Beyblade Fan Fiction ❯ Guilt ❯ Not all is lost ( Chapter 7 )

Chapter 7

 

Faith looked at the woman confused. But the woman seemed to have forgotten she even said it.

“It's getting kind of chilly dear, why don't you come in for a cup of tea?”

Without answering Faith followed the lady to her house and sat down on the reasonably aged leather sofa. The house had a scent that signalled life, happy life and comfort. A scent that Faith had missed a lot during her childhood. She looked around and could practically hear the walls tell tales of history that passed here. And then she was disturbed by very enthusiastic barking, and Joanne shushing the dog from the kitchen.

“You have a dog?”

“Yes my dear, don't you remember? It was yours once, well it still is I suppose.”

 

Faith searched in her memory…a dog, a dog…she can't recall having ever had a dog. But when the creature jumped next to her in the couch and started covering her in licks, she remembered. And laughing heartily she tried to stop the dog from bathing her even further. It looked old, but what did one expect after at least 10 years. Still laughing she voiced her demand.

“Laika, stop, that tickles.”

 

As if she had always been the dog's master, it stopped and immediately got off the couch, sitting right in front of Faith enjoying the tender petting. Joanne had come out of the kitchen with a tray. She carefully set it on the coffee table.

“It surprises me you still now her name.”

“Me too. I'm happy she's still alive.”

“Yes, a true miracle that one is. But I guess she's proof enough that not everything is gone. And there are still the photo's right? I gave you an album yesterday. Didn't you look at it?”

“I wasn't in the state of mind to do anything yesterday.”

“Doesn't matter, plenty of opportunities too look at it later. They were friendly folk, your parents. Always there to lend a hand or a pot of sugar. You know, your father put that closet together long ago. My husband never really was the handy type. And when there was a feast, oh, then you could just sit there hours and hours listening to anything they said. But I guess you weren't old enough to go with them then. They will surely be missed. I know I miss them, even when they only moved to Russia. Everybody missed them.”

 

She had walked to a bookcase that held more photo frames than books. Grabbed one of the photos, so caught up in her own memories that she probably didn't even know Faith was still there. After Faith had finished her fourth cup of tea, the woman seemed to have run out of things too say and sat down next to Faith again, still clutching the frame.

“What is that?” Faith asked whilst looking at it. Confusedly looking around and then noticing the frame in her hands Joanna looked sheepishly and showed Faith the photo.

“It's your parents on their wedding day; they made such a lovely couple.”

 

When Faith wanted to give her back the frame Joanne didn't accept.

“Take it, it's yours. That reminds me. When your parents moved, they left a lot of furniture and books and all that behind. A week before the demolition, a few neighbours and I went to your house and salvaged as much as we could. It's yours too, though I'm afraid they may be a bit dusty. But just give me a shout when you want it all back, and I'll help you clean it.”

“Do you…can I…see it?”

 

Joanne led her to the attic, that looked like it was a separate house altogether. There were bookcases, chairs, couches, even a bed or two. Even her old bike was there. A pink one, with laces coming out of the steering wheel, and two extra wheels on the back. She nearly cried when she saw it. So many memories, so many bruises. They spent hours up there, reliving every moment that they could remember. When they finally descended again, it was well past midnight.

“Oh dear, I'm afraid that I made you miss your last bus, I'll drive you…I assume you don't live out on the street?”

Getting the paper out of her pocket she said the address and was at the front door 10 minutes later. She cursed as she realised she didn't own a key and that she was going to have to call Nathan out of bed. Hoping he wouldn't be too mad she rang the doorbell. Only seconds after the door swung open revealing Nathan. And he wasn't happy at all.

 

“Where have you been? You could have called or something.”

“I left a note…” she tried reasoning with him. But to no avail.

“A note saying: out thinking doesn't qualify for a note. I was worried sick, that state you seemed to be in when I went back to work had me thinking you were going to kill yourself or something. I don't need that on my conscience thank you very much.”

