Call It Evil

Chapter 1

I was not at all surprised at how unemotional I was as my mother's casket was being lowered into the ground. Me and my mother had never really gotten along, and her death was expected after fighting cancer for almost three years. I gritted my teeth as I remembered how even in her last few days we still managed to argue, particularly about my life after her death. Following her funeral I was to be loaded on a plane to Louisiana, live with a grandmother I had never met, and start my senior year of high school somewhere entirely new.

"You okay?"

I instantly recognized the voice of
my mother's boyfriend, Clyde. I turned around and gave him a half-smile with a slight nod.

"You know she just wants you to have a good life, right Harper? She didn't think it was best for you to stay in New York without any family." Tears formed in his eyes as he spoke, and I almost felt bad for him. Almost.

"Yeah, I know." But really I didn't know. I didn't know how my mother expected me to have a good life if I was leaving everything and everyone I knew behind in the only city I had ever lived in.

The pastor spoke a few more words, said a lengthy prayer, and that was that. After everyone had said their condolences and headed to their cars, Clyde asked if I was ready to go.

"Can I have a minute?"
"Of course," he said with a smile.

I stared down at my mother's grave and tried my hardest to shed a tear. No luck. I sighed and began to talk down to her.
"Well I guess I won't be coming back here for a while," I stated. "And it's pretty much all your fault." A lump formed in my throat as I thought of how much newness I would be going through. I hated new. I wanted my old life, with my old friends, and my old house. "I hate you," was all I had left to say. I stood by the grave for a few more minutes before Clyde slowly started walking towards me.

"Hey kiddo, we better get going if we want to make it to the airport on time. We still need to swing by the house to pick up your bags."

"Okay." I responded.

Clyde bent over and placed a single white rose on the grave before turning around and leading me towards his black truck. He opened the passenger door for me and I climbed onto the leather seat. He shut the door and made his way to the driver's side.

The car ride was extremely quiet. I kept my eyes on the window and attempted to take in all of the tall skyscrapers, wanting to remember every single one. Clyde noticed me and chuckled a little to himself.

"I hear your grandmother lives on a farm," he said. I closed my eyes and slowly nodded.
"Oh come on Harper, it can't be too bad," he said in response.
"Have you ever lived on a farm?" I snapped back.
"Well, no. But I can't say I'd mind it. It'd be nice to see some new scenery every once in awhile," he said reassuringly.
"Oh, well then I'll be happy to trade with you, seeing as how you seem so damn excited." I instantly regretted coming off so rude, knowing that Clyde was only trying to be nice. He sighed and turned the car down a side street.

The rest of the car ride was silent until we pulled into our apartment's parking garage. Clyde eased the truck into the only available space and turned the keys out of the ignition. We both sat still for a while before he opened his door and said,"You don't have to come in if you don't want to. I think I can manage all of your bags."

"No, I want to come in," I said. I shuffled out of the car and walked with him to the apartment building entrance. We made our way over to the elevator and rode it up to the top floor.
"Well at least you'll never have to worry about getting stuck on an elevator at your grandmother's," Clyde joked. I stared straight ahead and didn't even acknowledge his words.