Forever and Always

Chapter 2

Present day

I sat at my computer, my fingers slowing moving over the keys, pressing down on them when I locate the right one. The keys I press are all too familiar and I stare at them blankly. Found the 'i'. Now the 'o'. I could finally type in the words while looking at the screen, because I always have to pay attention to the keys. One misspelled word and I'll die but, I could never misspell a word. These words I'm typing in right now are the normal.

immortal people

For the first time in years, I backspace the words down to 'im'. I can't do it anymore. Not after Gramma's death. My heart skips a beat, and I stop the lump in my throat. I promised her before she died I will fulfill both of our wishes. Same wish. Always will be.

To travel to the lonely and abandoned town of Treegap.

This year is the year. I'll be going to Treegap next week. To visit the old Tuck house. I can't even think about the Tucks anymore. It's turned into some sort of obsession, yet at the same time, I could care less. I've driven through the town with my mom plenty of times. I could still smell the rainy atmosphere. The town and the woods are combined, so it's just like a huge jungle. More beautiful though. The atmosphere makes you want to run through an open field. It makes you feel free.

Plus, I can't take it in my house any more. Mom started drinking again. I've been avoiding her at all costs. I know her so well. Her and her bottle of Jack. She'll come home around 6:30, say they hello's and how do's, then she goes straight to the cupboard. That's when I go up to my room, lock the door, and climb out of the window.

I want to run away. Gram Winnie also wanted to, but she didn't. She was a naive ten year old, and ten year olds have wild imaginations. She grew up and came into reality while I'm still stuck. But her reality was an immortal family who lived minutes deep into the woods.

I'm starting to think that Gram Winnie was crazy. I mean, I haven't found anything on the Tucks, not even past birth records, purchases, nothing. Not even their house was found on the market or anything! I'm seriously obsessed with the Tucks. I got to let go. There's just something that keeps me holding on. I think it's Gramma. I need to make her final wish come true. Go to Treegap for the day. No Tucks, leave Treegap. But Gramma said that they had to escape Treegap before. They're probably not even there. This was back in the 1800s for Christ sake!

I came to realize that I was just staring at the computer screen blabbering on in my mind. My stomach started to grumble so I head downstairs. But Mom was down there at the kitchen table eating cold spaghetti. She didn't notice me, so I try to make my way back up the stairs but she heard me sadly.

"Beth come here!" she said. I wince for some reason, but I slowly make my way down the stairs and into the gloss floored kitchen. Mom looks at me with her "mother" eyes. And by "mother eyes" I mean eyes that are blood shot from the recent hangover.

"Beth, I read your blog," Mom's voice is slurred, like it is everyday. Crap! Forgot to log out. I clench my fist and bite my lip to keep me from saying Why were you snooping around my room you crazy lunatic! Mom looks at me, concerned.

"Please tell me why you are going to, and I quote, 'fulfill my grandmother's dead wish and travel to the town of Treegap'?! That town is not safe! I don't want you to go! You have to help," Mom belched, "take care of rent!" exclaimed Mom. I get what she was saying about Treegap not being safe. Homeless people probably lived in the houses and ate food there. Who knows what else. Unknown plants and creatures? But I knew it was better than living with an alcoholic who drank everyday and sometimes didn't remember your own name.

To make this conversation as short as ever I turn around and head back upstairs. Mom doesn't even bother saying or coming after me after me. I slam my door shut.

I am officially neglected. That's the only thing Mom worries about. A wish. It wasn't a wish, it was a desire. I lay down on my bed and look at my ceiling. I was way in over my head. These types of things shouldn't matter. I'm a fifteen year old. I should be out with friends at parties and just spending my life. But no. I'm a stupid, worthless freak, according to my drunk mother, and I agree. What's my life about? I don't even know if it's worth living. The only thing I have accomplished is going crazy over some made-up family. And yet, I'm going to fulfill a dead relative's wish. The Tucks don't exist. They're just a normal family Gram Winnie met who filled her minds with all sorts of thoughts. The Tucks were probably murderers or something.

I sit up, turn around and punch my pillow. The pillow is my life. I've devoted it to some made-up people and I can't believe it. And now I'm forcing myself into a deadly town full of creatures and nature! I punch the pillow several times before I toss myself on the floor. Tears pour out of my eyes. My head was focused on an old picture on the floor. It was Gramma. I pick it up and sit on the edge of my bed. But then I look at it twice.

It wasn't Gramma. It was some girl who looked exactly like me! I've seen childhood pictures of Gramma, and this wasn't her. We had the same dirty blond hair, same green eyes, same everything. We could literally be twins. I turn the photo around and there's a name printed on the back.

Winifred Foster – aged 14 ½

I gasp. Gram Winnie and I looked exactly alike! The resemblance is so scary that I start packing a mesh bag of mine. Jeans, t-shirts, a few pairs of sneaker (all Converse), a knife, some money, sweatshirts, and a picture of Gram Winnie. The small bag fit everything perfectly. I ran over to my window and open it. I sling the bag around my back and shuffle out the window, landing on the little balcony outside. I scoot over to the other side of the balcony, grab onto the gutter and drop down into my backyard. The sun was shining, and it was a beautiful August day. In a matter of two minutes, I changed my mind about everything. I felt a connection with Gram Winnie. The fact that we're descendants makes me feel like the queen of the world. Gave me hope to know that maybe I'm not crazy.

I turn back around to my house and scream "You want a piece of me! Come and get me!" like a drunk man on New Years' Eve. I start making a whooping ruckus and then lay down in my grass. Maybe I'm actually doing it right now. Running away. I have the guts! I got the glory! I might as well do it! With one last turn towards my house, it's shadow looming over me, I say to myself "So long sucker" and move away in the broiling sun.

Hey guys hoped you liked the quick written chapter. I wanted to get deep into the emotions of Beth a little, so it might seem like a quick chapter. I was able to get this done because I really don't wanna work on my science fair project LOL