Chapter 1

"Wow, this place is a dump. Ms. Jenny, are you sure my uncle lives here?" It really was a dump, not just an excuse. The place was boarded up and the roof sagged dangerously like it was about to fall over.

"Yes, Loner. Your uncle and grandmother live here, so be respectful. Maybe you can offer to do home repair to get on their good sides."

"Pfft, yeah right. Since when have I ever been on anyone's good side?" Jenny rolled her eyes at me and shut off the van, the midday heat suddenly rolling in in waves.

"Come on, Missy. Let's go meet your family so I can get back to my nice, cool, and refreshing air conditioning."

I sighed, unplugged my seat belt and hopped out onto the driveway.

"You know, the sign that said "Dimmsdale: the Nicest town on earth" might have been exaggerating if the rest of the town is like this place." I stated as I followed Jenny to the front door.

She laughed as she knocked and took a step back, waiving me in front of her.

"Now, behave yourself and be nice. We don't want you messing this up, right?"

I huffed and leaned back against the wall. "No, YOU don't want me messing this up. I could care less."

She frowned. "Now, Londrina, don't be that way. You know I've done everything I could to keep you safe after your mother died. Now, straighten up, smile, and be happy. This is your new life, your new home."

Before I could make my- probably sarcastic- retort, the door swung open. An old looking skinny dude with flat, black hair and a hunched back looked down at me with a scowl. He was normal looking enough, save for his ears being on his neck instead of his head.

I forced a smile and stuck out my hand. "Hi. I'm Londrina Crocker, but," my aura darkened," if you call me by my first name I'll kill you."

He looked at me, then my hand, then me, and then turned back to the open door behind him.

"Mother! There is a strange child on our doorstep claiming to be a relation!"

I frowned and lowered my hand.

Child?

I'm 11 years old, hardly a child; and I'm not "claiming" anything, his sister was my mother, and she died, so I came here.

I took a deep breath, fully prepared to say just that, when a short, white-haired woman burst out from the house and tackled me in a crushing hug.

"Oh, Londrina! Let me look at you- Oh, you look just like you're mother! Oh you poor dear, please come inside. Denzel, stop standing there with your mouth open, you'll start catching flies."

And with that she pulled me into the house and slammed the door on Ms. Jenny- and my chance at a normal life- forever.