The Summer of Fighting His Enemies (COMPLETED)

Chapter Four

Stone slowly crept down her street as he knew she was scared to go inside.

"Leave the bike in my car."

"Why?"

"I don't want them to think you wre in an accident. Tell them that Toria picked you up."

"Okay. Thanks Stone." She said as she hopped out and walked towards her door.

"Anytime Squeaks." He called out as he backed out of her driveway. Taylor counted to five then opened the door, she stepped quietly into the house and took off her shoes. There was no sound or movement in the house as she walked towards the living room.

Stone's garage door went up and he put the truck inside. Going out the side door, he hit the button and the garage door went down. He glanced once across the street at Taylor's house and sighed with a shake of his head. Then he went to his door only to find it cracked open. He pulled a 35 caliber from the back of his pants and cocked it. Then he stepped inside with quiet feet upon the creaky wooden floor. He checked the living room and saw nothing, but his office had been ransacked. Going into the kitchen he saw a paper pinned to his fridge with a skull and crossbones, he yanked it off and read it "Watch your back, Soldier." Stone crumpled it up and threw it in the garbage. They had been here and now it was only a matter of days before they'd get him.

Back at Taylor's house she had gone into her family's chatting room which reminded her of a shrink's office. There was a comfortable couch along the wall by the door. Two chairs sat in front of it and a desk was behind them. The yellow walls were covered with positive quotes and statements. Her parents had been there sitting in their pajamas waiting for her return with clipboards and pens. They had told her to sit and now for the last five minutes they had been staring at her with squinted eyes

"Are you going to say something?" She asked as she bounced her leg.

I don't know Taylor. We're still pretty upset." Her mother said

"I'm sorry mom. I know I should have texted but I knew you were busy."

"I know we're busy hun. But in between things we're always checking just to see." Her dad said leaning forward.

"I'll make sure to do it next time."

"We hope so." Her dad said

"Me too because it makes me nervous about letting you go out." Her mom said with worry

"Go out? Where?"

"Honey, I don't think we should let her." Her dad said quietly

"Let me do what!?" She asked, leaning forward. Her parents looked at each other, reached behind them and pulled out two things wrapped in a gift wrapper. One was small and the other was medium sized."

"We were going to wait until tomorrow, but we want you to start thinking of what to bring."

"Bring where!?"

"Open them up first." Her dad interjected

"Okay okay." She said annoyed.

"I can't wait to see her face." Her mother said excitedly. Opening the first one, she found a D3500 Nikon Camera. She smiled wide

"Oh my gosh thank you with all my heart!" She rose and gave them hugs

"I think we won honey." Her dad said with a laugh. Then she picked up the smaller one. This one was soft, squishy and flat. Opening it, she found a pair of white washed jeans with holes in the knees and a black T-shirt that said Hollywood with a line underneath and a star underneath the line.

"Does this mean what I think it does?" She asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

"It's going to be an eight hour bus ride. From here, Fremont Cali to the Hollywood Studios!" Taylor shrieked and jumped up and down.

"Thank you! Thank you!"

"You're welcome."

Who wants to watch a movie?" Her dad asked

"I do!" She shouted as she raced for the living room. Becca and Tom exchanged loving looks towards one another as they followed Taylor to the living room, they sat on either side of her, and drew up the blanket onto their laps and snuggled together. Then Taylor hit the play button and ET began to play.

"Wait." Taylor said as she paused the movie

"What is it?"

"Would I be going by myself?"

"Yes. Your mother, I think you're old enough." Her father said, nodding at Becca.

"That's right. And I know it's only eight hours, but we don't want you to keep going back and forth the ten day's you'll be gone so.."

"We put you up in a hotel."

"Oh, that sounds like fun." She said halfheartedly. "How come you're letting me do it all of a sudden?"

"Because you're going to college. We wanted to give you a taste of freedom since you'll be in a new state all by yourself." Her mother said without turning towards her. And that was the end of the conversation, nothing else was said. Taylor didn't pay attention for the rest of the movie. Her parents had kept her so sheltered she didn't know anything about the world. And now she was going to go on a venture by herself? The movie ended at ten,Taylor hugged her parents goodnight and took her gifts up with her. She climbed sadly but happily under the covers for tomorrow was her last day before freedom! She couldn't wait to begin to decorate for her birthday, come up with the guest list and invitations. It was hard to get to sleep as she thought about all sorts of different ideas, but she soon dozed off into dreamland.