Protection

WANNIA

Later that day, as I was walking home from school, a sleek black car pulled up beside me. My heart lurched as a familiar figure stepped out.

“Wannia,” Grandpa’s voice was as deep and commanding as ever, yet his eyes held a warmth I hadn’t seen in years. “We need to talk.”

"Talk? Is this about Kai’s call" I said to myself, the impending responsibilities, and the need for our return. But I didn’t quite understand.

"Return? Return where? Grandpa, we haven't been back to the mansion since we were kids. What's going on?"

He looked at me, his expression a mix of sadness and determination. "Wannia, it's time for you to step into your legacy. You and Kai are turning sixteen. The time has come for you to return to the Crimson Claw."

I felt a wave of confusion and fear washed over me. "The Crimson Claw? Grandpa, I don't even know what that means. I thought we were just... normal kids."

He sighed, his gaze softening. "We were once, my dear. But you have a destiny, a legacy that you can't ignore. The Crimson Claw is in your blood, in your very soul. It's time for you to embrace it, to learn what you were born to be."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I couldn't comprehend what he was saying, the gravity of his words. I felt like a child again, thrown into a world I didn't understand.

My head was swimming, my heart pounding. This was so unexpected, so overwhelming.

"But... I'm happy here," I stammered. "I have friends, a life."

"You two are really twins, even the answer is the same, however It's not real life, Wannia," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "It's a protection, a shield. The time has come for you to embrace your destiny, to return to where you belong."

"But..." I tried to protest, but my words died in my throat.

"I know it's difficult," Grandpa said, his voice smooth but lacking the understanding I craved. "But you're not alone. You have Kai. You have me. Together, we'll face this new chapter."

His words were hollow. My heart hammered, fear a cold knot in my stomach, but anger burned hotter. I didn't want this new chapter. I didn't want this Crimson Claw.

"Then why?" I spat, the question laced with venom. "Why do you have to do this then? Why did you need to give me and Kai away to different foster parents if we can face any challenges together? Why did you need to separate me and my twin?"

Grandpa's expression didn't waver. "It was for protection," he said flatly.

My anger exploded. "Protection? You have a guard assigned to surround your mansion, but you can't afford to get a guard for your grandchildren? Didn't you even think that we were more protected if we'd been staying with you? You'd rather give us to random families, then take us back when you need us? You're dragging innocent families into your so-called protection. Cut this bullsh*t!"

I yanked the door open, storming out of the car and into the middle of the busy highway.

The highway roared around me. Cars honked, tires screeched, and the smell of exhaust fumes filled my nostrils.

Regret slammed into me harder than any car could have. Shit, shit, shit, I thought, regretting my decision. Why did I do that? Why did I get out of the car? A string of curses – FQCk – escaped my lips.

I was stranded. How am I going to get home? I thought, realizing with dawning horror that I was stuck in the middle of a busy highway.

A bitter laugh escaped me. This is what you get for disrespecting elder Wannia, I muttered to myself, the self-reproach laced with irony.

I had let my anger get the best of me, and now I was paying the price, alone and vulnerable.

Suddenly a car pulled over to the side, I felt relieved after seeing who's in the passenger seat. I practically threw myself into the passenger seat.

"Oh my god, Brother, you're my savior!" I exclaimed. "Can you give me a ride home?"

"Sure, why not," he said, still looking shaken.

After he said that I practically threw myself into the backseat.

"Hey, what happened to you?" he asked, concern etched across his face.

"Well, Grandpa was supposed to drive me home, but I… I got mad at him and got out of his car," I blurted, my words a rush of chaotic energy.

"Wait, you met with Grandpa?" he asked, surprised.

"Yeah, but it didn't go well," I said, my voice still tight with residual anger.

"Why?" he pressed gently.

"It's a long story," I mumbled, avoiding his gaze. The memory of my outburst is still stung.

"Okay, if you don't want to share it now, it's fine," he said. "But get ready, because I'll be asking you about it later. And if you're not going to tell me what happened, I'll ask Grandpa myself."

"Fine," I sighed, "I'll tell you later."

A few minutes later, we pulled up to my house.

The car stopped in front of my cozy cottage.

"And we're here," Kai said, his voice gentle.

"Thank you so much," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "You're my life saver."

"Okay, bye bye," he said, a hint of concern in his tone.

"Bye bye, be careful," I said, waving, my gratitude overflowing. Even though the relief of being home was immense, the weight of the conversation we had yet to have pressed heavily on my chest.

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