It was two years ago, Christmas Break. More like 2 1/2 years ago. That is when it all started. My grandfather owned a small dust shop in Vale city, Vale. I helped out any chance I got I always enjoyed feeling useful.
So I enjoyed helping out my grandfather. And over the years he became more and more dependant on me. He went through employees like water so I was the one with the most experience in the store. I knew what went where and what needed to be done, what sold and what customers liked and demanded. In some cases more than grandpa.
I was in the back office looking for the papers when I heard the big commotion in the back of the shop. Grandpa was checking on the workers when Gladio discovered something one of the dust he was cutting.
I got back there and saw grandpa at Gladio's table.
"What kind is it?," one of the workers' asked.
"It looks old," another said.
"They look expensive," Gladio said.
My grandpa saw me in the doorway and waved me over. I walked over to the table and saw four dust crystals from the ice dust crystal Gladio had cut open.
"What are they, grandpa," I asked.
My grandpa looked at one of the crystals, almost examining it even though I'm sure he didn't know what to look for and said, "Something very old, and probably thought of not exsisting anymore thanks to Schnee," he said.
Everyone responded with a "Oh," as if he said something very profound, even though he said what we were already thinking.
He ran the crystal threw the water in the sink next to him. He dryed it with his shirt then handed it to me.
"That one is for you," he said. "Keep it safe."
I took it and admired it, "Thank you, grandpa."
He nodded then looked at Gladio, "Clean the rest and put them in my office."
Gladio nodded. We went to breakfast and that was that. I didn't exactly care. I just threw it in my dust box and forgot about it.
It was a few months later as we ate my grandpa asked, "Where is that crystal I gave you?"
The way he asked sounded like he may want it back. I began to think. I honestly couldn't remember.
"I may have put it in my dust box," I suggested. "You want it back?"
He quickly shut his eyes and shook his head. It was his way to express that you have greatly misunderstood him. "Just continue to keep it safe and don't let anyone know you have it."
"Why," I asked.
"Because, it is very valuable. And many people want it," He explained. "Good people and Bad. I gave it to you as a gift, but I don't want my gift to get you hurt."
And that's all he said about it. He quickly changed the subject, asking me about school and asking what time I would be able to make it to the shop that day. It was shipment day and he often liked having me there to over look the employees and make sure they put things away correctly.
He made me curious about the crystal. I walked into the shop that day. Confused about what Grandpa had said along with the dread of it being shipment day.
So when I saw my grandpa dangling from the hands of... A man, he was wearing a white and red jacket with ginger hair, and a bowler hat it took me a second to register.
I just stood there staring as blood dripped out of his mouth. I noticed grandpa had a bullet wound.
That's when he noticed me. He seemed to wait for my reaction. The next few moments are hard to explain. It's one of those things you have to experience for yourself.
Time slowed down, like bullet time. And it was as if the man knew what was coming. I was paralyzed as I saw the arm holding my grandpa begin to move. I looked down at myself, probably trying to figure out why I couldn't move. Then I saw it. The sword gun in my hand. I looked back up and saw that the man was in the midst of throwing my grandpa. The moment I saw my grandpa's head hit the wall and his neck rip.
The man was right on top of me. He tackled me. slamming me to the ground. Then he began to slam his cane against me repeatively. Not given me a chance to respond. The pain was unbearable. He carried a stength I never encountered that is when I felt it. It was the same feeling. Only this time it filled me with rage. All the shit I had been taking from my school bullies, watching my grandpa die. He swung one last time and I smacked it out of the way with my forearm. I must have surprised him cause he froze. Giving me enough time to kick him off and to my surprise with super strength. He went flying in the air and slamming against the wall.
I stood up. Finally putting two and two together. It was the crystal. The dust crystals were what he was after. When I looked up the man was gone. I never saw him leave.
I ran to my grandpa but when I saw his body... well, it made me throw up.
My name is Jessikah Winchester and i will find the man who did this.