“I'm sorry, I went for a walk, ended up at Joanne's house and lost track of time. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to trouble you.”

Nathan sighed, realising that being mad at the girl wasn't the answer.

“Never mind, you're old and wise enough to take care of yourself. But just don't do it again ok? You almost gave me a heart attack when I found you gone. You hungry?”

“A little…”

 

While Nathan heated up some leftovers Faith asked him why he had actually chosen to be kind to her. She had begun to notice that everyone always seemed so eager to help her.

“I honestly don't know, I guess I felt that if I didn't help you I'd feel miserable for the rest of my life. Very strange huh? But speaking of helping, I went by the gym after work; they are indeed looking for new trainers. Seems like our country is going to have another go at the world championships, and they need good coaches. I'll show you the way tomorrow morning. Now eat this and go straight to bed young lady. No dessert because you scared me.”

“Aw but daaaaaad…” she whined mockingly. The look on his face was priceless. But, order or no order, she did exactly just that and went with Nathan to apply for a job first thing the next morning. Myriad needed to stretch her wings anyway.

 

One month after she had gotten in Belgium she had found a pretty little apartment on the outskirts of Bruges. The rent was affordable, and she could still buy food with her pay check. Though the gift from the majestics was generous, she wanted to use as little as possible of it. As soon as she had moved, she had sent all her reachable friends a letter with her definite address, her cell phone number, and her soon to be connected phone number. Two days after receiving the key she hired some movers to get the stuff Joanne had guarded for so long. The woman, of course was welcome to visit any time and the same went for Faith.

Her apartment was very well decorated filled with her old furniture, and in the living area, there was a wall with a single bookshelf on waist height, that was filled with the photo albums the majestics had made for her and that Joanne had given her. Underneath it stood her old bike, with her backpack on the saddle. Next to it, in the corner, stood her old crib. As soon as she had found it in between all the stuff she vowed never to hide it again.

 

But above the shelf was the masterpiece. The wall had been filled with frames, new ones and old ones, big and small, metal and wood. Pictures containing her friends from every where, her parents, her dog, her memories. And at least once a month a new picture joined the wall or the photo album. One of the latest being one of her Belgian guides trying to take a bite out of the big chocolate egg She had made this wall so she would remember everything as soon as she looked at the wall. Nathan and Maarten had gawked at it when they first came over, complementing her on the handy work. Joanne had done the same. And, looking at the wall herself, she was filled with happiness again. She was home again, sort of, and nobody could take these memories away from her ever again.

 

Weeks after she had moved in Joanne had stopped by, with a look of guilt on her face. Immediately offering the woman a seat and some tea Faith asked what was the matter.

“Your father would've scolded me if he were still alive. I can't believe I forgot this. But you know the mind, it tends to forget something. But something like this, I guess it must have been because it went missing behind all the other stuff, never gave it any thought.

“Wow, Joanne, calm down. What is this thing you talk about?”

She grabbed her purse and pulled out a small wooden box, presenting it to her. When Faith grabbed it she noticed that there were no hinges, and no obvious openings, save one little keyhole.

 

“Your father gave it to me the day you left. Said that you would come back for it some day. For the first couple of years I sat looking out that window everyday, hoping you would come back. Then every week, every month, and then I gave up. And when you did come back, alone, I forgot the whole thing. I'm really sorry that I didn't think of it earlier.”

“Doesn't matter, did he give you the…thing…to open this box perhaps?”

“No, he said you had it. But I must be going now, busy day today. Good luck opening the box dear.”

She left Faith alone with the mystery box. She had no idea when her father had ever mentioned a key. Her mother's earrings perhaps? No that was too flexible. Putting the box on the table she spent hours trying to find any form of trigger or mechanism, but none found, all that was there was that small hole, and lock picking wouldn't work either. One day passed, then a second, and a third. Faith was wracking her brain…key, key, key, what key? She woke up with the question, ate with it and went to bed with it. On the third night she even dreamt about keys.

