Attempt to Run
Ava was older now and hadn't been told of the danger concerning her. As she had glanced at the boys in her lessons and day dreamed of what would become of her, she didn't know the route had already been chosen.
Throughout her life her mother had kept watch on her carefully, echoing Ava's shadow and becoming her only friend. In school she lied about medical conditions so she could stick with her daughter and sit next to her in class. Though this protection was useless, even she knew that she would be no match for a vampire.
Though Ava's mother cared deeply for her, her father had given up. He knew the deal he had signed with the vampire would go through no matter how carefully he looked after his daughter. After experience with vampires he had realised that when a vampire gets attached to something it's impossible to split them up unless you killed it. For him that was impossible.
So instead of looking after his daughter he pulled away from her, even though he loved her very much. In the house he avoided her and he never showed up for a school play or parents evening. Ava's dad didn't want to get too attached.
The behaviour of her parents bothered Ava. She knew there was something up yet they refused to tell her. Her father would constantly leave a room when she went in it but her mother would purposely place herself in the room. Ava knew there was nothing wrong with her and her mother shouldn't be in school with her but she didn't say anything. As much as she disliked her situation everyone else in school avoided her.
Throughout her life Ava planned to move away and live on her own. She had never experienced adventure and was always stopped from getting hurt. So it was no surprise that as soon as she was old enough she announced to her parents that she was moving away.
Her parent's reactions were expected though as her mother pleaded desperately whilst her father wanted her gone. She knew the decision was split but she knew her mother would win. Ava was determined to leave and if that meant running away then so be it.
It was once again the day of her birthday; eight years after the vampire had came to visit. She sat in her room making last arrangements for running away when there was a knock at the door. Immediately she hid her rucksack under her bed along with all of the objects she had already packed. She vaguely wondered whether her visitor would notice the missing objects on the shelves but decided he wouldn't, when there was another knock on the door. She quickly checked her room once over before telling her visitor to come in. It was her dad.
"Hey hunny," Her father beckoned towards the bed. "May I sit?"
Ava glanced at her dad confused he was going out of his way to be with her. Normally it was the opposite way round.
"Of course you can!"
Ava jumped up from where she was on the floor, willing to prove herself to her dad. Make herself accepted.
Her father perched on the very edge of the bed and patted the spot next to him. Once Ava had joined him, he launched into his story.
"As you know when I was your age, I didn't have a home."
Ava had been told this story many a time by her mother. Her father had been kicked out to go and make his fortune. He had been lazy and hadn't focused on his school work so his dad had chosen to make him face reality. Things had been hard on him for a while but eventually he managed to get a place with a bunch of friends. Ava still didn't understand how he had made that leap from homeless to rich business man.
"Well," Her father kept on in his story. "Before I left, your grandmother came into my room. She gave me a locket and one of her pies, then she told me 'Have a good life'".
Ava glanced at her father, failing to see the meaning of the story. It seemed quite harsh kicking her father out, a locket and pie weren't going to make up for it.
She waited for her father to go on, which he didn't. He sat as if remembering that day as he stared up at her ceiling.
"What happened next?"
Her father glanced at her, as if he forgot she was there. A small smile tugged at his face as he wrapped an arm around her.
"I left"
He'd never shown any affection towards his daughter so Ava was caught by surprise. She was sure her mouth was hanging open so decided to close it and say something clever.
"What's the point in this story?"
Her father chuckled fondly before explaining what he wanted his daughter to know. He didn't mention the vampire and he didn't warn her to be safe. In fact he gave her something that would be entirely useless in saving her life; it could even endanger her if someone saw it. It was very expensive.
"The locket your grandmother gave me, doesn't really suit me. You should have it. Pass it down to your chil-"
He stopped himself. Would she ever have children? Probably not. He doubted vampires could have children.
Ava didn't notice his hesitation though. She was too wrapped up in the locket which he had dropped into her hands. It was gold with a flower on the front which must have been made of some expensive diamond. Ava had never been good at estimating costs but she knew that the locket must be expensive.
"No dad, I can't. Grandma gave it to you, not me. You should have it".
Ava tried to give it back to her dad but he refused to take it. He held his hands up in surrender.
"Like I said, it doesn't suit me".
Ava knew that there was no way he was going to take it, so she slipped the chain around her neck and tucked it under her top. She glanced up to say thanks, when she caught her dad's eyes resting on something on the table. Her passport.
"Oh. I forgot I left that out. It was for some stupid project thing. I've been meaning to tidy this room for years".
She let out a half chuckle before stopping when she caught her dad's eyes resting on her.
He knew she was leaving. Even though Ava's mother had put her foot down on this, he knew it wouldn't stop his little girl.
"Look after yourself". His voice came out as a whisper, filled with emotion as he stood up and headed to her door.
"I will dad... Goodnight".
Ava watched her dad's retreating back memorising this moment as she didn't know when or if she would see him again. Even though they had barely spoken, she felt closer to her father then her mother.
Quickly, she forced all her things into her rucksack before leaving the note she had wrote earlier on the table. Then she swung herself out of her window and climbed carefully, down the drain.
She had once heard of a place called La Push and after googling it she had found out it was an Indian Reservation in Washington. She had become obsessed with this place and the tribe's legends so had decided that was the first place she was going to travel to.
Ava was looking for adventure, but she didn't know how much adventure she would actually be getting into…
As Ava's mother opened the door to her daughter's room, she let out a heartbroken sob. Unlike Ava's father she instantly recognised there were missing objects off Ava's shelves and it clicked that Ava had ran away. Even though she knew, she still checked Ava's wardrobe for clothes and found the note while she was looking. She quickly scooped it up then headed downstairs, expecting her husband to be surprised at her news. He wasn't.
She didn't notice the fake shock plastered over his face as she was too eager to read the note. She wanted to know where her daughter was, wanted to find her. Quickly she opened the note and read aloud.
To mum and dad,
I'm sure that there's not much I could say to make you two feel better. I could say I'm sorry that I ran away but I'm not. There are too many secrets in this house, hiding behind every door.
Mum, you practically stalk me and dad you just don't care. I don't mean to be hurtful in this letter, even though I know it is. I just feel you two deserve an answer so I have told you.
Please don't worry too much. I promise I will ring when I get the chance. I love you guys. Hopefully you'll understand.
Love Ava
Her dad did understand, even though it hurt him. Ava was responsible she could look after herself. He was just glad he got to say goodbye first.
It was Ava's mum's reaction which was the worst. She was hurt, saddend and determined. Why couldn't her daughter confide her feelings to her rather then write them in a letter? She was her mother.
As tears fell and she shook with sorrow, she needed someone to blame. Ava had been the one holding her parents together even though she hadn't realised it. Without her there was no glue and instinctively Ava's mother decided to blame her husband.
Neither one of the couple noticed or heard the phone ringing during their fight. They had yet to realise that Ava's future husband was beginning his search for her.