Wooden Amulet

Part 2

Finished: 27-10-09

Uncle Jowy didn’t come back with Uncle Riou. They told Pilika not to worry, because Uncle Jowy is strong. But he hasn’t come back yet at dinnertime. Pilika followed Aunt Nanami, and waited for him at the gate of Muse.

When Pilika saw him, Pilika was so happy. But Uncle Jowy’s eyes showed some different gleam. It was kinda scary; however it quickly turned normal again. Pilika hoped, Pilika prayed that Pilika just had an illusion.

Like a curse, a nightmare that haunted Pilika from behind, Pilika’s bad feelings proven true. They woke Pilika at the midnight. Once again we run, this time until Kuskus. Uncle Jowy wasn’t anywhere to seen. Aunt Nanami cried, and patted Pilika’s shoulder.

Aunt Nanami wasn’t a liar, but Pilika didn’t trust her for that time only. Uncle Jowy is not a murderer, and never be a traitor. He must had something in mind. Pilika clutched for that thought so badly. Pilika refused to believe he did something bad.

He would come back and hug Pilika. He would come back and explain anything. He would come back and prove he was innocent. World spins, time flies, and Pilika’s life continued. Everything remained the same; except, he never come back.

Sometimes, Pilika saw him, not as the one, the kind and gentle Uncle Jowy as before. His eyes now filled with sadness, loneliness, and anger. Pilika really wanted to embrace him, Pilika wanted to know what happened to Pilika’s dear Uncle Jowy.

Small happiness rose in Pilika’s heart after hearing Uncle Shu’s words. He would bring Pilika to meet Uncle Jowy. Or rather, the King of Highland, like how Aunt Apple called him.

If uncle Jowy is the king now, he would end the war soon. Then all of us could live happily ever after, like Mom’s bedtime story. His act was just to stop the war as soon as possible, right? There was nothing wrong from the start.

Uncle Jowy, right before Pilika’s eyes. Uncle Jowy, commanded his soldiers to kill Uncle Riou. Pilika forced her throat to call his name. So hard until Pilika’s throat felt painful.

From that time on, Pilika lived in his castle. Uncle Jowy gave Pilika many beautiful dresses. Pilika also got a roomful maid. But not his love. Pilika hated the castle. Only one, Princess Jillia, Pilika could trust.

Usually at evening, Pilika heard him, and sometimes even peeked, only to find Uncle Jowy stared at his arms. The one with black sword tattoo. He muttered something about ‘destiny’ or ‘Riou’. What was Destiny? Pilika didn’t know, and didn’t want to know.

If that destiny was the one changed Uncle Jowy that much, Pilika won’t believe in it. Day by day, things worsened. He often smiled at Pilika in such way Pilika thought Pilika could see another Uncle Jowy Pilika knew and love. His smile, that only last for a second.

One day Princess Jillia took Pilika to a white horse. Her face was all pale. She whispered,” We will run to Harmonia.” And that was the last time Pilika meets Uncle Jowy. In the middle of our journey Pilika could hear the rumors. The Highland is fallen. The war is over.

What made Pilika cried was the news that the king gone missing. Princess Jillia cried too. Together, we set a new life here. In Harmonia.

If anyone ever asks, Pilika will say, “Pilika once have everything.”

She put off her pen carefully. Her eyes reddened when she reread her diary, twice, thrice. She stopped to cry. She missed her family, her friends, her Uncle Jowy. She had suffered through many things despite her age, hardly ten.

She wiped her tears upon a sobbed yell from the door. She couldn’t believe her sight anymore. Aunt Jillia, smiled ’re here, leaning at the arched fence. Uncle Riou. Aunt Nanami, Uncle Jowy. Real and not a fantasy.

He stepped towards the little girl. His smile, his eyes. He is his Uncle Jowy.

“I’m back, Pilika, I’m back…”

A/N: Finished. I know this is really short. I tried as hard as I can. Pilika is… hard to write. Shoo me if you dissatisfied.