As The Woe Turns: A World Before Woe

Touching Family Moments(P.2 E.S)

June 13, 2022
Roughly 6 weeks until the start of school.

"Get up runt. Mom said you have to get up. Now." The words said through clenched teeth barely registered before Enid felt her bed shaking violently. She reluctantly opened her eyes. She could tell it was early as the light that filtered through her bedroom window lacked any sort of harsh brightness. It was soft and non direct. It was actually the gentlest thing about her morning so far. She internally groaned. Damn it was early early. Like before 7 a.m. early. This was supposed to be her summer vacation being woken up in the wee hours of the morning so wasn't fair. She got maybe like three or four hours of sleep because she had stayed up talking with Yoko. The vampire had had a fight with Divina her siren girlfriend over something completely stupid. They stayed up talking until the sun started to rise wherever Yoko was. Then she watched some videos. To Enid it didn't matter how late she stayed up comforting her bestie because she was supposed to be able to sleep in. Plus it was totally her job. She sighed internally.

The violent shaking of her bed started again. WTF! "Seriously Enid, get up before you really piss mom off. We have to be out the door in thirty minutes." So at least two out of four of her brothers were present. Asa and Bram. "But why?" She whined. "There's another super moon tomorrow night. We missed the last one. We're going to pack lands." Asa answered. Enid groaned. She didn't even have time to complain farther. Suddenly her bed was tipped over. She gasped as she roughly hit the floor. She was tangled up in her blankets she tried to stand up but failed. Instead she balled her fists at her sides while she tried to unwrap herself. Her brothers laughed at her discomfort. "Why do I have to go? It's not like I'm going to wolf out." Enid held her aching head. "Because mom said so loser. End of story." Bram quipped.

"Enid, are you up?" Her dad called up the stairs. "Yeah." She called back with a huff. "Good. Get dressed, get packed and grab your camping gear. We leave as soon as you're ready. Hurry please. We don't want to keep your mother waiting." Murray Sinclair sounded anxious. No body, not even her father wanted to get on her mother's bad side. The wrath of Esther Sinclair was legendary, and of course she had her favorite target.

"Enid!" A shrill voice echoed through the upstairs. Enid froze and her brothers cringed. "Now you've done it runt." Bram stated. It was far too early for this. Her mother stepped into her doorway with a glare. "Stop wasting time. Get off the damn floor and get ready to go. Now." She demanded. Enid nodded standing up. "Boys go finish packing the car please. Make sure you grab something to eat. Your father made protein muffins. We're not stopping." Both boys answered their mother with a less than rousing 'yes mom' and headed out the door laughing. "See you later runt." Asa chirped.

Esther turned to leave but quickly turned and fixed Enid with a condescending sneer. "I hope you're not planning on wearing that. You look like you're homeless." Enid shook her head. "No mom, I haven't changed yet." She replied quietly. She was wearing an old tshirt and boxers. Esther glared. "Well, in my defense, sometimes it's hard to tell. So I suggest you up now, and stop wasting time then. I expect you ready and downstairs in ten minutes. Oh and do something with your hair. I hate it. You look ridiculous. Maybe wear a hat." Her mom grumbled as she turned on her heels and left stomping down the stairs mumbling under her breath.

Enid let out a breathy sigh. She quickly changed into a regular pair of underwear, jean shorts, a sports bra and a tie dyed tank top. She quickly ran a brush through her hair and pulled it back into a short pony tail. Enid sat on her bed to put on a pair of socks and white sneakers. She grabbed the duffle from her closet and packed enough clothes for a little over a week then grabbed her toiletries, her flip flops, some other odds and ends like her charger and headed down stairs. She texted Yoko she would be MIA for an undetermined length of time and shoved her phone in her back pocket not waiting for an answer.

She collected her camp bag and the rest of her gear from the shed they kept out back, placed it all by the door and headed into the kitchen to find food. There was nothing. Nothing that she wouldn't have to cook anyway. It wasn't unexpected but it still hurt that not a damn thing was left for her. Not a piece of fruit. Not even a dirty plate. She expected to find at least her brothers even if they didn't save her anything, but the room was completely empty. "Enid let's go!" Her father yelled from the living room. "I'm taking your stuff to the car." Enid turned empty handed towards the living room and front door. She exited and turned to find her family already in their van and ready to go. Her dad tossed her his keys. "Lock er up kiddo." He said with a smile. She did so and slowly walked down their front steps towards the van.

She slid the door open looking for a seat as far away from her mother as she could manage. There was none. She handed her dad his keys. She caught the eye of her brother Caleb. "Losers sit up front runt." He chuckled kicking her seat. "Really, then I would have thought you'd be up there with her. Not back here with the cool kids." Her brother David added. Caleb shoved him and her mother turned sharply glaring at Enid. "Stop staring. Get in the damn car so we can go already." She snapped. Enid gulped. She got in and put her seatbelt on but by the time she was situated there was a full on fight happening between all four of her brothers.

Enid slid down in her seat her eyes squeezed shut and her hands over her ears. There were quite a few punches, and shoves, snapping jaws, and snarls being thrown around. "Enough!" Esther growled loudly. All movements and noise stopped. Enid whimpered. "What's your problem?" Her mother spat looking down at Enid with disdain. Enid slowly uncurled herself. She cleared her throat, "I didn't, I didn't get a chance to eat." She managed not wanting to admit the loud noise, violence, and rocking of the van had bothered her. "God Enid you're hopeless! You're almost sixteen and you can't even take care of your own needs. It's pathetic. How do you expect to be able to attract a mate or take care of a family one day?" Her mother shook her head. Enid wanted to protest. She wanted to mention the fact there was nothing left, and she was given like no time to get ready. But it wouldn't matter so she said nothing. The car started and her mother turned around.

Suddenly Enid felt two hard objects hit the back of her head. She collected the items rubbing the newly acquired sore spots. A monster Slim Jim, and a crunchy chocolate peanut butter granola bar. Her father handed her a bottle of water. Great. Junk food. The breakfast of champions. At least it was something.

The rest of the car ride to the pack lands was quiet. Or as quiet as her family could be. Enid sat alone. She stared out the window as she nibbled on the donated but much needed snacks. Her brothers bickered in the back seats over hand held video game consoles, girls, sleeping arrangements, and phones. Her parents argued quietly back and forth in the front. She tried to tune it all out. Her brother Caleb continually tormented her. He kicked her seat every time she dared to shut her eyes for even a second, but at least no one was yelling at her.