Umbra

Chapter Four

The athletic car jittered along the country, tarmac road guarded by tall blossom trees. There was no sign of the pungent, genetically enhanced lavender to mask and decrease the fumes which made for a delightful change.

Emotions jumbled in Gracelynn's head like letters in a scrabble bag, unsure whether to be happy of a new start, or sad of losing an old life. But wasn't her old life gone long ago? Unsure whether it was bad she was leaving Adrian, good that she was leaving behind Elina's dramatically new personality, good that she didn't have to witness their relationship... or the collapse of it.

A lone tear cascaded down her chartreuse eye like a droplet of water melting off of tangled ivy. She quickly brushed it away from Diana's peering eyes and the rest of the world, but soon realised her swift movement wasn't quite swift enough.

"Oh darling," She said to her daughter sympathetically, rubbing her back and taking odd looks off the road to her, "You know this was the best thing to do, don't you?" An abrupt snuffle came from Gracelynn as she comforted.

"That's the thing. I know it is," She shook her head looking in search of meaning, "But I don't want it to be. I wish I could go back to that day and been maybe that inch stronger. He's right. I'm a lost little girl." She dragged her forearm across her face before realising she'd most likely have to explain who said this to her now.

But all there was, was silence. Did her mother honestly believe she was lost too? But then she didn't want to reveal that kiss, argument, agreement or whatever she had with Adrian. And certainly not the fact she kissed a taken man. Even if he did 'belong to her'.

"Turn left, and you will arrive at your destination." The gentle, robotic voice commanded. Diana swerved her car precariously, not to the left but to the right into a layby and Gracelynn sprung up confused.

"Mum where the hell are you going, left, the multimedia player said left. Not a ditch of cow dung."

"Just want a talk with my baby by herself for the last time." Her face was soft as she looked into her child's water speckled eyes.

"You're baby's coming home at the holidays." She let a laugh bubble in her voice, but she struggled to keep the tears from dripping.

"Just know you're beautiful. You really are sweetheart. I love you so much. Show them what you show me and everyone's going to fall for you, okay?" Gracelynn brushed off the comment thinking, 'you're my mother, it's your obligation to say this, you hardly mean it.' But the act of kindness soothed the nerves. "And stick with your cousins, I called Aunty Julia and she says they're going to keep an eye on you." She added.

"Okay mum." It was another one of those moments where she couldn't find the words and after a moment of nothing at all Diana skidded out and left down to the grounds for Quinciple Independent.

There was a sudden change in scenery. The quaint, twisted trees sewn from the random drop of a sky bird, the long spikes of grass that meandered with the rhythm of the wind and the un-flattened surface of the road which produced a small beat for the vehicles above suddenly transformed. Majestic sycamore trees sprung up like uniform army soldiers preparing to camouflage the school, the grass was kept at a strict level and the road, no longer asphalt but a beautiful ivory paving.

The stark change left Gracelynn awestruck, unsure how she was meant to cope in this grandiose, rural complex from being brought up in bustling London. With only one thing to say she came out with it, "Mum, I love you so much. Please know that." No tears were produced due to the shock. This time was Diana's chance to be silenced and a look of fulfilment was the only emotion visible.

In front of them was the gate, the entrance to the main grounds. At either side there were two, ten foot pillars, fish open-mouthed at either side on top and strong muscular bars as the gate itself.