The Grimlock Files

( 2 ) Avron Manor

Chapter Two:

Avron Manor

Jack and her father did not exchange a single word during their entire trip-- at least not until they reached the Atlanta airport.

"What do you think?" her father finally spoke. He had been watching her intently for the past five minutes, and Jack was getting the feeling that he was slightly anxious. Anxious of what, Jack could not decide. Perhaps it was because he was nervous that she would not like Georgia. Or maybe he was nervous about being a father. Or it may have even been that he was worried that she would not like him. All of these possiblities seemed impossible to Jack. Why would a man who had never shown the slightest hint of any love toward her-- having left her as a child and having never even visted her since-- care about these things?

Jack shrugged in reply as she looked out the airplane window at the Georgia scenery. Majestic mountains stretched across as far as Jack could see, a curving rivers splitting through them. Everything looked so much different from the farmlands of Iowa.

"It gets a bit less. . . hilly the further south we get," stated Jack's father over her shoulder as if reading her thoughts.

The trees below were just beginning to turn color, announcing Autumn's approach. For the first time since her mother's death, Jack was overtaken with interest. The scenery below was so beautiful, she felt a small thrill arising in her. It was certain that she had inherited her mother's passion for nature and its beauty.

Jack watched out the window as the rolling mountains morphed into weaving hills, and the hills into flat plains. Her excitement was replaced with relief at the sight of familiar landscape. Although the ground below was not the squared pattern of fields and pastures, Jack was comforted by the close similarity to Iowa's landscape.

After another twenty minutes of silence, the intercom crackled on and a woman announced that they were would be arriving in the Atlanta airport in a few minutes. Everyone on the plane bustled about to gather their things and prepare for the landing. Jack sat erectly in her seat craning her head to get her first impression of Atlanta.

At last, they dismounted the plane and made their way through the crowded airport building. Jack curiously scanned the crowd, wondering who would be there to pick them up.

"Mr. Avery," said a man's voice.

Jack and her father turned around to face the tall man near them. The first thing Jack noticed of the man's appearance was the long, dark scar on his face. Stretching from his right temple to the middle of his right jaw, the scar vastly contrasted to the rest of his face. His skin was rugged and tan. The bottom half of his face was covered with a dark, bristly beard. His eyes were glittery and black and glimmered slightly as he studied Jack. He was tall-- at least half a head taller than her father-- and very muscular.

"So is this the famous daughter?" the man questioned, raising an eyebrow as he looked Jack up and down.

"This is Jacqueline Shania Avery," replied Jack's father, scratching his forehead tiredly. Jack had to fight a grimace at the mention of her new, adopted last name. "Jacqueline, this is Harvard. Harvard Adams."

"Welcome to Georgia, Jacqueline," the man said gruffly, holding his hand out. Jack shook hands with him and noted that his hand could have easily squeezed hers to jelly.

"Thanks," she managed to say.

"Um, if you don't mind, Harvard," said Jack's father, his eyes darting around the airport, "I'd like to get home as soon as possible."

Harvard fixed him with a strange look; a mixture of curiosity and pity. Jack, overcome with curiosity, glanced back and forth between the two men.

"As you wish," replied Harvard. "I got a great parking space out front. I'll take your luggage." He took Jack's suitcases and turned to walk away. "Now follow me."