The chamber turned to a graveyard when Sia left as everyone’s mind was filled with thoughts.
Silas and his mother shared looks that spoke a thousand words than the mouth would have.
This meeting didn’t go as planned. They thought their words would scare Sia and have her obey their orders but what happened was the total opposite.
Sia’s act just shows she’ll never give up that property no matter what.
Elder James cleared his throat which cut through the silent-ridden room and everyone drew their eyes to him.
He sat down, rubbing his stubbled chin. His lower lip was tucked between his teeth.
“From what Mrs. Monson said, I think Mr. Monson willingly relinquished everything to her. It’s not something he did out of persuasion.” He spluttered, taking Silas and his mother by surprise.
Silas’s mother leaned forward and gushed, “that doesn’t go in line with the family’s norm. He broke the norm and the powers she possesses should be taken from her, elder James.”
James could smell the hatred that spiced her words. He knows the raw hatred she has for Mr. Monson and his wife, Sia and that’s the reason she and Silas are endeavoring to impound all they can from the widow.
“There was a time the norm was broken just like it is now…”James began and everyone listened raptly.
“Then, the ruling Monson so much loved his wife that he wanted everything to be hers. He wanted her to be happy. He wanted her to possess power. He wanted her to always smile. Do you know why?” He paused and glanced around to see if anyone can attempt an answer.
Everyone muted, staring pointedly at him. Silas was gnashing his teeth, fists balling, and anger brewing deep inside him.
Silas’s mother had an inkling where this story is heading to. She knows the story will not end up in their favor which makes her rage inwardly.
The meeting was supposed to end up in their favor. Silas made sure he fed James with lies and lies everyone would believe without a second thought but James is not ruling this in their favor.
James is speaking in Sia’s favor or is it not?
She’s perplexed.
She can’t pinpoint where James is hitting at.
Is he for them or against them? She knows not and it makes her seethe.
In the Monson family, every first son born into the family bears the name Monson. However, these are some of the things Sia doesn’t know. If she had given the late Mr. Monson an heir she’d also name him Monson.
“That’s because he not only loves his wife but she was full of wits. He knew from afar that she’d lead the family well when he’s gone.” James paused, grabbed the glass of water from the table, and downed it.
“Well, she never had an heir at that which was why the ruling Monson relinquished the powers and all to her. When he died the widow found out she was two weeks pregnant. Months later she gave birth to a boy and heir. While the boy was growing, she ruled the family. She was the most powerful woman in the states then. This went on and on until the boy turned eighteen and the widow transferred all the powers she has to him.”
James took relief and grinned.
“That boy is your husband, Rose,” James said to Silas’s mother, whose eyes reddened with anger.
He turned his eyes to Silas and uttered. “That boy is your father, Silas.”
He grinned. “So you see the norm was at one time broken until your late father and husband transferred everything to Monson who died months ago. And Monson must have loved his wife dearly which made him transfer the powers to her. Breaking the norm of the family for the second time.”
Silas knows that Monson’s reason for giving everything to Sia was because they hate each other. Monson hated him and never wanted him to take over the family. He had mentioned that to him a long time ago but that’s a secret he kept to himself.
“I don’t agree with that James. Monson never did this deliberately. That Sia has a hand in it. She knows everything about this family and knows that possessing the powers will place her above us. She knows that.” Silas pressed, trying to gain James’ support.
James stood up from his seat and glanced at Silas and the rest of them on the table before wording, “if you so believe she pressured Monson to do this, then you’ve to bring proof. That’s the only thing that can make me take action, Silas.”
After saying this, James veered on his heels and pranced out of the room.
Silas ran his hands on his cheeks, frustrated.
Other elders who are in support of them were equally confused because only James can confiscate the powers from Sia.
Someone cleared his throat and whispered, “Maybe you should find some evidence. Something that can validate your claims and we’ll take the right steps.”
Silas curdled on his seat, staring at nothing in particular while his mind wandered places as thoughts consumed him.
Until all the elders exited the room did his mother speak.
“Maybe you’ve to turn the table around. Let someone take the blame for his death.” She murmured, drawing Silas’s attention.
“Meaning?” He asked with narrowed eyes.
“Someone has got to take the blame. Someone should be faulted for his death ” She said, brows cocked.
Silas hunkered his head between his shoulders, lost in thoughts.
However, at that moment Liam was already driving Sia home.
She acted so unlike her on their way home because she stirred a conversation with Liam. Well, it was more of a question.
She looked outside her window, taking in the dark sky and the streets brimming with streetlights, pedestrians, and vehicles.
“So, where did you grow up, Liam?” She asked, eyes peering outside the window.
For some unknown reason, Liam was happy answering her questions.
“San Francisco ma’ am.” He responded, turning the wheels around.
“Really? That sounds nice. You had siblings?” She asked again.
Liam shook his head ‘no’ before uttering, “not at all. Just me and…mother.” He paused before uttering further. “I was adopted.”
That made Sia cut her eyes on him. Liam could feel her eyes piercing the back of his head and it made all his hairs rise.
“Adopted. When? Did she tell you?” She asked. She likes Liam.
Liam is different.
Liam is intelligent.
She wants to know more about him. How he grew up and what his life was like when growing up.
Did he grow like her who suffered so many challenges?
Or did he have a sweet and memorable childhood?
“I was only told that one day she’ll tell me how she picked me up.” He muttered but Sia heard all he said.
“She still hasn’t said a thing to you?” She questioned again, earning a vigorous head shake from Liam.
“She said when things clear. I will ask and she’ll explain.” He answered.
Sia scrunched up her brows, “that’s weird. It seems your mother has secrets to tell. I’m just assuming. But why aren’t things clear to you?” She probed further, leaning back against the window.
‘Because I dream a lot of things and all the images are a blur.’ Liam muttered inwardly.
“I actually don’t know, ma’am.” He responded.
“Oh, I see. Well, then I hope things become clear so she’ll tell you all you need to know.” She said, tapping her hand on her thighs.
After that, silence engulfed them and Sia began replaying all the things she spouted in the meeting today.
She likes her act there. The confidence just brimmed her from nowhere and she likes it…a lot.
Liam stopped when the traffic light turned red, but one truck driver driving at a full speed
didn’t pause when the traffic light turned red across from them, and as a result of that accelerated speed he was on, he dived toward Sia’s car. Liam struggled with the steering wheel to swerve from their stead and avoid the oncoming truck.
But suddenly they felt squished as their car flipped upside down and all they could see is the outburst of smoke.
Sia coughed, hard. Trying to sit right but the blood oozing from her forehead smudged her vision. The seat belt tucked her tightly to the seat.
She called on Liam, but he barely responded. He, too, was coughing hard as smoke littered his lungs.
With her smudged eyes, she saw something yellow emanating from their car.
Sia became alert likewise Liam.
‘No, no, no, this is how it shows up in my dreams. This is it.’ Liam roared inwardly. Fear beclouded him. Breath flay from his lungs.
Sia saw this again in her life.
Her lips wobbled, hands shaky. She wheezed for breath.
She tried to wrestle the seatbelt from her waist.
Until those howls of pain.
Those cries of agony.
Those weeps of displeasure.
The yelp for an end to the misery her mother cried six years ago boomed in her ears.
The cries, weep, howls, and wails assaulted her.
Then Sia shouted.
Fire.
Fire.
Fire.
She jostled with the seatbelt, tore it apart, and bolted for the door.
“It’s locked. Jesus. It’s locked!” She cried out.
She saw Liam gripped by dread as she is.
‘He’s fidgeting. He’s jittering. He…has fear for fire.’ She screamed inside her.