Athena took off in a fit of rage. She and her car were mostly the only cars on the road. But if you count a couple of cars you'd still add up maybe 4 to 20 coming out of Hawthorne.
She from this day did not even want to mess with the idea of turning on the radio. Hell, she turned her phone off. She wasn't even concerned about much currently but getting out of Hawthorne. And then it happened!
Static and blackness and static and Athena could hear and feel the hiss of the static and blackness and white. It was like a leaky TV that was not on the right channel. And here as she still drove was an eeriness that she could sense. No blackouts this time. And not a sense of destitution. She seemed helpless in theory but that was only theory. The winds subdued as Athena saw a sign. Out of nowhere, it read Trakkton. Town 400 people. Trakkton in white letters the sign was tinged but nothing too severe. And four large branches blocked Athena's path and the winds started to pick up a scoche. The peculiar thing about the branches was they remained perpendicular to the road. It wasn't even fall. It was for chrissakes about noon. Athena got out of the car to investigate the branches. But here Athena sat puzzled and hunched over examining the branches. They wilted a little bit and were earthened and the odd thing was branches normally remain rough and firm. These were extremely soft like lilacs mixed with eagle feathers. But intrigued by the branches Athena wandered into the forest. "ATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHENA." Something billowed. It beckoned to her as a good ballroom dancer beckons to be danced with. To her horror, it was her little baby. But the noise stopped and Vander lied silent in the forest. He was frozen in time. And no amount of anything would bring him back. He was not smiling and as she ran over to him. He was cold. Something was incasing him as she could see his chilled hands and fragile body on the ground.
Figures protruding over him and yet again the unknown flushed over her. One of the figures walked slowly and with weighted steps. "YOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU—must answer for past years, doth droves of cattle, doth death's embrace, criminal aptitude, criminal gain, doth slain... and Vander was okay but crying a bunch.
Vander grinned wildly and Athena was shaken to her core.
"WHAT THE FUCK was that Vander? MOMMY DOESN'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW, it CHANTED SOMETHING AT ME, WHY ME? WHY ME? OH GOD IN HEAVEN WHY ME? She screamed in terror. She caressed Vander and held him in her arms and wept like an angel. "Don't ever , ever, ever , smile like that Vander, it freaked the hell out of mommy," Athena said intently.
Several hours led to days and Athena tossed and turned and had Vander. They were at home safe. It was a long journey in which many events took place. All of them altering Athena and changing her outcome on life and challenging her perceptions. It came from the corner of the doorway ."Mom I am scared, I am sleeping with you tonight." Said Tanika. The family rested for at least 2 days as they were all worn out. "Tani, please hop in baby, hop in and get cozy, we aren't going anywhere, we are safe here," said Athena. Athena's suitcase was strewn about on the floor. Shirts and pants and sweaters and even more pants, designer shoes and belts as well. It was a mix of clothes. But she felt like she could breathe, in her own house, in her bed with walls guarding her and her kiddos.
It had to have been about 3 p.m. and Athena was restless. She already had slept for a day and a half. She glided down the stairs to go get coffee. Something beckoned her and then she hit the floor hard. It was a soft voice that beckoned her but she could not receive it as she was out cold. Her head bounced on the ground. "Mom are you...uh...conscious...MOM! MOM! "Said Tanika. "Yeah, I just cut my head a little bit but I will be fine. Tanika stay with Vander I am going to go do something, kay?" said Athena. "Mom, why do you fucking do this to me? You just keep pawning Vander on me, just like c'mon and let me do something for a change?" Tanika protested. "Fine goddamnit I don't have time for this. Something was calling to me I have to explore it. "Said Athena "Fine, go! Just go!" said Tanika. Athena put a bandage on her head and Neosporin and proceeded to go outside. Athena knew she must find this voice. Was it the same voice? Was it different? Was she worried about another blackout? This clue had to lead her to the source, it had to. Athena put her suede red jacket on and closed the door behind her.
Not being super sly Tanika was done following orders. Tanika got her neon green jacket on and closed the door behind her. Tanika was done with the bullshit and wanted to tail her mom. She wasn't sure what she was up to but she suspected, she may be visiting something.
