Streaks of Purple Saga Volume Two, Heather Ray [story read aloud txt] 📗

gotten the candle.”

A fierce snarl on his face, he once again launched into a fierce kick, aiming at the padded structure. Once again, he missed…by a good six inches.

Releasing a grunt of disgust, Jason left the Youth Center. Zack stared after him, pity in his gaze.

Chapter Six

In all honesty, she didn't know why she was hurrying after him. It was more of a reflex than a conscious decision, and no doubt it had surprised Angela to no end.

She watched the exchange between Zack and Jason. While she couldn't hear

what was said, she could read the torment in Jason's face. It left a powerful impression, to say the least. What could have happened to Tommy to make Jason feel so guilty?

True, he's been reported sick, and apparently Jason has taken the blame.

But how is that possible?

Still, while the questions swam through her mind, it was his expression that moved her to action.

She didn't want to ask questions, or try to make sense out of his erratic behavior. She just wanted to be there for him, as if somehow it could help him.

After all, without her mother and sister, dealing with her father's departure would've been impossible.

So, without hesitation she rose from her seat, and followed him out of the Youth Center. "Jason!"

Her first call received no response, despite the fact he was only a few yards in front of her.

"Jason, wait! Please!"

This time he responded, turning around slowly. It was obvious from his surprised expression that he hadn't expected to see her.

Alexis took the opportunity to catch up to him, jumping down the few stairs and hurrying along the sidewalk. Once she reached him, she did her best to smile.

"Can I help you?" he asked, his tone disturbingly flat.

Alexis' smile fell. "I... I thought maybe I could help you."

He considered this in silence, his eyes shifting from her towards the Youth Center he had just left. He shook his head. "I don't need help. I just need to think."

And with that, he turned his back to her, and continued on his way.

Alexis watched him leave. Part of her wanted to follow, but she knew deep down that chasing him wouldn't make him feel more at ease.

Instead, she decided to challenge him. "Did it ever occur to you that maybe that's your problem?"

"What?" he answered, stopping again.

This time, she didn't try to bridge the distance between them.
"Thinking," she answered, "You're thinking too hard about whatever it is that's eating you. You're obsessing over something, and it frustrates you that you have absolutely no power to change it. Unless you make an effort to just accept what's happened, all you'll do is think

about it!"

She'd gone through that stage, and only so recently forced herself to stop thinking about it. About what she lost, and worse yet, how she could have prevented it.

Jason was speechless, his gaze so hard and narrow Alexis was forced to glance away. She only looked back when the sound of footsteps reached her ears.

She sighed quietly when she saw him walk away from her.

Chapter Seven

She sat in darkness, chewing on her bottom lip absently while staring at the ceiling above her. Through the ajar door, she heard conversation buzz faintly from downstairs. Still, despite the celebratory atmosphere,
Alexis found herself downhearted.

So rather than interrupt the party, she secluded herself in the small, unused bedroom.

Even though the room was no longer regularly used, her skin tingled at the thought that he

lived there. He slept in that very bed, studied at that very desk, and stared out at the streets of Liverpool through that very window. He was once like her: a teenage just trying to make sense of the world, and find his place within it.

Unfortunately, he never did seem to find it.

The long squeal of the door inching open caused Alexis to jump from the bed in surprise.

“You’ve been terribly uneasy all day,” the visitor noted. She switched on the light, flooding the small room instantly. Alexis blinked as the light attacked her eyes, and then watched as her grandmother sat down beside her.

“I guess so, Nana,” Alexis responded. “I’m sorry I’m ruining the party.”

Wendy Darling smiled, squeezing her granddaughter’s hand. “You’re not ruining anything, Dear. I’m sure things have been hard on you. This was Peter’s room, you know.”

Alexis nodded quietly, her gaze slowly sweeping about the room for the hundredth time as she imagined her father as a boy.

“How’s Denise doing?” Wendy asked, “I see she didn’t make the party.”

“No; she has midterms,” Alexis reported. “College exams are nothing to mess with.”

Wendy smiled mildly. “Well, it’s all right. It was you I really needed
to talk to.”

“About what?”

Wendy then took Alexis’ hand. “Come with me.”

