My Demon

Chapter Two

My head rested against the window as my father drove, watching each tree wiz by, and other cars pass and turn away. 

I've always hated these drives from my Father's house to my Mom's house. They live hours apart, my father living in a scientifically advanced city and my mother living in a secluded place in the woods, as one of the protectors of the Domburr borders.

Sometimes I wish they never divorced, it would make my life a lot easier. But I suppose it was for the better. My Mother is a lot happier now with my stepfather, and my Father found a girlfriend with a lot of the same interests as him. Besides, I can't handle being with my father for an hour let alone my whole childhood and teenage years, not with his judgemental gaze. 

"Your Mother messaged me about something earlier," my Father said.

"About what?" I looked over at him.

"They have taken in someone named Luke, she didn't give me many details, but she wanted to prepare you."

"Is she adopting him?"

"No, he's just living with her for the meantime." 

Darn, I always wanted a brother. Not that I'm not happy with my two sisters, but still it would be nice. 

"Alright," I nodded and turned back to the window.

"And don't forget to remind her about the dinner," he said.

"Yeah yeah, I know."

"Alexzander cut the attitude," my Father snapped.

"Sorry, Father."

Silence fell over us once again. I look down at my watch, it's been a couple of hours, we should be there soon. Only maybe 30 minutes. 

I wonder who this ‘Luke’ guy is... is he the same age as me? 

"Father?"

"Yes, son?"

"How old is this ‘Luke’ guy?"

"She did not say."

"Of course she didn't," I sighed.

Those 30 minutes felt like 30 hours. But finally, I see the distant lights of my Mom's house and smoke rising from the chimney. 

The car pulls up to the house, I grab my bag and jump out of the car.

I don't bother looking back as I rush in, happy to finally be away from him.

As I close the door behind me, my Mother appears from the kitchen door to greet me.

"Hello dear, how have you been?" She held out her arms.

My bag slides down my arm, landing softly on the floor, as I go to hug her, "miserable."

I hate the two weeks at my Father's house, they're always miserable. I don't know why he insisted on shared custody of me.

"I'm sorry to hear that Zander, at least your back now though," She lets go of me and smiles.

"Thankfully," I sigh.

"Did he accept my request?" She asked as I picked up my bag again.

"Yes, he did, he'll be here Friday for dinner with his girlfriend."

"Ah, that's good to hear. Did he tell you about Luke?"

"Yes he did, where is he? I want to meet him." 

"He might be up in the music room or the old guest room by your's." 

"The music room?" 

"The boy has a talent for the drums. And he enjoys listening to Hailey sing."