Chapter 3

"The girls were in the arcade," said Darien. "Amy and Lita followed me outside."

"I'm sorry," said Serena. "I should have stayed at your place until you got the packages."

"No it's okay," he said. "I doubt they recognized you anyway. They looked pretty confused when they noticed you."

"That's good," she said. "I'm going to take a nap."

"Okay," he said. "I'll wake you when we get there."

"All right," she said as she drifted off to sleep.

It was five o'clock by the time Darien and Serena arrived at the Campbell's country home. Darien climbed out of the car and unlocked the house. He looked around for a couple minutes before returning to the car for Serena. But as he picked her up from her seat, she woke up.

"Are we there?" asked Serena.

"Yes," said Darien as he brought her into the house. "You know your way around this house better than I do."

"The best room is on the third floor," she said as he set her down. "Come on I'll show you."

Serena took Darien's hand and led him up the flight of stairs until they reached the finale flight that had a door at the top. They climbed the spiral staircase, opened the door, and flicked on the light switch.

To their left was a desk set against a wall with three windows that over looked the front of the house. Straight-ahead was a Latté brown couch with an end table set against a wall with two windows that over looked the garage. To their right was a wall with two windows and in between was a queen-sized bed, covered with gray sheets and a black bed-spread and pillows, with two nightstands, one on each side. One held a lamp and the other held a telephone. There was also a large closet and a large bathroom. The walls of the room were a light gray color and the floors, just like the rest of the houses floor and wooden furniture, were wooden with a cherry finish.

"Just like I remembered it," said Serena as she sat on the bed. "And just as soft too."

"Who had this room?" inquired Darien as he joined her.

"To tell you the truth I don't remember," she answered. "I guess it was my parents room but they always went into the other rooms down stairs."

"Well it is a lovely room," he said. "This can be our room while we're here."

"Really, Darien?" said Serena turning to him.

"Of course," he said, leaning forward and kissing her on the forehead. "Why don't you just lye down and rest while I get the rest of our things from the car, okay?"

"All right," she said lying down in the middle of the bed.

Darien quietly exited the room as his beloved tried to sleep. He hurried down to the car and found a couple walking up the path towards the house. When they noticed Darien, they gave him large smiles.

"Hello," Darien said as they met at the car.

"Hello, my name is Ted Isaci and this is my wife Nancy," said the tall man. Ted was a tall man with some meat on his bones. He had neatly kept brown hair and his brown eyes glowed with pride. He was wearing a pair of tan slacks, a dark blue sweater, and a pair of black loafers.

"Hi, it's nice to see a new face around here," said Nancy, an average height women with shoulder long blond hair and sparkling hazel eyes. She was much skinner than her husband was. She wore a knee long charcoal gray knit skirt with a pale pink blouse and a pair of charcoal gray high heals that increased her height by at least a few inches.

"Well its certainly nice to see new faces and meet interesting people," said Darien.

"Well stop being a stranger and tell us who you are," said Nancy.

"Oh, my name's Darien," he said. "Darien Shields."

"Are you here with anyone?" asked Ted, whose eyes traveled to the top floor window. "Ah, I see. So you're here with your girlfriend."

Darien and Nancy looked at the top floor window and saw Serena standing there. She was pale and looked worried. Nancy waved to Serena, but she just walked away from the window.

"Is she all right?" asked Nancy turning her attention back to Darien.

"She's just tired," he said with a smile. "It was a long trip."

"Well Faithry is a wonderful town," said Nancy. "It's a wonderful place to relax and raise a family."

"Well that's good to know," said Darien.

"We should let you get back to whatever you were doing," said Ted as he put his hand on his wife's shoulder. "Hope to see you around, Darien."

"Same here," Darien said as he watched them walk down the road.

Once they were gone, Darien began to unpack the car and carry in the suitcases and bags that filled the car. After everything was in the house, he dragged the suitcases up the three flights of stairs to his and Serena's room. When he entered the room he found his love sitting on the Latté brown couch. She was looking out the window at the forest beside the house. Her baby blue eyes were so sad that it made her look almost dead.

Darien walked over and sat down beside her. "Are you okay?" he asked looking out the window. "Serena?"

"I miss them," she said not looking at him. "Even Raye."

"Do you want to go back?"

She shook her head. "No. It's better this way."

"Why don't you go to the store and buy us some food for dinner. It's going to get dark soon."

"Okay."

She stood up and slipped on her white tennis shoes. "I'll be back in a couple minutes."

"I'll get the power turned on and unpack everything."

"Okay. Love you."

"Have fun," he said as she disappeared down the steps.

"I will," she called back.