The Assassin's Daughter

Chapter 1

 Ava kept running but her legs just wouldn't move fast enough. There they were, on her heels. She closed her eyes and began scream and flail, only to wake up to falling out of her bed and thumping her head on the floor. She had been having the same nightmare for weeks, but didn't understand its meaning.

Shaken, she crept down the stairs. A midnight snack would always help with a nightmare. Ava took a spoon and a pint of ice cream from the freezer and snuck out the back door, being sure to close it softly.  She tip toed over to the polished picnic table and was not surprised to see her best friend, Melody sitting there, her own spoon in hand, waiting. Ava smiled and cocked her head, questioning.

"I knew you'd be here." Melody scoffed and scooped some ice cream. "Ugh, mint chip? Are you trying to kill me?" Ava laughed at her, scooping out her own share of the cold treat. "Is it the same dream again tonight?" Melody finally broke the silence. Her gray eyes looked concerned as Ava bit her lip; troubled.

"Yeah. I don't know why though. I don't ever remember having a nightmare in my entire life. Why now? And of all things, why about people chasing me?" Ava sighed heavily, and hung her head. "I have to start sleeping better. My grades are going to start dropping. I can't be a vet if I don't have good grades now." She gave Melody an over dramatic roll of her eyes. 

Melody laughed just a little too loud. Suddenly a light flipped on in the house. Both girls looked spooked. The door opened and Victoria Taylor walked out, tying her robe. "Ava Valeria Taylor! Get in this house this instant! Do you know what time it is?" Ava giggled. If it had been her dad, she probably wouldn't have, but her mother was a horrible disciplinary figure. "And You!" Victoria pointed a thin perfectly manicured finger at Melody. "Why are you here? In my yard? Don't you have your own house or yard? At this hour even? I should phone your family, but I don't like them just as much as I don't like you. Go home, Molly." 

"It's Melody." Melody let the sarcasm roll off her tongue thickly as she hopped off the picnic table and dusted off her shorts.

"It's neither here nor there, next time I'll simply call the authorities." Victoria's ruthless yet smooth voice made Ava cringe.

"Mom, come on. We're seventeen. Let it go." Ava began to pull Victoria's arm to lead her back inside. Once Victoria began to walk away from Melody, Ava assured her not to worry, and that she'd see her tomorrow at school. 

"Ava! Now!" Victoria Shrieked. Ava ran for the door before Victoria woke her father..

*

 The next morning, Ava woke up early and dressed herself for school quickly. Ripped jeans, t-shirt, and converse shoes, her long dark brown and caramel hair pulled back into a loose ponytail was her usual go to. Her family was wealthy, but she preferred not to flaunt it. She checked the hall for signs of her family and after deciding no one was awake, she made a run for the stairs. 

Ava made it out the front door and to her car before anyone noticed she was awake. Her car was the only thing that showed her family's wealth. She was a seventeen-year-old with a brand new BMW, and that spoke volumes in her opinion. She saw her dad leaving the house in his own car in her rear view mirror, but she had avoided him for now at least. 

Ava's school was full of mean preppy girls, and jocks who thought they were the best thing to ever happen to any girl on earth. Ava was not someone who was not very easily impressed. As she parked in her allotted parking space, Ava spotted Melody waiting for her at the front of the stone building. 

Whistles and catcalls greeted Ava while she made her way to Melody. She ignored them at this point. If she said anything, they would only be encouraged. "Hey, Mel." Ava hugged her. "I'm really sorry about last night. My mom is such a pain." Ava rolled her eyes in annoyance.