Chapter 14 - The Destiny decided by Time

"WHAT?" Serefina yelled. "Older son? Meaning Bryan's older brother?"

"Yeah. She was bound to...No one can change the destiny time has decided," Critty said and sat on the nearest rock which was nearly as tall as Serefina.

"I...don't understand."

"You don't know Sedvie, do you?"

"Is she some kind of an evil witch? Or that's what my mind is telling me?"

"She is not an evil witch. She is.." Critty trailed off.

"Hey, Critty? Are you alright?"

"Yeah. She is-"

"Knew I'd find you here," a voice said. Serefina turned towards the dim stairs. A figure was approaching her.

"Bryan, is that you?" Serefina asked.

"Correct. Its me," Bryan said rushing towards her and Critty, panting. He took both of her hands after catching up his breath. "I am so glad that you're alright. I don't know what would I do if something happened to you."

Serefina turned tomato red. But seeing Bryan safe was a big relief. So she replied, "Glad to see you safe too. Seeing the fact that I couldn't help you there."

"No, the only way you could help me was to stay away from Sedvie. And that was done. So everything is fine."

There eyes met. And for the first time Serefina noticed a glint in his eyes when Critty cleared her throat. Bryan dropped Serefina's hands.

"You guys can do the staring later. Now, Britty Britty what happened with you and Sedvie?" the tiny fairy said.

"I kinda don't wanna talk about," he answered, glancing at Serefina from the corner of his eye.

Now she had to know what was he hiding. And why he didn't want to talk about Sedvie in front of her? But Serefina felt it wasn't the right time to ask.

"Anyways, I need to tell you something else," Bryan said after a lot of annoying minutes.

"Okaaaaay?" Serefina said. Else meant it was not about Sedvie. Then what?

Bryan looked at Critty and her nod made Serefina's confusion increase even more. Before she could say anything, Critty flew above and made herself sit on the branch of the tallest tree Serefina had ever seen.

"So what is it?" she asked.

"Well, how do say this?" Bryan sat on the stone beside him, jumping a little to reach it. "You see, about the Time tree."

"What about it?"

"Um...I'm sorry."

Now this shook the ground as Serefina looked at Bryan with her eyes filled with confusion. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"

"Because I didn't tell you that..." he trailed off.

"Tell me what?"

"That the Time tree grows once in a year."

The sentence crushed Serefina. The only thing that could help her find grandma Hannah was...gone.

"You can punish me Serefina. Anyway you want. I didn't tell you before because I knew you'd react like this. And I asked you if you were sure if wanted to look for your grandma some other time but you didn't listen to me."

Tears started to stumble from Serefina's eyes. Bryan jumped off of the rock. "Serefina, I am sorry. D-don't cry. This is all my fault-"

"No, it's not. It's not your fault Bryan. No one can change the destiny the time has decided after all," Serefina said wiping her tears and glancing above at Critty who looked so much in guilt as well. "You don't have to blame yourself for what happened. You thought of what was best. That's more important."

Serefina smiled and tried to make it as convincing as possible but she knew Bryan could see right through her. "Seriously, I am fine Bryan. Relax will you?" she copied Bryan's words which made a small smile curve on his lips.

Critty came flying down again and sat on Bryan's shoulder.

"I'll take you home now. It's nearly going be midnight," Bryan said.

"Midnight?" Serefina glanced at the bright sun shining above them.

"This is artificial. Critty did tell you, right?"

"She did." She had forgotten that and wasn't going to admit it. That would be too embarrassing.

"Let's go then." Bryan offered his hand. They were teleporting again. She had to get used to it. Now that she had to find grandma Hannah and find the answers to all the questions arising in her mind. She took his hand and they teleported.