“So your name is Kacper, huh?” Jackie the care worker questions me enthusiastically. “It’s more normal than most of the names in Evyron.”
“I know it is.” I reply coldly.
“And you have very pale skin for someone who lived in Evyron all their life”
“I know…”
“So, were your parents Tribithian?” She carries on.
“I don’t know…”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“Yeah, I guess… I don’t know anymore”
There is an awkward silence between us. Jackie has been asking me a lot of questions since I got in the van and I only answer with something along the lines of “Yes” or “No” or “I don’t know”. No wonder the conversation stopped, she probably ran out of questions to ask by now.
For the next half an hour I sit there in silence, staring out of the window listening to annoying upbeat songs on the radio. Colourful trees stand symmetrically on either side of the road. People walk in bright clothing, with little pet dogs, which are also dressed up like dolls. As we enter the main part of the city, the buildings begin to become taller and there seem to be fewer trees, and the atmosphere seems very dull and boring. The downpour of rain has stopped now and I open the window. The cool wind blowing in my face brushes away my dark hair and fills my lungs with fresh air. I lean out like a dog inhaling as much air as I can before I get pulled back abruptly.
“Put on your seat belt and don’t lean out!” Jackie barks at me, “You’ll fall out and there would be a casualty before you’re even home!”
“If I fall out it would be my problem, though.” I reply with a smirk, not bothering with the seat belt. “I’d be the one getting ran over not you”
“And I’ll be left with all blame and the paperwork”
“Oh what’s wrong with a bit of paperwork?” I joke around, “Just a scribble or two here and there isn’t too hard is it? I think you could do it”
“And I think you can shut up” she replies aggressively.
“What’s with the attitude? I was only joking!”
“Then stop joking around! Kids like you should learn to respect their elders and not cause trouble!”
“Are you calling yourself a grandma?” I laugh mockingly at her comment. “Anyway I’m not the only one causing trouble here, see” I point to the speedometer near the steering wheel. “You’re going over the speed limit”
“Kacper!–”
“And for your information, I’m not suicidal enough to jump out of the window anyway, so I don’t know why you’re getting so worked up”
“One more word from you and I’ll beat you with a stick!” she barked back. “Behave!”
“That’s child abuse, you crazy woman” I scoff mockingly.
Maybe I went a little overboard with the arguing. She doesn’t even bother to reply now, since she probably despises my existence. She pulls up by a pretty small house. There is a fence of fir trees blocking most of it from view, but as I walk up to the front gate, with my backpack flung over my shoulder, I realise that in actual fact, it is huge. There are two garages, the driveway is wide and long and there are baseball bats, footballs and tennis rackets scattered all over the vast front lawn. The house itself looks like a mansion.
I carelessly jump over the gate with ease, and land in a pile of mud. A cruel smile creeps on Jackie’s face.
“That’s what you get for being so cocky along the way” she says as she opens the huge gate.
“Ha! Very funny, Jackie, very funny.” I reply sarcastically.
“Go on inside. I’m going to park the van; I’ll be with you in a moment”
“Take as much time as you want” I call out to her.
“Manners, Kacper!” her mood changes back to the excited woman she was at the airport. I wipe my boots on the doormat and open the red front door.
YOU ARE READING
Blue Phoenix
Acción"Don't let the Viper whisper in your ear... Don't let it lead you by the hand. The blue scar wrapped round your neck is a warning, boy. And your engraved bracelet, Eris, is like strings on a puppet" Have you read the Bible, child? Do you remember th...
