TUS NUA - ch 31

TUS NUA – ch 31

New Beginnings – Mia and Midnight

(*)(*)(*)

Luna was leaning against the wall, and at first tried to hide her impatience as she waited for Ana to be ready to leave. Luna wanted to get back to New York and her Mystic shop. However, as time progressed and she watched others interacting with the children, and her heart melted. She knew they couldn’t just leave the little girls until their lives were somewhat settled.

As she watched the others, she began to focus on the older girl. There was something strangely familiar about her. It was her eyes. The color green of Carolina’s eyes struck a chord and she tried hard to place her memory. Moss green was not a common eye color. Yet, she was staring at them again.

Pushing herself off the wall, she approached the older girl and gently tapped on her shoulder to get her attention. Then she began to sign. “Carolina, can I hold your hand?”

The young girl nodded, and Luna gently grasped her hand.

Luna looked at Finola and said, “Finola, you’re Fey. Place your left hand on her shoulder and between the two of us, you should be able to enter her mind and help her remember.”

Before Finola could speak, Luna commented, “Cousin, I’m stronger than you remember. I’ve hidden much of my magic but that doesn’t mean I haven’t practiced it. Let’s try.”

Finola did as Luna asked and Luna began to ask, “Carolina, let me ask you first if your name is Carolina or Caroleena? It will make a difference.”

The child looked at Luna and spelled, “Caroleena.”

Luna appeared to have a spark of knowledge in her eyes and so, she asked, “Caroleena, is your last name Quinn or Quinlyn?”

Again, the child looked more hopeful as she answered, “I think Quinlyn but I don’t remember exactly.”

Luna nodded and looked at Finola. “Finola, think back about eight years ago. Remember two young people ran away from home? Liam Quinlyn and Mary Dowd? They claimed to be madly in love, but their parents forbade them from seeing each other saying they were too young. I believe Mary was only thirteen and Liam, fourteen. As hard as everyone searched, they were never found.”

Luna turned to Alistar, “Alistar, please search for Liam Quinlyn and Mary Dowd. Last known town was, if I remember correctly, Nobber in Meath.”

Finola looked at her cousin and said, “Oh, my, Luna, how did you ever remember that? I haven’t thought of that incident in years. I’d always hoped those children were found. But we never heard another word here in Greenan. Such a sad event, but you’re right! These might be their children.”

Luna answered, “Finola, it was the odd color of her eyes. I’d only seen a color like that once.”

Alistar’s fingers flew across his keyboard and, sure enough, Liam and Mary were listed as missing. Mary’s parents, Alice and Shaun Dowd placed a reward for information that might lead to finding their daughter. Liam’s parents, Denis and Sophie Quinlyn asked for information but never offered a reward. It was always assumed that the search was still on-going.

Alistar found a photo of what should have been Mary Dowd and printed it. He almost hesitated as he walked toward the dining room where the girls were enjoying a bowl of homemade potato and leek soup. He handed the photo to Luna who in turn, approached Caroleena and squatted at the young girl’s side.

She signed, “Caroleena, I have a photo. Can you tell me if you know this person?”

She raised the paper, and the instant Caroleena saw the photo, her excitement grew. She signed, “I think that’s maam. It looks like maam.”

Alistar slumped against the wall. “I’ve looked all over for their parents but there’s nothing on the internet and while I hate to do this, I’m going to hack into the files of Meath and counties from there to here and looked for John and Jane Does.” He couldn’t hide the sadness in his eyes as he said this, but he also knew he had to begin somewhere.

Evie looked at her husband and offered, “Alistar, I’ll take the other computer and look for Mary’s parents. Maybe they’ve never cancelled the reward money, let’s just assume that they’re still looking. That might give us some contact information.” She placed what she hoped to be a comforting hand on his cheek, and he quietly nodded.

It didn’t take Alistar long and Neil placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Alistar, clearly there was nothing to be done. Fate has done what fate will do. The authorities still don’t know the identities of the remains. We need to contact the parents.”

Evie spoke, “I’ve found them. They’re still in Meath and the missing poster is still active.” She looked at the time. “It’s only four in the afternoon. We could portal to their home and ..”

Luna interrupted her. “Evie, Alistar, I know your intentions are not without merit, however, we can’t just barge into someone’s life and say, ‘hey you’re a grandma’, especially since we have no idea of the remains found are the missing children. We need to contact the authorities first.”

Alistar looked at his cousin. “You’re right Luna. If it’s alright with everyone, I’ll make the call.”

They heard Alistar’s voice, “Yes, sir, I understand. We won’t do anything until we hear from you. Yes, that’s my number. Thank you.”

He turned and looked at his family. “The bodies were found three years ago and a sample of their DNA is on file. They’re going to contact Mary’s parents and ask for a sample of hers. The testing might take at least a week but when they know something, they’ll contact us and make arrangements for Mary’s parents to come here. That’s the best we can do at this point.”

Ana approached Finola. “Aintin, there isn’t anything else I can do here.”

Finola smiled and wrapped her in a hug. “Ana, you were amazing. Because of you, we were able to help both girls. Now, it’s time for you to go help yourself. Go. Go with Luna and grow. Grow to be who you were meant to be. We’ll miss you but, I agree. It’s time.”

One by one, Ana greeted each person in the room goodbye, then turning to Finola, “Please tell Mia that I’ll never forget her and that I’m sorry I won’t be here for her eighteenth birthday party.”

Finola smiled and said, “But you and Luna will be. Portals, remember, mo stor? For now, go and begin getting settled with your new sister.”

Luna tossed her orb in the air and allowed it to take them back to America.