The Devil's Symphony

Chapter 1

"You often meet your fate on the road you take to avoid it" -French Proverbs

~~~

It wasn't everyday that it rained in the town of Carleston. In fact, it was unnatural.

The back porch steps creaked as I slightly shifted my weight. My dog Kel on the other hand didn't move, too transfixed by the pouring rain. He was a large German Shepard. Going into his older years, there wasn't much he did these days. But he was a loyal dog and my furry best friend. Always there to greet me as soon as I got back from school.

I sighed. I wondered if this rain would ever stop. At first, I was excited. I loved the smell of rain and it gave everything a cozy feeling, but today would make it a week. At this point, even though we were perched at the top side of a cliff, I could barely see the ocean through the grey veil.

"Brielle!"

Kel and I both started not expecting the sudden call.

"Yeah mom?"

"Dinner's ready!" she yelled from inside the house.

"Come on Kel, let's go." I clicked my tongue and stood, then motioning for Kel to follow. His dog tags rattled after me as I opened the screen door, the smell of herb lemon, roasted chicken hitting my senses. The screen door snapped shut and we both entered the dining room, my parents already sitting.

"Still pouring?" my dad asked.

"Yep," I replied.

"Hm. I was hoping it would've at least gone down a little. Hey hun? Did you forget the rolls in the oven?"

"Oh shoot!" my mom stood hurrying off towards the kitchen. "Can't believe I forgot again. Every time!"

"So Brielle,"my dad started, "how did school go today?"

"It was fine." My mom set the rolls and the table and I grabbed one ignoring her heed they would be hot.

"Just fine? Did Mrs- uh, what's-her-face ever fix your grade?"

"Yeah. It was an easy fix."

"So you're grade's back up?" my mom asked handing me the mashed potatoes.

"Yeah."

"Well that's good!"

I nodded my head and took interest in my food. My parents began their daily conversation of things to fix. This time it was about the peeling white paint on the house. Poor Kel was laying on the floor by my chair, head on his front paws. He looked worn. Thinking he could use a picker-upper, I slipped him a piece of chicken.

"Sweetie?"

My attention snapped back up to my parents. They were both staring at me, giving me a look that could only mean they were going to bring everything up again.

"Have you seen Lacey recently? You girls used to hang out quite a bit. We haven't seen her over here since the school year started."

My throat tightened. I hated even the mention of her name. "I already told you mom, we're both busy this year. It's our last year and our last chance to get our grades up."

She gave my dad a look that displayed her disbelief of everything I had just told her. My father returned it. They still both didn't believe me but they always asked me the same questions anyways. Always hoping that one day I'd give them something else. Something about the incident I suspected. They had no idea Lacey wouldn't talk to me, let alone the whole school. The only time anyone said anything to me was to throw out an insult or accusation.