They all sat at the table and everyone started saying a few things about each other. It would be the last time they would see and they had to say their goodbyes to one another. Lucas decided to go first, “I want to say that I have never regretted my coming here,” he began as everyone focused on him. “I got to meet amazing people. I know when I leave this world, I won’t forget you all in a hurry.”
“Thanks a lot, Lucas,” Gwen said with a smile on her face. “I can’t still believe that you all would be leaving…” She held Phoebe’s hands and covered them with hers. “…especially you, sis.” Phoebe’s eyes were already filled with tears. “I am sorry that I haven’t been the best sister to you.”
“No, Gwen, you have been the best sister I could ever ask for.”
Gwen shook her head, “I know you are just saying this to make me feel least bad for myself but I know exactly what I did wrong and I want to ask you to forgive me from the bottom of your heart.”
“I have never for once held any grudges against you, sis.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “You have been so good to me and I know that the reason why you behaved the way you did was because of your love for Chad.”
She bowed her head. She felt arms wrapped around her shoulders and when she looked up, she saw Phoebe hugging her tenacity. “I love you so much, Gwen.”
“I love you too, Phoebe.”
“Enough of that please, I am going to puke if this goes on.” Chad teased.
Everyone laughed and Phoebe returned to her seat.
“I am not going to request for much but I need you both to promise me that nothing will happen to her,” Chad looks at the prince and Lucas.
“I cross my heart that I will protect your sister with my life.” The prince said.
“I will protect her with my life as well,” Lucas promised.
Chad walks up to Phoebe and hugged her. “I love you so much, Phoebe, and I would be lying if I say I am not scared.”
“I know, Chad but I have to do this,” she pulls him away from her a little and looked at him. “I have two guards…” she looks at the Prince and Lucas and smiled. “…I feel that my life is secured already.”
“Promise me that you will take good care of yourself.”
She nodded with a smile. “I promise.”
“We have to start preparing for the journey.”
“Let us know if you need anything.”
“Thank you.”
The three of them left the house to the prince’s apartment and they prepared themselves for the journey ahead.
“I am going to miss her,”
“Me too.” Chad sat down and folded his arms as he thought about how his world would be without her in the picture.
“Wait!” Gwen said as Chad turns to look at her. “What are we going to tell mom when she comes back?”
Chad forgot all about his mother. He couldn’t believe he didn’t think about that before sending Phoebe away. “We just need to pray she doesn’t ask.”
“How is that possible?”
“We could tell her that…”
A knock interrupted their discussion. “That could be Phoebe,” Gwen said as she went to open the door. “Mom?” she called.
“Why are you surprised to see me?” Claudia looked at her before entering the house.
“Mom,” Chad called with surprise written all over his face. “What are you doing here?”
“What am I doing in my own house?” Claudia asked them and Chad realized how stupid his question was.
Chad laughed, “I was going to ask why you are back so early.”
“I got tired of the trip.” She answered. She looked around and was surprised that Phoebe wasn’t out to greet her yet. “Where is Phoebe?” She asked. “Can’t she hear my voice?”
“She went out to get something,” Gwen answered. “Why don’t I get you warm water so you can have your bath?”
“That would be nice.”
“I will take your bags upstairs,” Chad carried her bags and they all went upstairs.
After Claudia had settled in, Chad and Gwen left her room and went outside the house. “What should we do now?”
“I will make the bath for mom while you go and get Phoebe.”
Chad nodded.
Gwen went inside to prepare a warm bath for Claudia while Chad ran to the prince’s apartment. He knocked at the door severally but there was no response. He knocked again but still no response.
“They just left here a few minutes ago,” a voice said.
Chad turned and saw a lady hanging her clothes on the rope from upstairs. “Thank you, ma’am.”
“You are welcome.”
Chad ran as fast as his legs could carry him. He had no idea where he was going but he knew he had to run.
Claudia was waiting for the water when she remembered the amulets. She went to where she hid it only to find out that it was missing. She tried to calm herself down. Maybe I forgot where I left it. She told herself. She searched the room and every possible place she knew she could have hidden it but she couldn’t find it. “Gwen! Chad!” She called.
“Yes, mom,” Gwen answered. She brought the bowl of water needed for her mom’s bath.
“Where is Chad?”
Gwen could tell from her mom’s voice that something had happened. “Where is Chad?”
“Um… he left to get something.”
“Oh! Everyone is going to get something, right?”
“He just left now.”
“Who took the amulets from where I kept them?”
“Amulets?” Gwen asked pretending not to know what her mother was talking about. “I don’t know.”
“So, you are telling me that the amulets grew legs magically and left the place I hid them, is that what you are saying?”
“No, mom.”
“Go and look for Chad and Phoebe for me this instant!.”
Gwen rushed and left the house.
Claudia continued to search the room with the hope that she would find the necklace.