Vesta Mansion: Book One - The Power Inside

by P. A. Priddey

  ‘We’ll have to talk about your impatience when this is over,’ Alex snapped, as he closed his eyes.

  The wolf growled. I don’t want to be here, but I have to, and you make jokes.

  ‘No, not jokes.’ Alex opened his eyes and it appeared much darker. ‘I’ll make it on time and save them without you telling me to hurry every two seconds,’ he said, without knowing how he knew and ran furtively over to the window. He opened it and dropped down inside.

  Just the girls remember.

  The room was dimly lit by a light at the far end. He noticed many cages, all occupied, and walked over to the closest. The cages are padlocked.

  If you touch the lock it will open, said the wolf.

  He put his hand on the lock, and it clicked open to his amazement. He opened the door, and saw a young woman cowering at the back. ‘Go quickly,’ he whispered, as the moonlight shone through the window and she ran. The next cage a woman stood with her fists clenched.

  ‘If you come in here I will kill you,’ she said, in an African accent.

  ‘I’m not coming in, just opening it,’ he said, and unlocked the cage. ‘I’m Alex . . . I’ve come to get my daughters.’

  Her eyes widened. ‘Thank you, I am Asima.’

  Alex moved on opening all the cages looking for the girls, he found them in the last one. He opened it and saw two little figures huddled together in the corner. He couldn’t tell how old they were but for some reason he knew they were nine years old, even if they were small for their age.

  They leapt into his arms. ‘We knew you’d come,’ they said, hugging him. ‘We told the others you would.’

  He carried them out the cage towards the window where he saw Asima helping the other women escape. He lifted the girls and pushed them through.

  Why did you let them all out? The wolf asked.

  Alex was about to answer when a light came on behind him. ‘Run,’ he told the girls, and hid back in the shadows. The light came from an open door. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs as three armed men appeared.

  ‘The cages are empty,’ the biggest man shouted. ‘You look around to see if the women are hiding,’ he said to one man, ‘and you go out the window and see if you can find them,’ he told another.

  Alex felt cold sweat drip down his spine. He had to stop the man getting out and give the girls more time to get away. He moved to block him.

  Stop, I will handle him. He heard the wolf say. You take care of those in the cellar.

  Take care of them, he thought. I’ve never been in a fight in my life. He saw one man climb out the window and the urge to drag him back was unbearable. He stopped when he saw the shadow of a woman hiding. The shadow vanished when a larger one appeared. Alex had to hurry, there would be others coming and he would have no chance. He picked up a copper pipe and lunged at the man coming through the space between the cages. The man spotted him and sidestepped the attack, he was quick, but Alex managed to knock the gun out of his hand. He landed on his back, and before he could get up the man jumped on him. He felt hands on his throat, and grabbed the man’s wrists. Alex was surprised by his own strength when he managed to pull them off and roll over. Just one punch to the man’s chin was all it took, and he was out cold.

  ‘Nice work,’ a rough voice behind him said, as he stood. ‘Now you tell me where the girls are, or you die.’ He heard the click of a gun, there was nothing he could do. ‘Where are they?’ the man demanded.

  Alex heard the sound of someone grunting, and a dull thud hitting the floor. He turned around and saw Asima standing there with the copper pipe, and the body of a man on the floor. He smiled at her and she pointed towards the window. They climbed out and heard police sirens.

  What happened to the other man? Alex said in his mind.

  For some reason he ran away from me, said the wolf.

  The ones he freed huddled together under an oak tree. The two girls ran to him and he picked them up.

  ‘We knew you would come for us, Papa, we told them you would,’ one of the girls said again.

  He held them tight, he didn’t know why he loved these girls . . . but he did. The emotion he felt for them was overwhelming. The police arrived and swarmed all over the house. Alex wondered if he was needed with them being so close.

  ‘You gonna take us home now, Papa?’ said Adhara.

  NO, said the wolf.

  What? Alex thought. I can’t leave them here.

  I see, so you’re going to take them back to your one-bedroom-flat, and go to that job you love so much . . . leaving them alone every morning.

  Alex felt his stomach turn, and knew the wolf made sense. He had no means to look after two little girls. What am I here for then? What’s the point of me?

  You saved them, didn’t you?

  Did I really? The police have arrived and they would’ve done just as good a job.

  No, you’re wrong. The girls would’ve been murdered at the first sign of the police.

  What about now? I can’t just leave them.

  Not here, it’s not safe, you need to take them through the woods where there’s a car waiting for them.

  Alex shook his head. For them? You expect me to put them in a car and let someone drive them away.

  Yes, now let’s hurry as the police are coming this way, and turn your sight back on.

  Alex looked at Adhara. ‘Not yet, you have to go somewhere else while I sort out a home for us.’

  He closed his eyes, and felt them get warm before opening them. He slipped between the trees with the children, followed by Asima but the wolf blocked her way.

  If Asima was afraid it didn’t show as she stared at the wolf. ‘The only way you’re going to stop me going with the children is to kill me.’

  She cannot go with us . . . she’s not part of it.

