The Protectors

The Protectors

By: Cora Sims

Are you going to open it ? My mother said as she stroked my hair. Her touch should have been comforting but all I could do is stare at this brown wrapped box sitting in the room. It was delivered by a courier the same day of my fathers funeral. I never spoke to my father... Well not really. He was there maybe a month after I was born but then he disappeared. If it had not been for envelopes with money mailed to my mother every month with no return address we would have thought he was dead but last month the envelopes stopped and instead the police showed up at my mothers door last week to tell us that he was dead. He was found shot by the river just two counties over. I didn't know whether to be mad or relieved that he had a real reason now to miss my birthday this year. I just wanted him to show up just one time. Just once to know he was there. He missed every baseball game, every achievement, and now he's gone and there's no coming back. Do I open the package? Was it from him? Or do I let it rot with his memory? I'm mad, mad that he died without apologizing, mad that he allowed himself to get into trouble. What kind of trouble was he into? And would that box take me down the rabbit hole with him? They haven't found the killers we don't know what they wanted. Since he and my mom were still married she has to take care of everything. She gets whatever he had. Of it was anything at all. Is that going shake up our lives? Are we next? My eyes were heavy. I lay across my bed and fell asleep.

The Sun from the window in my room hit my face. That window has the best view of the neighborhood and the best tree for climbing. I have to admit I have snuck out a time or two and with each storm I’m grateful it's limbs stay strong. As I open my eyes I notice the package is gone. I frantically jump up looking for the package. Where did it go? I should have looked at it when I had a chance to. Mom ! I yell! Mom! As I run around the room lifting up laundry on the floor. "Calm down," she says. What's wrong. "The package, where is it?" I yelled. "It's right here." She said as she goes to my closet. It was there sitting on the top shelf. "I didn't want you staring at it all day and night. You open it when you're ready." She said. I felt a weight lift off of me and I sat back down on the bed." Mom." I said. "Did he love me?" I said as I began crying profusely. I couldn't stop. "Oh David," she said as she grabbed and held me close. " He was so happy and when he found out we were having a boy he was the happiest I had ever seen him and that's why he named you after his father David." She said. "Then why did he leave me?" I said. " It happened so suddenly. We were happy. We just had you about a month prior and he just disappeared. I struggled the first few months but we have to live our lives and move forward David. " She said. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Well who could that be?" She said. "David take your time opening that box. It'll be there." She said as she kisses my head and leaves the room.

My mother goes to the door and as she opens it there is a man in a suit. I slid on a t-shirt and made my way to the front door to see who it was. "Hello," the man said as he tips his hat. ""My name is Chester O’Neal from the office of Ingle, O’Neal, Talbot and Associates. I'm handling the case of the late David Simmons Sr. May I come in?" He says. He was dressed like he was in an old English movie and he had an accent. “You son, are of a lineage that is summoned to protect the crown in England. You are of Royal blood." He says as he tells him more about his heritage . "Sir in case you didn't notice I don't look like the Royal house of any England Royal family." I said referring to my dark complexion. "Child you are more than you ever imagined. We all are more to be truthful about the matter. Your lineage hails from Kings and Queens of The Great House. You must walk in the steps of your father. You must see through his eyes. We are the keeper of progress we will be watching. If you fail in your task the son of your son will reap the obligation. If you die in your task your son reaps the task. If you bear no son your daughter, if you bear no child your next of kin . Until the task is completed. Your house must serve the Great House. The answers you have longed for as a boy will soon be known. You will know more soon. Open that box before it's time you will no longer be. The clock doesn't stop until it sits in it's rightful place. Wait a minute...Why him...Why now? My mother said. Wait...I said. " You knew? " It was never supposed to be you David. She said. " Mom you let me think ...he didn't care....I said out of breath as my chest heaved up and down out of anger. I darted for the door. As I ran down the steps I saw an old car sitting out front. I ran so fast I almost ran into the driver a tall man with a tall hat that looked like Lurch from Adams Family. What just happened? Who are these people? I ran as fast as I could. I stopped a few blocks down at the school and sat on the bleachers. Everything I knew about myself , my life, my mother...my father, it was a lie. " Who Am I! I yelled as loud as I could. I grabbed my head and fell down on my knees. I didn't even hear the car approach . Mr. O’Neal must have left right after I did. He walked up beside me and he said "You son are born of the Royal blood of the House of the Protectors." He handed me an envelope. Inside the envelope was cash, some documents, and a paper with writing that looked like Jibberish. Mr. O’Neal what am I supposed to do? Open the package son....by God open the package.