It will be the key to all answers one day. Promise me that you won't lose it

 

She woke up. That had been her father's voice. But when had he said that. Oh right, the year before we left. It was a present, but not for when she was little, no, it was too precious for that. Maybe they were the earrings after all? But no, that couldn't be. Think, Faith, think. And then she remembered the necklace. Of course! Why didn't she think of it before? She'd been wearing it ever since she found it. Grabbing the item she left the bedroom and went to the box to try it. The feet fit perfectly in the hole. As by magic the lid opened. Inside the box was a magnificent beyblade. The base was as black as the night, but as you looked more towards the attack ring, the colour faded into a blinding shade of white. She was going to put Myriad's bit in this blade once she'd tested it. Putting it down and going for her launcher she noticed there was something else in the box. A letter.

 

Dear Faith

 

If you read this, we are dead. Yes my dearest daughter. We knew we were going to die one day. We learned it not long after your birth. I was never good with my own words. I hope that by quotation I can make myself clearer.

 

We despaired, and we were terrified when we learned of the news. But the world is round my dear, and what may seem like the ending might only be the beginning. We worried most about what would happen to you and Chester once we were gone. We hope you are happy together.

 

I wish these words were all mine, but I'm not that philosophic to come up with them. There's always a morning somewhere Faith, and never look back, unless you're going that way. Life is hard sometimes, and it may seem like there's no hope, but only when it's really dark you can see the stars. Regret is only a waste of time.

 

Be proud of what you accomplished, don't feel bad bout the things that failed. We were and still are as proud as ever that we produced two miracles that continue our life. When you were both born, every bad thing that happened to us seemed to be eased.

 

Know this, we love you so much. We only wanted you to grow up and be happy, but we don't know if we accomplished that goal.

When the day is at its darkest…you're only seconds away from a bright new morning

 

Eternal love from your parents

 

By the time she reached the end of the letter, the writing had become blurred by her tears. They had known, all along. How could they have kept that quiet, how could they live with that? Her parents had littered the letter with wisdom, but how could Faith not feel despair? How could she not feel like crying until she was dehydrated? She just wanted to lock herself in her room and never come out again. Why did this happen to her? Why not someone else? She was so out of it that she thought she was going mad when she heard a voice in her head.

 

-Mistress should not weep, Lyria is here now, Lyria will take care of you.-

She looked around for the owner of the voice when she noticed the faint glow of her beyblade. It was spinning madly.

-what are you? How can this be happening.-

-A bit beast, your guardian. Lyria heard your tears mistress, lyria feels your pain, lyria will comfort mistress. Lyria will obey.-

And then the voice was gone. The blade had stopped spinning. She grabbed it and looked at the bit chip. And there it was, her `guardian'. Lyria, A black cat with jewels embedded on its joints and wearing a silver collar and earrings (think Egyptian style collar…very wide). The eyes were glowing silver as well. The bit had two black wings as well, but one was an angel, and the other a demon.

 

Why had her father given this to Joanne for safekeeping? What was she to do with two blades? She looked at the necklace. And how the heck could that have been the key to answers? The only thing she had were more questions

 

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Mhm, this update was rather fast…faster than the other one anyway

 

Horsesrocketh: Nope, two different stories with similarities. In guilt Tala still lives and Faith never lives with the Bladebreakers. Kai is not on drugs, Faith does not get raped. And Ray doesn't like Faith, he's got another girl…no, not Mariah. Guilt is also more of a fic of how she deals with her past.

In addiction She never met any of the other teams and Kai saves her, she doesn't run away.

They are both however, Kai x Faith and Faith did have that terrible childhood. Ending of the stories are different too, but I can't tell ya those. Well I could, but that would take the fun out of reading.

 

Read, review, flame. It's your click.