Unaware, Makayla had given in to exhaustion and drifted off to sleep. As the evening progressed, the lights in the living room dimmed to nothing, allowing the shadowy embrace of the stormy night to enclose us. I picked up Amanda's Teddy bear and gently placed it near Makayla, hoping it would provide her with the same comfort it had offered me for many years. Settling into my recliner, I draped a blanket over my feet and soon fell asleep for the remainder of the night.

When I woke up, it was to the gentle caress of the rays of the sun. Casting a glance toward the couch, I realized Makayla had left some time ago, and Amanda's teddy bear was missing as well. Just then, Whiskers, seemingly out of nowhere, hopped onto my lap, his presence a silent demand for his morning meal.

"I bet you're hungry, eh?" I said, offering Whiskers a gentle pet. "Alright, let's get you some food."

Rising from my chair, I made my way to the kitchen. A sudden breeze caught me by surprise, accompanied by a shadow that darted through my windows. The gust swirled within my home, whisking papers off my desk into the air. As I spun around to investigate, I was greeted by the sight of the Godmother standing in my kitchen, her majestic black wings spanning the space before she gracefully retracted them.

"It's been a long time," The Godmother said. "How's life?"

With a sigh, I continued my task of pouring food into Whiskers' bowl, addressing the Godmother without turning to face her. "I know why you're here. Someone has sought the pen. But I've made it clear to her that she can't have it."

"Or maybe it's time," The Godmother said. "You haven't opened your life to anyone in sixty years. Perhaps it's time to reassess your stance. That girl exudes an energy similar to yours at her age. Her motivations might be just as genuine."

"I felt it. She is pure of heart. But I don't want her to go through the suffering I've experienced."

The Godmother moved closer, her hands gently coming to rest on my shoulders, grounding me with her touch. "You don't know what the future holds. Living for centuries, trapped in the same cycle, isn't truly living. The path to healing your pain is through the joy of others. Remember, life is short for most, and yet here you are, still a step away from the finish line."

Her words triggered a cascade of memories within me. I remembered the struggles of my youth, the friends who had stood by me, and those who had appeared just when I needed them most. Lollipop girl, pirate boy, and cowgirl—each had played an important role in my journey, their presence and support fueling my belief in myself and giving me strength to endure life, until it was my time to move on.

"You're right, it's time for me to let go. I've held on for far too long. Do you think I'll be able to see them all again?"

"Anything is possible."

She offered me a warm smile before turning and soaring out of my kitchen. I stood there for a moment, watching Whiskers polish off his meal. He then purred contentedly, weaving around my legs in a bid for attention, possibly hoping for a second helping.

"What do you think about a trip to the orphanage? Would you like to keep me company?"

Whiskers stared at me, unsure of what I just said. "Maybe I'll let you enjoy the recliner while I visit the orphanage?"

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Whiskers meow.

"I Knew you would say that, Traitor."

I took my coat and grabbed my favorite hat, casting a final glance around the store. The change looming ahead felt monumental, promising to end the solitude I had endured for so long. Each item on the shelves held a personal connection to me, a memory or a chapter in the story of my existence. The thought of parting with them made the impending transition even more difficult to accept. Into my bag, I carefully placed the old pirate hat, wondering if its original owner ever thought about the possibility of having it back.

I sighed, as I closed the gate in front of the store, feeling nostalgic about the many years I spent protecting my treasures. With a newfound purpose, I initiated my journey toward the orphanage, merely two blocks away from my shop.

Reaching Oxford's House, I was met with the lively scene of children playing at the entrance. Walking to the center desk, I noticed it was almost hidden beneath mounds of paperwork. A woman seated behind it showed no sign of noticing my arrival, her distraction caused by the towering stacks of papers lying in every corner. I leaned in, finding a narrow gap between the piles to grab her attention.

"Hey there."

"If you're here to visit a child you're planning to foster, I'll need you to wait a bit. Anything else can wait until tomorrow."

I understood the pressure she was under. I knew I needed to get her attention, and tomorrow was not an option for me. "I'm here to make a donation to the orphanage."

At the mention of a donation, she instantly rose from her chair, a half-smile revealing her yellowed teeth. "Hello, welcome to Oxford's House, where every child finds a home."

"I need you to call the coordinator; he is expecting my donation."

"Absolutely. I'm calling him immediately."

I took a seat on a bench near the reception, observing the children at play, their laughter and energy echoing through the old wood of the century-old building. Almost immediately, my attention was drawn to a girl weaving her way among the children, holding a teddy bear in her hand, strikingly similar to the one Amanda had left behind. Makayla navigated through the groups of kids with ease, intervening in their minor disputes with a natural grace.

With a smile, I lifted my hand waving at her. "Makeyla!"

Her face broke into a wide smile at the sound of my voice, as she hurried over. "Samuel! I just knew you'd come to visit. Are you here to get Amanda's Teddy back?"

Initially, her motive puzzled me, but it soon became clear Makayla had a specific reason for taking Amanda's teddy bear. "Did you take the teddy to coax me out of my solitude?"

"More or less," she said with a smile. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I? I actually want you to keep it."

"Really?"

Exchanging words, I noticed a man walking through the bustling crowd of children, making his way towards us. This was someone familiar, someone I remembered from a visit a decade ago. He fetched a chair and placed it beside me, taking a seat with an amused expression.

"I've never heard of a hermit leaving its home. What is going to be next? Frogs falling out of the sky?"

"Jonah, it's been a while since we last spoke. You look old."

Jonah burst into laughter, a sound of genuine amusement. "And you haven't exactly become more handsome yourself. What's the purpose of this rare visit?"

Makeyla, following our conversation with curious eyes, couldn't hold back any longer. "Samuel, you know Mr. Lumbar?"

"His first name is Jonah."

Her eyes sparkled with recognition, connecting the dots between the name and the tales I had shared with her. "Jonah, as in Jonah from your stories?"

I nodded. "Yes, that Jonah. He's quite the character, isn't he?"

A smile broke across her face as she bubbled with enthusiasm. "I have to go tell my brother about this!"

"Seems like you've been making new friends. It's good to see you stepping out of your shell. How did you two meet?" Jonah asked.

"It's quite a story. Maybe I'll share it another time. But today, I'm here to give you something," I said as I retrieved the pirate hat from my bag and placed it carefully on my lap. Jonah's reaction was immediate; his eyes brimmed with nostalgia and a rush of emotions at the sight of it.

"I can't believe it, after all these years, you still have it."

Holding the hat out to him, I made the gesture of returning a piece of his past. "It's time I gave this back to you. It doesn't serve me any purpose now."

"I don't understand. It was a gift from me. I gave it to you so that you could remember me."

"Yes, but I am ready."

Jonah grew curious about my comment. "Ready for what?"

"The last wish."