Atomic Redwood Revamped

 

Chapter 21: “Gregori”

 

A black man came walking out of the woods, when he came into the light from the house, she noticed he had scars all over him and broken chains. She concentrated on her hearing, hoping to hear what they were saying but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t.

 

That’s when she got a feeling… She couldn’t explain it but something told her he was good… While they were still talking, she opened the door. “He’s fine guys.” She spoke as she walked up to them.

 

“Tempest are you crazy?! I said stay!” Jacques yelled.

 

“Tempest?…” The man asked, looking at her.

 

“I was named after my mother.” She answered.

 

“Your mother?… Temp is your mother?” The guy asked.

 

“She was… She died the night I was born.” She answered.

 

“No…” The man fell to his knees with tears in his eyes. “She was my best friend… my family… if she’s gone… my love must be too…”

 

She went to her knees in front of him. “I only know that my mother and father died… What’s your name? I feel like I know you.”

 

“It’s the witch in you… plus I would always talk to you in her belly. My name is Gregori… Gregori Belandrake.” Gregori answered.

 

“Belandrake? There’s a ship named that… Dayan’s the caption.” Tempest responded.

 

Gregori grabbed her shoulders shaking her as he spoke. “Dayan?! Dayan Falcon!? Dayan Falcon is alive?!”

 

“Hey! Let her go!” Jacques yelled getting g pissed.

 

“Yes. And be nice Jacques.” Tempest responded.

 

“Nice?! He’s shaking you!” Jacques responded.

 

“The child? Is the child alive?” Gregori asked, letting go of her.

 

“Do you mean his daughter? Yes, but I haven’t meant her yet. I do know her name is Savannah.” She answered.

 

“Savannah? He named her Savannah?” Gregori responded.

 

“Are you okay?” She asked.

 

“I’m better now. My love and baby are alive…” Gregori responded, hugging her.

 

“Wait, you and Dayan are, were, together?” Tempest asked as he let her go.

 

“Yes. Male lycons can give birth. It’s quiet normal for us really.” Gregori answered.

 

“Where have you been all of this time?” Julian asked.

 

“Captive. I stayed behind so Dayan, temp, and Darius could get away. I made a diversion so they’d come after me instead.” Gregori answered.

 

“Why haven’t anyone come after you?” Julian asked.

 

“They told me they were dead, maybe they heard the same. Believe me if Dayan knew I was alive, nothing would have stopped him.” Gregori answered.

 

“Come on, lets get you inside.” Tempest said, pulling on Gregori’s are lightly. He stood  without a sound.

 

“How’d you know where to find us?” Jacques asked as they walking inside.

 

“When she let me go, she told me if I came here, all would be answered.” Gregori answered.

 

“Who?” Julian asked.

 

“Desari. She just came into my cell, told me to leave. And left the door open.” Gregori said.

 

“Desari? Do… do you know?” Tempest asked.

 

“Know what?” Gregori asked.

 

“Did she say anything else?” Julian asked.

 

“Just I hope when you get your answers, you can forgive.” Gregori answered.

 

“Gregori, please promise you’ll stay calm.” Tempest spoke.

 

“It’s that bad, isn’t it? I promise I will do nothing to harm you, you are family.” Gregori promised as he sat down on the couch.

 

“Desari, my aunt, was ordered to kill my parents and me. She was threatened. It was her or them. She took me to a church and told her father I was dead also. He now knows she lied.” Tempest explained.

 

“…How could she… She…she was his twin… a friend… she was always nice to Temp…” Gregori said, burying his head in his hands.

 

“She was threatened. He killed his wife in a slow, painful way. If he could do that to her, what would he do to her? It was the only way to save Tempest.” Julian explained.

 

“You must be Julian. Desari told me about you. I can understand your reasoning but she betrayed me, us… if I do forgive, it won’t be until a while.” Gregori responded.

 

“Please know, if you try to kill her, you will have to kill me first.” Julian responded.

 

“I understand.” Gregori spoke.

 

“Are you okay though? Are you hurt?” Tempest asked, making Gregori smile.

 

“I’m fine, these are old.” Gregori answered.

 

“So you knew my mother?” Tempest asked.

 

“Oh yes, not as long as Dayan had but long enough. I believe she was 15 when we met.” Gregori answered.

 

“How old was she?” Tempest asked.

 

“Depends. What’s you birthday?” Gregori asked.

 

“I was born October 31st.” Tempest answered.

 

“Then she was 33 when she died. Her birthday was February 18th.” Gregori answered.

 

“What was my name going to be? Or did she not have on yet?” Tempest asked.

 

“Yes, she had two actually. If you were a boy, it was going to be Barack, after her twin who died from heart disease when they were 24. Your name was going to be Syndil, after her mother.” Gregori answered and explained.

 

“She was a twin?” Tempest asked.

 

“Yes. Because of Barack’s heart, she became a doctor, so she could save him. Unfortunately she didn’t…” Gregori explained.

 

“Do I have family on her side?” Tempest asked.

 

“Yes. Dayan, me, and our daughter. Before I turned Dayan he was her cousin.” Gregori answered.

 

Tempest smiled. “So what do I call you?”

 

“Whatever you want, I’d prefer uncle Greg though.” Gregori answered.

 

“Uncle Greg… I like it.” Tempest responded. “I have so many more questions but you need to eat and rest. Don’t even argue, it’s an order.”

 

“You are your mother… Though your father had the same attitude… That’s why they fell for each other so quickly…” Gregori responded.

 

“Lets get some food in you. Anything you want? Answer it and I’ll fix it. Captive food sucks.” Julian spoke.

 

“Really? After all I said?” Gregori asked.

 

“Gregori, I’d say the same if it was switched. Of course I mean it.” Julian answered.

 

Gregori smiled a little. “I wouldn’t mind having some pizza if it’s not to much trouble?”

 

Julian smiled. “Coming right up!”