Serpent By Association

The Putnams

Sophia Putnam, her mother, father and younger brother have moved to the small town of Riverdale from London, England. Why, you may ask? Because some of their family lived in Greendale, and while they wanted to be closer to them, they didn't want to be same-town-close.

Sophia looked around the house they had moved to. It was nice enough. A good size, a garage, three large bedrooms each with an ensuite, a standalone bathroom downstairs, a kitchen-diner and a large reception room.

"Are you going to help at all, Soph?" Her brother, Thomas, asked.

"If I have to." Sophia smirked.

"Come on. The sooner we get the boxes in the sooner we can get unpacked and you can go and explore or whatever." Their dad, William, said.

"Exploring?! Do you know how dangerous that is?" There goes mother Patricia.

"Do you really think this place is gonna be like London, mum? I mean you've been here before. Is it like London?" Sophia asked.

"Not at all," her dad said. "We know it's different. But there's always still danger. Though, clearly you can handle danger."

"Dad, please. I thought we moved here to not think about it any more." Tom said.

"Your sister was in a gang, Tom. A dangerous one. It's not something we're never going to think about again." Patricia said.

"Please, mum, stop. You wanted me to make friends. So, I did." Sophia lit up a cigarette.

"None of that in the house. Get outside if you have to do it." Patricia said.

Sophia obliged, going out to the front porch and smoking the cigarette. When she had done, she went over to grab some more boxes from the moving van.

Later on, they had finally finished, everything was inside and unpacked. Her room looked like a bedroom with her bed in the middle of one wall, her vanity next to a window, her walk in wardrobe filled with clothes and shoes and trinkets and photo frames on shelves and on top of chest of drawers. It looked homey. It looked like a normal girl's room. Except for the grey colour scheme. That was darker than usual. But it was Sophia. In every single way.

Patricia walked into Sophia's room. "I do wish you'd have brightened it up."

"The sun will do that when it shines mother." Sophia replied, turning the page of the magazine she was reading.

"Are you going exploring? Like your dad suggested?" Trisha asked.

"Not exploring, per se. Tom and I are going to take a walk to the school so we don't have issues finding it tomorrow. There's no need to worry." Sophia smiled, lightly.

"Sophia, I want to talk to you. Seriously." Trisha sat on her bed. "I just wanted to say that if you do feel the need to get involved in the same sort of thing as last time, please just keep your brother out of it. He wanted to be like you. Don't let him do that. Keep him safe."

"Mum. The reason I ever did anything before was to protect him. To protect you all. You know that I never let him be part of anything, no matter how hard he tried. I had to do many a thing to make sure he was never involved. He's strong, determined and he wants to be part of something. I kept him safe there but this is a whole new kettle of fish, mum. I don't know who works what here. If he gets involved in something, I might not be able to get him out." Sophia told her mum.

"Just, please. Keep an eye on him." Trish sighed.

"I will." Sophia stated.

Her mum said goodnight and left the room and only moments later her brother walked in.

"Hey, Soph," he said.

"No-one knocks here, do they? What's up, Tommy?" She asked.

"What did mum want?" He asked.

"She wanted me to make sure you don't get into any trouble here." Sophia explained. "So, you need to be careful. And be smart. Sure, I know you might do something. But keep it away from her."

"Alright, Soph. I'll try stay out of trouble. But no promises." Tom said.

"I'm not asking for promises, Tommy. I'm asking you to stay safe." Sophia grabbed his hand.

Tom squeezed her hand. "I'll be safe, Soph. That I'll promise you."

They hugged before deciding to go on their trip to the school. When they were back home, Sophia got changed and ready for bed. Tomorrow she would be starting school and that was always a big day.