Chapter 1
In a dark green SUV car I violently threw myself back into the backseat and harshly threw my carry on into the backseat which was pile from the floor to the low ceiling with matching family luggage. The small carry on bounce off and fell back at me, my eyes enlarged as the bag came rushing towards me. My mind went blank and cloudy for a moment and for that one moment my bag seems to pause like a movie.
The bag was suspended in mid air not moving at all my eyes grew huge again and my brain connect to my vision. Is my bag floating? Suddenly with that thought the bag came crashing down on me as if nothing happen. But did it happen? It was literally only a second.
I sighed angrily but the sigh sounded defeated and weak at the end when all the air was rushed out. I cannot really hold a temper for that long.
"Did you see that?" I asked turning my head towards my little in-law Cousin Tony. The little boy slowly and weakly looked up at me with sadness oozing off him like sap from a maple tree.
"See what?" he asked in a weak hushed depressed tone. He really sounded like he gave up. Poor kid, his world was crush now. He had only two friends back at California, and for Tony that like earning the gold at the Olympics. He was horrible at making friends, he was shy and awkward.
"Um… the bag…" I said not sure if I should mention to him when he is so sad. His light clear blue eyes shifted to the bag that awkwardly landed on me and then once again slowly move back to me like an athlete with a soar muscle.
"No." he said even quieter than before.
Then he faces back out the window overlooking our new home. I shouldn't be acting like a kid in a tantrum; I need to be positive for Tony. I put my bag on the car floor letting it rest on my feet instantly feeling more warmth on my feet.
This time I didn't throw my back against the seat in a fit of rage but gently let myself fall against it and then snuggle into it and let my body melt into it as best it could. I lowered the window and peek my head out of the window and right away my hair was sent flying back and I had to squint my eyes slightly at the rushing wind. Hope I don't swallow a bug. Seeing archers and arches that seem never ending.
The grass was a shade of light jade that seem unreal and fake. As we speeded by large cows, hoards of sheep that look like a cloud land on the grass, quiet farmers working hard and yanking raking at the ground I started to feel a bit home sick. I looked up at the sky and squinted even more as I dodge away from looking directly into the sun.
Only I would do that kind of mistake. Slowly I lifted my head back up and saw nothing more than blue clear skies. Nothing more. Just farms, animals and old castles. Scotland is beautiful but empty. There was no bowling allies or movies or any cool or fun.
I sighed and gave up my search and roll up the tinted window. I took a deep quiet sniff making sure no one heard and thought I was weird. Old stale French fries, cheesy burgers and faint waft of sweet and sour sauce filled my nostrils and filled me with a feeling of nostalgia.
Aww…. The sweet smell of McDonalds. Probably the thing of America I am not going experience for a long while.
As we rolled past more animals, farms and old castles the green car slow down to a simple crawl till it came to a halt. I peak over the driver's seat and couldn't help the gasp that pop out of my mouth. There standing tall and proud was an iron gate shaped like giant church doors. The walls were white faded bricks that now after so many years looked like a yellowish white like vanilla ice cream. The walls had tiny little windows in it and had charming small towers.
"Hey Lilly can you go open the gates?" Aunt Dottie asked looking over her left shoulder at me with an encouraging smile. Still in a daze of shock I weakly nodded my head "S-sure." I said while I unbuckle my seat belt and open the door and stuck my legs out and then slide down.
I press my palm against the door as I shut it but gawk mouth open at the gates. Slowly I walk up to the gates my head traveling upward to the intimidating top. I planted my feet in the white pepple gravel and press my palms against the black iron gates. I shoved at them but only for them to move an inch.
"You have to try harder than that! They're old and rusty!" Uncle Bob shouted over to me through his open window. I nodded even though I was still facing these stubborn gates and suck in a breath. With all my might I felt the two tall metal gates start to pull away from me then separate from each other.
I gave one more push and sent them flying open my long dirty blond hair was in messy waves in front of my face and creak and groaned loudly. My deep blue eyes widen at the house with flowers surrounding it and my mouth fell open.
Woah.
Suddenly a car horn sounded off behind me which made jump practically a foot off the ground. With a horrified face I looked over my shoulder at my family who were waving their hands at me so I could move out of the way.
Awkwardly I step aside and felt the rush of wind from the car as it passes me. I slowly walked up to the towering castle and stop at the door. The door was thick and look heavy. It was dark wood with big round black worn out bolts sticking out in straight rows. I brought the tip of my index finger to my thumb making a round hole and press it to one of the bolts. The bolts were bigger.
"Cool isn't it?" Aunt Dottie said from beside me holding a box in her arms. She handed me keys and I fumbled with them still looking at the huge castle. Just like the gates the door moan as it open. Seems we will have to have that fix.
I looked to Aunt Dottie unsure and she nodded and pointed with her chin for me to go in. I walked in and stop at the grand foyer and felt my eyes widen, again. They widen so much already that I wouldn't be surprised if they fell out.
There was one huge staircase that seem to be engraved into the wall and at the same time pouring out at us. The ceiling loom high above with a old wooden chancellery that was lighted by candle sticks.
"Yup. Defiantly cool." I said.
Later at night.
I lay in bed staring up at the ceiling through the gap of my new wooden canopy bed. It had no drapes or sheer curtains just carved wood sticks that made a square above my bed.
My room had boxes everywhere and I could make out the boxes in the dark and counted them. Honestly this was the most fun of the whole day. All day we loaded in furniture and the only room that was completely set up was Tony's. The farthest I had gotten was putting my bead against the back wall with two wood night stands on each side and putting up sheer cream white drapes.
I looked over at the drapes that swung into the room by wind. I left the large French double doors that led to the small balcony open trying to get the old stuffy air out. Sorry world for polluting you with that horrible stuff!
