The Case of Arania Wolf

Chapter 3

We each brought in two bags at a time, a long and tedious project that made my spine curl and shoulders slump. It was already eleven o-clock, and there was still no sign of our furniture. Dad called up the Haul company once we were fed up with the wait and found out that the truck was having some technical difficulties and would be there in a few hours.

Perfect.

Without furniture, there was no point in unpacking, so I bounced downstairs and took a seat on the kitchen counter while Dad hustled into the backyard.

"Ah, fresh air!" he exclaimed from the back, probably with his hands stretched out as if to offer himself to some divine deity. "Marvelous!"

Chuckling, I replied, "Get in before our neighbors see you."

He ignored my statement, yet still hustled back into the kitchen. "It would be perfect for a back deck, don't you think? Maybe a little pool and a garden? Or how about a playground?"

"Might be nice." I complied. "Think there's any stores around here with that sort of stuff? You know, Home Depot or something?"

He nodded with a suspicious grin stamped on his face. "How about you go find out? Here...take the car and use my card. The backyard will be your job, as will some new sheets and pillows for the bedrooms. And take Ava with you."

"Really?" I asked, astounded. Dad hadn't let me drive the car since I came back, probably fearing I might fall into a rabbit hole or something. Then again, he could just want me out of the house to talk to Derek about my 'possible reaction' to the big move. Those two were blabber-bombs just waiting to happen.

Dad plopped the car keys into my hand, as well as his card. "Go. Have fun. Get to know the neighborhood."

What the heck...let the boys blabber all they wanted. I grinned then quickly made my way for the front door.

Just as quickly as I had gotten to the front door, I stopped. He was probably terrified to let me out of the house, to let me wander around a place filled with unexplored dangers. Everyone in the family was on edge about letting me do anything alone, and a mission to the store was a big step. It may not seem like a big deal to others, but for us, it was as if I were two and the whole outside world was on fire.

"I'll be back by one." I shouted, slightly turning my body towards the kitchen. "How about some lunch?"

"Thanks, sweetie." he replied, a hint of relief wavering in his voice. "Good call."

As I slipped the card into my black leather wallet, which held about twenty dollars, my license, and a Target gift card, I called Ava's name and told her to come down.

She came flying in mere seconds, graphic novel tucked neatly under her arm. She had changed out of her old cloths, now dressed in brown cargo shorts and a black t-shirt with a torn baseball cap on her head. She looked like a natural southerner while I, in a giant black sweater and gray sweats, looked like your average Philly teen.

Whatever. At least it was something.

Ava took my hand as I had the door swing open, letting go so she could hop into the back seat while I climbed into the driver.

It felt like a blessing to finally be back behind the wheel. Before my disappearance, Cindy--our family Civic--had been my baby. I did her repairs, took her in for monthly check ups, even got her fully repainted. Yet since my disappearance, I hadn't even been allowed to turn the ignition.

Once Cindy purred to life, I pulled my phone out from my messenger bag and pulled up GPS.

"How about a Barnes and Noble near the mall?" I asked Ava, turning around to see his response. "We can pick you up some books after I get the stuff Dad wants."