1 THE KEY

At half past 10, Benda walked across the Winzona street. The stores were all lighted up with the Chirstmas decorations. As she looked up, the snow felt deep onto her cheeks. "Hope he would love this", she smiled at herself. As she reached the corners of the town, she noticed some shadows behind her. 'I should have known this earlier', she began to speed up. The shadows followed her. She began to run, as fast as she could. 'I have to give the key. At any cost', her breath was stopping, but she didn't have the time to stop. She reached a dark corner and hid herself behind the large public dustbin. Benda controlled her gaspes, knowing the fact that her age won't let her to do so.

"The world is still on its vogue stage and we both know this", the familiar voice came. Benda felt a chill running through her spine.

"You are smart", the voice continued, "You were smart but that old man didn't know let you help your own blood". Benda closed her eyes. Tgose memories of her last meal were coming in front of her eyes.

"Patrice was a nice person, but he never forgave Dean". Benda reluctanly said to the man who was sitted at the middle of a grand dining table. " He wanted to come to here and talked abouy it to you but you never gave any interest to him".

"My apologies Mrs Johanson, I wanted to talk about it but... "

"But he was a Squantion". Benda sipped from an exquisitic bowl on the majestic table.

"I am sorry... "

"Patrice was a Squantion and you knew about it".

"If you want to hear the truth, its a yes, I knew Patrice was a Squantion but it never mattered to me". Mr Sovenior took his spectacles and cleaned it with a clean linen cloth. "Squantions and Minewors have never been in a good relationship but Patrice was more than a friend to me. He was like a family".

Benda took another sip of her soup. This time it was a long one.

"Sylvie wanted to know... "

"If Patrice was a good holder for the box".

"And if he knew who was behind it".

Now Benda looked up at Mr Sovenior, who was still cleaning his spectacles.

"Patrice knew it" her eyes was filled with tears, "and he never forgave himself for it".

"But did Patrice ever told you that he had the answer to it? "

"Iam sorry, to what? "

"to the KEY"

....