Long Way Home [C.H]

Taking The Long Way

They say that home is where; love resides, memories are created, friends always belong and laughter never ends. Harper never felt that. Harper Audrey Irwin has always had a place to live; a beautiful house full of love and support, a place where memories are made with numerous friends to have sleepovers with, and where laughter has never stopped, not even through the early hours of the morning. So then, at age nineteen, why did she feel so out of place within her own house?

She sat alone in the corner of the bay window of her spacious bedroom that appeared overcrowded with items, but if you asked Harper, which no one ever did, she would tell you her room was empty. Her grey eyes were focused on the shining night sky view that she adored dearly. She set a hand against the glass then traced a word against the fogged up window. ‘Home.’ She wrote.

"Tell the world I am coming home." She whispered out quietly, not wanting to make a sound that could raise suscipion to anyone that could possibly overhear through the walls. She wasn't sure what she had meant by the statement she made. She only knew that time would tell. She hoped that the wait wasn't too long.

Harper remained at the window, and it was no surprise that she had curled up and fallen asleep there. This was something that Harper did often. Had she only remained awake she would have noticed the young looking man riding on a horse's back out the front of her family's property. If Harper were awake she would have marched right out there and allowed him entrance to their land. But she wasn't awake to do so, which meant that the male horse rider, Calum, would have to find another way into the property to complete the mission that he had set out on before he could return home. He knew she hadn’t intended for anyone to hear her as she stared absently out across the grounds from what he had identified to be her room, and least of all, him, a total stranger; but he had, and knowing she wanted what he could offer her gave him the courage he needed to come up with a new plan.

The security on the premises of the Irwin's palace was elementary at best - this easily provided Calum with the entrance that he desired. He dismounted from Callie, his beautiful black mare, guided her over towards a thick tree and tied her rope securely around it before he gave her soft coat a gentle rub and bid her a quick, quiet farewell before he made his way over towards the front of the large castle. He was here for only one reason, and would not leave until he had succeeded. With his goal implanted in his mind, Calum found himself glancing over the large house that stood before him, he even spent a significant time trying to pick out the similarities that it had to the Hemmings’ castle - only to find that it held none.

The olive skinned, blacked haired, brown eyed man made his way successfully through the large double doors after having spent some time trying to pick the lock. Lock picking was something that came easy to Calum, given he had been provided the best training when he was young. His curious brown eyes glanced around the open foyer, landing on the spiral staircase that his feet guided him towards.

Ascending the stairs two steps at a time, Calum lifted and placed each foot carefully so as not to wake the sleeping Irwins. With the Irwin househeld sound asleep and their alarms disabled, Calum was able to move freely down the long narrow corridors the house had to offer. His eyes scanned over each set of double doors as he focussed on locating the right room. He did not want to march in on the wrong room and cause havoc amongst the household. His plan was to flee before anyone realised had been here at all, let alone what he was here to do.

Counting each room as he passed, Calum’s big brown eyes were suddenly drawn to the fluro purple words engraved onto a simple silver plaque hanging from the door: Harper Audrey.

It was this simple name that gave him the impression he had arrived at the right place. Calum guided a hand through his hair as his other reached out to grab the door handle, which he turned before pausing, his thoughts clouding his mind. Calum wasn't doing this to benefit his royal duties or to hurt or upset anyone. He was doing this as it is the right thing to do. He, himself, has had to face problems that people throw his way - dealing with racist comments and judging looks from onlookers who always seem to love dragging him down. But, after all that he’s been through, Calum’s kind and caring personality still stands out like a shining gem in a sea of stones. People out there would disagree with this statement, even though he has shown enough proof that he deserves to be loved and cared for just as much as he cares for his family and friends. After going through all the pain, Calum still found a way to inspire people with his thoughtful personality, knowing the people he loves would always have his back.

Once his mind had cleared, Calum glanced down at the thick watch band that was covering his wrist; 5:47am. He was wasting time.