Rise of the Darkness

Back in Time.

Calla remembered the stranger. He was the same person who met her 6 months ago. She had been searching him since then, but never found a single clue about him. And here he was standing, he hadn't changed a bit. She came back to her senses when she found him staring at her. She tapped on Sophie's shoulder who was still busy looking at things and admiring them.

"Don't go anywhere, I'll be back in a minute." Calla said to her niece.

"Go talk to your price, he's cute." Sophie said with a grin.

"Henry's not here Sophie." Calla replied in an annoyed tone.

"I'm not talking about Henry, he's not your Prince." Sophie replied and giggled. Calla shook her head and went to that strange man who was still drooling over her. To her surprise, she wasn't even uncomfortable with him staring at her. She stood right in front of him and glared at her.

"Who are you?" Calla asked him and tried to keep her voice firm.

"Really, that's the best question you could come up with?" The strange man asked with a chuckle.

"Pardon please?" Calla asked with a raised brow.

"What's in your heart Miss Calla Davis." The strange man asked.

"How do you know my name? Are you stalking me?" Calla asked.

" I'm not a cheap stalker, I'm a guardian." The strange man replied with anger.

"What? What do you mean with that? Guardian for whom?" Calla asked in confusion.

"The time will tell you and teach you everything about your future soon." The strange man said and raised his finger but this time, he pointed at Sophie. Calla looked at her niece who had so many pendants in her hands.

"Beware the darkness that soon will rise." He whispered in Calla's ear as Calla looked back at him but he was again gone. Calla was now confused with the hide and seek game he was playing. Calla didn't waste her time to look for him, she went back to her niece. Sophie made her choose one of the pendants. All of them were so beautiful but one of them caught her eyes. It was a blue crystal pendant with silver sparklings inside. Sophie gave it to the shopkeeper and asked her to pack it into a cute box. They paid for the pendant and went out. They did more shopping. Sophie sat on one of the ponies like a princess. So far the day was good and it made Sophie so much happier than Calla had imagined. It was almost dusk when they went back to their house. Sophie happily took all the shopping bags from her aunt. They opened the door and Henry greeted her from behind.

"Hey." Henry said.

" Hi. What are you doing here?" Calla asked.

" Just came to see you." Henry said.

" Hi Henry." Sophie greeted him.

"Oh hi. What are you doing? Can we go for dinner tonight?" Henry replied carelessly then asked Calla. Calla gave him a deadly glare.

take all this to your room. We'll check everything, I'll be there in

Calla. Bye Henry." Sophie replied and went

about a hundred times that I

alone. I've told

I've told you that I can

will it work in future? If she won't learn to live with nannies

with living alone or with nannies?" Calla

asked and chuckled. Hearing the word adopt,

even thinking? Henry, For the love of

your step sister, not your real sis…." Henry was replying but Calla didn't let him complete

for her, I wouldn't be even here. You've said that once, but make sure that ain't happened again or I swear to God I won't

life. Then what about your work? It's growing bigger. Look at you. You're comparing me with that little witch…." Henry could not complete his sentence because a sharp slap made its way to his cheek. Calla slapped him hard enough

family and my life. That strange man was right about you. You don't love me but my money and success. It was actually a mistake. I should have known better. A sick person like you can crave for money and fame only. GET OUT AND NEVER SHOW ME YOUR FACE EVER

anyone think of my Sophie like that? She's my life and I can give up on

single word. She was happily going through all the stuff she bought. Calla sat on the couch and was in her deep thoughts. She was pulled out of her thoughts when

Happy birthday to

Happy birthday to you.

birthday dear

Happy birthday to you.

gave her the box with the pendant she bought

baby, you

my best

back to unpack all the things she bought, where Calla opened the box and looked at the beautiful pendant. Suddenly she remembered the man again who told her about Henry. Her heartbeat

he meant about beware the darkness and why

Mara. Calla was 5 and Mara was 16 when Calla's mother Sophie was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She loved Mara more than her own daughter, she didn't want to leave her like this. She set her up with Xavier Luke. He was a great man. After Sophie's death he took Calla in as well. He raised her like his own daughter and they both decided not to plan their family until Calla turned 18. Mara got a baby a year later. Calla was 19 years old by then. Mara named her daughter after her step mother who loved her like her own. The time when Mara was in labour, she got some complications and doctors asked Xavier to make a choice. He

little baby. Please don't leave me. I've been waiting for you for so long. I promise you I will take care of you and make all your wishes come true. Just come to me, don't leave me. I want to see you,

praying for both Mara and her baby. A baby

girl and

the baby who was now

And how is my wife?" Xavier

and so is the baby. Mother and baby both

Can I see

asking for

left and Xavier gave the baby to Calla. She first hesitated but then carefully took the baby in her arms. Xavier left to see his wife while Calla kissed

Calla to make it her room. Calla did as Sophie asked but she never left her alone. But tonight she wanted to sleep with her aunt again. Calla requested Xavier to set her room as Sophie's room. Since Sophie was born, she has lived in Calla's room. Calla took care of the baby, even though she took care of her at night.

sun has gone