The Golden Scarab (Chasing Chaos Book One)

Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

London, 1969...

Music was blasting around her and she was so busy singing along, she did not notice her mother looking at her with disapproval. Then again, that was how her mother typically looked at her anyway.

"Alyxxandra Marie Jacobson! Turn that noise off this instant!" Mrs. Jacobson said firmly. She nearly had to yell to be heard. Being a good British woman, she never yelled, but she did know how to use her tone to frighten her children and the occasional small animal into submission.

"Oh, hey, Mum!" Alyxx said cheerfully. "Come look at my latest piece. It's totally psychedelic. I mean, it really says something, you know?"

"Alyxx, you know how I feel about that nonsense."

"'That nonsense' is my passion in life, my raison d'être."

"Honestly, Alyxx, you took one French class and you think you're so worldly and knowledgeable now."

"It was a university class, Mum."

"A university class, yes, but you, my girl, are still in high school."

"Technically. I'm graduating in, like, ten seconds."

"Three days, Alyxx. You are graduating in three days."

"Whatever, Mum. You're so technical. Stop oppressing me with your schedules and narrow concepts of time."

"You are impossible. Dinner is ready. Kindly get your brother and come downstairs."

"As soon as I finish this last piece-"

"Now, Alyxx." There was the tone.

"Yes, Mother," Alyxx said reluctantly. She put her paint brush down, took one last look at her piece, and started to leave the room.

"For heaven's sake, Alyxx, change your clothes. You have paint all over them."

"You said 'now.' Was that not meant to mean this exact moment?" She smirked at her mother.

"Alyxx Marie! Do not speak to me like that." Her mother took a deep breath to compose herself. "Change into appropriate dinner attire, gather your brother, and come downstairs."

"Fine," Alyxx said. She closed the door behind her mother and decided to finish the last section she had been working on before changing. She typically dressed very quickly and knew her mother would never know why she had really taken so long.

"It's perfect," Alyxx decided. She washed her hands and paint brushes off before lovingly placing the brushes in their proper places. She combed her long blonde hair and then selected a fresh t-shirt with a sunflower on it and a pair of denim overalls. Her mother would not consider it appropriate but would be relieved she had at least changed into something clean. Her father would probably hate it. That was a bonus.

Alyxx knocked on her younger brother's bedroom door. Tommy sat at his desk diligently studying whatever it was that six-year-olds learned in school.

"Dinner's ready," she said.

Tommy looked up excitedly and ran toward her. He jumped into her arms and Alyxx smiled. Tommy always reacted to her that way. Unlike their parents, Alyxx and Tommy believed in showing emotions, and since they usually were not permitted to do it in public, they enjoyed being able to hug in private.

"I am so going to get out of this place one day," Alyxx said aloud.

"Where will you go?" Tommy asked.