Chapter Three: A Trip Down Memory Lane

I made it to the out-most part of the city limit. It was the cold sand underneath my feet and the ice breeze that blew against my sweaty neck that made me shiver. It was cold and dark. Classic desert am I right? After walking for a couple more miles, I saw in the far distance headlights, but they weren't moving. "Should I go for it?" I thought to myself. "Well, as I always say, what will it matter if I do anyways." I said out loud.

I grew closer and closer to the headlights and soon realized it was a big white van. "Oh great, it's a rape van." I chuckled to myself. Next to the van was a patio set up in the sand with a picnic table and string lights everywhere- kind of what you see in a campground. "Seems sketch, but I don't really care." I walked up to the van door and knocked since lights were shining from the inside. Maybe they have a coat I could borrow and directions to whatever I'm searching for.

A sweet old lady with a gypsy-like scarf on her head slid open the van door and greeted me with a smile. "Oh, child! What are you doing out here in the cold? Please, come in. Come in!" She waved her arm as a gesture to invite me inside.

She seemed old and somewhat senile, I think I'll be okay. "Thank you, ma'am." I said as I climbed inside.

"Sit, sit!" There were two cushions that were very low on each side of a small table she had in the middle of her van. "What's your name, child?"

"Maya. And I'm not a child, I just turned twenty-two." I said as I sat down criss-cross on the cushion.

"Ah, I'm sorry then." I felt bad, she had a sad look on her face. I didn't need to snap at her like that.

"No you're okay, you invited me in, I didn't mean to snap at you, it's been a...a long night." I cradled my arms together because I was so cold. My fingers were blue and my toes were numb.

"Here, have some tea." She handed me a beautiful blue mug with warm tea that smelled delicious. "It's lavender. It's calming." She smiled.

"Thank you," I took a small sip. I don't believe she drugged it. Might as well drink it.

"You said you've had a rough night. What happened? Why are you barely clothed? It's too cold outside for an outfit like that." She then grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around me. It was so warm I almost let out a sigh of relief.

"I uh," I couldn't help but let out chuckle. It's ironic that I've found someone that seems to care about my wellbeing. "My friend died and I..." I can't tell her it's my fault, she'll think I am some sort of crazy axe murderer. "And I felt like I could have done more to help him. I felt numb so I left Ninjago City and wandered here. As for the clothes, I really don't have an explanation." I sipped more of my tea.

"You've been through quite a lot. Im sorry about your friend. I am sure they were dear to you. Are you looking for something in particular? Perhaps directions." She's already done so much and now she's reading my mind. I like her.

"In fact I am. My mother and father abandoned me a long time ago, and I've been looking for them ever since. Granted they never told me they had a son after they left me, but I still want to see them. And my brother. My friend, before he died, he told me of a temple where he used to train with my father. I'm not sure how many temples there are around here, but I know that it was an old monastery type temple." I said.

"Wait, your father wouldn't be a Garmadon brother, would he?" She asked me with wide eyes and set her tea down fast.

"Uh, yeah um, Garmadon Garmadon. I didn't know he had a brother." I got even more curious.

"Oh yes, his brother, Wu Garmadon and I used to be great friends back in the day. I haven't seen him in almost 45 years." She looked out her window and shook her head.

Why does it seem everyone I come across knows a relative of mine? "How did you know him?"

"Well we used to be neighbors. I got along well with him as a young girl, but his bother, your father had a darkness in him that always shut me out. I could never have a civil conversation with him. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned towards the Overlord. He always had an evil nature that seemed to become worse as he got older."

Wait, so my father has a darkness. I wonder if it's anything like mine, but I wouldn't consider myself evil of all things. Just dark. "Do you know what happened to him? My father?"

"Im sorry, dear, I haven't seen him since. But there are rumors that he was possessed by the Overlord about 6 years ago when he was considered 'Lord Garmadon' if that was even him." The gypsy let out a scoff.

"Oh my god, wait, my father was the one who created mass destruction all those years ago?" I stood up in disbelieve. Is this my destiny? Am I to be as evil as he?

"I do not know for sure if that was in-fact your father, Garmadon. Your father was never a lord when I knew him so it's not certain." She said.

"But it's a possibility." I argued. "Tell me," I knelt by the gypsy, grabbing her hands in my cold hands. " Am I to become like my father?" My voice cracked.

"My dear," She placed her hands on top of mine. "I see a great darkness in you, but it is not a bad darkness, necessarily. Nothing like your fathers. I am positive you will overcome it in time." She patted my shoulder.

I grew frustrated. Why am I asking this old lady about my life? What does she possibly know or remember? Claiming that my father was in the possession of the Overlord. That's total bullshit. "Ok um, I really need to go. Do you know where I can find this monastery?"

"Yes but I cannot guarantee you success of your search. Theres a rumor that it burned down during the time of the Overlord, but again, I am not certain." Yeah what else could she not be certain about. This lady is crazy. "Here," She grabbed a piece of paper and a quill pen. It seemed like she was drawing a map of some sort. Once she was finished she handed the paper to me. "This is a map to your monastery. Follow the path through the split mountain and find the river. Follow it all the way to the base of the East Mountain right here," She pointed to a small but very tall rock figure. "There should be a staircase that leads to the very top of the mountain, revealing the monastery."

I took the map from her hands and examined the path myself. "Thank you." I half-smiled.

"Oh! Before I forget, take this tunic. It's very cold outside." She smiled and handed me a purple tunic- just my color. "Best of luck. I hope you find what you're looking for. "

"Thank you again," I started walking out of the van and turned around. "Wait, what was your name? I never got it."

"Collette. Please come find me if you need anything. Have a safe journey."

"I appreciate it. Bye." I held up my middle, index, and thumb as a gesture of saying goodbye. She shut the van door and I looked at my map.

How was I supposed to know which way the split mountain was? My hands grew cold again and I stuck them in the pockets of my tunic. When my hand reached the bottom of the pocket, I felt something hard and round. I took it out and saw that it was a compass. "Damn she sure does come prepared." I sighed and began my journey to the East Mountain.

I will find my family. I don't care how long it will take, Im ready to face the truth.