Beginning of the End

Ch. 4

To say the car ride was unbearable was the biggest understatement of the year. On second thought, make that century. It was torture. Half the time was filled with awkward silence and the other with meager small talk.

Maverik either was oblivious or being polite. I couldn't tell which. He was, however, extremely hot. This also wasn't helpful because I was caught, on more than one occasion, actively studying him, but it wasn't my fault, it was Ms. Estrogen. She's the one to blame.

"So.." I started hesitantly.

"A needle pulling thread."

I looked at him a moment before I got it. "Very funny smart ass," (insert parental death glare) "Where did you learn to climb like that? I mean, I was dead weight and I didn't see a rope on you."

"Ah, she finally asks the question that will enable me to brag about my awesome secret Demi-god powers."

I rolled my eyes.

"I free climb. It's pretty great." was his only response before lapsing back into silence. Well then...

As we continued on our way, I learned more about the house I was staying at via Maverik's inquisitiveness. 

I was staying with a woman named Maybella. She was only a few years older than me and could've been my older sister. The house was very big and right by the beach. Maybella and my father had been emailing for over two years. Her previous husband had been killed in jail and had left her with a hefty amount of money, a fifteen-year-old girl, and a nineteen-year-old boy.

I was thrilled. (Infuse as much sarcasm as humanly possible.)

Her house was also close to the high school I would be attending so I could walk there easily.

Maverik, as it turned out, lived a street over and was fairly close. I waved goodbye as he headed off. I saw a black mark out of the corner of my eye and looked down to find a number written on my arm with an 'M'. I smiled.

As Father maneuvered the car through a busy intersection, he started talking.

"I really don't see the need for you to go flinging yourself off into an abyss just to get a guys attention," I scoffed at him, "It caused a huge mess. So many phone calls, late to meet your new family."

"I'm sorry, I thought it would be fun to go hurtling to my death in order to be saved by a person I didn't even know rock climbed," I said, appalled at his accusation.

My head snapped sideways with a resounding slap. I lifted my hand up to my stinging face.

"You will not sass me, child. I am in charge of this place. What I say goes, goes. You will not ruin this family like you did with our other one.

I gaped, mouth wide open. Did he just hit me?

"Let your hair down to hide that ugly mark on your face."

The one you put there, I grumbled internally.

"Aspen!" He shouted at me.

I quickly untangled my hair and let it hang down.

"There," he said, rearranging it. "We wouldn't want to start off on the wrong foot, would we?"

I nodded curtly. What the hell?

"Good." He continued down the road we were on until we stopped in front of a massive sandy colored house.

A medium height woman with short blonde hair stood out front with a tall, brown-haired boy.

I went to get out but a hand grabbed my arm none too kindly.

"One wrong move, and you'll wish you never were born."

I exited the car and went to the back to grab my carry on suitcase. As I straightened up, I saw an entirely different landscape. There were beautiful rolling hills, a light breeze, and beautiful skies. I balked, blinking, and it was gone.

What was happening to me? I asked myself inwardly. I keep seeing things. Maybe he hit me harder than I thought?.

I got Father's bags and rolled them over to him.

"Thank you, my dear," he said a bit loudly and dropped a kiss on my head. He looked at me pointedly and I smiled. "Of course, Dad."

He cupped my chin and squeezed harshly, digging his nail slightly into my skin. A reminder

I turned around to the woman and she rushed over to me.

"Oh, Aspen!" She exclaimed as if I was a long-lost friend. "Your father has told me all about how wonderful you were and how pleased I would be to meet you! But my goodness, he never told me about your stunning beauty!" She wrapped me in a hug and I stiffened.

Even before Diana had died, physical contact was scarce. I loosened slightly. "Oh yes," I said, "I resemble my mother." The mood changed instantly.

"Why of course you do." She said, sounding wounded. "Come, you must be tired." I let her lead me inside. She seemed to regain some of her spark as she walked me through the house. No. Mansion.

She lead me into a bright pink room with frills, lace, and other ridiculous ornaments.

"Vionetta decorated it for you, Don't you love it?" She said with a squeal. Seeing as she hadn't entered the room. I shut the door in her face.

Oh. My. God. This was going to suck hard.