Chapter 20: Home Sweet Home

By early morning, I was driving the hornet down the familiar gravel driveway to my old house. The cows were already milked and travelled in a herd as they headed out to a green place to graze in the summer sun. The days would get shorter soon, almost unnoticeable until fall. It would happen just after solstice, my birthday. That was only a few days away. The memory of the darkness taking Mila made me shudder again. I stole a glance at her. She was still humming merrily as she looked out the window.

"Are we there yet?" Anton grumbled.

"Just about a mile," I said.

"My back is killing me from sleeping in the car at that rest stop," he complained as he stretched.

"Oh quit whining," Mila said. "You've been sleeping since we got in the car last night."

"Yeah, but it was daylight until almost ten. Do you think your folks will have breakfast ready?"

"Again, I don't have folks. I have a brother and a father."

"Yeah, whatever. Will they have food ready?"

"How am I supposed to know?" I eased the break petal down as the farmhouse came into view. It was dusty but looked to be in good repair.

As the car pulled up, the screen door opened. The figure of my father stepped through the door. He shaded his eyes with his hand as he peered hard at my car. I could see a frown deepening the creases on his face. I put the old car in park and killed the engine. My hands shook. Mila reached over and grabbed my arm. I flinched so hard I smacked my hand on the steering wheel.

Mila smiled softly. "It's okay, I'm sure he still loves you very much."

I tried a smile but it came out a grimace. I just hope she didn't realize I was flinching because of her, not my father.

Father stood at the top of the steps on the porch with his hands on his hips. His dark eyes stared at me from a weathered face. He looked so much older and more tired than I remembered. He was still thick and corded with muscle, but everything about him seemed aged longer than the three years I had been gone.

I could feel both Mila and Anton's eyes on me. I knew it was my move, but I didn't know if I could do it. I told him I would never come back, and if it weren't for this whole darkness thing, I wouldn't be here. It was all a lie. Everything I was about to say to my father was a lie. Would he even buy it? I guess I just had to say what he expected to hear, that was my best bet.

I released the seat belt. It jammed but with enough wiggling it set me free. The door opened with a protesting grind of the hinges until there I stood, facing my father.

"Papa," I said.

"Akreana," he said.

"I.... I came to visit."

"As can be seen."

The tension was heavy in the air.

"Who are these people?" He asked.

"My friends."

The silence spanned uncomfortably.

"Can I come in?"

He stared at me hard. I could feel him sizing me up. Finally he gave a nod and turned his back to me.

"What does that mean?" Mila whispered over top the car.

"It means we follow." I closed the car door. The metal door clanged shut with a resounding ring, like the bell of a wrestling match. The fight had begun.

I walked up the steps of the wooden porch. The familiar knock of my shoes against the wood brought back so many memories. I pushed them aside. This place had felt like a prison, but there were also good memories stored back in there. I stopped suddenly and looked around. Memories. Suddenly I wondered if the memories I held for this place were even real. Maybe they were just written by the Veil. My red marks pulsed dark for a moment. I pulled the sleeve of my long sleeve shirt down over my hand.

It was of no concern right now. I needed blood. Eww, that was a gross thought. I took a breath and continued past the screen door. The heavy oak door lay open, letting the cool summer breeze in.

"Why don't you got up in my room. I need to talk to my father." I pointed Anton and Mila up the stairs. "Second door on the left."

"What about breakfast?" Anton asked.

I shook my head and jabbed my finger up the stairs. Mila grabbed his hand and dragged him up after her. After the stairs and a short hallway, I stood in the kitchen. My father stood pouring cups of coffee in mugs.

I sat at the table with my hands folded in my lap.

My father served us each a cup of coffee then sat at the head of the table at his usual spot. "So, Akrianna, how is the city?"

"Fine."

"And school?"

"It's fine."

"You're not here for money?"

"No."

He frowned. "Then why are you here?"

"I need a DNA sample for a project at school. We are researching our genes."

He raised his eyebrows. "I thought you were in school for physics?"

"I have to take a required biology course," I lied.

