Chapter 3: The Golden Crest (2)
He looked at me as if I was mad. "What did you say?"
"Lucas, let your family come here and stay in the house. You too. I will be the one left in your house for them to find. I was the one who took the crest."
Lucas swallowed. "Shia, I can't let you–"
"Listen to me!" I demanded. "You can't go to the prison. It's not your fault. You have a family to support Lucas. You can't leave them behind."
"But Shia–"
"That's the easiest way. When the crest will be return and the guilty will be punished, they will forget about it easily. And besides, I won't die. I will only go to prison."
I can tell that Lucas is weighing down the choices. "No." he suddenly said. "I will not allow you to go to the prison."
"Oh, shut up!" I snapped. "Can't you see? Nothing will lose if I go to the prison. While you, there are five people who might immediately die if you disappear."
"Shia–"
"We don't have a time to lose, Lucas. Let's go." I pulled him out of the house and rush into the rain. From not far of a distance, we saw some light from the people that are scattered on the hillside where you can see the Titan. Lucas is quiet. I don't know what he is thinking but I know he doesn’t have a choice.
His siblings and his mother don't know what is happening when we arrive and we only said that they must leave. Though his younger siblings are sleepy, they look at me and still managed to smile.
"Ate Shia." they greeted me.
"What is going on Lucas?" Mrs. Tyler asks her son.
Lucas didn't reply. He took the scarfs that were hanging on the wall and he put it one by one to his siblings and mother. When everyone is ready he looks at me. I was still holding the crest.
"Shia," he started.
"Hurry, Lucas," I said. “They might come here anytime"
"I will find a way. I will prove that I didn't do anything and set you free. Please wait for me."
His family looks back and forth to Lucas and me.
I breathe a sigh and force a smile.
"As long as you will promise that you won't leave them and you will take care of them," I said, referring to his family.
For many years I viewed them as my family. Because of the Tyler somehow I didn't feel that I was alone. They gave me a direction in life when I thought I'm useless to remain in this world.
Lucas suddenly embraced me. "Shia, you'll promise that you will wait for me. I will do my best to set you free."
I nodded while he is embracing me. "I promise Lucas," I replied. My eyes started stinging and I can't help but feel the stupid tears rolling down my eyes. I immediately wiped it so he wouldn't find out.
"Shia," Lucas whispered. "Shia, I like–"
I froze. I felt some people coming here. There are four of them, they came from the direction of Titan Academy. "Lucas, they are here. You need to leave. Hurry."
Lucas let go of me. He managed to lead his family out of the house through the backdoor. Lucas family are still wondering what is going on especially his mother. She looks at me and I can almost feel that she knows what's happening. When they all got out, I look at Lucas for the last time.
"Take care," I said to them.
He just nodded. "Shia, I will bring you out from that place. Just wait for me."
I forced a smile. "Now go," I ordered.
A few minutes later I’m the only one left inside the Tyler's house.
I stared at the golden crest on my palm. It was small and round, it doubled the size of a gold coin. Engraved was a lion with wings on both side of the body, and two swords that crossed in front of it.
I can feel the four pairs of feet getting nearer every second. They are talking but I can't hear what they are saying. I can only feel them. Their positions, their heights. One of them is a woman, two men are conversing, and a man in the rear who is silent.
They stop at the front door. They stared at each other. The woman knocked. I breathe deeply and went to the door. This time I know there's no turning back.
The shock on their faces is obvious when I opened the door. The two of them stared at each other. A male with a blonde hair and the other was a bit brownish.
"Dude, you didn't say that there’s a chic." mumbled by the blonde hair. The girl with them is looking at him in annoyance. The girl has a shoulder length black hair and a fair complexion.
They are almost at my age. They wore an expensive coat made in a black leather with the golden logo of Titan Academy. They looked out-of-place in Lucas house. They look shining because of their clean and tidy look. The way they all stood is full of superiority and confidence. They are students from Titan. The girl looks at me from head to toe as if assessing me. A while later she spoke.
"Is this the house of the Tyler?" Her voice is too precise, too perfect. It was almost as smooth as silk and remarkably angelic.
"It is," I replied in my usual voice. If compared to her voice, mine was like the sound of a frog. I noticed that they are looking around the house.
"Are you the only one living here, or are there someone else?" the girl ask once again.
I tried not to sound intimidated. "It's just me," I answered.
The woman's brow raised and went inside. She bumped at my shoulder. I don't know if she meant to do that. The two men followed her while the fourth man of their group remained at the doorway. It seems he has no intention to join. He just looks at his companions.
"We are from the Titan Academy." the woman said and started to touch the household items. "We are here to find something."
I couldn't help but stare at the man. He is tall with raven black hair and intense gray eyes. You couldn't find any expressions on his face. But his aura is saying something else. I can sense danger. He is full of authority to the point of being alarming.
"Team captain." the browned hair man faced me.
"We will start."
I wake up from my daze when I heard her said that. I turned to the three. "No need." I snapped.
They stop and look at me. The Team Captain raised his eyebrow as if I said something that interests him. I gulped but I still manage to meet their eyes.
"I have the thing you are looking for," I announced.
A ghost of amused smirk crossed the Team's Captain's lips. As if he didn't expect me to admit.
It took a whole minute before the woman with them spoke. "And what would that be?" she asked seriously. Any form of enjoyment has now vanished from her face.
I showed my palm for them to see. And there began my useless life to change.
***
TL’s note: Ate – read as ‘aa-te’ means big sister. Don’t confuse it to ate(eat).
Author's note:
Breathe deeply. Can you still go on? Lol.
By the way, Shia is pronounced as “Shee-Ya” someone inquired me.
Until the next update! Don't be a silent reader, please.
@april_avery