Unknown

Chapter One

               Shae Blanca sits in her old beat up station wagon starring at what once was her home. Now, with its broken rafters and chipping paint, it's more like a haunted house than anything else. With her parents in Florida and herself living with her Aunt, no one was really there to take care of the house anymore. As all things do eventually it rotted away and now it's just another forgotten building in the middle of Ohio. 

               With a deep sigh shae rolls her windows down and pulls away from the house. It's too painful for her to stare at it without purpose. All the memories and hope she had as a little girl is now all gone and all she can think about is her parents. They finally decided to live their life the way they wanted to which just so happened to be without her.  She still remembers the day they they dropped her off at her aunts house and uttered the words, "We will be back soon, darling". But today, marking the fifth year they've been away, Shae doubts that soon is ever coming. 

               The bumps in the forgotten road send shivers up her spine and she presses on the gas to gain some speed. The tree zoom past her and she can feel her hair whipping away at her neck leaving a faint sting with ever touch. Driving has always calmed her. She finds her way back to her Aunts home and rolls into the drive way only to see her friend Ruby waiting, irritated looking, on the hood of her car. Fuck . What did I do this time.  Shae has never been one who can remember things and she always forgets when her and Ruby set up times to hang out. 

               Ruby hops of the roof of her car and starts walking towards Shae. 

               " Girl, you won't fucking believe what that douche Chuck tried to pull," huffed Ruby.

               Oh thank god I didn't forget anything  Shae silently says to herself "No oh my gosh please spill the details". 

               "His dumb ass was sitting in my passenger seat and he slipped his hand over to my thigh! He knows for a fact that I have a girlfriend! I can't believe him! And to think I was so nice to offer him a ride after soccer practice! As if," Ruby's voice starts to get louder and Shae can hear the hurt in her voice. 

               "Oh no rubes...I'm so sorry. Chuck is a dick, I'll beat his ass for you," and with a soft chuckle the girls embrace. But if Ruby knows anything about Shae it means she probably wasn't joking. 

               Shae and Ruby retreat inside and pour themselves glasses of water. The TV is playing ID and Shae's Aunt is fast asleep on the couch so they have to be extra quiet when they sneak upstairs. Their attempt to be polite is foiled when Shae's cousin screams at his video game. It echos from the basement all the way through the house waking her Aunt with a start. 

               "Hey Mrs. Kneel," Ruby sighs. She isn't the biggest fan of Shae's aunt. 

               "Hello there ladies. Hope we are staying safe?" Her aunts dripped the arm chairs on her sectional and gets up with a big groan. 

               "Yes Auntie," and with a rough nod of Shae's head Ruby and her rush upstairs to get away from the obviously tired woman. Getting away from conflict is the only way to stay remotely happy in this house. Ruby slams the door behind them as they enter the room. 

                "Gosh that woman needs therapy." They both belly laugh and lay down on the bed. 

                "Rubes," Shae utters, "You make it worth it."