  She is now, said Alex, and passed one of the girls to her while keeping his head turned down so she couldn’t see his eyes. She saved my life, and it’ll be easier to run carrying one girl.

  They ran through the woods and fields at great speed with Asima keeping pace with them effortlessly. Alex thought she too could see in the dark as no obstacle hindered her. They ran for thirty minutes without seeing another soul.

  I believe you were right about the woman, said the wolf.

  Alex watched her run. She’s good, and I’ll be happy if she’s with my girls, but why must I leave them?

  You’re not ready yet, you need a home for them, and where you live now is no good.

  Alex knew the wolf was right. His flat he lived in was too small, which made him feel worse. They approached a fence where he could see a car waiting with the door open. Alex closed his eyes to turn off the sight. He kissed Adhara on the head and put her in the car. He picked up Sarin and did the same. Asima climbed in after them.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Sickness and Dreams

  Blaze yawned as she opened her front door. ‘George, what’s going on?’

  A middle-aged man with glasses stood clasping his hands together. ‘Blaze, I’m sorry it’s such an ungodly hour, but I need to know if you can take care of some friends for a few days.’

  ‘Who are they?’

  ‘Two young girls and a woman.’ George waved at the car and they got out.

  ‘I’ve never looked after children before.’

  ‘I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need your help.’

  ‘I don’t know, it’s late,’ she said, as she looked down at the girls. Two scruffy little urchins, who looked up nervously, with their eyes going big. Blaze never had children of her own or even wanted them, until that moment. She knew these girls needed her. ‘Bring them inside.’

  ‘It won’t be for too long, only their father’s indisposed at the moment.’

  ‘You girls need a bath,’ Blaze told the twins. ‘I’ll have to find you something to wear while your clothes are in the wash, not that washing will do them any good.’

  George raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you OK, my dear?’

/>   ‘They need care, and are probably hungry, too,’ she said, looking at the girls, who both smiled as they stared up at her.

  ‘You’ll be paid of course, but if you need anything else just let me know.’

  ‘I don’t need payment, I’ll care for them so don’t you worry.’

  Blaze walked upstairs to run the bath and find something for the children and Asima to wear. The children’s clothes would be a little on the large size as she never had anyone so young stay before. As for Asima she had clothes to fit.

  An hour later Sarin limped into the room and Blaze bandaged her knee. With all three bathed, and wearing clean clothes, they were sitting in the living room eating omelettes.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Blaze. ‘I didn’t know what else to cook at such an hour.’

  ‘It is wonderful,’ said Asima. ‘And you should not say sorry for what you have done for us, we are in your debt.’

  Adhara tasted her meal. ‘It’s yummy . . . I can only remember eating cold porridge before today.’

  Blaze felt sadness for the girls, and a void in her heart was filled. After she took the children to a spare bedroom, and sat there until they fell asleep, she cried. She knew the happiness she had been presented with would soon be ripped away from her.

  * * *

  You must stop that, said the wolf, as they walked back through the fields with the moonlight shining down on them.

  ‘Stop what?’ said Alex.

  Worrying about the girls, it’ll do you no good.

  ‘I can’t help it. I saved them, and let someone else take them away.’ Alex didn’t know how or why the girls were his, nor did he care or want to question how it could be. It was a feeling that came from inside, a feeling of connection with them. The feeling of relief he felt when he saved them had turned to one of frustration as he let his girls go to be looked after by someone else. It should be him caring for them — it should be him protecting them.

  You had to, as you have too much work to do.

  ‘Work, I don’t imagine I’ve a job any more, as I don’t expect I’ll be going in today,’ said Alex, and didn’t care, as he had no intention of going back. He had needed his job, but hated it at the same time. Answering the phone in a complaints department to irate customers, and wouldn’t have been there if he didn’t need the money to pay the rent.

  You need to find a home for the girls, one that will be safe for them, said the wolf, and could you manage it with the job you have?

  Alex thought how impossible it sounded, as he could just about survive on what he earned. ‘No, you’re right, it was a stupid idea.’

  You will get help, so don’t worry.

  ‘Help? Who’s going to help me?’

  There are others who you’ll meet soon.

  ‘What’s happened to me?’ said Alex, still amazed at the fact he was walking without his stick, and could see in the dark.

  What was necessary for you to save your daughters, as you couldn’t have done it the way you were.

  Daughters, Alex thought, and smiled. ‘Is this some kind of set up?’

  How do you mean?

  ‘There was a car waiting, how could you have known I’d save them, and where to wait if you didn’t know where the girls were . . .? And if you didn’t know where the girls were, who told the police?’

  I’ve no idea who told them, but it put the girls in danger. As I said they would have been killed. We didn’t know where they were, and told to wait at a certain place and time. I hoped you would come, and part of me didn’t believe you would.

  ‘I’ve no idea why I went to the field where I first met you, or how I could sense where the girls were.’

  There are many things we don’t understand, said the wolf. We were just following instructions.

  ‘How many others are there?’

  Only a few we know of. We were given information a long time ago, and should be in a certain place at a certain time. Others are involved in some other capacity, but we have not seen them in a long time.

  ‘You say we?’

  I have a mate, but I’ve met a few of the others.

