The Hidden Heiress

03 | Brumous

brumous; (adj.) gray skies and winter days, filled with heavy clouds or fog.

C H A P T E R    T H R E E
Eight years ago

She didn't know what to do, where to go, who to trust. Nothing. Cassie knew nothing. All she could remember was the gruesome scene she had just witnessed not even three hours ago. All her mind could focus on was the life draining out her mom and dad's eyes as her brother and her were held at gunpoint.

Her grandad had soon come with people of his own to rescue them. But it was already too late. She would never be able to see her parents again. Sitting in the car, holding her brother tightly to her while her grandfather drove, she thought she would finally wake up from this terrorizing dream only to find out she was going to be abandoned by the only family she had left.

She remembers crying and pleading her granddad to not leave her. She remembers her brother clinging to her so tightly and yelling he wouldn't leave her, only to be seperated by those overgrown men of their granddad.

He had ripped her apart from her twin, abandoned her in her time of need without giving her any explanation. He tossed her aside when she was most  in need of someone.

As soon as they had reached the big mansion that was their home, once filled with warmth and laughter as their mom and dad chased them around she couldn't help but release a strangled sob but soon forced it down. She had to be strong, atleast for her brother's sake.

Her grandfather dragged her in and told her to pack a bag with all the important things she needed. She threw in some clothes and a pair of extra shoes. She then ran into her parent's room to grab something that would remind her of them.

She grabbed a few of her dad's shirts, her mom's perfume and threw them into her bag. Her eyes soon caught onto the frame that was hanging on the wall. A photo of a once perfect and happy family. She grabbed the frame and threw it onto the floor in a fit of rage. But when she heard her grandfather yelling for her, she came back to her senses and grabbed the photo from underneath the broken glass pieces.

As she had bent down to snatch the photo, she found a shoebox under the bed. Curious, she dragged it out and found books in them. She opened one of the books and understood they were all her mom's dairies. Without a single thought she dumped all those books into her bag and zipped it close.

She had no clue as to why she was packing. All her granddad said was her to pack for a few days and she did so. Without questioning. She soon raced down the stairs and met her granddad and brother yelling at eachother.

"You cannot just send her away! You have no right you old man." Her brother, Nate yelled at him.

"I will do what I have got to do. You are not one to question my decisions kid. Is that understood." The old man yelled back.

"What is happening?" Cassie intervened.

"Great, you have packed. Let's get going now." He said as he grabbed onto her hand and the bags.

"Aren't any of you coming?" She asked, confused.

"No. He is sending you away." Nate yelled.

"What! No. I'm not leaving him and going away. I will only leave with Nate or remain here with him." She growled and stood her ground, with her brother clutching on hard to her.

"Listen here young lady. You do as I say. You got no choice in this." He spat back.

With that his men had grabbed onto her and dragged her away. Away from all she knew. Away from her twin. Away from the only family she had. She could see her brother reaching out and running towards her, only to be held back by her granddad.

She had never hated anyone as much as she did the old man at the moment. She didn't care for his reasons. She didn't care for what was going on in that decaying, old brain of his. All she could feel was betrayed and abandoned.

She turned her head and stared out the window silently. Not giving anyone in the car the satisfaction of seeing her break down. They were driving towards the rougher parts of Adarlan. She had never been here before. But from what she had heard, she knew danger lurked around the corners here. Yet that stupid old man had sent her away to here of all places.

It had roughly been three hours of continuous driving. Not once had the driver stopped until they were infront of a small two storey house. The man who had dragged her away from Nate was now once again dragging her towards this cream colored house.

Fear gripped her as she tried to free herself and runaway. But all her attempts were futile.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" She yelled as tears clouded her vision but was simply ignored.

As they reached the door, they simply barged in and were met with a male and a female. She remembers seeing the man in her dad's office. She couldn't understand what she was doing here. As they reached them the overgrown male made her sit on the couch and walked away without a second glance.

As she got herself up and ready to run, the women grabbed her and hugged her tight. She couldn't understand what was happening. But at that moment all she needed was a warm hug from her mother and this felt as close as it. She then completely broke apart in this woman's arms.

"Let it all out sweetie. Don't hold anything inside." The woman cooed at her sobbing form.

Cassie had never in her life cried this bad. It was heart wrenching for both the adults to see the teenager so broken. All they could do was provide her with comfort, safety and warmth.

Cassie had eventually fallen asleep in the woman's arms. The male then carried her towards the guest room and laid her on the bed. He covered her in a warm blanket and observed her. In all the times he had noticed this wild child, she always had had a mischevious smile on her face. Seeing that once little troublemaker like this broke his heart.

He had great respect for her father. James Crimson. A loyal and down to earth man. Despite being so rich he never had any arrogance in him. He was well respected and admired by almost everyone who knew of him. He had helped this man in his most vulnerable times and hence the man would forever remain indebted to him. It was the reason why he had readily agreed to the old man when he had suggested that Cassie lived with them for a while. He had explained why she had to stay away.

The man knew he had to answer all of this young girl's questions and he would, when she will wake up tomorrow.

There were dark clouds in the sky. It was so gloomy that it seemed like it would rain thunderstorms at any moment. Yet that never happened. It was like the sky was willing itself not to break over the broken young girl and weep rain.

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