Chapter 2 #2
“Whatever you say luv, but we won’t risk it, so just call us.
” I roll my eyes at them as we reach my jeep.
Since I'm the only one with a car, I end up driving Aaron and Van home most days. In exchange, they pay for my gas, even if I try to refuse, which I’ve done countless times.
They’re relentless, though, and that’s the reason we’re best friends.
We drop Aaron off first, and then I make a stop in front of the pristine Hawthorne mansion.
“Alright! Text me when you get home.” Says Vanessa, closing my old Jeep’s door a bit too strongly.
“Okay, Mom!” I shout back before taking the way home.
Twenty minutes later, I finally reach my house, tucked at the end of a gravel road, surrounded by dense trees.
It’s an old, two-story place with peeling white paint, a sagging porch, and ivy climbing on one side like it’s slowly claiming it.
Despite its worn-down appearance, there’s a certain warmth that seeps from its every crack and corner.
Most places have always made me feel like a guest–temporary, out of place–but not this one.
This one feels like home.
My hands are full with my bag, keys, phone, and water bottle, so I juggle everything awkwardly as I plan how I’m going to unlock the door. Just as the tip of the key slides in, I freeze.
My dad’s sharp voice slices through the still air, drifting out from the open window.
His tone is controlled, like he’s trying to keep his anger from boiling over.
Which is so unusual, because the only times I've seen him truly angry are when someone would mistreat Ruby, when I was bullied at school or if people don’t use their signals on the road.
“She’s not ready!”
I slowly slink closer.
“What are you talking about? That was never the plan!”
Okay... Why is he so angry, and who the fuck is he talking to? Is it about me? What plan? This is my last year of high school, so maybe it's about college. But I'm a year older than my classmates, so technically, that is long overdue. Even if it is about university, his words don't make any sense.
“She’s not awakened.”
Awakened?
What the fuck does that even mean?
“I know what my duty requires of me. Fada beò Kvirr”
I gasp as the words reach my ears.
Instinctively stepping aside, fearing my dad might have overheard me. My fingers stumble with my keys as I try to calm my racing heart.
What does he mean by "duty"?
A duty to what?
But what I can't wrap my head around is that he mentioned Kvirr.
My dad, the man who dismissed my nightmares as mere imagination, attributed them to coping with the death of my mom and brother.
The endless nights when I was too frightened to close my eyes because I knew in my gut that I would see something terrible.
Something that haunts me… Its claws dig deeper each time.
My dad just said that supposedly fictional word.
My stomach tightens as realization washes over me.
He lied.
“I have to go. I’ll call you later, we’re not done talking about this.
” My dad says to the phone before his footsteps start echoing closer to the door.
My thoughts are all in shambles, debating between confronting him or taking the time to process what just happened.
Thinking quickly, I press my phone to my ear, words falling from my lips.
“I can’t believe he said that to you! Van, you absolutely deserve better. Yes, I am home, you’re such a mom!” I say as I finally unlock the door. My dad looks at me, his thick eyebrows furrowing as I cheerfully pretend to hang up with my best friend.
“You just got home?” He asks with a hesitant tone.
“Sure looks like it.” Sarcasm comes out of me, using my usual mood to avoid any suspicion that I heard something he clearly doesn’t want me to, but…
“Why?”
“Mmm, no reason. I thought I heard you get here earlier and that you were working out in the garage.” He says, going back into the kitchen to remove the boiling pasta.
“Well, I did, but I just finished my workout. What difference does it make?”
“None. I also have to work out, you know. Have you practiced your martial arts? I’ll be testing you before I leave.
” He says, looking at me over his shoulder, biting into the lie.
Being an ex-soldier, my dad is adamant that I know how to defend myself.
It was also a non-negotiable with him leaving so often for work, either that or I’m staying with Ruby.
“I didn’t forget, and I did my drills as you planned in my routine.” Closing the door and removing my shoes, I walk towards the stairs, “I’m gonna go shower.”
“Okay, dinner will be ready in thirty minutes.”
Locking myself in the bathroom, I analyze all the scenarios that could make sense, but the only thing that sticks is that my dad lied to me.
The man who made Sunday pancakes and running to the bookstore a tradition.
The man who taught me martial arts so I would always have the upper hand in life.
The man who made me chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese when I was sick.
Realizing that the same person misled me, my eyes start to prickle with salty water.
He lied.