We continued deeper into the Colorado countryside, into the real heart of the state. Gradually we would climb higher heading along amountain pass after mountain pass, before dropping down again. Finally we turned off the main road and climbed up into another mountain range, and this time didn't drop down. We entered a small town, with signs stating we were entering Wrickenridge. A quick glance at the clock told me it was approaching 8pm, although it was still light this high up in the mountains. As the Benedicts lived at the top end of the town, up near the ski slopes I got to see the majority of Wrickenridge. It was a relatively small, quaint town, obviously an outdoorsy place I observed. Every other shop was offering some form of outdoor equipment, mainly ski gear. Victor caught me glancing at all of the different shops.
"You ever been skiing?" He asked me.
I replied with a laugh.
"Yes, once. I wasn't very good, but it was great fun!" I admitted.
"Well we're a big skiing family. Kinda have to be, the family runs the ski lifts in the winter." He glanced at me, enjoying telling me about his family. "My brother Xavier, the one with Crystal, the soulseeker, he's the best skier. Current Colorado Junior Champion actually. I'm sure he could take you out if you wanted. Or mom or dad. They're both ski instructors."
"What do they do in summer then? Obviously there's no snow…"
Victor replied with a smile.
"Yeh well done Einstein!" He glanced quickly at me with a grin. "We run an outdoor centre, white water rafting, kayaking and the sort. Anything outdoorsy, we do it!"
His family were all complete outdoor junkies apparently.
"You sound like the opposite to me, I'm afraid. All I want is a nice shower and a comfy bed. Some home luxuries."
"Well that's understandable after what you've been through though, but don't worry. You don't have to fit into that lifestyle. I live in Denver anyway, work for the FBI. I'm not as crazy as the others. Diamond isn't keen on outdoor pursuits either, her and Trace live in Denver too. We're not all mountain men!" He exaggerated his American accent on the last two words, throwing his point home, to which I laughed. I'd only know the man a day or so, and already we were thinking how our lives would fit together. It was a scary thought, but at the same time it was somehow comforting. As I pondered, I felt the tingle of telepathy being used and looked across at Victor.
"Just checking ahead." He offered with a smile.
A few minutes later we reached the top of a mountain track.
"Here we are… Home sweet home baby."
At Victor's words I turned to look out the front window at the house nestled infront of a huge pine forest, and beside the now snowless ski runs. As we stepped out of the car, the front door to the house flew open and a tiny fire cracker of a woman bustled out, followed by a towering man.
"Oh Vicky, I'm so glad you're safe! I've been worried sick, if I hadn't seen you were going to be fine I would've flown over there myself. I understand your reasons, you had to go for your girl but honestly Vick, Afghanistan? Of all the places…" The woman continued to fuss around Victor like the mother hen I could tell she was.
"Mom, it's ok. I'm fine honest. Look, mom…"
His mother was having none of it though. I stood slightly to the side not quite knowing what to do with myself. I could see other boys crowding the door way, all peering out. The man who had followed Victor's mom out approached me, pulling me into a hug which carried the power of the mountains. He smelt like pine, and smoke, and sweet earth. Pulling back, he smiled sweetly at me.
"Soraya, welcome to our home." He said warmly, his deep voice rumbling from his chest. He was tall, well over 6 foot. It was clear to see where Victor and Trace got their height from, I presumed the other brothers were all graced with this height and good looks too. "I'm Saul Benedict, Victor's father. Do call me Saul. That's my wife Karla, you'll have to forgive her, she's been very worried about our son, and you for that matter!" He put an arm around my shoulders and began to guide me slowly towards the house, with Victor still cornered by his mother fluttering about. I glanced over my shoulder at him and received an apologetic shrug.
"You have a lovely home, Saul." I said shyly for conversation sake.
"Why thank you, I find it's the family who make the home truly a home though, and mine is therefore very special."
He was wise, obviously full of knowledge passed down through his generations. He was a local man, born and bred in Colorado. As we approached he front door, the people crowding either retreated back in or spilt outside towards us. I spotted Trace and Diamond, and offered them a smile. Diamond welcomed me again.
"Hi Soraya, hope you enjoyed the journey. It's really something huh?"
"Yeh definitely, it was beautiful." I smiled at her. She was lovely, a bit of a mother hen herself. Trace wrapped an arm around her and bent down to kiss her temple, evidently completely in love with his soulfinder. I looked around at the other figures. The tallest one, the one responsible for the non stop chatter I had been hearing in the back ground stepped forward.
"Hey Soraya. Xavier if I've annoyed you, Xav for everyday purposes." he said with a wink, shaking my hand at the same time. "Obviously I'm gonna be your favourite, just putting it out there!"
Xavier, the joker of the family. Sometimes too much of a joker apparently.
"Hi, Xavier..." I said purposefully using his full name with a smirk. I got a jokey smile in response.
