What's Next?

Impure Obsession

Genre: Romance, Horror

Tags: Stalker, ex-partner, on the run, raising younger brother, hiding away from the lime light, Ice skating, Hockey, College, moving away, Maine,

Synopsis:

Tinsley Ryans, former local ice skating champion of Cleveland Ohio, has tragedy strike when former partner Caleb Finn grows obsessed with her. After a treacherous 18th birthday, she's left to care for her 12 year old brother and attempt to rebuild their shattered life. With little money to their names they move and buy a small house in New Phicrock, Maine.

Dustin Carls, moved with teammates up to New Phicrock, Maine on scholarship to join the college team, waiting for his chance to make it big with the NHL. With big aspirations he's ready to chase his dreams, even if that means leaving his small farming town and his family. Praying for the day his younger disabled brother can see him on TV playing for their favorite team the Ice Warriors.

Excerpt:

As I sit in my truck I stare up at the house. My new home, for now. The thought has me swallowing harshly as I glanced around, my nerves mount and my skin crawls. Like I'm being watched. Your typical two story, white picket fence, a welcoming garden greets every onlooker with a friendly. 'We're all friends here!' It's pale yellow siding, white porch and chocolate brown roof all look like a picturesque home, awaiting it's perfect family. "Tinsley?" My younger brother's voice, Luka, makes me glance at him and flash a nervous smile.

"Yeah, Luka?" I ask softly, my eyes glance past him seeing a yard full of guys, rough housing as they toss a ball around. Such a mundane and normal task; why does it look so scary?

"Are you...?" He asked softly, his warm cognac brown eyes, meet my light blue-green eyes. Traits I inherited from my father, Luka's eyes match his father. Technically we're only half siblings. I give my head a shake and take a shaky deep breath.

"No, I'm fine, sorry." I mutter shakily as I give him a nod. "Ready to see our new home... another new home." Maybe this time will be different.

"Our neighbors look pretty cool." Luka spoke up, a note of excitement in his voice. I offer him a shaky smile and glance at the group of college students. Frat boys, yay.

"Maybe they'll let you play ball with them. You, you can go ask." I offered softly watching as his blonde curls fluttered around his forehead as he turned to look at me with a smile.

"Really?" I shrug, adjusting my coat.

"It couldn't hurt to make friends, I'll be right here, setting up the house." Luka flashes me a megawatt smile before pushing the old door open, he slams it behind him as he calls out, getting the group's attention. Their mouths move, Luka moves closer, his gangly teenage body moves closer with a grin as the ball is tossed his way. One of us can have friends here. The feeling of eyes has me glancing around spotting the group's attention on me, I offer a weak wave before turning to focus on the house. Ignore them.

I climb from the truck, shutting the door and walking up the steps slowly, I shake slightly as I move to unlock the door. What's this one like? Probably like the others, the pale green door opens silently, exposing the bland, characterless interior. Light gray walls with classic white trim, the hallway is an oak laminate flooring. Open floor plan, the living room is covered in dark gray, little to no furniture remains, a leather sofa, coffee table and tall lamp remains. Very... cozy. Crossing my arms over my belly, my boots tap against the flooring softly as I glance into the kitchen, the oak flooring is continued, dark wood cabinets, white granite countertops, stainless steel appliances.

A small island with metal stools for seating. Comfortable. I sigh and walk through the house, worrying my lip as I open each door, glancing at everything, inspecting it curiously. I don't like to move. Each bedroom has light carpeting and bland walls, our furniture is already set up in our rooms, most of our boxes here already. I should grab the last of them from my truck. I shake my head and leave my room, heading back to my old truck, dropping the tailgate to grab our prized possessions. The only thing that means much to us.

I grab the box, big bold black sharpie scrawled atop messily, 'Special Stuff'. What's left of our family. It's sad to think that this is all that remains of our family, a few boxes, a few items that they cherished. While they could. A harsh swallow and a painful shiver down my spine has me glancing around, up and down the street, paranoid, before I climb the steps. The eight boxes don't take long to haul in, it takes longer to put them in their respective rooms than anything else.

I keep my mind busy, working on unpacking the house, every so often I pause, mesmerized by a knick knack that just sends me into the past. A better time that wasn't so bad. Each glass piece is polished carefully before being placed on the shelves. The simple tasks keep me busy enough to move around mindlessly. What are we going to do for dinner? Lately the only thing that keeps me going is the mundane, something that drives me forward to provide for Luka. He's all I have... I won't let them take him.