The Follow

Scarlet remembered her father, he was a cheerful man who was always there to make her happy. He knew life would be difficult for her since her mom was not around. He tried to be both parents to her. He taught her poetic verses and phrases. Somehow every time she recited them, something happened in line with what she said. She thought nothing of it until she had this spells class.

I wonder how and where my father learned these spells? How could he not be a normal human though?

She wore a puzzled expression, her eyebrows furrowed.

She was also curious as to the reason why Professor Valerius was outside the classroom door.

Did he overhear me?

Scarlet tapped on her communicator piece. It has been a while since she had spoken to Theo.

“Hi Theo, are you there? What do you know about Professor Valerius?

Theo paused. “What happened? Stay away from him… He's one of the higher ranks of the Cosmocrats. He would do anything to get his way.”

Scarlet was utterly shocked.

He’s one of them?!

Theo continued, “He was suspended at one point from the rumors I heard, but he's dangerous.”

“Theo, after what you just said, I think he might hold the secrets on what we need.”

“Scarlet listen to me. Please. I appreciate you for going all out on this, but I don't want you to get hurt.”

Scarlet understood Theo's concern but this time she wanted to find out for herself. She opted to shadow Professor Valerius from a distance.

She followed him as silently as she could.

At the bustling marketplace, he hand-selected fruits and vegetables. He bought some extra snacks to give to the younger children in the neighborhood.

He did not seem like the usual scary person he was. He was friendly to the children.

Scarlet was trying to hide, but a sharp-eyed child caught a glimpse of her and walked over.

Oh no, I’m trying not to draw attention to myself.

"Do you want one, too?" The boy asked innocently.

The young boy had two bucked teeth and messy hair, most likely from playing rough with the other children.

How sweet, but I’m in the middle of something now.

“No thanks.” She smiled at him, trying to wave him away.

The boy refused to take no as an answer and pushed the pastry into her hands.

“Take it!” Then, he happily ran off.

She kept her gaze fixed on the scene.

Professor Valerius was just doing normal tasks throughout the day.

She followed him to the back alley. Her stomach was clenched with fear, but her legs kept going forward.

She looked ahead as he met with a goblin in the dark corner of the alley. It was quiet in this area, and they were standing there for quite some time. The two of them were deep in conversation and their heads could be seen bobbing in agreement.

She brought her hands to her eyes, creating a small tunnel to focus her vision, hoping to catch their lip movements. No matter how hard she squinted, she was unable to make out what they were saying.

The conversation seemed to end, and the goblin handed Professor Valerius something.

Scarlet shifted her position to hiding behind the wall. She then did not hear any more footsteps moving. She peeked her head a little outwards from the corner.

She then felt a cold hand covering her mouth.

She heard a familiar voice near her ear. "You really are terrible at stalking someone… Scarlet."

She turned around and saw Professor Valerius.
Her eyes widened and her body shivering in fear.

He slowly released his hand from her mouth.

He then crouched down to her eye level.
"Tell me, why you're following me."

Think Scarlet, think

She remembered the pastry left in her hand.

She stared straight in his eyes and said, "I was waiting for a good time to tell you thanks. She showed him the pastry. One of the kids told me it was from you, and I wanted to personally thank you.”

He scoffed as if it was hard to believe, but she was holding one of those pastries.

He let her go. "Just be careful." He gave her a stern look.

Grandmother Mimi was on her way to the market and noticed those two.

She waved, "Hi Scarlet."
Then she saw Professor Valerius's face and quickly approached him.

"What's going on here?!"

“I haven't seen you in so long girl. Come over to my house. You, too, Valerius.”

"But… " Professor Valerius felt a strong desire to decline.

"But nothing, I haven't had much company these days. Sure, I have those other giggling old ladies, but I always see them. You two are a nice change of pace."

Professor Valerius went along with them.

The old ladies along with the others whispered Valerius’s name. They then hurried in their homes.

Scarlet noticed the fear on their faces.

Grandmother Mimi wanted them both to sit down.

As Scarlet took her seat, she asked Professor Valerius, "Why is everyone afraid of you?"

"I'm strict perhaps. I don't give anyone mercy."

Grandmother Mimi thought to herself.
“He's talking big now, but he's a big softy.”

She came out of the kitchen with two long, large freshly toasted sandwiches prepared for them.

Professor Valerius asked, "Why did you hug me that one day?"

Embarrassed, Scarlet mentioned, "You look like my father."

"Where is he now?” He asked with a curious look on his face.

“My father passed away last year and sent me to my aunt’s to live.”

Grandmother Mimi dropped her glass, it shattered.

Scarlet said, "Are you okay?"

Grandmother Mimi smiled in response.

“No worries, I am just a little clumsy today.

Grandmother Mimi commanded the broom to gently dust the glass shards into the dustpan.

She then pulled Scarlet close to her for a deep tight hug.
"You poor girl, I didn't realize you suffered so much."

As she hugged Scarlet, she could see a faint younger face merging with Grandmother Mimi’s. She blinked, and the apparition vanished.

I swear, I saw that Grandmother Mimi had two faces. Scarlet thought to herself.

Scarlet could not believe her eyes.

Professor Valerius stood up from his seat to get some hot tea and asked, "Did your father have a brother?" He picked up the teapot and poured the steaming tea out into his glass.

"No, not that I know."

He burst out laughing. "Maybe I'm his twin."

Scarlet smiled although she felt like it could be a strong possibility.

Father never mentioned anything about him having a brother. He never did talk about his family much. It was always just about us.

"Well, I used to have a brother, he was kindhearted...too nice for this world. He wasn't a fighter; he was a peacemaker."

"What happened to him?" She asked.

Professor Valerius took a breath. "He fell in love and did everything he could to protect his loved ones."

Grandmother Mimi dropped her bowl of cream. The pile of soft cream toppled over on the ground.

"Oh dear."

Scarlet rushed over.

Is Grandmother Mimi okay?

"Thanks dear. I'm a bit clumsy today."

For a split second again, Scarlet could see Rose's spirit hanging over Grandmother Mimi. Grandmother Mimi looked younger, having similar features to Rose.

Scarlet was more confused than before and felt dizzy.

What is going on?

She excused herself to go home.