Chosen Successor

Prologue

The car ride was awfully silent for what was meant to be a "vacation." A summer vacation with the family- "it's a good way to spend your time at home!" and "it'll be fun, just the three of us." It seemed like a good idea at first, having been away from home for the first time ever, for a year no less, to attend college out-of-state. However, it was difficult to hold that sentiment once everything was packed and into the small black SUV. The usual playful bickering that was normally heard between the eldest occupants of the car remained silent, instead casting an uneasy feeling in the tight space.

"...Did you hear of the actor who got caught having an affair- multiple women, I heard."

Trying to lighten the dull atmosphere with petty drama happenings on the internet, you look up from your phone and wave it towards your mom who occupied the front passenger seat. "Real shock! Considering this guy talks nonstop about how much he loves his wife."

No response. Just a slight turn of the head from your mom to indicate she heard you, while your dad remains unresponsive, eyes glued to the road. It wasn't as if he had to. It was a long stretch of nothingness besides two unused lanes ahead and pine trees surrounding them. The most interesting thing that littered the road was the occasional roadkill, but even that got boring to look at after "ew-ing" the tenth corpse you all passed.

You lower the phone, turning it back towards yourself and looking at the screen briefly. Sure, it wasn't the most preposterous drama, nor was it the best gossip around, but it was meant to be a way to be open for more conversating. Frowning, you swipe away the article. It was dumb drama anyway, of course they wouldn't be interested in something like that. Even though they usually did enjoy the stupid, mindless drama. It was entertaining! And the shock factor is a nice kick occasionally!

"You never told me where we're going..."

You pause, waiting to see whether they would pick up what you were implying. When no response was given, you sheepishly smile and continue. "Oh! Is it that amusement park I mentioned a few years back? The one with the awesome hotdogs?"

Your mother gave your father a look, one you couldn't quite understand, though she did spare a glance at you after she did so. Her mouth opened to speak, dark red lips finally parting to say something for the first time during the ride.

"Oregon. Your cousin lives there. You haven't seen her in awhile but just pretend to at least know her? She kept insisting to see you before you left to college and gave us so much grief when you moved." She gives a cheeky laugh and shakes her head, entertained by the memories of said cousins' whines through the phone the year prior.

You tilt your head at your mothers' words. She was right. You don't recall ever having a cousin. Unless it was a talk on the phone while you were busy, only offering a conversation of yeses and no's, you can't remember the subject of a cousin even being brought up. Despite this sudden revelation of a mysterious cousin, what caught your attention was the mention of a completely different state up North. Oregon? You had never stepped foot in or even around Oregon, what was family doing up there?

The many questions surfacing needed answers- but it didn't look like you would get them soon, not with your mother leaning over and turning the radio up with a manicured nail. Your frown deepens at the obvious sign that your mother is done with the conversation and look at the rearview mirror to gauge your dad's expression, though it remains glued to the road. A short, clipped sigh slips past your lips, and you lean back into your seat, beginning the mindless scroll through the apps and videos on your phone.

The ride would already be long, but the silence would make it feel like eternity.