TONGUE TIED | STEVE HARRINGTON

VOL 1 ━ A Poisoned Heart

PROLOGUE  ━━ act one.
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Moving states— and continents, prior to that— starting fresh, and revamping a life wasn't a job for the weak. Amelia Bloom had sweat trickling from her forehead onto the back of her neck. She had moved boxes from the first to the second floor like a maniac because she couldn't bear to see her new room empty and lifeless.

She had somehow woken up on that deflated air mattress in the corner of the room and decided to use up all her energy into organizing. The window of the new house in Hawkins allowed her to take a peek into her new life. Her third new life, after having moved from Russia to California, and having just arrived at Hawkins.

Truly a blessing for those who enjoyed exploring the world like her. But not when an overpowered father controlled you by strings like a puppeteer.

He and his secret job were to blame for everything that had gone wrong for Amelia. He had sentenced his daughter to a life of an old junkie living in a boring town with no socialites. But it had always been like that. Amelia could perfectly embody a drunk man locked up inside his home with glued eyes to the TV screen— except she wasn't familiar with alcohol. Being locked up inside, that she knew about.

She damned him every day for the sudden changes. She hated them nearly as much as she hated him. Stupid reasons would always explain why she had to move to the other side of the world, and now, why California wasn't the right place for them.

What else did he want?

She unpacked most of her things (not all of them), and neatly placed them where they belonged. She had taught herself how to be organized. When younger, he would speak his mind whenever he'd find her room with scattered toys and books where they didn't belong. So to save him the worry of having to be an asshole, she took matters into her own hands.

Her bed was already put together, but the sheets were missing as well as the pillows. She stepped back from her mattress. A desperate sigh escaped her lips as she glanced at the mess surrounding her.

Her feet ached at the minimum amount of steps she took. She reached for a small jewelry chest from a box and instantly gasped at the chipped edge. It was her grandmother's and she had kindly passed it down to her before she took her final breath. It contained a white pearled necklace which she had worn once, and it was at her funeral when she was thirteen. Amelia wasn't one to cling to material things, but she'd destroy the world for the necklace and the jewelry chest. Before becoming hers, it was her mother's, but it originally belonged in her grandmother's pale neck.

She frowned. She placed the broken chest on her dresser, wondering how it could've chipped if she made sure it was wrapped correctly before packing it.

Probably his doings.

She grabbed the emptied boxes downstairs, where Margot could be heard preparing lunch in the kitchen— probably a very simple and American meal since Amelia had forgotten multiple times to go fetch groceries (like she had forgotten to do just now).

She dropped the boxes near the basement door and tiredly strolled up to the kitchen, taking a seat on the counter. Her skin was sticky from her body being drenched in sweat. She could feel Margot's stare burning into her.

Amelia checked the grandfather clock stood in the dining area and widened her eyes as she read the digits. 12:54 p.m. Oh, she was a dead girl buried inside a closet. Her eyes were forced to meet Margot's deadly glare. To her dismay, she managed to pull an innocent smile, one that screamed I'm sorry I forgot again, I'll go get them right now. Margot shook her head. She raised her brows as she looked at Amelia with a murderous look. The hands on her hips made Amelia shake under her stare.

"Again, Amelia?" Margot said sternly. "You forgot the groceries. Again." She watched her daughter cautiously walk up to her as if she were ready to hug her.

"I know, I'm sorry," She hurried. She tried embracing Margot, but she swatted her hands away. Amelia suppressed a laugh. "I just had a lot to unpack, and I totally forgot about the groceries, but I'll go get them right now." She ranted. She approached the jar topped with money but was stopped in her tracks.

Margot grimaced. "No, you won't." She playfully pointed a wooden spoon at her. "You need to shower first. Please." Amelia laughed. A cheeky smile crept up to Margot's lips. "You can head around town afterward, but only if you don't forget my groceries." She said, returning to the food in front of her.

Amelia cheered, "Sounds perfect." She walked up to her once again and quickly pecked her cheek. "Promise I won't forget!" She headed out of the kitchen, "Also, Nana's box broke! I need you to fix it!" She called from the stairs.

"Nana's box what!?"