Tell the neighbors I said bye

Chapter 2: Avery- Past 3 months before

You know those days when the sun couldn't be shining any brighter and when the sky is so perfectly blue and the neighborhood children are giggling and having a grand ole time. The day couldn't be any better.
Today was a perfect day. Today is my eighteenth birthday. I am riding my bike home from school. I'm riding on Main Street and something catches my eye.

I pull over and check it out, it a vinyl store and I find the perfect record for Xander. 'This is the perfect birthday present.' I thought as I payed for it. Xander is a huge classic rock fan. His favorite group of all time, Styx.

As always I was home before him. He always works after school to pick up a few bucks. But it's perfect for me because I wrapped up his last present.
About an hour or so later Xander walks in the door. Calling up his usual chant,

"Avery, I'm home!"

I responded back "You were gone? I didn't notice." Then we both laughed and I quickly grabbed the presents I got him and went down stairs. I met him at the kitchen table. And set down the presents on the counter.

"I made your favorite," he said giggling.

I started to hysterically laugh. Xander can't cook to save his life. He always finds a way to burn the food.
He set on the table, take out Chinese.

I responded "Since when have you become Chinese? I thought we were Americans?"

We both chuckled then started eating. When we finished eating we presented the gifts. I put all my gifts out on the floor to spread them out. When he only handed me a card I was shocked. We always went all out with gifts. He started to tear open the presents, he looked like a child on Christmas. I carefully opened the card and read the letter. His card had the most beautiful writing. At the bottom there was an address. He said we were going to go when I was dressed in jeans and a tee-shirt. I was in a frilly girly dress.

I changed and we headed to the location. I was shocked when Xander made me put on a blind fold. We stopped and he walked me inside to a very smelly area and then to a place where it felt like I was walking on sand. He removed the blind fold and there was Allison, Xander's girlfriend, standing in an indoor arena with a big white horse. I looked at Xander and Xander nodded his head and I walked over to Allison and greeted the young filly. She couldn't have been any more then two years old.

"She needs a name, what do you want to call her?" Xander asked as he was walking up to us.

"You mean, I can name her?" I asked

"Well, I wouldn't have it any other way," Xander responded.

I gave him a big hug. This was truly the best present I could have ever gotten. I was so happy. Everything was perfect. Until later.

We got home after 3 hours of me brushing lightning, which is what I decided to name her, and riding her, I was beat and was ready to go home. I showered and then I sat out side on a lawn chair with a cup of tea, like I do every night Xander next to me. I love thinking about life and being able to be talk to my best friend and tell him about my day. When he went in I stayed out. I stayed until I fell asleep.

I woke up suddenly to being slapped on the face. I couldn't see anything, all I could feel was the stinging sensation burning through my cheek. My hands were roped together and I was suspended from the ground.

All of the sudden, fear was all I felt. I forgot about the agonizing pain from my side. I can't remember what happened after that.

What I would guess to be hours later, I was awoken again. This time it wasn't as nice as the first time. This time I was bare, naked if you will. I was so cold.
Then a face appeared out of the shadows, it was a familiar face.
It was Timothy Vanders, the neighbor next door.