《52 stories》Week 39: Mailbox
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It's been a few days since they heard the new. Their son, their onlys on, is missing. Wanted actually, by the Hunters. Luka's parents just came out of their headquarter for yet another questioning. But Mary and James don't know anything. The only thing they know is that their son felt difference ever since the Storm. Some weird things happened, but they didn't think too much about it. And then they let Luka leave for the afternoon to enjoy his day at the park with a friend and now... Now he is gone and they have no idea where he is. They always told the truth to the Hunters, but they don't seem to believe them. That is why they keep questioning them. They hope that they will make a mistake and say something maybe? But today it seemed like they believed them, or atleast they gave up on the harrassing and non stop questioning. It's with both relief and grief that Luka's parents are going back home. Home. It is so empty now without their little fluff ball of energy. As they walk by their mail box, James take the few letters in it and they step inside. James takes a quick look at the mail: spam, bills, handwritten letter... Handwritten letter?
James could swear he knew this hand writing... A bit sloppy but with lots of effort of writing every letters correctly. He stares at the envelop with both his and Mary's name on it, almost not daring to breathe or take his eyes out of it in case it would vanish in thin air. He sits at the kitchen table and Mary notice how distressed he looks. She comes closer and when she sees the letter she let out a big gasp ''It's... Luka's handwriting... right?''
James can only nods and really carefully open the envelop to see what's inside. There is two small sheets of paper, one obviously written by their son and one with an unknow handwriting. They read over and over again the one written by Luka. they are both so happy to learn that their son is alive and safe for now. They let their tears flow and they pull each other in a sweet embrace. They miss him so much, but knowing that he is safe makes it a bit easier.
They then read the second letter. It says that they will have to burn those two letters and the envelop to make sure the Hunters don't find it. The person who wrote the letter says how sorry they are to have to tell them this, how they know how hard it must be to burn the last memory they will probably have of their son, but it's all for his own safety. But they won't be alone in this. There is a group that is offically known to help parents of Threats to live without their children, but they are in fact helping the Invisibles to gather informations and resources. Luka talked about them and the Invisibles are sure that they will be a precious help to the cause. And if nobody from this helping group reached for them yet, they could go to a meeting with a blue iris on their shirt or in their hair. That way the leader of the group will know that they know.
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Luka's parents read that letter too a few times. It was hard to believe that the so mysterious group The Invisibles took their son under their wings. But they always knew Luka was special. Maybe it's because Luka is their son, but they are glad to know he wouldn't be alone and that they would be able to help their son. They still didn't know how, they will have to find this group first. Mary already heard about this group. She will have to do some research, but she doesn't think it's going to be that hard to find.
They found the group quite easily. They bought two small blue iris the morning before the meeting and now they are getting ready to go. They are both struggling to find the right outfit, they don't want to be too dressed up, but they don't want to end up being too dressed down either. So they finally settled for a nice black cocktail dress for Mary and black pants with a buttoned-up shirt for James. They pin the small flower on their chest and they are good to go. It's only a five minutes walk but it seems like much longer, but once they are finally there, it seemed a bit too soon. They don't really know what to do or to say. They both look at each other, give each other a conforting hug and they go in. They decided to let the little blue flower to do the talking for them.
As they step in, there is about ten people in the group, but they only see four others with a blue iris on. A woman comes to them to great them ''Welcome, I would like to say that we are happy to see new people, but we all know what it means when someone join our group...'' She takes a small pause when she notices the small flowers, but she catch herself fast and keep going ''I'm Emilia, over there is my husband Manuel. If you have any questions, you can come to us. We will meet everyone in a few minutes.'' And she leaves quickly to take care of the others. Emilia and Manuel both have a blue iris. That leave two other people so Luka's parents goes to sit next to them. They don't really know what to say or do, so they only sit and give the two other a little wave. Which they give back, but keep quiet. James is about to say something but Manuel claps his hands together to get everyone's attention ''Good evening everyone. As you can see, our group is now a bit bigger. So let's all introduce ourselves to know each other a little better and we will then discuss today's schedule.''
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Emilia and Manuel are first. They explain how they decided to create this group to help the community as best as they can. They have two sons and they went on their own journey after The Storm to help younger people in trouble so they decided to do the same with the older folks of the city.
And then, one couple at the time, they stand up to introduce themselves and explain their story in short words. Some are more tragic than the others, but it all comes back to the same thing. Their child or member of their family were taken away from them by the Hunters. Everyone feel lost and confused and this group help them focus on something else. Help them grief the loss of their loved ones. The two other people with the flower are the adoptive parents of one child that got taken away they explained. They always took take of that child like it was their own, their names are Kristy and Richard. They are not a couple, but they always stood together to help children in needs. Then it's finally Mary and James's turn to introduce themselves. It was hard to talk about what happened since it all happened so recently. They didn't talk about the letter or anything, only that one day, they let their son go to the park with a friend and he never came back. They had their suspicion about him having powers, but they never look deeply into it in fear of losing him... Turns out it still happened.
The evening then goes by quite quickly, they talk about how to deal with their emotions. What they can do to help each others. Luka's parents are a bit disapointed. They thought they would learn about The Invisibles. How to help their son... But as the meeting end, Emilia comes back to them and ask if they can stick around for a few more minutes. Since they are new, they wanted to talk to them in private a little. They agree and they wait for the others to leave. When there is only the four of them with Kristy and Richard cleaning the chairs and tables, Emilia asks for everyone to come closer, and they all do. She talk to Kristy and Richard first ''As you can see, they also have a blue iris.'' The two of them only nods. Emilia then turns back to Mary and James ''That means that you received a letter from your son and a member of our sons's group.''
''Your sons are... leader of the... Invisibles?'' Mary asks in a whisper, almost scared to say this word out loud.
''Yes they are. Kristy and Richard's daughter also is a member. She is most likely the one that wrote the other letter that came with your son's letter.''
Luka's parents both have so many questions in mind but nothing is coming out of their mouth. Manuel seems to notice and jumps in ''We know how confusin and scary all of this is. We will explain everything, but for tonight, I think you have more than enough to think about.''
He then explains how they have two differents meeting. One like this one, to keep up the act so nobody suspect them. And one with only them, the parents of the Invisibles to find ways to help them. To find other people with powers that could help the cause, or only find people that lost a member of their family to those Hunters. They already helped both since sides quite a lot and they could use another set of hands and skills. They give them the date of their first real meeting, which is in a few days and they say goodbye to each other.
The walk home for Mary and James goes in complete silence. Both trying to understand everything that happened in such a short amount of time. They lost their son only to learn that he pretty much alive and in a secret organisation and that they are now also in another even more secret organisation to help them. They both get ready for bed and before to close the light of their room, Mary simply ask ''Are you ready?''
''More than ever!''
They both smile widely, knowing how the other is feeling since they both feel the same: scared but ready to do everything in their power to help.
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