Inheritance

Chapter One

~10 years later~

I walked into the elevator, coffee in hand, papers in the other. My black purse was draped over my back and under my arm. Six other people were crammed into the small transportation vehicle as well. I knew them by name and as coworkers, but not as people.

Gerald, Hewitt, Mabel, Cindy, Lucy, and Fred. Their names ran through my mind fast, without my knowledge. We all flooded off the elevator, parting our separate ways. Hewitt and Mabel went straight, Lucy went right, and the rest of us went left.

I sat down in a desk and slowly typed in my password to the computer. GRANDFATHERSLETTER. The password helps to keep me reminded of everything. Of him. Lately, I've been missing parts of him in my memories, I've been losing him...

I played with the chain around my neck, looking at my home screen. It was a picture of Grandfather and I, right before he died. About a week. I was thirteen then. The chain I wore had a small desk key hanging on it. The key to the second to last drawer in the very desk I sat in.

I slowly slid the key in the slot, and then I pulled the drawer open.

Black and white photographs of Grandmother and Grandfather lay strewn across the bottom of the drawer. More modern photographs with me in them joined the grey swirl. The envelope, laying on it all, caught my eye however.

The envelope was old, yellow, and crinkled, with a white wax seal. The seal belonged to my family, and I remembered drawing that seal so many times for every family reunion of my father's side. Mother didn't have a family crest symbol. I never knew why. The seal was a picture of a griffin, with a large stone castle behind it. Stars dotted the sky above the creature. I never got the beak right on the griffin. It was arched so beautifully, yet I could never get it quite right. 

Of course I would always complain to Grandfather about how it always looked wrong and then ask him for advice. He would always tell me that he loved me, and that I never disappointed him and that I drew better than he did. Finally, I would laugh as he poured water down my shirt like he always did and then I him and so on. Grandfather always loved to play with water.

I realized that I was crying. I quickly left for the restroom.

I looked in the mirror to see my mascara running. I slowly wiped my eyes and touched up everything. I jogged out of the restroom and walked down the hallway slowly. I walked to my desk...

The envelope was gone.

In its place was a small note.

Hey,
I know how much this means to you, but I need a favor. This is just insurance to make sure you take care of it. If you chicken, I burn the envelope. So don't. Anyway, you better do as I say. One request. No more. No less.
- Your best pal, Walter 

Some friend.