The Price

Extract from the chapter 'Leaving Betdale Drive'

The wet gravel soaked in the winter's rain crunched under my feet as I descended down the steady slope where the narrow shady lane crossed from my mother's shaby log cottage perched atop the crown of the moutain peak to the empty silent pass named Brookshire parade. The frolicking blue birds danced above my head by the ancient oak trees that lined lining the lane, tears still welling in my eyes, I tightened the strap of my firm overflowing backpack and clenched tightly to my small briefcase bound with a thin rope of string to hold the few treasured belongings I kept. A single drop of blood trickled from my right scarred wrist with fresh rips carved into my flesh from whatever my derranged uncle managed to harm me with his thick leather belt and it splattered on the gravel. It was the least painful wound I suffered today. My mother and uncle were trapped inside the cottage probably free by now hopefully not sprinting down the drive, my uncle hellbent on a excuse for killing me and my mother angered at my decisions and trying to hold her brother back, both cursing at my own love. Christy said the world has accepted what they use to call our kind, sinners or a lot more impolite names that we'd use to laugh at but I've always replied that most people never change.

The sun broke through the dark clouds floating in the distance and the dull lingering fog making my surroundings beyond the tall trees by the drive invisible in a hazy grey blur while I started ascending up the slope, leaping over a small stream where the slope dipped and started climbing. I could hear my uncle's rough voice echoing from the cottage over the rolling thunder, calling my name and my mother screaming at him to calm down. I turned and peered up towards the cottage, I couldn't hear any thundering footsteps running down the drive just the quiet chirps of the tiny balls of feather and the gentle pitter patter of vapor dripping from the leaves above my head. I ignored the frequent hammering of their voices and continued the climb, if they can't handle who I want to be with and what I want to do, they can jam their religious books up where this sun doesn't shine. I juggled the briefcase between my hands whenever my palms got uncomfortably sweaty, and blew my glossy fringe from my still teary blue eyes, the drive was a solid two kilometres from the road. I was about half way, I knew where the drive started to climb I would be near where the drive would suddenly drop steeply around a hundred metres, it was a real killer when trying to get home but luckily that's not an option anymore.

The drive peaked by a fallen pine tree revealing a beautiful mountain valley blanketed in a thick vale of fog and the clouds cast a menacing shadow over the normally green meadows and spires on the mountainsides, the shy town nestled at the foot of the mountains. I halted and plucked my phone out of my tight blue denim jeans, a single message under the name Nathan read me and Christy waiting by the drive entrance, do you want us to come get you? I typed in no I'm coming now before returning my phone into my pocket and glancing at the view briefly before staring down at the drive now diving rapidly down. I sighed and skidded down the slope at a uncontrollable run, one foot after another, left, right, left, right, left, right until my left foot slipped and I landed on my butt in the dirty mud and flew down the slope clutching to my briefcase, I dug my heels into the dirt, mud and gravel, grinding to a halt at the foot of the slope. I slipped off the slick sloppy sludge off my sneakers after rising to my feet with my clean denim jeans layered in mud and any liquid that wanted a ride down the hill with me. I wiped the dirt from my hair which was woven into braids and immediately continued walking down the drive afraid if my uncle had followed me, he wouldn't be that far away now. I could see the road further down the mountain and Nathan's car's headlights shining brightly through the fog and I began to jog, swinging my battered briefcase by my side. I ran closer and closer, breathing heavily but careful not to lose my balance. The sky flickered with lightning as the storm approached closer again, thunder piercing my eardrums as rain began pounding my back as large as pelting bullets. I raised my case above my head trying to shield the barrage of rainfall while I sprinted down the drive over the forming puddles and I was laid vulnerable as the oak trees disappeared from the side of the lane.

Over the deafening rolling of thunder, I could hear Nathan's car horn call out into the downpour signalling me from the road, I waved towards the car with my free hand but the car horn still rang through the valley. It wasn't until I saw Christine flung open the rear door, pointing behind me and yelling out something I couldn't make out that I realised I was not alone. I could hear the heavy panting and haunting footsteps trailing behind me, I was frightened to look behind me but couldn't help myself, I peered over my shoulder and gasped. My uncle was sprinting after me waving an axe above his head and screeching to the top of his lungs, his beard stained red and his clothes tattered and ripped. The axe head swinging above his head was being washed by the rain from a sticky liquid of blood red. I sped up from the insane murderous man to the car only matres away, Nathan crunched the gears and drove the car straight towards us with Christy holding the rear passenger door wide open through the drenching rain. I dove out of the way of the car bumper and rolled besides the speeding car heading for the axe swinging maniac, I saw Nathan's round face twisted anger as the brakes of the car screamed under pressure trying to stop before slamming into my uncle. The cars skidded and smashed into him and he was thrown metres away into the flooding gravel drive. Christy's head emerged from the car, her blonde hair drenched from the rain screaming at me to get in.

I sprinted for the door, hearing my uncle roar and climbing to his feet, I threw my case at Christy who caught it and chucked it into the car behind her. I ran for her and grabbed her outstretched hand, staring into her fearful eyes, I clenched her hand tightly before waking up from my sudden dreamy daze when hearing a loud snort of disgust by the man crawling to his feet from the mud.

'You're the reason she's dead,'' he chuckled cruely, gesturing towards the drive with his axe, 'Your love for that bitch has killed her, you little lesbian whore and you both are next!''

I stood holding the door confused at what he meant but couldn't help smiling at his pathetic insults while Christy violently tugged my arm from inside the car, the rain still pounded my face my uncle limping towards the car. I knew he wasn't in the best shape upstairs but I didn't think he would pull out his axe even though this isn't the first time he has after I walked in on him and my mother getting a bit too personal for syblings.

'You have became so obsessed with your false religion that you would kill another person?!'' I yelled at him, balling my fists, 'You are the devil that you fear in your book of sins!''

'And I've come to punish yours!''

'Are you kidding you're just a senial old man in a forsaken dream, goodbye uncle incest.''

'I'm coming for you! you'll meet your paren-''

I jumped in the car and slammed the door hard, ignoring his futile ranting while he approached with the axe. Nathan crunched the gears and reared the car into reverse leaving my uncle screaming in the storm on Betdale drive as Nathan accelerated the wagon down the narrow mountain road, twisting and turning as it weaved through the trees by the road. I layed tired in Christy's lap who smiled down upon me her hands gently pressing against me breasts, I smiled but it felt hollow and empty.

'It's finally done,'' I whispered rubbing the leather seat, gazing out the car window bombared by bullet raindrops.

'It sure is,'' she replied, her wet her dangling onto my face.

'I love you Christine and that's not a sin,'' I blushed just pleased to finally to be out of that dam cabin. She didn't reply, her gaze was fixed out the back windscreen as if in a trance with her jaw dropped. I heaved myself out of her loving grip and looked where she was staring, my blood drained from my face.

'What is it?'' Nathan croaked peering through the rear vision mirror at us.

The cabin was ablaze atop the mountain, burning brightly in the rain with smoke spiralling into the stormy sky. The fire burned like a beacon and could be seen for miles, the cottage crumbled and ash spewed out into the air, everything she had been wanting to run away from was literally burning to hell.

'Babe, h-he said she died for your love, he meant that-'' I cut Christy off raising my shaking hand to stop her.

'He meant he murdered my mother.''