Four days after Shirley said she was going to stick by me, i didn't know she meant that literally. She has been glued to my side everyday when we are at school, pretty much everybody knows we are dating now.
Walking hand in hand after school, she took a turn heading to my apartment.
"Ehm, where are you taking me? Or have you forgotten what happened at my place?
"I know what happened silly, follow me though it's a surprise"
She's looking suddenly shy and that's dang suspicious. We walked together in silence just enjoying each other's company.
"What was your childhood like?"
She stopped and looked at me, surprised.
"I want to know but if you aren't comfortable sharing, it's okay" i said shrugging, resuming walking
She walks up to me and hooked her hand back in mine as she said "well growing up wasn't easy, I grew up in a temple. I trained at a very early age in almost everything, from languages to warfare. Nothing was overlooked by our high mother. She is the priestess of Maat and sometimes a conduit for the source.
"Where you born with your powers?"
"Have had them ever since I could remember, it's the mastery of it that didn't come easy for me. I was mocked and kicked about very much, every Maatite is called by the source and I was the only exception to that rule. I think the high mother just brought to the temple and started training me and it didn't go well with the others. But the high mother always encouraged me, looked after me but that only ensured I got pushed and beaten more often by my mates. Looking back I think she did it on purpose just to push me and it worked"
"Well, your childhood was colourful" I joked
"Sort of, we had some fun and interesting times" she said smiling.
We reached my place and she opened the door, wow, I thought. The whole place has been renovated, that I almost couldn't recognize the place. No worker could have done such a quick work of the place, unless some kind of spell.
"Did you do this?" I asked
"Me and some of my sisters did, with the high mother's permission offcourse.
"Thank you, really appreciate it" feeling short of words to show my gratitude towards her, I kissed her.
"If, that's my reward I guess it was worth it" she said smiling.
She was musing over something and it was clear to see in her expressive face. She wants to ask something and I can tell what it was without even reading her mind.
"Would you like something to drink?" I asked her.
"Yes, please"
I walked over to the refrigerator to check weather I had something cold to offer her, cause it has been unbelievable hot for sometime now.
"Would orange juice do?"
"It will"
I walked over to where she was sitted on the couch
"here it is" I watched as she drank it. Finally deciding to put her out of her misery and knowing am going to regret it, I said "We are going to Argob"
"What???" She literally screeched, I had noo idea she was capable of such noise.
"That's your father's realm, are you nuts?" She asked
"I thought that was what attracted you to me? Ow!!" She hit me on the head
"What did you do that for?"
"You deserved it. This isn't funny, Aiden. That's one of the most dangerous places, if not the most dangerous"
"I know but it's necessary. I have to get something there that can help me master my powers. Let's face it, right now I don't have a chance at protecting myself if I don't master my powers and time is what I don't have right now"
"Are you going alone?"
"No, am not. I have an escort"
"Just one?, Am coming with you" she said without much thought
"No, you are not. You just said it yourself, am going to a very dangerous place. You could get hurt"
"That's exactly why am following you. You need someone covering your ass"
She's looking like a lioness all of a sudden. I already knew she wasn't going budge. I suppose I feel somewhat comfortable letting her tag along. The reason, I don't know. but I do hope I don't regret it.
"Okay, have heard you"
"You.... wait, what??" She said stumbling over her words. She was preparing to argue with me before. I smiled, knowing I caught her off guard.
"I said okay" I replied.
"Okay....okay, but I hope you are not planning on ditching me. Cause let's face it's something you can do"
"I won't be ditching you, and my companion seems to think it's a good idea to take you. He already suggested I bring you" I told her.
"Really? At least one of you has brains"
"I don't trust his intentions where you are concerned, so pardon me if I didn't acclimate to the idea at first"
"Who is he?"
Sighing I told her "his name is Zain and he has been helping me. No, more like training me. No, I don't know who he really his before you ask. Have never seen him physically except for in my dreams"
"If he only appears in your dream, he is a dream walker. Plus he could be in a disguise"
"Yeah, his character seems shady, but he came at a time when I needed the help and support and he hasn't done anything to be suspicious of"
"Why, do you look skeptical after saying that?"
"Don't put doubt in my mind, Shirley"
"No, am not and you know it. The doubt is already there, am just the one voicing it out"
Everything she said was true and I know it, admitting it is just the problem. Ever since he mentioned the eye of Ra, the feeling of foreboding has refused to leave me. It's almost like am walking to my own grave. That's part of the reason I don't want Shirley following me.
"Lets drop this particular line of conversation" I said to her.
"Okay, what ....." Her eyes went unfocused like she's listening to another person.
"I have to go, am being summoned"
"I know, take care"
Giving me one last kiss before she vanished.
"Aiden, we leave tomorrow night. The preparations are complete" I heard in my head.
That was Zain and I didn't know he could speak to me outside of my dreams. Someone has been holding out on me.
"Where should we meet?" I asked
"In your apartment, and don't forget to bring your girl"
I guess it's time I discover whether this journey would be my doom, I thought before surrendering to sleep.