Kat nodded. "I caught a glimpse of her when I destroyed the shadowy man. She's the real enemy, not those little minions of hers. She scares me." Kat shivered, and Derek put his jacket around her shoulders.
"Don't worry. I won't let her hurt you, your mom, Alex, or Nick."
"I know. But that's not what I'm worried about. She could hurt you." Kat said sadly.
{Sweet little Kat; always caring about everyone else} he thought, but said, "Don't worry. I'm a big boy. Besides, I've got you to back me up."
The young girl beamed, and Derek said, "Oh, and I wanted to give you something. Come on." he said, and led her to the minivan. He pulled out a brown paper wrapped rectangular package. "Here."
Kat opened the package, and pulled out a brown leather book with golden hinges. She looked at it in wonderment. She opened up the cover, and saw a message inscribed inside. "Kat," it read, "you have such powerful gifts, but your greatest gift is your pure and kind heart. Listen to it, and you will always be ok."
"Thank you." Kat said, throwing her arms around Derek in a big hug. He groaned and she pulled back, realizing she had hit his injured arm. "I'm sorry. Are you?"
'I'm ok." he interrupted. "I'm glad you like it. You can record your thoughts in it. Anything you want to write in it. And look, on the side there's a lock." he pulled out a key hanging on a golden necklace. "The only key that will open it." He handed it to her.
"Thank you. I'm glad you trust me." Kat said admiringly.
"Of course I trust you. You've more than earned it. Just remember, anytime you need to talk to someone, I'm here," he said caringly.
She nodded and smiled. The pair walked back to where Alex and Rachel were watching the construction. Derek put his good arm around Alex's waist, and Rachel looked knowingly at them. She hugged Kat gently, and they stood watching as the sun began to set behind the unfinished outline of the castle.
*8*
"Well," the old woman said harshly, "There's more than one way to skin a cat." she cackled, fingering a small golden locket. "I'll just have to get a little more... creative."
{menacing music!!!) :0) |