Claws & Jasmine

Claws & Jasmine - Prologue

Claws & Jasmine - Prologue

Word count: 569

Author's note: Welcome to the prologue. This will be (one of) the only part(s) written in third person. Just an FYI, this is not the main character's point of view. Let me know what you think of it!

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*Unknown POV*

Aubrey gazed out the bus's little square window, only seeing miles of never ending forest. At this point, she was the only person left on the rusty silver bus. Besides the greying one eyed bus driver. The journey from the big city to the isolated town of Dilly Mills was a long and tiresome one, but Aubrey's determination never wavered. She could feel the corners of the neatly folded letter in her front pocket. Closing her eyes, she ran over the letter in her head again and again. She'd read it so many times that she practically memorized every single word.

Dear Aubrey,

I used to love the trees and the quiet wilderness surrounding me, but now I can only find it deafening. When I left home to explore the world, I never thought I would discover the things I did. What I've found in the little town that I thought of as a new life will forever haunt me. I wish I could go into more detail in this letter, but I think it would be better said in person.

On that note, I dumped my boyfriend and signed out of the motel I was staying at. I'm coming home the day after from when you get this letter in the mail. Please, don't tell mom and dad. I can't wait to see you again! Love and miss you!

Jade.

Aubrey's eyes opened, but fresh tears blurred her vision. She normally wouldn't react this way, but Aubrey got the letter almost an entire month ago. Her sister has been completely radio silent ever since, which wasn't unusual for Jade, but for some reason it bothered Aubrey this time. Not to mention how alarming Aubrey found the letter to be. What happened that turned her nature loving sister against everything she once lived for? What did she discover? Why didn't she want their parents to know that she was coming home after a year? And something Aubrey found to be extremely unexpected, who was the boyfriend that Jade broke up with?

Aubrey was always so open with her sister, but clearly it wasn't reciprocated. And Aubrey was going to find out why as soon as she found her sister.

The squealing of the brakes forced Aubrey to snap out of her thoughts as she looked out the window once more. Only this time, she saw buildings. They were nothing compared to the skyscrapers at home, but at least they weren't trees. The bus rumbled and sighed, and if Aubrey didn't know any better she would've thought it was about to blow apart. She scooted from her seat, grabbing her luggage and made her way to the front.

The driver twisted in his seat, his big belly making it hard to do so, and looked back at her.

"Welcome to Dilly Mills, short for Dillard Mills," she continued walking as he spoke. "With a population of 3,200 people, this is the perfect vacationing place for those looking to get out and into nature." As he said that, Aubrey couldn't help but remember that the exact reason for why her sister left in the first place was to explore nature. "I hope you find what you're looking for," he spoke in such a way that forced Aubrey to stop and look at him in his one eye. "And when you do, take it and leave as fast as humanly possible."