Rising Ancients (Book 1)

Chapter 3

I fly toward my house and feel the familiar thrill of being in the air. When I get to my house I notice a van parked outside. I got a bad feeling in my gut at the sight of it, so I landed silently on the roof and listened intently through the vent for any suspicious conversations. I heard my mother’s wavering voice talking to some men that I didn’t recognize. My mother was trying to stall for time and seemed to be succeeding till one of the men, clearly the leader, began asking questions.

“Ma’am, we wouldn’t like anything to eat or drink, thanks for offering. We still need to know, where is your daughter?”

“I told you already, she is at school and shouldn’t be back before 5,” I heard my mother say in an aggravated tone. Go mom, I thought.

“Well, we can always wait for her to get home then,” spoke the man in a tone that was filled to the brim with patience. I heard my mother complain but the man wasn’t budging. I had an idea, and texted my mother.

Mom, I’m going over to the library to study for my finals. After, I’m going to a party at Sierras house. I shouldn’t be back before tomorrow. Love you!

I sent the text and waited for the beep that signals she got a text. I hear it, and also hear shuffling.

“Ma’am,” I hear one of the men say. “Could you please read that out loud?”

“Sure,” I hear my mother tell them, a little defiance in her voice. As she reads it, I hear the relief and triumph flood her voice. I hear the men suck in their breath quickly when they learn that I’m not coming home, wink, wink.

“Well, since she’s not going to be home till tomorrow, I don’t think there’s any reason for you men to be here. There’s the door, you can leave now,” My mother speaks, ice dripping off her words.

“Very well, we will be on our way. Here’s our card. Call us if you notice anything weird about your daughter.”

“Like what?” I hear my mom ask sarcastically. “Like if she’s pregnant because she got drunk and made a stupid decision? I don’t think that would be any of your business.”

“Just give us a call,” I hear the man say, then I hear footsteps and the front door open and slam shut. I wait another half hour before looking to see if the men were still there they weren’t. I jump down from the roof and land gracefully behind our house, then I run inside.

“Mom!” I scream.

“Jennifer!” I hear my mom scream back. I run up the stairs and she runs down them and we hug when we meet.

“Mom, I saw the van parked outside and the strange men from the window. I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“I’m fine, but I think those men are going to come back.” she says. “What are we going to do?”  I have no idea what I have to do, but I do know what I’m going to do.

                “Mom, I need to go,” I tell her. She looks at me confused, waiting for my explanation.

                Tears brim my eyes as I tell her that I’m leaving home, and won’t be back till I’m sure those men, and the danger that trails them, are forever gone. Her eyes fill with tears, but she nods in understanding, knowing she won’t be able to change my mind. We hug, and in that moment I unfurl my wings the tiniest bit and hear my mother gasp. She has never seen or felt my wings until now, and she shakes as she strokes my feathers. I smile and burst into tears as we share a moment that I believe is a rare occurrence. When I step back, my mother is staring at me in a way that makes me feel ashamed. She’s staring at me like I’m a mutant, like I don’t belong. I see her try to cover it up, but she doesn’t know how, but I do. I cover up my feelings with a smile and hug her tightly one more time. I feel her tense beneath me but she tries to act like nothing’s wrong. I let go and walk up the stairs. I pack a bag full of all my stuff and as I come down the stairs, I hear my mom talking on the phone.