Her Dawning Empire: The Prophecy

Chapter 38

"It's an eye of Aaru." He confirmed and I gulped at what that entailed.

Anouke had come that close to me.

Emut tensed again at the confirmation.

"We need to show Negus." He instructed, not moving his eyes away from the eye carving.

Demir nodded at his words before turning around and tilting his head at Sierra.

"I suppose we could take the leg." He contemplated, making Debra and Sierra squeal in synchronisation. I rolled my eyes at his words.

"Demir! We're not taking her leg off." I scolded to which he scoffed, drumming his fingers against the floorboard beside her form.

"Well, we're not taking the wretch as a whole; she sounds like a banshee." He said bluntly, a bored expression on his face and Emut tutted at Demir's words.

"We only kill things of value, Demir." He scolded, making me nudge him in the ribs. He turned to me with an amused look even when Debra glared at him.

"What do you propose we do then?" Demir asked and I thought for a minute before turning to my drawer, opening it. Both males watched as I reached in and pulled out the Polaroid camera. I had won it in a university writing contest; not even Debra knew I had it.

By the looks of it, she wasn't too happy about that as I moved closer to Sierra. She glared at me with all that she could muster, but I didn't so much as spare her a second glance. Instead, I directed my attention to the eye carving. It had been a little over a month of my not being here and, yet, the carving was as fresh as it had been when I left. I clicked the picture and the boys watched intrigued as the small laminate photo slid out the bottom. I waved it slightly in my hand before moving to Emut, ignoring Debra as she cursed me out.

"It takes a minute to develop but it's done." I said, placing the photo into the back pocket of my shorts. Emut nodded at this before signalling to Demir.

Demir stood up at this, backing up. He picked his weapon up which was loosely drawn as he watched Debra rushing to Sierra and moving towards the, now, sat up Richard who was glaring at Demir.

The three of them together, hugging like this reminded me of the night I left. Or, rather of the realisation I had come to. The three of them- they were a family and, I, an intruder. It was pointless for me to have tried so hard for their affection. I was not destined for it.

Emut turned to me.

"If we're done getting the evidence, do you want us to finish them?" He asked casually, his eyes reading into mine and I let out a stuttered sound, swivelling around as Debra let out a shriek of protest. She moved slightly in then, a small shaky smile making a way to her red face as she reached her arms in my direction.

"Hanna, baby! Come on, what is this?! Why don't you tell them to leave and we can talk this out as a family? Huh? Over a nice cup of tea." She said in an uncharacteristically and sickeningly sweet voice. I merely looked her up and down as she spoke.

"I don't like tea." I said simply and stoically, watching as she struggled over her words, eyeing the males warily.

She was desperate now, I could tell, but it didn't faze me now. Not anymore. There was a time when I would have died to be called 'baby' or be asked to join in with their small 'girl chats'. However, that was before I had discovered my own worth. Something they hadn't even cared for.

Remember, they didn't do you a favour by adopting you and don't let them tell you that.

I don't know what you've been through and I can't change it either. But, I'll always be here to listen, if you need me

Things going wrong- that's a way of life and it always will be. I won't be upset over ruined materials when you're there hurt

There were others there that had cared to ask; they had wanted to know my plight. And here I was, seeking validation from someone who viewed me as a stranger. I had considered them my family- Debra, my mother and Sierra, my sister. When I didn't even have to try to attain the motherly affection from Faridha. Or, beg Ayla to talk and support me.

The sudden thoughts of Ayla made me turn to Demir and Emut, my eyes clouded with concern.

"What if the Bakenanouke found the house? Negus and the others?" I asked worriedly to which both boys turned to each other. Emut looked to the wall vacantly at this and I recalled that he had left after arguing with Negus.

"It's possible." He let out and Demir nodded. I sighed at this before moving to the mirror.

"We need to try to leave then." I rushed out in panic, feeling suddenly more concerned for the plight of the others, but also worried about what would happen if I couldn't do it again.

Debra let out a small noise at this and I turned, remembering she was still there.

"Hanna, honey, don't leave! Stay, please!" She almost but begged, probably thinking I was headed to the window. I frowned at her words before turning back to the mirror. She was of no importance anymore.

I could see her from the reflection as she tried to move closer, but Demir and Emut stood in front of me, so I could concentrate on our escape. I closed my eyes, trying my best to drown out her wails of protests, even Richard had joined in now with his mock 'authoritative' voice.

"Ana iza arooh Aaru." I whispered before opening my eyes and reaching to touch the mirror.

"Don't leave! I didn't waste nearly 14 years on you to not get that gold!" Debra's scream stopped me short and I halted in my actions, turning to face her.

"What did you say?" I asked inquisitively, but instead of looking sheepish over the slip, Debra smiled snarkily, her arms folded over her silked form.

"Oh, you think you were specially chosen?! The whole town heard of you- the baby left on the steps of Orange Grove Foster Care with a cradle full of gold. You were even wearing a gold bird pendant, for Pete's sake! We were just the first to get to you!" She snapped out and I stood speechless at her words.

"W-what?" I let out meekly and she smirked angrily before continuing.

"Yeah, and those bastards wouldn't let us touch any of it. You see, you were named a minor beneficiary and only when you reached the age of 21 were you to inherit it! Just a year more of tolerating the hardships! That's all we had left!" She let out adamantly, her face red with all the shouting.

I felt worthless. They had wanted me for the money; for the gold. But, a part of me felt relieved now that the truth had been disclosed. Many a time, I had thought about why they had taken me in. And, all those times, I had come up with nothing. So, I let myself think that it was because somewhere deep down they did love me; they just had their own strange way of showing it. But, it was all a lie.

All of it.

I couldn't think of what to say next; I didn't have it in me. Thankfully, it was someone else who breached the heated silence.

"Did you say bird pendant?" Demir asked suddenly, moving in and I watched as they all flinched back at this. He rolled his eyes at this, waiting as Debra watched him in fearful defiance, choosing not to answer. His eyes darkened at this, his form towering over her.

"I don't take kind to waiting for even the highest of ranks. What makes you think I'd spare a second for a worthless being such as yourself? I suggest you answer before I determine if your insides are as pink as your attire." He said cynically to which Debra let out a small hurried nod.

Richard and Sierra stood behind Emut as he turned to place his focus on Debra.

"A gold bird pendant of blue and gold." She let out hurriedly and I turned in confusion as Emut looked to me.

"A symbol of Isis." He said simply and I stilled at his words. My actual mother had left something behind to me this whole time and I was unaware. Perhaps, it could prove useful to the cause.

Emut turned to look at Demir then.

"I guess we're staying on Earth for a little while longer."