She Rises

Chapter 1: Coming Home

Softly splashing water droplets hit the car windows as I drive onwards. The skies are overhung with a blanket of grey, so much so that I can barely tell the difference between the sky and clouds. Despite car rides feeling tedious, the rain commonly calms me - I watch raindrops race down to the windows. The occasional wave of a puddle can be exciting, but I'd rather be outside in those puddles than stuck in this car.
In late summer the Earth is ready for the rain, for sweet drops to quench the soils. It is then that the pitter-patter returns to the woodlands, simple water to bring nature's magic. The pathways strengthen from a dusty brown to deep mahogany, reviving a healthy glow I've longed to see the return. Summer foliage has it's time, the green canopy to give shelter when it's needed, yet this is beauty also, the heaven-given promise seasonal changes fulfilled.
As I drive I realize how long it's been since I have been home. When I went off to college, I said to myself, I was never going to come home. I never wanted to be part of the family business. But of course, they pull me back. I love my family but I was never really part of it. I drive for what seems forever I watch as the city pass by through the car window. Entering Los Angeles the people getting in and out of taxis. Bikers weaving in and out of traffic. As I drive I can't help but feel like I'm going to the place where I tried so hard to escape.
The hills are a patchwork of green made even more varied by the shadows of passing clouds. They are every hue from new spring grass to deep forest pools. Some are more shallow than others, but most have steep paths that take you to one side of their summit and then down to the next valley below. There isn't much to threaten a traveler in these woods, except perhaps the occasional bold bear or wolf pack. For the most part, the walk is determined by the walker, it is either relaxing, invigorating, arduous, meditative and every shade in-between. But on the day the travelers found themselves on the eastern edge, it was unseasonably warm and the mosquitos had been breeding in the what shallow water was left after the spring rains. Once they entered the coolness of the woodland canopy they were immediately set upon by the insects. It seemed that the promise of an enjoyable summer stroll to the west coast was already broken. They swatted the air in futile angry swipes and still were bitten. I drive till I see a gate in front of the gate is two men I am very familiar with. Lorenzo and Marco, I stop in front of them they key in the code and the gate opens slowly. I drive through it and it close feeling once more I am trapped and I cannot escape.
I drive and drive until I stop in front of a beautiful house. Ivy and ferns grew through the crevices of the old winding stone path, which led directly to the colossal structure. The mansion loomed proudly behind creaky iron gates, flanked by rows of skeletal trees crowned in crimson, swaying gently, the chilly autumn wind. At its threshold stood the delicate marble fountain, the soft gurgling of the clear water melodic as it resonated in the surrounding silence.
As I pull around the drive I see Ella the maid coming out of the house. Her statuesque beauty can only be compared to marble due to the coldness of her eyes. The eyes of a loyal tool. Able to clean house, ensure all rooms are up to snuff and any corpses disposed of in as efficiently as possible. I stare at the eyes of a killer as I got out of the car. She stops me from opening the trunk with perfectly manicured hands. "I will send someone to bring your luggage up," she enunciates in as cold and clipped tones that feel like chips of ice in my ears, "Your father wasn't expecting you until later. You will go to the kitchen until his meeting commences then be escorted to him." She says as she has already turned her back to me, knowing or expecting I have no other choice but to follow.
She leads me in the familiar path to the kitchen, I ignore all the decor as nothing has changed, the finest art pieces bought for the extravagance but not loved. Only bought for the show of wealth. The kitchen is in the center of the house. Usually, this would indicate it is the main epicenter of the house, where people flow to for socializing and fun. For the family, it's simply the most middle room ensuring no one can sneak in or out without being seen. Total protection, total isolation.
To get to the kitchen I had to be led through the dining room. Memories flooded through. I want to smile but I refuse to accept the fact I was happy here. It was a grand space, to say the least. The huge mahogany table took up most of the vast space the dark, romantic room offered, left without a tablecloth and daring guests to ruin the perfectly varnished shine with their unworthy fingerprints. Two tall, silver candelabras commanded attention from the center of the table, holding smooth white candles whose wax never dripped.
We finally make it to the kitchen and Ella orders me to stay in the kitchen until she returns. I don't answer her and just roll my eyes. She gives me a huff and walks away. I wait there in the kitchen that hasn't changed since I left. White clean and perfect everything is always damn perfection this house. It's not human, a mess is normal I thought to myself. But looking around I realize I am finally by myself. I take a breath of relief, even though it would be better if I was a million miles from this house.
There is not a sound in the house all of a sudden Ella comes rushing through the kitchen. Grabbing my arm pulling me off the counter roughly. Trying to pull away she grips harder, she might be smaller than me but damn this woman has a death grip. We walk out of the house heading a car. The car was all black with limo tinted windows. I'm pushed into the car and the leather seats are cool to the touch. Ella takes the seat next to me as she closes the door she says "Iceman" knowing that's the codename for my dad. Everyone calls him that nobody knows his name except for me but I know better than to say his name I made that mistake once and I will never make that again.