Alexis obliged, following her grandmother’s lead. They went down the hall of the large home and into the master bedroom, decorated with antique furniture that gave the spacious room an almost regal feel.

“You probably can’t even imagine this long ago,” Wendy began, sitting on her own bed and beckoning Alexis to follow, “but when I was seventeen, my father gave me something to be treasured. It was the first real affirmation of adulthood, to be entrusted with something so sacred to our family. And now, I’m going to give it to you.”

Alexis watched as her grandmother reached beneath the neck of her blouse, and pulled out a small golden key hanging like a pendant form her chain. She then laid it in Alexis’ palm.

“Be a dear and go into the safe in my closet,” she instructed. “You know the combination.”

“But what’s the key for?”

Wendy smiled. “You’ll see.”

Alexis complied, opening the small safe bolted to the floor of the spacious closet. She pulled open the heavy iron door, and gazed at the folders filled with important documents, valuable trinkets, and other prized possessions.

“There’s a small wooden box in the back, with an engraving.”

Alexis nodded, pushing aside objects in her path. Her gaze fell upon a box roughly the size of an index card, made of smooth cherry wood. The top was lined with a thin stretch of gold, and within that frame lay a graceful carving of a bird, its wings spread wide as it rose heavenward.

“It’s…beautiful,” Alexis whispered, cradling the box with both hands. She nudged the safe closed and exited the closet, lifting her awed gaze to her grandmother. “An antique jewelry box?”

Wendy shook her head, folding her hands on her lap. “No, the box was carved by my great-grandfather, Ernest Washington, who then gave it to his daughter, who gave it to her son, who in turn gave it to his only child. Me.”

Alexis’ eyes widened with heightened appreciation for the beautiful box.
“But…it’s what’s inside that is truly magnificent. The box was merely created as something worth of holding what was inside.”

Alexis blinked, and stared at her grandmother in surprise. “What’s inside?”

Wendy smiled mysteriously. “Why not use the key I gave you to find out?”

Alexis stared at the small golden keyhole on the box. She then approached the bed, laying the box on the mattress while kneeling on the lush carpet.

She lifted the small key, and slid it into the lock. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned the key, and slowly opened the box.

Within was a small golden coin, laying on a velvet pillow of rick violet.

“A coin?” Alexis inquired, lowering her head to look closer at the object. “With a picture of a bird?”

“It is an eagle,” Wendy corrected. “Now eagles are considered patrons of liberty, thanks to the United States using them as their symbolic animal. However, long before that, it was considered an almost regal animal, endowed with the power and grace of the gods.

“How long before?” Alexis wondered, gazing even closer at the heirloom.

“I’d say…as long ago as human history reaches.”

“This coin is that

old? But it looks brand new!”

Wendy smiled. “This coin has been passed down between friends and family members for millennia. And the story has been passed down with it. The reason why this coin has never tarnished is simple…it is no ordinary coin. It is magical.”

Alexis turned to her grandmother, staring at her incredulously. She then smirked. “Yeah…right.”

Wendy’s smile stretched. “Touch it.”

Alexis turned to the lustrous coin again. She then reach out, somewhat begrudgingly, and touched her fingertip to its surface.

She started as, upon contact, a slight jolt raced through her body.

“Wh…what was that?” she whispered, her voice weak with a measure of
fear.

“The energy of the coin,” Wendy explained. “It is a charm, that came to Earth in the hands of a mysterious being. She was a woman of glowing countenance, shrouded in rich purple. Her eyes were black as coals, deep with experience and power. Her hair shimmered as the sun, bright and pure. Some believe she was an Angel, or some other high being. But when she died, she left this coin with a human girl who helped her in her time of need. Since then, it has granted all the keepers good luck. It must be cared for.”

Alexis’ fingers hovered near the coin. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“Because I am giving it to you.”

Alexis startled again. “Me? Why me?”

Wendy then took her hand, and rubbed it gently. “Like I said, the coin has been passed down for millennia. Sometimes to dear friends. Sometimes to trusted family. Always to someone mature and responsible, so as to keep the coin protected. You’ve always been so dear to me, Alexis. So sweet…but so strong

. Your strength of character has always been an inspiration to me. You could survive anything.”

Alexis looked away, blushing at the praise. It