The sliver moon light glitter and pool into the room and the curtains caught a breeze and spread wide like sails. The white practically glowed in this old room. It shook and shimmer and it rise and fall with the wind like the breathing of humans.
Then I jumped in bed when I heard a flap from the window. Should I go and investigate? What is it? Is it a thing or is it my imagination? My first night in a big castle that is creepy at night and I get this?
Another flap sounded and I decide to go check it out. Hesitantly I drew my legs from under me and stood up. I gasped and yelp at the cold hard floor and fell back on my bed, butt first.
I forgot this place isn't set up with the wonderful magic of a heater. Slowly I planted my feet against the cold floor and then toe sprinted across the floor to my window then finally hop out my window. But outside was even colder.
Oh great.
I hugged myself and walked in a circle looking for anything suspicious or waiting for something to pop out and say boo.
Nothing was near or far till I saw an odd truck with fumes melting into the night air blazing bright lights in every direction while making an unhealthily humming noise. What the hell? Suddenly I felt something leathery tickle my foot and I froze. I literally stood like solid stone for a minute.
"AHHH!" I screamed jumping backwards and crashing into the left hand side of the railing of the small balcony. Suddenly a small black object jumped from the balcony floor and on to the railing across from me.
A small bat stood there with it's tiny white claws clinging onto the railing for balance and his wings wrap tightly around him. Was it even a him? I stare into it's beady little red eyes hypnotized.
My mind went blank and all my attention was focus on the bat. Suddenly I felt will start kick back in and my bottom lop started to quiver as I stuttered. "B-b-b-b-b-b-b-bat. Bat!" I yelled pointing at the little animal. The bat made a shriek and fly away as I feel backwards into my room.
Right before I was about to crash butt first I felt a cold firm gently grip catch my hand and hold me steady. I was balance on my heels as my body leaned straight out. I look up to see the outline of a boy my age starring down at me while he floated above me. Compared to the pure white moon he looks clouded in darkness. The only thing that I could get a clear look at was dim red eyes that seem to put me in a trance.
It was just like the bat just now.
Suddenly I felt as if I was floating and being cradle in firm and hard arms. But just as quick as it came it was gone as I suddenly drop into my bed. I quickly sat up alert and searching my room in the darkness seeing the coast was clear. I jumped off my bed and stumbled to the balcony seeing nothing. No boy in sight.
Did I just have a Peter Pan moment or a creeper moment?
Suddenly I don't feel so safe sleeping in here by myself.
Suddenly I heard a gasp through the poorly made old thin out wall and jumped. Tony just woke up from a nightmare probably. I'll go hang out with him till I calm down. I quickly shut the French doors and felt relief at the click of the lock.
I heard steps padding down the hall and hope it was just me hurrying to get to Tony and not him running to his parents room leaving me to walk down the dark hallway all alone. And I so don't want to do that after what just happen. I ran to Tony's room next door and lingered in the doorway.
Seeing nothing but his messy bed with sheets sprawled out everywhere like someone had been in a hurry. The only thing that gave me the ability to see was his giant star night light posted on the wall above his wall. I rush off further down the hall to my Aunt and Uncle's room and stop in the doorway.
Tony was half a foot away from me and rushing into the room shrieking to himself till he tripped over a yellow duffel bag on the floor. All over the room were boxes and bags yet to be unpacked.
Aunt Dottie shot up in bed with her blindfold on yelled out "Hun?" which was Tony's nickname. It was rather cute. Uncle Bob shot up into a sitting position gasping out loud. Uncle Bob sigh and reach over and turn on the lamp on his night stand.
When the lights blinked on the mess in the room looked worse in light. Aunt Dottie started to peel off her sleeping mask as Tony picked himself from the floor squinting at the light like all of us.
"You had another nightmare?" Asked Aunt Dottie a little stuffy with her shoulder length hair sprawled out everywhere.
"The vampires were back." Tony said. "Oh this is ridiculous." Uncle Bob said in a gruff frustrated tone. Tony walked over to his mom and climbed into their bed and snuggled into her while Uncle Bob said "I got to get some sleep."
Aunt Dottie looked over her shoulder at me in the door frame. "What's wrong sweetie?" She asked. Uncle Bob looked up at me. "Ugh not you two, let me guess the vampires right?" Tony stay silent at the comment but I knew that hurt him.
Honestly I don't what to call what just happen but all I know is I'm so not goanna sleep alone. Uncle Bob patted the spot between him and Aunt Dottie and said "Come on." In a tired tone. I ran over and hop over the bed post and crawled towards them and pulled the sheets down.
I made myself comfortable felt safer instantly. When the lights shut off I felt a little less safe but hell it's better than being alone. The wind blew and I heard Tony talk to his mom.
"Mom do you like this place?" Tony asks quietly.
"it's a big change for you, I know." She said shifting slightly. She took a deep breath and I saw her shrug her shoulder in the dark.
"New house. New country." She said slowly giving into her sleep. Suddenly there was a whistle or something and I shrunk against Aunt Dottie. "Hear that?" Tony said.
"It's the wind." Uncle Bob said beside me. "Or the undead." Tony said freaking me out a little. Suddenly a flash of lighting went off and it harmonized with the shriek of a bat making me jump as Tony gasp.
"Lily stop moving so much." Aunt Dottie mumbled.
"Mom…Dad…" Tony asked seeking comfort.
"Tony…if I don't get some sleep then I'll be one of the undead." Uncle Bob said putting an end to the talk. But both me and Tony looked over aunt Dottie and he reach over and held my hand.
"You believe me right Lily?" Tony whispered. After what just happen in my room, imagination or not I was convinced and scared.
"Absolutely." I whispered back.