"Ooh, bite me. Y'know I reckon all that time in captivity screwed with your head, you lost those stunning people skills you Brits are so famed for?"
Ouch. My stint imprisoned was still too fresh for me to laugh at his joke. My head dropped and I suddenly found a rock on the dusty ground fascinating as my eyes bored into it.
"Xavier!"
Victor's sharp voice sounded behind me, angrily. He came to my side, having finally escaped his mother and I felt a supportive arm around my shoulders drawing me into a warm chest. Victor was angry, angry Xavier dare upset his soulfinder with such a touchy subject. Somehow, Xav wasn't discouraged.
"Alright, alright, too soon I get it. Soz Soraya. But seriously, Vicky, do I have to like, salute you two or something? I'm digging the outfits guys, remind me to ask Crystal if they're the new latest fashion. His'n'hers? Might have to invest." Some of the other boys hid their laughs, obviously knowing better than to encourage Xav and oppose Vic. Victor was scary, especially when he was angry.
"Xavier, I swear to god…"
Victor was cut off by a tall, stunning, curly haired girl pushing through the door to reach Xav.
"Honestly Xav, someone's going to hit you one day you know? Give it a break, learn when enoughs enough!" This girl could only be Crystal, his soulfinder, with her polished English accent, as she wrapped her arms around one of his. Not one to be deterred, Xav had one last dig.
"I know, but honestly Vick, think you can lend me that outfit one day?" he sniggered.
"For gods sake Xav!" Crystal gave a cry of desperation and marched her soulfinder off into the house to have words.
Victor bent down close to murmur in my ear.
"I'm sorry baby, Xav can be an idiot, but that's just Xav. We love him for it. Are you ok?" I nodded silently, returning my attention to the remainder of people stood around the doorway. Any other day I'd find Xavier hilarious, but today it was just too fresh, too recent in my memory. Victor's mother Karla claimed me next, throwing her mother hen act on to me. It had been a long time since I'd interacted with such a mumsy person, I was unsure how to act. Karla was showering me with love and affection, and concern. I'd never had anyone show such concern for me before. Victor noticing my discomfort, came to my aid.
"Mom, let's go inside. There's still all the others Soraya needs to meet, and we're both tired, jetlag y'know." He said as gently as he could.
"Oh, of course, of course my sweets. Come on in." Karla positioned herself between Victor and I and guided us both into the house with a hand behind each of our backs. We were ushered into the living room where I was taken aback by the number of people occupying it.
Nearest the door, the only single guy.
"Hey, Will." He said offering his hand. My first impression - easy going, laid back. He seemed cool.
In turn, everyone introduced themselves. Uriel, his South African soulfinder Tarryn, a proper introduction to the soulseeker, Crystal, boy genius Yves and his quirky soulfinder Phoenix, or more commonly Phee. And the youngest Benedict, Zed - scary and almost as intimidating looking as Victor. He was matched with the tiny and delicate blonde, Sky. She was lovely, and English, originating from near me in London.
"Yeh, it's difficult not to like Sky. She's a sweetheart" Victor said in my head. It was nice to have a comforting voice in there, after all the madness. He was hanging by the door, involved in a conversation with his brother Uriel. But he'd been dipping into my mind every now and again, checking up, making sure I wasn't overwhelmed. As time ticked on, I grew more and more tired, and making polite conversation was becoming more of a task. The other Benedicts were still in full flow, laughing and joking together, a true family. Xav was in full entertainer mode, the centre of attention, jumping into everyone's conversations with witty one liners or inappropriate jokes, despite Crystals best efforts to contain her soulfinder. Victor had been in deep conversation with the two oldest brothers, Trace and Uriel, and their father. It was a bizarre scene, that I had been thrown into. As 10 o'clock approached, I had to give in to the tiredness.
"Victor?"
He replied immediately, looking over at me.
"Yeh? Are you ok?"
"Yes, I'm just really tired. I'm struggling." I admitted with a wry grin.
"Yeh me too. It's ok, I reckon we've more than socialised enough for tonight. Bed time?"
I nodded, and stood up to meet him as he came over to me.
"Soraya and I are beat, we're gonna head to bed," Victor announced to the room. Karla immediately jumped up.
"Oh of course you are silly me. I didn't even think. Do you need anything Soraya? Hot water bottle, glass of water?"
"A glass of water would be great thanks." I replied, adding - "I don't suppose you've a spare toothbrush I could use?"
"There should be a new one in the cupboard in the bathroom upstairs, Victor'll show you where! You can help yourself to any toiletries too, we'll get you some of your own later." Karla called as she got my glass of water from the kitchen. She kissed me good night as the room all called out too. As Victor lead me up the stairs he took my hand.
"They're quite something huh, my family?" He couldn't hide the love and affection in his words.
"Hah, they defiantly are. Don't expect me to remember who's who for a while!"
"Don't worry, I'll keep you right!"
Thanks for reading, please leave a review!
