadow dominated by the pitch darkness, was revealed.

In that little clip, the image of a little scared lad who sat shivering by a smouldering fireplace was unveiled. Behind him stood a little rough-looking homestead. Beside this a huge litter of dumped refuse stood to the right end. It looked like a giant boulder in the thick darkness. To the left of the hut stood a crude looking kitchen with a little candle burning within.

To those who lived in Vermissa, the poverty suffered by the occupants of this home was an unbelievable crisis. Vermissa valley, also known as the coal and iron district was a place predominated by willing, hardworking, well to do individuals, that the sight of a poor fellow gave rise to wonder and sometimes gossip in all the area.

Steven sat shivering by the fireplace. He glanced slowly round. Strange, even his own home scared him now. He was at a loss as to what was happening or what it would lead to. Sure he was, however, that the sounds and lights he was seeing did not sound like a favourable omen. He had a strange feeling of a terrible consequence occurring as an aftermath of the signs he now beheld.

Gazing up into the terrified sky he was met with a strange sight. ‘It seems that there is something coming down in this direction' he thought. Sure enough, there, covering a part of the full moon was a large, irregular object. It was seemingly burning. A tiny burning body in the sky. Red streaks of light were very visible from it’s high vantage point. This was certainly a strange thing to behold. How he wished he had a telescope.

“Father! Father! Come over and see. Please, come over at once!” he said turning round on the stone chair in his enthusiasm. 'Father must know something of this' he thought. 'Father knows all.' The strange phenomenon that was beholding had totally baffled him. Tiny beads of sweat ran slowly down his forehead, and down his chin. No it was not fear. He was feeling hot. And yet the night had been chilly a while ago. Could it be that the body was actually burning?

The door of the hut swung open and a slithering shadow emerged against the bright light within. There was no mistake in that florid face with matted hair, the bigger, grown up version of the lad by the fire. He emerged from the house with a florid tea cup in hand, of which he took a sip of at the door. The little boy grinned at his approached, and sat by his side. Placing a caring hand over his head, he face closed in for a kiss. He was halfway down at it when it all happened...

Lightening flashed, longer stronger and higher than previously. Father drew son close to his bosom, as the tearing, rattling sound continued. A sort of indescribable fear enveloped him. He smiled into his face, but the fear within him spoke differently from the person he was trying to be.

"Father, what is going to happen to us?", Steven asked, with great concern written on his face.

"I don't know, my son.” His father replied, stroking his hair lovingly, “But I assure you of one thing, you will be safe"

The tightened themselves in a hug, sharing their fears and comforts when a third hand joined in the hug. It was the woman of the house. No person anywhere at any time, can break up the love and peace this family shared within, nor would anything do so in future.