• “Cool name” Mika comments. Pappy didn’t say anything. He was quiet, the atmosphere thick and tense. Mika knew this feeling well, so she zipped her mouth shut from speaking anymore.
    “They grew up together, spending everyday with one another” Pappy says. “Ten years past and they were eighteen. Princess Lulu was a shy girl around people but very outgoing around Night. He would wait hands and foot for her. Night was a gentleman, always escorting her to balls, pulling out her chair for dinner, opening doors, everything. He protected her in everyway like a true guardian” he smiled slightly but it quickly faded away. “Princess Lulu was a young adult, it was time for her to become a bride. The king had his eyes set on the prince from Porella, the richest of the rich. The prince agreed to the king’s proposal because Lulu was the fairest princess across the land. But the Princess refused because she loved Night.”
    Mika was dying to talk, but she didn’t know whether she should or not, so she just kept quiet.
    “Night was in love with her too, but he had to let her go because he can only be a guardian, nothing more. No matter what he says, the princess would still refuse the wedding. The day of the wedding, Lulu didn’t show up. She ran away with Night. The prince was furious from the humiliation of standing at the podium, alone. That night, he sent his army out to—” Pappy stopped, his palm pressed against his forehead because it pained him to say the rest. Mika didn’t want to continue the story if he was going to suffer. Before she could say something, Pappy started where he left off.
    “The army killed many…many people in the palace. One after another, everyone died…” he shook his head and tears were swelling up. “I’m sorry…I need to be alone right now.”
    Mika nodded and went to the door. Pappy took a look at the emerald necklace and tossed it to Mika. She caught it with surprise. The green globe swirled around her fingers.
    “Pappy…”
    “Keep it safe” he says, walking to the door. “He’s out there, you know” and he shut the door in front of her.
    Mika had her mouth hung open for at least twenty seconds. She turned and went into her room which was right across the hall. Her mother was just about to say something but Mika quickly past her and shut the bedroom door. She slumped on her bed, the necklace held out for a close up.
    Wow…I can’t believe I’m holding the boy’s necklace. His actual necklace! She twisted and turned then stopped, having second thoughts. This can’t actually be the real necklace cause it’s just a story. Right, grandpa? Mika sighs and crawls under the covers. I’ts just a story. She hugged the necklace close to her chest and closed her eyes. It was warm and cool at the same time.
    He’s out there, Mika remembers Pappy saying. He’s out there, you know.
    part 4