Alphys

"Well, Alphys has agreed to keep a close eye on her Grandfather. She told me that Aldus used to be a great explorer and a year ago he has been distant and aggressive. I'm thinking he is being held against his will because things just don't add up." I tell Lex, concern laced in my voice, Lex brings his fist up to his face in a thinking position and Uncle Mike puts his hands on his hips. "I think it is good that Aldus is doing this, it must be really hard for her to do this to her Grandfather. But if he is really held against his will, we can definitely get him back to her, no child should be without a parental figure." Uncle chimes in, his vision suddenly distant, I look at him with curiosity. "I think as soon as Alphys finds that he is in contact with the Duskwalkers, we go to him and detain him. It will be hard for Alphys so Aria, you'll be there to comfort her and we'll see what's really going on with him." Lex announces and Uncle Mike and I nod in understanding.

"Hey Grandaddy, what have you been doing? You haven't been returning my calls lately." Alphys asks while sitting in the kitchen, eating some cereal. "Well pumpkin I've got a mission and I'm just getting some stuff ready for leaving tomorrow." Aldus replies with a fake smile and sits down as well. Alphys sulks, knowing that he is lying. "Again? Where are going this time?" She asks, gathering information. I'm just patrolling Dieppe for a few weeks pumpkin, I'll be back before you-" RING, his phone goes off and when Alphys looks up, she sees an unknown dialler. 'The Duskwalkers!' She yells in her head. "I'm sorry, I have to take this." He gets up and goes in the other room, phone in tow. Once Alphys knows she is safe, she brings out her phone and texts the guard. "He is on the phone with them, but please hurry, he is getting his coat and is about to leave, he is leaving tomorrow for a few weeks!" A ping of confirmation on her phone rings through the house. Aldus freezes, "Who were you texting dear? Billy from school?" Alphys freezes on the spot with fear of being caught. Aldus reaches her and looks down at the phone. "What have you done?-" "Aldus Cavartian, we have the place surrounded! Come out or we will use force!" Come a voice from outside. Aldus sighs with tears in his eyes. "I love you pumpkin, I'm coming out!" Aldus walks out the door and towards a wolf guard officer.

"We know that you were speaking with the Duskwalkers Aldus. We just want to know why so that we can help you, we're on your side. Are they Blackmailing you? Threatening someone you love? We can help you. We know that you're a good man Aldus, you've been a great part of the guard and we recognize that. Please tell us what they did to you." Lex pleads to Aldus sitting in the chair in the interrogation room. Aldus shifts uncomfortably in his seat, "I'm telling you, I don't know what you're talking about-" The interrogation door opens, "You're lying Grandaddy, please tell the truth! I want my Grandaddy back!" Alphys yells and walks over to Aldus. "I can't, they'll hurt you like they did to your Grandmother!" Aldus cries out. "We can help, Aldus! I can watch over Alphys, she will be safe, I swear." I gently hold his shoulder, giving him an extra feel of safety. Aldus looks up at me with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, I had to, they wouldn't leave my Granddaughter alone." I look at him, confused, "Sorry for what? What did they make you do?" I ask, panic stricken. "Ar, I'm so sorry." Lex looks up from his phone messages, "Your father didn't make it to his meeting today, he is missing." My face drops.

"What do you mean he's missing? Did anyone call him? he could be sleep-" I start pacing and Aldus interrupts, "They made me do it. I'm so sorry Aria." Aldus looks at me, frightened. "Where did they take him Aldus?!" Lex yells and both Aldus and Alphys shudders due to Lex's voice laced with his wolf's growl. "They took him to their base hidden in Moncton, it's near Dieppe. I can take you to them, I won't try anything, I swear." Aldus wheezes out, petrified. "Take us to them, how many Duskwalkers are there?" Lex asks with disgust and anger, "There are little numbers of them because only their best are there, we should be able to sneak in and out in a half an hour." Aldus replies, "I'll get my uniform and Bo Staff, if anything goes wrong, we have to be prepared." I chime in and grab Alphys' hand, leading her out of the building along with me. "Thank you Aria, I feel like he is almost back to himself, I'll be there for him always." Alphys whispers out, "You're welcome Alphys, thank YOU for helping us get to the bottom of this. I knew he was a good man, it just didn't add up." "I can't believe he was doing it for me, protecting me and I didn't even know. He really was against his will, I'm very glad for that though, he wasn't doing it out of spite." Alphys smiles and holds onto her necklace. "Me too kid, me too." I sigh in fear.

I walk to the door, hesitant and grasping the handle gently as it would break if I squeeze it too hard. Walking into the house, it is as quiet as a deserted town. No noises, no dishwasher racking and no TV on the CBC station, Dad's favourite channel. PING, I grab my phone out of my pocket, "Hey, Are you alright?-Lex" "You can't be alone right now, you need to be around friends fright now-Logan" "Please don't shut me out.-Lex" A message from Lex and Logan, "Just take the hint guys, I just want to be alone." I whisper under my breath and throw my phone across the room, the phone landing on the backdoor mat.

With my body devoid of emotion, I hike upstairs to my room where I stop and stare at my reflection on my mirror. "This is my fault. If I wasn't the chosen one, Mom would be alive, Dad would be here with me." I grab the edge of the mirror and tears stream down my face. "RING" My computer rings and it is awaiting approval for a call from Lex, the grey side table shakes from the vibration of the computer.

"Is Aria going to be okay? I heard what happened. I can't imagine what is going through her head right now." Nathan sighs and looks down at his lap. "She has been in a similar situation, the need to be in control, but she has no control. It completely terrifies her. You know she wasn't always like this. She was carefree, naive and most of all, free. But the death of her mother was too much, she was breaking. That's why she's different from when she was in high school." Lex explains, leaning on a wall, his phone in hand.

Thinking back to when Mom died, and of all the events that has transpired, I let out a piercing scream. "SMASH" As I open my eyes, the once intact mirror has now resulted in a heap of broken glass.