The Charltons

Welcome the Charltons

Alcott, Minnesota is a seemingly peaceful town. One of those towns where nothing happens, where everyone knows one another, where you can walk outside your home and say "Hi" to your neighbors. The population tops off at about 400, most of those families have been here for centuries. There are only four schools here: Alcott Elementary, Alcott High, Einstein Private School, and the only college in town, Howard Community College. Few people move away, and few people move in. It's all most people would want. But this small town's about to take a very interesting turn...

Alissa POV

"My name is Alissa Harrison, and I'm going to change the world. This town is beneath me, it always has been.  I already know what I'm going to do in life. I'm going to be a mathematician . I'm going to drop this town and create a better world. Mark my words, The world will know my name." I stopped my writing and looked over at the window. There was a large van blocking the house next to us yard. The new neighbors were moving in today. I pushed back my chair and went over to my window, my purple polka dotted curtains tied to the side. The new family, the Charltons, I think, were the talk of the town. All seven of them were unloading boxes.

I looked them over for a few moments. An interesting bunch, I thought to myself, they're so different from each other. The mother had long, straight black hair, and a black and white dress that almost reached her ankles. She had a sort-of Morticia Adams vibe to her.

The father was a different story. Blond, slicked back hair, suit and tie. Real Men in Black look. Those two alone were a weird pair.

Then there were the kids. They were just lined up on the sidewalk, not talking, not running around. They were just standing there. There were five kids. There was a little boy, about 8 who has dark blond spiked hair, and a ninja turtle shirt with blue jeans on. There was also an older boy, who looks nothing like his family. He had dark red hair, and jeans with a tee shirt on. Then there were a pair of twins, who looked about 10. They were as identical to each other as they were to their mother. Both with long, straight black hair. They were wearing identical ruffled red and black just-above-the-knee skirts, with short sleeved dark purple blouses.

The last child was the one who really caught my eye. She was about my age, with waist-long curly blond hair. A dark green dress with glasses finished her look. I was told I would be getting a new student in my classes, so I was thinking it was her. It wasn't until she looked at me that I realized I was staring. She turned and said something to her mother, then her mother looked at me and nodded. The girl then proceeded to smile and wave for me to come down. What can I say? I was curious. So I turned towards the door.

As I walked over to the girl who waved me down. She was smiling brightly. My wavy brown hair was nothing compared to hers. She held out her hand.

"Hello, I'm Amelie Charlton. We just moved in next door," she said with a small but noticeable Scottish accent. I took her hand.

"Alissa Harrison. I noticed. It's kinda hard to miss." She laughed at this. "I was told there was a new girl in the AP program at Alcott High, is it you?" I asked. She didn't seem like much, I thought. She probably just... read a dictionary. No real competition at all.

"It just so happens I am." Amelie said.

"What's your specialty? Vocabulary" I asked with a small sneer.

"No," she said pointly. "mathematics. I'm quite good actually. My family is very proud of me. 15 and I can pass an advanced calculus class with ease in less than two weeks," she said with a smile with a hint of triumph in her expression, as if she had heard what I thought. Well, apparently I was wrong, but I certainly wasn't going to let her know that.

"Hmph. Well, good luck at Alcott High tomorrow, everyone there is a bunch of blockheads." We both started laughing at this. I offered to help her with the boxes and she gladly accepted. I had to get to know her. You know what they say, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

As we got most of things up to her room, we sat on her bare mattress and took a breather. Suddenly, the twins came in and stood in the doorway to her room. They stared at Amelie with what seemed like accusing looks. Eventually Amelie spoke.
"Aria, Malia, what is it?" Amelie asked.
They spoke in perfect unison. "Mother said it's time for Alissa Harrison to leave."

That's not creepy at all.

"Ok, thanks guys," she called as they left the room. We shared a look and burst out laughing.

"Who calls their mother, mother? How do you sleep in the same house with them? They're creepy" I commented.

Amelie shrugged. "Those were my little sisters. My older brothers name is Alex, he's the one who sleeps in the last room. My little brother's is Samuel. Also, the twins always talk like that. It is kinda creepy, but you get used to it. I guess it's time for you to go now. See you tomorrow?" As Amelie said this, a book fell from the pile on her desk. I went over to pick it up, it had a symbol on it, a kind of triangle with 3 swirls. It was almost enchanting. I had to read it. Before I could open it, Amelie smacked it out of my hand.

"NO! DON'T READ THAT!" she yelled. I took a step back, and she hurriedly picked up the book and stuffed it under her pillow.

"It's time to go"Amelie said icely, holding the door open.

"Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anything," I said, not moving. She considered me for a moment. She sighed,
"I know. I'm sorry for yelling. I'll walk you out." As we walked to my house, we had no idea what was to come. Little did we know, this was the beginning of a long friendship, and the beginning of the worst heartache and most dangerous journey of our lives. And it started with that book.