Atlanta

Chapter 3

I awoke, bleary eyed, to the sound of some type of engine purring along. I was leaning flimsily against the window pane of the vehicle I found myself inside, I could only guess I had fallen asleep after a somewhat dramatic evening. A strange old man was visible in the seat in front driving the vehicle while letting out an annoying, dry cough every few minutes. As I stretched out my aching arms, I realized my entire body felt like a tremendous amount of weights had been settled on top of me for the entire time I was asleep. I wasn't really sure of the events that happened earlier while I was awake; nor was I particularly excited on finding them out either, I would have happily fallen back to sleep, however that was a hopeless idea considering before I could even sit up straight, a familiar girls face came peering around my shoulder and  gazed up at me. She smiled.

"I see you're finally awake..." She said sarcastically.

"Um, yeah... why am I in here, again?" I asked as if I once knew, which I probably did, but since I fell asleep I seem to have forgotten most of what happened.

"I came to collect you last night, remember?" 

"I know that! I just.. er.. Ow, jeez" I scratched my head, but then recoiled from a throbbing pain across the back of my head.

"Oh.. right.. about your head...I didn't realize you were so inexperienced, and.. er.. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" I looked down at my hand and saw a patch of blood on my fingertips. 

"I took you through the woods, and some idiot found us, I figured you would have some experience in fighting them away, but clearly not.. long story short, he hit you round the head, what more is there to say?"

"Aw Jesus... why would I have experience in fighting people? I'm not that kind of guy..."

"Well then, I don't know how you're going to survive."  She laughed, yet her voice sounded so cruel and serious.

"Whatever, why don't you just take me back home... Antarctica? I don't think I'm cut out for this"

"Antarctica?! My name, is Atlanta, and don't you ever forget that!" She snapped back angrily "And to be honest: I wouldn't mind taking a weakling, like you back, if only I could."

"Well thanks for that, great to know. Just bring me back home. I didn't ask for this!" 

"Neither did I! Did you not hear me? I cannot bring you home!" She said crossly, then slopped back down into her seat. She crossed her arms and stuck out her bottom lip like a little child would after dropping an ice cream, while staring murderously at the dark, leather seat in front. The car filled with silence. The one thing I had learned about Atlanta is how angry she can get, her mood can change aggressively at times when you least expect it. Eventually Atlanta broke the silence and grabbed onto my arm, her pale fingers wrapped around my wrist tightly, as she slipped my sleeve up.

"See this mark?" She asked pointing at a faded, oddly shaped mark situated near the bend where my lower and upper arm joined. "This is the reason you're coming with me."

"What this old mark? My Dad says it's just  the remains a strange skin condition I had when I was little... Don't worry though, it doesn't cause any harm..." 

"Believe me, Kian... that is not from a skin condition.. and..." Her voice suddenly became shaky.

"..And..?" 

"And... they.. they are not your parents..."

I snatched my arm back from her now loose grip, and crossed it over my stomach, I glared at her in confusion and anger, she briefly looked at me and back at the floor silently whispering something with the odd cuss every now and then. I felt crushed, although I tried not believe the nonsense she has just made up, a small part of me was screaming  'She's right, they aren't your parents, and you know it.'