Fatal Temptation

Chapter I

pitter patter, pitter patter, pitter patter...

It was quiet, all but for the rain lightly battering against my window. The rain had only just begun, and it was bound to get stronger further into the night. Laying on my bed fully dressed, I couldn't help but feel that even the heavens were against what I do; but I chose my path and I don't want to change it. Did I? Rolling over to my side, I faced my alarm clock, watching as the time slowly ticked by until, finally, it was time. 

1:05am

Jumping out of bed, I was careful not to make any noise as I skillfully avoided all the creaks in the floor boards. Having lived my whole life in the attic, I was accustomed to all the negatives of the space; from the chilliness to waking up everyone in the house with one wrong step. I use to treat sneaking out as a game, sometimes I was a ninja, other times, some princess escaping her tower to meet her Prince Charming. Those days were long gone now, then it was about necessity, now it was about routine. 

My life had changed at the age of 15, where I had once been a malnourished, me against the world kind of girl, I now had people who I could call a family and something that I actually enjoyed being a part of. My life was never horrible, not compared to those who don't have a home, or a family, or food on the table, but you could say it wasn't too far off. I had a roof over my head, a family and there was food in the house, but it wasn't and still isn't my home, I dont and didn't feel as if I belonged with these people I lived with, we were too different, there was barely enough room, let alone food to feed six children and it just didn't feel... right. 

Grabbing my backpack that lay at the foot of the bed, I carefully walked over to the only window in the room and pushed it open. Sprays of water instantly assulted my face, but I didnt let that bother me as I quickly straddled the ledge and hopped onto the thick branch that was located below my window. Closing then window I knew I didn't have to worry about someone finding out that I had snuck out, because honestly, if they havent realized these past 3 years, they're not about to now. Balancing myself, I began walking towards the trunk of the tree, my lithe frame making it all the more easier. Quickly making my way towards the base of the trunk, I ran towards the open gate of my backyard towards the expensive car sitting across the street from my driveway. It purred to life as soon as I stepped under the street light and I was soon pulling open the passenger door, shivering as my wet body met a wall of heat. 

 "Two minutes and forty-five seconds. You're losing your touch, Adrienne."

 "Shut it Zach, I'd love to see you try climb down that tree in the rain," I snapped to the mysterious boy sitting in the drivers seat. Shooting a quick glare towards the chuckling boy shrouded in darkness, I buckled myself in as the car quickly sped off.

Turning to look at him, I could finally study the boy next to me as flashes of light from the street lights made it possible to see him.  I was completely used to attractive members of the opposite sex since I was practically with them eveyday, but I'm still a girl and sometimes, you can't help but admire some fine male specimens. Zach was one of the few boys I knew where we saw each other as brother and sister. I wasn't attracted to him, but he wasn't the worst looking of the bunch. His brown hair was slightly messy, as if he had just run his hands through it, his angular features and baby blue eyes were emphasised by the moonlight shining through the window and only intensified his mysterious looks. Whichever girl ended up with him was going to be a lucky girl, if I do say so myself... well, after she gains my approval.

"I don't understand why you can't just leave there. I mean, you practically live with us anyway, and it would save everyone so much trouble, including myself if you didn't have to sneak out," Zach continued, not even noticing that I was staring at him, and I realised I had completely zoned out while he was speaking. 

"Zach, you know why I don't. It's better for everyone if it looks like I'm not too closely associated with you guys. Just imagine the connections they would make if they thought I lived in that house. No, at the moment I'm fine where I am," I proceeded to answer as if I hadn't stopped listening. Zach just grunted in agreement. We all knew why I didn't live with them, and for a few more months, that's how it would stay. The car grew silent after that, and while the atmosphere wasn't tense, it definately wasn't peaceful. Soon, though, I noticed where we were heading and couldn't stop the shiver of anticipation that ran up my spine. 

From the corner of my eye I could see Zach smirking, but I took no notice of him. If I had to say I enjoyed anything out of my life, this would definitely come out on top, so while I ignored Zach's amusement, I couldn't ignore what I was wearing.

As if reading my mind, a quick reply of "in the back" was all it took for my excitement to come back full force. Soon enough we turned into a dark industrial street, that looked practically abandoned at this time of night. Yet, I knew that this street, along with many others in this part of town, held hoardes of precious belongings that only few knew of; me being one of them. Not even waiting until the car had fully stopped in front of the large building, I hopped out of the car and made my way towards the left wall besides the roller door. 

Placing my hand upon the wall, a bright green light suddenly shone out and pulsed as it scanned my hand. With one final blink, the surrounding area was soon engulfed in darkness again until a loud groan of metal was heard from the roller door and I had placed myself before it as it slowly opened to reveal the treasures inside.

A smirk was perminantely situated on my face at the view before me.

"Hello, babies. Mummy's home."