CHAPTER ONE

There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, there are things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and people we can’t live without but have to let go.

Chapter one

 

My eyes fluttered open when the loud squeal of brakes, in desperate need of changing, stopped next to the curb. That was when I declared blue Subaru’s to be my symbol of deliverance. But the flame headed driver with the youthful Marlon Monroe face was the exact opposite of deliverance.

But I remained with my back leaned against the brick wall for a good 10 seconds, enjoying the brisk night air. Needless to say, it was all downhill from the moment the eleventh second arrived. I supposed that maybe it wasn’t merely the fact that I was weak minded- but that her evil eyes could slice through steel. None the less, I found myself swinging into the passenger seat by the 13^th second.

“Spill it, Scar.” She said once I had fastened the seat belt over my lap and smoothed out my hair. “There’s nothing to spill, mother.”

“Oh, loosen up.” She returned, reaching over and patting my leg. I shut my eyes and allowed my mind to block out all things not pertaining or existing under the urgent file in my brain. And funding her gossip fix wasn’t anywhere to be found in that particular category.

“They have magazines if you’re really that desperate. My life isn’t, nor has it ever been appealing,” She just stared, eyes likewise to a piece of unmarked paper. “Phoenix and May just danced a while, and eventually we all ended up at the poker table.”

“Poker? Really, they let a bunch of 17 year olds play poker?”

“Gambling, partying, drinking basically sums up the theme; nineteen 30’s Vegas.” I answered flatly. Perhaps that was why her suddenly blank look, morphed into red hot worry. Or it was the lingering scent of cigars that most of the workers were smoking- finally getting to my head. I began to rub slow, soothing circles into my temple when some noise dashed my peace into tiny fractions. “Move it already!”

My head whirled around in search of the owner of the booming voice. “A smart car, seriously?” I muttered.

“Smart car for a dumb arse, who knew?” She said to me, and then turned as she rolled down her window. “Don’t get your cheeks in a twist!”  -That, she yelled through the cracked window.

True, there were few as skilled as I when it came to handling leprechauns; even the ones almost directly from their homeland. But that time? That time I too found my jaw slacked and eyes the size of grape fruits. And I wasn’t even about to get started on the growing red flush on my cheeks, I caught in the rear view mirror.

 “Mother,” I screeched and she only flinched. Looking back, that was hardly even enough warning for what she did next.  Force threw my back against the leather seats when she pulled a Uey. 

In a short amount of time, we were no longer caught in the hustle and bustle of the city, but moving steadily along the desolate and ink black road. But it certainly wasn’t without an ample amount of shock, that I realized no cops followed. Usually, especially on Friday nights, they could be found crawling out of the wood work like termites. Still though, cops were the least of my worries at that moment.

 “No, I didn’t drink, okay?” said I quietly.

“I hope not,” I caught her tilting her head to the left, taking her eyes off of the already hard to see road. I thought nothing of it until a look flashed across her fair skinned face. “I know that you’re not gonna like my reference. But you know that your father doesn’t approve of drinking or gambling; neither do I actually,”

“Well . . .  dang, there goes New Years. And I was so, so looking forward to growing my plans of becoming a self proclaimed alcoholic. I was even going to get Locke in on it,” I shook my head, mockingly. “Way to wreck a girls plans, mom.” I topped the Sunday with a cherry of a brilliant smile. But at the very least, I thought she might’ve been happy to hear me speak. My constant hmm huh’s and yeps had to get to a person.

Instead I was left with no choice but to receive a scowling mother. I kept waiting for her to flash me the signature evil eyes, flip the bird, do something other than stare straight ahead and sit like she sat upon needles. But she did nothing. “You do know, right, that Andrew does love you without a doubt? Whatever happens, just know that he’ll be there for you and Locke. Even if it’s something as simple as a flat tire or a blown fuse; he’ll be there,” a look crossed her face. “When he and I made the decision to separate, we did it for you two. We don’t love you any less, and don’t blame you for what happened. We both wanted different thin-.”

“Jesus, I don’t give two craps what you did it for me and Locke. I could care less if the next time I see him is when he’s been embalmed and stuffed into a casket.” heat like crackling fire crept onto my cheeks and my heart thrived on the adrenaline. Least I seemed to radiate calmness.

For a short moment, I wondered at the way a semi calm aura shifts into such potent tension. I already knew the answer- just as most with a mind that could function and had, had the glorious opportunity of witnessing the past minutes.

Silence,

Silence,

Silence,

“Scarlett? Honey, do you trust me?” Her voice reminded me of an echo, each time I heard it- it inflicted cold chills that came in waves. “With my hair- no. With my social security paper- no. With my life- yes, though it deeply depends.”

“Okay, alright,” she took several deep breathes, to the point of which I wondered if she was hyperventilating. Then she was still, head turned behind us- as if the rear view mirrors were liars.

And the fact that I too turned, yet again, just show cased how much self control I really had. But, I wasn’t sure what was more ironic; the fact that it was a smart car and it was nearly touching the bumper of our considerably larger vehicle.  Or that it was the same one we experienced not fifteen minutes ago, down to the last pine cone scented air freshener, swaying as the tiny contraption moved.

But I was just crazy . . . . Right?

“If I asked you to do me a favor, would you do it?” Mom breathed. I parted my lips in preparation to produce my reply, and that was it, that was how far I made it.

“No, no time to answer. I know, this is going to sound bat shmit crazy; and yes, I do know you that well. But, you have about anywhere from 30 to 40 second starting now to unbuckle, gather your things and open your door. From then, I want you to jump, okay?”

Author's Note

This is the first chapter in the book Out For Blood. Though, I plan on eventually changing its title, Out For Blood it is, for now. Feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to know what you think.

Reviews

[Hayden Bridges]

Yeah! I liked this. Two particular lines made me pause and applaud on good visuals. "do something other than stare straight ahead and sit like she sat upon needles." and "Then she was still, head turned behind us- as if the rear view mirrors were liars."

Good suspense at the end too. I am looking forward to see what happens next.

[Mysticaleyeball0]

Thank you!

[Layne]

Oh, good story! I will be keeping my eyes out for this in the future. I like how you set up the suspense until the very end.