Chapter 3 A Jealous Daughter

As Mr. Andrew drove from Nomay high to their house, he saw that the town was in total chaos. The earthquake had caused massive damage to the town.

Its roads were cracked, houses were torn apart, ambulances moving to and fro with people running helter skelter. Trying to save others which buildings had collapsed on, or worse.

It seemed the school which was the site of the earthquake, had the lowest degree of damage. All through the town there was pain and Mr. Andrew couldn't help but blame himself, that he had somehow caused this by keeping Isabel in the dark about her powers.

Perhaps if she had known about her powers, this tragedy would have been avoided. He quickly knocked that thought off his head, as he realized keeping her in the dark was the only reason she survived this long.

Isabel was in the back seat of Mr. Andrew's car, sleeping so peacefully. Mr. Andrew wished he could take this toll off her, because he knows when she wakes up, she would never forgive herself for the chaos and death she had caused.

Finally they arrived home, their house had felt little of the earthquake, as it was in the outskirts of town. Houses in that area didn't subtain much damage, like those downtown.

Mr. Andrew parked his car on the driveway, just outside their house. He came out, then leaned back on the car. He sighed, dipped his hand in his pocket, brought out his phone and dialed a number.

The phone rang for a few seconds before it was answered. "Jacob, what do you want?" A feminine voice replied at the other end of the call.

"Wow? You saved my number?"

A heavy sigh could be heard through the phone. "What do you want Jacob!"

"Something bad happened. I know I promised to never call again, but please I need your help. I found the map."

"You did? When, where? I'm on my way, give me an hour."

"There's something else, it about Isabel, it happened sooner than you said it would. Please we need you, I need you."

"What do you mean sooner?"

"I mean today. I cannot tell you just how bad it is on the phone, you'd have to see it."

"Fine! Just keep her home, it'll be too dangerous letting her out of your sight. I'm on my way." She hung up the call.

Mr. Andrew sighed, turned around, to stare at Isabel through the car's window, peacefully sleeping.

"I just hope she's on time.." He opened the door and carried Isabel out into the house, straight upstairs to her bedroom.

***********

Isabel's room was on the uppermost floor of the house. The windows were locked but the curtains were slightly opened, from which the light from the setting sun could get in.

She could feel its warmth on her face, as she slowly opened her blue eyes. She turned away from the window and faced the ceiling. It soon dawned on her that she was in her bedroom.

She instantly jerked up from her bed. "How did I get here??" The last thing she could remember was going into the ladies room with an unbearable pain. Just then, she started voices coming from down stairs, in the living room.

"Dad!" She exclaimed, rushed out her room, down the stairs believing her father could explain why she woke up in her bedroom, even though she clearly remembered being in school.

"Dad! How did-" She paused, shocked to see Mr. Andrew and a fairly beautiful lady she didn't recognize talking, both seated on the couch.

The lady was dressed in a beautiful red dress, having long black hair. There were slight wrinkles on her face, and from her looks, she would be in her forties, just like her father.

Isabel had interrupted them and both their attention was now pulled to her. "Honey, you have woken up." Mr. Andrew stood up with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, I have. Who is she?" She gestured to the lady. "Is she the reason you have been distant? She's what you wanted to tell me when I got back from school!"

"Isabel, I'm sorry for how I've been. But-"

"You know what, nevermind!" She cut him short with both gesturing with both hands up in the air. "I don't care what you do or if you keep pushing me away just because of some woman! What I came here to ask is what happened to me, how did I get home?"

"Isabel what has gotten into you-"

"No, don't!" The lady cut Mr. Andrew short. "I got this..." She walked forward to Isabel and stretched her hand for a handshake. "My name is Sophia.''

Isabel glared at her, leaving her hand hanging in the air. "Sophia, I see, well I'm Isabella but everyone calls me Isabel for shorts. Now that we know both our names, tell me what are you doing here with my dad."

"This is hilarious." Mr. Andrew giggled and sat back down. He couldn't help but laugh at the idea that Isabel was angry because she thought he was seeing Sophia.

"Jacob!" Sophia glanced back at him. "This is serious."

"Oh yeah, you're right." The smile died out of his face just as quickly. "Isabel you can drop the attitude it's not what you think, we have more pressing matters to discuss like what happened today."

"What happened today?"

"Isabel, it's time you hear the truth because your life may depend on it."

"Dad! What are you talking about?"

"We need to finish the conversation we started in the morning. You might want to take a seat." He gestured to the chair opposite him.

"O..kay?" She slowly walked over and sat in the chair. "To understand what happened today, we must first go back to the beginning." He brought out a very old book from his work bag.

The words on the cover of the book were not written in English, but Mr. Andrew had no problem understanding it. "Within this book lies the true story of who you are Isabel, your heritage and the answers to what happened today!"