The walk home seemed like it took forever. The sun had set by now. I got home and my mother was on the couch waiting for me looking anxious. "David, let me... " She said. Mom please just give me a few and I'll be down. I went upstairs to my room and grabbed the package off the closet shelf. I sat it back in the space on my desk next to the window that I had left it the before. It felt like it was staring at me. Then I remembered the envelope I had shoved in my back pocket on the way home. I pulled out each item. $5000 in cash, Identification that said I was 18 and not 17. "My 18th birthdate is tomorrow ..how?" I thought. The letter with Jibberish, and a Passport . There was a Plane ticket, to you guessed it England with tomorrows date at 8 am. Before I opened the box I needed to speak with my mother. I walked down the stairs and I could see she had been crying. "Mom?" I said. “He was forbidden to have contact with us until the task was completed. The same thing happened to his father. I’m sorry David. I wish I knew more but I don’t . I just know that if you don’t do this there will be trouble.” She said as she began crying again. I sat there holding my mother until she fell asleep. As soon as I walked into the room the brown package was staring back at me screaming to open it. "I need to know right? " I said while pacing back and forth. I sat down in front of the box and slowly opened the sides of the package being careful to not tear the brown paper. Inside the package was a larger black box. There was nothing special about the box other than it being a bit shiny. I opened it slowly and the very first thing I saw was a news clipping of me. It was a high school baseball game where I made front page in the sports section of our towns newspaper. I scored 4 home runs. There was also a letter with my moms name on it, a small key that said Chancery, a piece of paper with an address in England, some glasses and a large key that looked like it could have been an old house key. I picked up the glasses. I had never seen any pictures where my father wore glasses and when I put them on I could tell his eyesight must have went downhill over the years .There was also a little brown box with no words and a lock on it. I had hoped there had been more to see maybe even a letter with my name on it but some how I knew this journey would fulfill my need for more information and I needed answers. I needed to know who he was, who I was. I looked at the window and the sun was coming up and I needed to pack.

I grabbed my backpack and put in everything I pulled from the box except my moms letter. I threw in some clothes a pair of boots and other items l thought I might need. I slowly walked down stairs and laid the letter on the table for my mother and I left. The Uber got me there just in time to check in and make it to the plane. I was immediately pulled out of line. The agent said, “Sir...come with me.” I just knew I was going to jail. It was probably something illegal that box. We approached a long hallway all of a sudden I heard the loudest heels approaching. "Oh my word," a ladies voice said. “Sir I am so sorry. “ This lady had a southern twang that reminded me of the deep south. “I'm so sorry Suga you are in the wrong place. Please follow me." She ushered me down the long hall. As her heels clicked loudly.” This must be your first time flying. We don't get many celebrities...let me guess Actor? Singer? oooh ... Yes you look like new money." She said. We reached the end of the hall and as she opens the door it connected to an Airport hanger as we walk through there was a private plane and at the top of the stairs I see a familiar face. "Mr. Singleton ," Mr. O’Neal said as he tried to yell over the engine of the plane. "Glad you could make it Mr. Simmons." Mr. O’Neal said. "Alright darling you enjoy your flight. Enjoy all that success too you hear." She said as she winked her eye and went back in the door to that led to the main airport. Mr. Singleton are you ready to begin? “Mr. O’Neal I was born ready.” I said as I walked past Mr. O’Neal to find a seat. “Then the Journey awaits.” He said as the door to the plane is closed behi