Grotesque Trilogy (Book 1)

Chapter 4

Sitting bewildered at the bottom of my mother and fathers bed I tried to process what just happened, slowly I edged myself to the door of my mothers room to the upper hallway.

I edged myself towards the second flight of stairs that led up to my room, every step made me have flash backs from the past events of today; pushing my black wooden door, that had the words 'keep out' plastered across it, I thrown myself on my bed and just looked out my window.

What's going to happen now? I thought, pushing myself up I pulled my blue river island suitcase out from my mahogany wardrobe and began packing my clothes. I guess my style was considered 'Gothic' but I wasn't I preferred saying I was more 'grunge' if anything.

Putting the last piece of clothing in my suitcase I came across an old photo of me, Leo and Peace when we first started school. It was from when we went Disneyland in Florida, it was perfect the weather was gorgeous, we all had a photo with Minnie Mouse and all had the same cheesy smirk on each of our faces. What do I tell them? Will I even see them again? Dread filled my mind, if my mothers been told to send me to these people I doubt I'm going to see anyone again. Putting the photo under my clothes in the suitcase I packed up the last of my shoes and make up, with other essentials, and then slowly looked around at my room for the last time.

Closing my door I put my head against it, my door was cold, I didn't want to leave, I wasn't ready, did my mother want me to go?

Pushing all thoughts aside I walked down the wooden stairs that led to the first floor, reaching the upper hallway. I started around taking in my surroundings for what I believed could be the last time, in the upper hallway there's a photo of me, my mother, my father and our old dog Lola, she was a beagle, not many people had them type of dogs which is why I liked her. She died a few years after the photo from old age, we got her for my 4th birthday and she was my first best friend, so I'd never forget her.

Slowly creeping down the last flight of stairs, I heard my mother speaking to someone down the phone, "yeah she's ready, I'll drop her off by the bridge, see you in an hour" she whispered down the phone. My unwelcome thoughts made me think will I leave providence, surely not? I mean, my whole life is here they couldn't make me leave and go somewhere else could they?

Reaching the bottom of the stairs my suitcase made a loud clank on the wooden floor, my mother emerged from the kitchen into the hallway where I was stood, she gave me a weak smile and asked if I had everything, I just nodded not trusting my voice to speak. She picked up her car key off the key rack we have near the front door, we only had two cars, my mothers matte black Rolls Royce Phantom and my fathers blue bmw i8, personally I didn't like any of my parents cars but with them in successful jobs, they loved them, my mother was an accountant, but she didn't work Monday's or Saturdays, whereas my father worked near enough all the time. We used to own three cars when my brother lived with us but when he got to the age of 21 he felt it was time for him to find his soul mate, he lives in Vancouver now with his wife and 2 children, him leaving made the house feel empty. Nobody even has photos of him anymore, it's really sad. I was so close to my brother and him leaving really made me stay in my shell, on my Samsung Galaxy s5, my home screen was me and my brother back when we went to Newport as kids. It was the only photo I really had left of him, he was 9 years older than me, which I hated but he always looked out for me no matter what, I was only 12 when he left so I never got the chance to thank him properly because I didn't understand what was happening.

Walking out the front door and down the drive of the house my mother unlocked her car, I climbed in and she put my suitcase in the boot of the car, she then returned putting her key in the ignition and then putting her seat-belt on. She put her hand on my knee and gave it a small squeeze before driving down the street. I just sent a text to Leo and Peace saying how sorry I was and I didn't know when I'd see them again, before putting my headphones in and looking out the window.

After what felt like forever my mother approached a bridge and the car came to a halt, removing my headphones I looked over at her, she gave me a weak smile then said, "hide your phone or else they will take it away first". Putting it in my denim jacket pocket, my mother climbed out the car, I mirrored her actions and looked around until a grey Land Rover discovery sport pulled up behind my mothers car. She then pulled my suitcase out the back of the car and placed it at the side of me and her, a tall older man probably in his 40s dressed in a suit then spoke firmly "I've been sent to collect Miss Meg Whitely". I stuttered "yes that's me", my mother handed him my suitcase and he went to put it in the boot of the car, turning to look at my mother she had tears in her eyes. She spoke quiet hesitantly, "whatever you do be the best at it, don't let anyone throw you around, remember you're always a Whitely. But also don't hate me for this, your father made the choice when you were born". Shocked I spoke "what choice what are you going on about?", then I heard a door open, the man had opened the back door for me to climb in. My mother gave me a quick hug before running towards her car, getting in starting it up and driving away. Leaving me there on the bridge with this man, I turned back and approached the car, "do you have a name I can use?" I questioned rather shy, "Cooke, Jed Cooke madam" he half smiled. Well thank you Jed, can you tell me where we will be going?" I asked, "it's all a surprise Miss Whitely, you'll see in all good time" he spoke firmly before I carefully climbed into the back of the car whilst Jed ran round to the drivers side.

Starting the car he started to drive over the bridge, I just looked out my window to pass the time; after a short while we approached a road sign Westerly 4 miles straight ahead. Westerly I thought, what is there out here for me?

Pushing the thoughts aside I continued to look out my window for the rest of the journey.