The Golden Winged Horse

Chapter 19

After Aeden marvelled at the creation of something as amazing as a motor vehicle for ten minutes, we finally got in the car and headed towards my gran's old home. Her land backed onto the woods down the Williamson Trail so we could kill two birds with one stone whilst out here.

"Imagine all the beauty you could see in a day just by being in one of these," Aeden said, almost breathless. "Such a unique creation."

I glanced over at Calico who had nabbed the passenger seat after stuffing Aeden in the back. He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath. I tried my best to keep a straight face.

We reached my gran's old home within about fifteen minutes; it wasn't a long drive. As I predicted, my dad's Porsche sat in the driveway and the living room light was switched on. I flicked the headlights off on the car and eased down the dirt drive, trying to keep the dust down to a minimum.

The entire time, I never took my eyes off the window, expecting him to appear any second and then make a run for it. Luck appeared to be on my side, however, when I managed to park the car without disturbing him.

"Such isolated beauty must be treasured by the soul," Aeden said. "One could live their whole life out here and never need society again."

I'd figured out by now that most of his comments he didn't actually expect a response to, so I gratefully obliged by sniggering to myself as I got out of the car.

"What are you doing?" I asked Calico, frowning.

He stared at me over the roof of the car and frowned back at me. "Getting out of the car."

"Why?"

"To come inside with you."

I feared that would be his response. I shook my head. "Nah-ah. Not happening."

"Why? Your father is clearly not of a stable condition right now or he wouldn't have fled the house with my horse."

"Exactly," I said. "Which means seeing a half-naked fairy man with his daughter isn't going to be very welcomed."

Calico's entire expression lightened as my point gave him a dawning realisation. "I'll sit back in the car."

I grinned. "You do that."

Refraining myself from looking at the scowl on his handsome face which I knew would be making an appearance anytime soon, I pushed the car door closed quietly, and crept over the dirt towards the front door.

Grandad had built this gorgeous ranch style house with his own hands. Made from a wide variety of different wood, it had a unique mis-matched colour style to it like no other. In their younger days, my grandparents had bred and competed Arab horses. It always made me sad when I visited here and saw the acres of pasture going to waste, empty of life and the joy of horses.

I carefully gripped the black iron door handle and pushed it down, waiting for the resistance of the lock, but there was none. Inch by inch, I pushed the door open, poking my head through the gap as soon as it could fit. I stopped and listened for a second.

Silence.

I tip toed my way inside, pushing the door to but not closing it properly. The long hallway stared back at me, empty, silent, shadows from the wall lamps and picture frames cast onto the once shiny wooden flooring, now dulled by months of neglect.

"I expected you before now."

I froze as Dad's voice sounded down the hallway. It sounded like he was in one of the rear bedrooms. My heart jumped and somersaulted before settling into a gallop, sending adrenaline and nerves coursing all through me.