I still can't believe it. The fact that he's gone still hasn't sunk in. Even now, exactly one month after his funeral, I'm left in a shameless state of shock. As I move throughout the old wooden house, the floorboards creaking as I spend the day packing up years worth of precious memories. It's been a whole month, yet no matter how much I try, my mind still finds it's way back, forcing me to relieve his last moments over and over again.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJVEXFPizm6
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"Kiara," He gasped, straining as he lifted his head up off of the floor to meet my eyes. "You are ready, my dear Kiara. The time has finally come for you to take my place, I have no doubt you'll make me proud." A single tear rolled down his cheek as I crouched down beside him and gently lay his head on my lap. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdNEFLk73C
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"But, Paw Paw, what are you talking about?" I managed to choke out as I gently stroked his thin, grey hair, not liking the way his skin had turned a sickly grey. I knew he didn't have much time left but by then, he'd already told me not to call the ambulance. Instead he requested that I sit with him. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQQ4MfmXc1
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I remember the tears in my eyes as I watched him exhale slowly, letting out his final shaky breath. I'll never forget the way he attempted to smile at me, not wanting to see me hurting as I held the one person closest to me while he slipped away forever.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqDAryyQic0
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After that, I went numb. I haven't shed a single tear since then. I make my way throughout the house, packing away family photographs, ornaments and other sentimental items that'll be distributed amongst the money hungry family members when the will is read out tomorrow. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiAsd3OLFT
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Finally, I make it to the attic. I take a deep breath as I pull the handle down and an old wooden ladder gently slides down before settling on the floor with a loud thump. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgpLWA2ObN
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As soon as I make my way up and into the room, my eyes instantly move to where it all happened. They say it was a heart attack, so they ruled it out without an autopsy, but I don't know about that. My Paw Paw was a very healthy man, always kept himself busy with whatever new projects he could think of. Like this room, for example, he insisted on changing it into a small book nook for me. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUl8Lg93fq
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That's what we were doing when he dropped onto the floor. I find myself walking around, looking at the hundreds of books he collected in his lifetime, when something catches my eye.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaOHismhLFE
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I've literally seen every book he owns, either I've read it, heard about it or helped him unpack it. I reach up and pull the book out. It's weird to see one I never noticed before, and it doesn't exactly seem like something you'd miss pretty easily either. The thick leather cover looks old and tattered as I turn it this way and that, trying to find a title or any type of indication as to what secrets it holds deep within its pages. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelsi4OIZGF
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When I find nothing of the sort, I quickly walk over to one of the green beanbags in the corner and sit down. I figure I could use a break before packing up the last room. I get comfortable before carefully opening the book, placing it securely on my lap while my fingers move slowly, turning over each thin page carefully.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0XveLweH0e
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So far, this seems to be a waste of time. No wonder I never read it, it's not even in English. I attempt to shut the book but nothing happens. It's like someone's put a thick piece of wood between the pages, making it impossible for me to close it. I stare at the book, wondering what the hell is going on when suddenly I'm blinded by a white light. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5UeO8QUs8
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Before I know what's happening, the sound of wind surrounds me, making my long, black hair fan out just as an intense burning sensation takes over my throat. The combination of pain, confusion and disorientation leaves me screaming on the top of my lungs and clutching at my throat when suddenly, everything stops. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFHYG5d4jVu
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All at once, the wind, burning and blindness disappears. My eyes dart around, trying to figure out exactly what happened when I realise, I'm no longer in my grandfather's attic. Instead I find myself in a small cave behind a waterfall. The loud roar of the water as it crashes into the still pool below is drowned out by the sound of wildlife all around. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsCbkoyHnmk
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I walk forward, my footsteps echoing off of the stone walls as I approach the edge and peak over, admiring the gorgeous mountains and trees surrounding us. I jump, spinning around quickly as a warm hand touches my shoulder.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXg9jHhyLBa
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When my eyes settle on the person in front of me, my heartbeat speeds up and tears of disbelief spring to my eyes. "Paw Paw!" I say, sniffling loudly as I wrap my arms around him, not caring about hiding the tears now running freely down my cheeks as he gently strokes my hair, letting me just hold him and sob until eventually the tears slow down before disappearing altogether.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMgFKd0qTd
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"But I dont understand." I say, wiping my tears on the knitted green Jersey I had on. "How are you here? What happened?" He smiles and takes my hand, leading me back to the edge. "This is where I am, my dear." He tells me, smiling warmly as he watches me. "This is where the Guardians go to rest once we pass the first level; life." 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmQuQ0c5p8
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I look up at him, starting to question his sanity as he answers the question already on the tip of my tongue. "Do you remember my best friend Jackie?" "Your business partner, yes. What about her?" 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmDuJp2sVYh
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"Well, she's a Siren. A Siren has the ability to manipulate anyone and bring almost any creature to their knees using just the right pitch in their voices. They're undoubtedly the most lovely people you'll ever meet and most of them are good, they don't want to hurt people. That's where we come in. You see, our family comes from a long line of Guardians. Our job is to protect the Siren we're assigned to, to clean up any mess they may find themselves in and most importantly, to protect them from the hunters." 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaMogmIEWLb
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"Hunters? But Paw Paw, I'm not a fighter, I'm no guardian! Who assignes people to a Guardian? What exactly will I have to do? Who will..." he wraps both of his large, wrinkled hands around one of mine. "Shh, child. All will be explained in time. For now, keep this secret and keep the book safe and with you at all times. When you're assigned to a Siren the words will reveal themselves, changing into something only you will understand. Until we meet again, I love you." 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRpWZvHiQO
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"No wait, Paw Paw! Come back! Don't leave me here please." I keep shouting as the darkness closes in and I hear another familiar voice. I slowly open my eyes and blink up at the plump figure towering over me.602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml11tYOcu0
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"Aunty Angie? What are you doing here?" 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7XVdYUEbNH
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She holds out her hand, offering to help pull me up. I grip her hand and stand up, stretching my stiff legs as I let out a yawn. "You fell asleep, it was getting late and you weren't returning any of my calls so, I came to check up on you. Come on, let's grab a bite to eat on the way home, you must be starving!" 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiTB9Ddgr5
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She says as she begins leading me out of the room. My stomach starts growling at the mere mention of food, but just as we reach the small ladder, I turn around and quickly run back to the beanbag and shove the old book into my handbag before turning to my aunt. "Sorry, almost forgot my bag." I say and remain silent as we make our way out of the house and into the car, was that all just a dream? Well, I guess I'll find out. 602Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9fjTyzl2Rw
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