He held my eyes. I stared back. I could do this.

"So, you need a cheek swab?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I need blood. It's an in-depth course."

He frowned. "Did you bring anything to collect it?"

"No, sir."

"And that's all you're here for?"

I nodded.

"Fine." He stood abruptly and left the room.

I felt a bit of relief. He wasn't going to fight me on this one. After years of working with the animals, I knew he could do this on his own. It was easier than trying to accidently on purpose stab him to get his blood. I knew it would take him awhile, so I wandered upstairs to my old room.

My old room was completely untouched. There was a thin layer of dust on everything. The purple walls still held pictures of horses and ribbons I had won. The bed was made in lime green and purple sheets. It felt odd being back here again. I recalled the last night I was here. The fight that had ensued and my angry packing after I told my father I was never coming back.

Mila traced the ribbons with her fingers as she walked around the room. She didn't say anything. Anton leaned against the door frame as he watched.

"I didn't know you used to ride," Mila said.

I shrugged. "I left this life. I don't really like to talk about it."

"What happened?" She asked.

"I left."

"But, why?"

I shrugged. "I was unhappy."

Mila started opening up my dresser drawers and peeking inside. "Why?"

I squeezed my eyes shut. "A lot of reasons, but mostly I just wanted my own life. I didn't want to be told what to do or how to act anymore. I was just done."

"Ooh, what's this?" Mila said as she pulled a box from my closet.

"Just trinkets and stuff. What are you looking for?"

She sat on the bed and opened the box. She started pulling out various items. In a minute, notes, pictures, small toys, and a host of other things littered the bed. My entire life contained to one little box was now scattered out for everyone to see.

"Oh and even some baby blankets, too!" She said.

I sighed and sat on the end of the bed. "What are you doing?"

"I just wanted to know what my best friend's life was like. Is that so wrong?" She asked as she snuggled one of the baby blankets. "It's even pink!"

I rolled my eyes. I was finding it hard to remember that she wasn't her. I could still be wrong about that.

"You are a bit of a mystery," Anton said.

I looked over my shoulder at him. "Why are you even here?"

He shrugged. "I have nothing better to do." His eyes looked past me at Mila. I realized he was watching her closely. He hadn't let her out of his sight. Maybe he was getting the same weird feeling to, but he didn't know why.

"Can we go?" I asked as I stood.

Mila started stuffing my old things back in the container. "Sure, but I'm bringing box. It's like a treasure trove."

"Find, but let's hurry. Father doesn't like waiting."

I pushed past Anton. He leaned around the door to let me pass. As I went by, he grabbed my arm. "Does she seem alright?" He asked.

I looked back at her as she tucked the baby blankets on in on the top. I wasn't sure what to say. The last time I asked him about the strange things, he didn't remember. So I just shrugged and pulled away from him.

Father was waiting for me downstairs. He frowned as I walked into the kitchen.

"You didn't drink your coffee," he said flatly.

"I'm allergic."

"No one is allergic to coffee."

"I am. Do you have it?" I asked with my hand out.

He handed me a vile of blood. He had a band-aid on his arm. Father wasn't the lying type, so I was pretty sure he wasn't handing me cow's blood. But, still, could I trust my memories?

"Thank you."

"Are you going to stay awhile? I'm sure your brother would love to see you. You should meet his new wife."

"He got married?" I was a little shocked at that. I didn't think anyone could tolerate Declan, let alone live with him.

"Last summer. You missed the wedding."

"I didn't know."

"You didn't leave an address."

I frowned. It didn't matter. I didn't want to go to his stupid wedding anyways. "Is Mom still in the hospital?" I asked, changing the subject back to my more urgent problem.

His face drew down and turned stony. "Yes."

I nodded, then turned away from him. My next destination was set. I had nothing more to say to him. I wasn't interested in being guilted into coming back and being his slave. This time, it was easier to walk away.

I met Mila and Anton at the bottom of the stairs. "Ready?"

They both nodded and followed me out. I left without saying another word. I couldn't let them pull me back. I had to be heartless here.