The Woods

Chapter 3

We got to the house in no time but house is an understatement . This was a mansion . With golden gates and a winding driveway it took almost 5 minutes to get through the forest that surrounded the compound. Cut stone columns reached 3 stories high guarding the massive front doors and at the top of the stairs sat my grandmother Mimi looking way too old to still be alive.
I got out of the car and walked towards her , her eyes not leaving the woods. Behind her stood Alexa still as stiff as ever ,a sour look on her face as she watched me climb the stairs . I got to the top and held out my hands but nothing changed , she stared out into the woods eyes watery and hands shaking .
She was mumbling something I couldn't hear so I leaned down towards her lips but almost in an instant it's like she came to life.
"Darling!" She grabbed my hands and stared into my eyes . "I've been waiting a very long time for you to get here, you know you're my favorite " a soft smile on her lips as she gripped my hands way too tightly . I smiled back not knowing what to say , she let go of one hand then spun her wheelchair around with one hand and dragged me along as the massive doors opened in front of us . The ever present Alexa at my heels , as we entered I saw faint shadows shift in the depths of the house as if something way too large to exist had shifted to something even smaller . I thought nothing of it as from the shadows came someone I dreaded more than anyone , Inimica. Her bright red hair trailed behind her , dark brown skin shining even in the faint light , she had a smile on her face but not one of greeting. She looked ready to start trouble as usual. I turned away as she walked towards us ;her heels clicking delicately in the marble floor .
"Aunti M , I thought I was just you and me this summer but oh well. Hi Daya!" She said , her eyes never meeting mine.
Hello Mica I whispered staring at her face while she continued to look everywhere but at me.
Come come you must see your new room. I had it made up just for my special girl. Aunti M said this smiling up at me as she maneuvered her chair using just one hand, the other tightly gripping mine with such force now that it went from being uncomfortable to painful. I couldn't stop the small whimper that came from my throat as I tried to pull away. She must have noticed my discomfort because she let go right away.
As we went up the glass elevator made a creaky sound that sent shivers up my spine. We stopped on the third floor Aunti M grabbed my hand again this time with much less force . she stood up from her wheelchair and walked confidently to the last door on the left pushing it open after fiddling with a large gold key for some time.
White and gold filled my vision , the bed sat in the middle of the room it was a strange circular shape .
White and gold trimmings everywhere , a white desk sat in the corner with huge white cabinets surrounding them from floor to ceiling with a gold sliding ladder affixed to one end. The other corner had a reading area with large fluffy couches and a could see a white laptop on the end table in the middle a brand new phone sitting on top. Mica smirked and looked inside
Mica- ha its just like mine but mines better.  Its black and silver like my phone.
She pulled out a shiny black and silver phone and pushed it near my face. I smiled as Mimi ignored her and pulled me inside towards the cabinets .
Mimi- here's your art studio you can do any thing you like . I got terry to fill it up with everything an artiest needs and if you need anything just email terry he'll make sure you get it in notime. His info is in your phone and computer over there . now you get settled its only 10 lunch is at 1 see you then.
She dropped my hand without waiting for a reply and walked over to her wheelchair sitting down, I just realized mom was right
She didn't need it. As she wheeled around she looked at Mica. Mimi- show your cousin the library and training rooms will you dear.
She pat her hand and wheeled away down the hall her pet at her elbow.
Mica turned to me. Mica- well you heard her . come on
She walked out as I followed grabbing the phone as I left. Mica walked to the elevator and pressed B4 I realized the floors were off, it started at B10 then went right up to B1 the B then it started showing numbers only from 1-7 I was on floor 3. we went in and the same creaking sound filled the silent elevator we came off on B4 .
Mica- this is basement level 4 we can't go past here but it doesn't matter since we train here.
I looked around a full gym and multiple fighting gear was all around guns knives and swords along with many other weapons were displayed in open cases infront of a huge target area .
Diya- I train at home with my sister but this is even better . I walked over to the swords and knives they had always interested me and I picked up a large throwing knife the handle felt warm which I found strange since the whole thing was metal I set it back down as I heard Mica's heels click on the floor. Mica- let's go the library is on B2 then you get outta my face.Diya laughed and followed her cousin to the elevator after another noisy ride they walked down the corridor identical to her floor and entered the third door on the right . Diyas eyes flew open floor to ceiling shelves held thousands of books new and some looked ancient.
Mica hissed and flipped her hair- well bye nerd see you at lunch. She turned and went into the elevator pressing 2 and giving Diya the finger as the door closed. Diya walked to the first shelves  she picked up an worn leather book the title read  Foster forest A history as told by forest dwellers. The next book had a similar title except this time it was told by the forest guardians I picked up both books and turned to leave but I heard a sound