Kingdom of Deception

Chapter 4: Tell Me Everything

    It was quiet in the Lockwood manor. Everyone was starting to wind down for the night, Alice included. "Alice, your grandfather wants to talk to you." Iris had peaked her head into the young girl's room. Alice was reading a book in the chair by her small fireplace, she glanced up and nodded. The girl stood up and stretched, reluctantly leaving her book on the seat. As Alice walked down the hallway, she wondered why she was being called. Her grandfather usually didn't ask to see her alone, it was concerning.

"Grandfather? You wanted to see me?"

    Alice entered the large room and stood in front of the door. Her grandfather looked up from his book and smiled at her. He motioned for her to sit next to him on the bed, "Yes, I have important matters to discuss with you." Alice walked over and sat next to the elderly man. Her eyebrows were furrowed and she was worried about the content of the discussion. "Is something wrong, Grandfather?" The man laughed off her concern and shook his head, "No. I just want to talk to you about the future. I want you to know how you will carry on after I am gone." Alice was caught off guard by how serious the topic had gotten. "What do you mean? I'm already learning about the company, And I know that I would own the house-" Lockwood placed his hand on Alice's knee. She paused and stared at her Grandfather, "You didn't mean the company, did you?" The look in Lockwood's eyes was telling, "No. I was talking about Maisie." Alice was again confused, "But, I'm not eighteen yet, I can't legally take care of her, if that's what you're implying." After a deep sigh, her grandfather gave her a bitter sweet smile. The silence was heavy and the tension was high, "There's something that I haven't told you about Maisie-"

"Grandpa, Grandpa!"

    Maisie came running into the room, interrupting Grandfather's sentence. I looked at her with wide eyes, she was out of breath and seemed to have something very important on her mind. "Grandpa." Grandfather looked at Maisie with a curious twinkle in his eye, "Maisie, what are you doing up?" Maisie completely ignored the man's question and ran straight to his side, "There was a man here today, with Mr. Mills." I was now alert, who was with Eli? Why didn't I know about it? "I'm sure it was just some business about the Sanctuary." Grandpa brushed Maisie off, but I cut in, "Then why wasn't I there to shadow?" Maisie nodded at me and looked back at Grandpa with urgency. "I heard them talking, they're going to sell the dinosaurs. They're going to bring them here!" My eyes widened at what Maisie heard, "I'm sure you misunderstood." Grandpa let out a chuckle as he patted Maisie's shoulder. "I know what I heard, Grandpa." The young girl stood firm. I got up and moved around the bed to stand beside her. "Maisie, it's past your bedtime." Grandpa tried to send her off, but Maisie was desperate. "Let's talk about it in the morning." Grandpa said. "Come on, Maisie. Let's go to bed." I lead Maisie out of the room. "Good night, my darlings." As soon as we got into the hallway, I turned Maisie toward me,

"Tell me everything you heard."