Wicked Games

Chapter 2

        "Okay! You're probably exhausted! You will start work tomorrow at 7" April added. 

"Okay!" I said, packing as much enthusiasm into my voice as I could. 

        I basically just swept up clippings for a few hours and listened to April give me instructions on what to do while working at the front desk. After a few hours, April decided to go home a bit earlier than usual to 'settle me in'. I was fine with it as Shirley told me to definitely call her as soon as I get everything sorted out and she would begin to worry soon. I had always liked Shirley ever since I had started working at the salon she worked in. I always came to work with bruises, trying to cover them up with makeup and fake stories but Shirley was always the one who payed attention. As much as I tried to push her away and tell her more lies she always saw through them and pushed harder to protect me. Shirley was the only person I ever opened up to about Derek and his habits.

        April and I started out of the salon and headed to her car. April unlocked the PT Cruiser and hopped in, I followed suit. Once she started the car and began to drive, April had begun to talk but I shamefully missed the first couple words she said.

"So..." She began. "Since you are my employee and you will be staying under my roof, I'd like you to elaborate a bit on why exactly you left Sweetwater." I could tell that April's tone was cautious as Shirley told her enough to know that it was a sensitive topic. I tensed immediately, not wanting to share but April had a right to know, I guess. I let out a sigh, not wanting to take the walls I had built around me down. "I don't mean to pry but I'd just like to know what I'm letting into my home" April said with an uneasy smile. 

"No, no. You're fine I understand it's just a little hard" I replied with a strained smile. I took in a deep breath and tried to think of ways to make it as vague as possible. "My parents where both killed in a car crash about six years ago and I was left in the custody of my twenty year old brother, Derek. I was actually the reason my parents where on the road because they where coming to pick me up from volleyball practice. Derek blamed me of course and started being really mean over the next month or so, it got to the point where he would get intoxicated and" I paused, trying to catch my breath "Derek would beat on me alot, almost killing me a few times. This went on from a few months after my parent's death up until I fled here." I was blinking back tears by the time I finished and I looked at April. April had her eyes on the road with a pity-filled look on her face. Disappointment bubbled up inside of me as the last thing I want from her is pity. April finally looked at me and caught my eye as she opened her mouth to speak.

"I am very sorry to hear that..." April started, I could tell that she was trying to find something to say. "I think I have already said this once but I'd like to assure you that you're safe." April ended firmly. Now, me being speechless, just nodded my head and said thank you, meaning every word. April cleared her throat gently as we pulled into a long driveway. "We are here!" She said, trying to lighten the mood. We drove into a curvy driveway that led to the front door of a beautiful house that was more like a castle. The house had dark brown features, making it look old styled, Victorian Gothic. April could tell I was awed as she smiled and said, "Do you like your new home?" I could feel my face begin to burn as I finally took my eyes away from the architecture and all I could do to reply is nod. April pulled the car into a space in front of the house and turned it off. We both got out, me lugging my back and made our way into the house. "My son is out and will probably be out for awhile." I felt a lump form in my throat. "I should've told you this earlier but there are a few other people that live here. I have my son, Bam and his two friends, Ryan and Raab who lives in the basement, then of course me and my husband." After April finished, I felt like I had swallowed sand paper. I hate to admit it but I wasn't the least bit comfortable with sleeping under the same roof with four other men that I have never met before. Derek's antics have caused my outlook on guys to be altered to nothing but pain. I had already accepted the invitation to stay with April and I couldn't turn it down right after she tells me she already has a houseful! "Are you alright? You're looking a little pale?" April asked concerned.

"Yeah! Yeah, I'm fine!" I lied to her with a fake smile whilst I abandoned my negative train of thoughts.

"My husband is also at work at the moment so I will show you where you'll be staying!" April told me excitedly as she clapped her hands together slightly. April started up the stairs talking about the house and where everything was at. She also told me that she will get Bam to show me around and introduce me to Ryan and Raab which I wasn't too keen on. April took a turn down a long corridor, leading me to my new room. We passed a door or two until we reached the end of one of multiple hallways that adorned the house. Pushing the door open, the room held deep purple walls with black furniture filling the good sized room. There was a large, comfortable looking bed which took up a portion of the room. The decorations had a Gothic feel to it that I, personally, loved. The room was shamelessly right up my alley and I think April noticed that. "My son played a huge part in most of the interior." She said with a playful roll of her eyes. "Make yourself at home and unpack, dinner will be ready in a few!" April added. I could immediately tell that April is an overall pleasant person with a cheery persona all the time, much different from what I faced back home. I really need to find something to get my mind off of the term 'back home'.

~~I added a picture of Castle Bam, where Sam's new home is (;~~