Body
Truth is in the Eye of the Beholder
** Author's note: OK...here's the normal spiel. Xanth was created by Piers Anthony. He is the owner of almost all of these characters. Averia, however, was the creation of my own imagination thus making her mine. If anyone wants to use her please ask me first. Thanks. Also, please, please, please review so I know if I should write more.
Chapter 1: A Whole New World
In myths, witches always receive their powers on their sixteenth birthday. I always thought that was bull...in fact, I still do. But my sixteenth birthday changed my life in much the same way as it does that of a witch. Let me back up quickly...before I get ahead of myself. My name is Averia Louise Chambers and I am sixteen years and two months old. My first name was a stroke of genius my parents had. . .the basis coming from the French word verité, meaning truth. They said it was because they saw the true meaning of happiness when they first held me in their arms. They'll never be able to hold me again, though. They died two weeks before my sixteenth birthday.
The exact date was June 13th. It was a Wednesday. It was the worst experience of my life. . .everything I had ever known came crashing down onto my head. I came home from the pool with my best friend Sherry Granger and saw a police car parked in front of my house. When we went up to the front door there was two men standing there in full uniform with Mrs. Granger, Sherry's mother and my next door neighbor. The men introduced themselves as Sergeants Hill and Taylor and asked if they could come inside and talk to me. I was shaking all over by then and by the time we sat down at the kitchen table I knew something was terribly wrong.
"Averia," Mrs. Granger started to speak hesitantly, "I really don't know how to say this but..."
"What are you talking about? What happened?" I demanded, positive that something terrible had happened.
"Well, sweetheart," she attempted again, but broke off in tears.
"Let me take over, ma'am." Sgt. Hill broke in, "There's really no way to put his lightly and you're old enough to know the truth. Early today you're parents were hit by a semi on I-95. They hit a tree and died instantly. . .I'm sorry. We've contacted your parents lawyer and they did have a will. You can either stay here or with the Grangers. We will have a meeting tomorrow to decide what will happen with your living arrangements. Again, I'm really sorry."
I didn't know what to say. I just sat there in shock for awhile. Then, I burst into tears. "No, there must be some mistake. This can't be happening. Not to me. Mom and Dad are OK. You just made a mistake. They're going to come home..." I ran upstairs to my room and cried for hours until I fell asleep.
The next morning was weird. When I woke up my head was pounding from all the crying but it still took me awhile to remember what had happened. The tears came again and lasted for an hour. Then I realized that I was really hungry so I forced myself to go downstairs and eat. All I could manage was half of a bagel with cream cheese but it did make me feel a little better. At about 1:00 Sherry and her mother came over.
"Hey honey, how are you doing?" Mrs. Granger said, a little too happily.
"I don't know, really. I feel. . .numb." I responded, wondering if it was the truth and not looking up.
"I'm really sorry." Sherry apologized but looked really uncomfortable, as if she didn't know what to say to me anymore.
"Well, the reason I came over is because your parents lawyer, Mr. Fisher, called our house and would like me to take you to his office for the reading of the will at three o'clock. Do you have any relatives that we should inform?" Looking as if she wanted to grab me and hug me, Mrs. Granger tried to be as professional as possible.
"Not that I know of. . .they were both orphans and only children." I replied.
We went the lawyers office for the reading of the will. My parents left almost everything to me. All but one third of their money which would go, along with my guardianship to a Mr. Turn Key who lived in Florida. Everyone looked at me for an explanation of who he was and why my parents would send me to live with him but I had no idea what to tell them.
"We have contacted Mr. Key and he is ecstatic to have you come and live with him, although he regrets the circumstances under which it must occur. You have one week in which to move to his residence." Mr. Fisher informed us.
That week went by in a blur. Mrs. Granger was a huge help. She called the airline and got me a plane ticket to Florida. She also took care of getting a moving company and helping me pack. Sherry avoided me the entire time. I spoke with Mr. Key briefly but he couldn't talk long. He seemed nice but slightly eccentric. Even though I'd never heard my parents mention him he knew all about me.
The Grangers brought me to the airport. Mrs. Granger cried the whole way there but Sherry sat there and said nothing. I just stared out the window the whole time. When they announced that it was my turn to board Mrs. Granger gave me a hug and told me to call anytime and that I'm welcome to come visit and stay with them whenever I wanted to. I thanked her and then looked at Sherry who just gave me a small smile. I picked up my carry-on bag and got in line. Right before I handed the stewardess my boarding pass, Sherry ran up to me and threw her arms around my neck.
"I'm going to miss you so much!" She had tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry about this week. I didn't know how to act. You'll always be my best friend."
I hugged her but had to get on the plane. It was a night flight but I couldn't sleep. I cried silently the whole way there. When I arrived at the airport I looked around wondering how I would know which of the huge crowd waiting in the terminal was Mr. Key. Suddenly a strong hand grabbed my shoulder.
"Averia! How nice to finally meet you! I am Turn Key. Welcome to Florida! I know you must be tired so we'll hurry to the car." And with that the man grabbed my hand and led me to the baggage claim area.
I showed him which suitcases were mine and he grabbed it off of the conveyer belt for me. Then he led me to the car and we drove towards his home. I fell asleep rather soon after we drove out of the airport. When I awoke I was in a bed in a strange room. Turn Key must have brought me in there straight from the car. Suddenly, he came bustling into the room.
"Happy Birthday!" He exclaimed.
In his hand he held a tray filled with breakfast food. His blue eyes met my green ones in a twinkling manner and suddenly I saw . . . a castle? That couldn't be right. I looked again and saw a huge chasm. 'This is really odd,' I thought to myself.