  ‘Others? Like bringing a car when nobody knew if I’d even come?’

  It was an idea a friend had. All we were told was you needed to be there to save them, and only you could.

  ‘I can understand why me, as they’re my girls, I somehow know that. There must have been others, fitter and stronger, I was nearly caught,’ said Alex, as he thought about what happened.

  This is no good, said the wolf, and stopped walking. I’m hearing your thoughts and words at the same time . . . I need to close your mind.

  It surprised Alex. ‘You can read all my thoughts?’

  For now, but I will show you how to communicate with your mind and not your mouth.

  ‘You mean telepathy?’

  Yes, that’s what it’s called. It’s the only way we can talk, as I cannot speak like you.

  ‘Is it something to do with your mouth?’ said Alex, trying to remember something.

  What? Said the wolf, confused.

  ‘Just something I read somewhere, something to do with the shape of your mouth.’

  How strange. I don’t know, maybe, I just never been able to.

  ‘What do you want me to do?’

  Think of what you want to say, and push the thought out to me.

  Alex thought about it, and gave it a go. Why me?

  Wymee, said the wolf.

  No, why me? This isn’t the easiest way to talk is it?

  It gets easier, and you won’t even notice after a while. You won’t need to do it with me, as I can hear when you talk normally. You just need to practice so I can close your mind to me.

  OK, I meant why me, and not someone stronger? I almost got caught, Alex said in his mind, and pushed the thought out.

  Yes, said the wolf accusingly, as they walked on. You almost got caught because you released all the women when I said just the girls.

  Alex waved his hands in front of him. I couldn’t leave them locked up at the mercy of those men.

  I’m pleased you didn’t, said the wolf. Yes, some are stronger and fitter than you at the moment, but only you knew where, and could open the locks as quietly and quickly as you did.

  I thought that was you.

  No, you.

  It surprised Alex. He was walking and talking to a large wolf, and even though he never fathered any children, he had just saved his daughters. I want to apologise for being rude.

  When? I don’t remember.

  Back at the house when you were telling me to hurry.

  The wolf looked up with what might have been a smile. It’s OK. I can understand you were unaware of everything. It must have been confusing for you.

  Yeah, but you were helping save my girls. Alex realised how easy it was beginning to say.

  Yes, well . . . erm . . . I did say I didn’t want to be there, but I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time, said the wolf, sheepishly.

  Alex raised an eyebrow. Are you saying you lied to me?

  I wouldn’t say I lied, just stretching the truth a little so you would understand the urgency of it.

  I guess I was a little hesitant about a few things.

  You came almost straight away . . . did I not frighten you?

  No, not really, all I had on my mind were the girls, and saving them.

  Once I used to scare anything with just my presence, said the wolf, sounding grumpy. Now I’m probably looked upon as a pet.

  Alex smiled. No, I wouldn’t say that, and yes OK you didn’t frighten my children or the woman who saved my life.

  That only strengthens my argument, said the wolf, now somewhat disgruntled.

  No, it changes things for you, as they saw you as a friend. Alex watched a rabbit hopping around without any fear of him or the wolf. If you’d growled at me instead of telling me to come, I might not have climbed over the fence.

  I’m the one who’s meant to help you, and now you’
re giving me advice.

  One man ran from you, but the others thought of you as a friend and were happy to see you.

  You’re more than what you seem.

  Maybe, but isn’t that the reason you came to me? I don’t know what I am right now, or why or how I knew where the girls were. Alex shook his head at the thought of it. So what happens now?

  You go home, and will see the girls soon.

  How did you know the girls hadn’t been there for a week?

  I sensed it earlier, and knew it had started.

  Alex scratched his head. What started?

  We don’t know, none of us do, and have been waiting for you.

  Alex thought about it while taking in his surroundings as well as talking to the wolf, which he was finding easier to do. He had no idea where he was, and guessed it wasn’t far from where he lived, as the fence was the furthest he had gone before. They approached some trees and could see another shape appear from behind them, another wolf he somehow knew. We’re being approached by a beautiful female wolf.

  Yes, I can see her.

  Alex heard a female voice in his mind.

  It went OK then?

  Yes, it worked out well in the end, replied the male wolf.

  Ah good, so he’s the one, and I never knew he was going to be so charming?

  Yes, said the wolf, and looked at Alex. This is my mate Chi, she would have come, but is carrying our cubs and we didn’t want to risk it.

  Hey, Chi, nice to meet you, said Alex, confused, but his mood was happier than it had been in a long time.

  Hello, Alex, I’m glad we’ve finally met as we’ve been waiting a long time.

  He thought about it as they walked. He hadn’t mentioned his name, but the male wolf also knew about his job and one-bedroom-flat. Many questions crossed his mind as he could see the outline of some buildings. How long have they been waiting? How old are they? He noticed the wolf didn’t say anything, and pushed a thought out to him. Can you still read my mind?

  There’s no need as you can communicate with us. There’s the fence you climbed over, we will leave you now.

  ‘Wait,’ said Alex aloud.

  What is it?

  ‘I know your mates name, but I don’t know yours.’