THIRD:
Cheryl walks through the front double doors of her mansion, coated in bright bloodshot red as the golden trims line around the entrance. The loud creak echoes out through the dark, as she sneaks into the house, easing her way inside the cold and scantly furnish home with cobwebs dangling overhead that appear to not have seen a spider in decades.
Her knee thuds into the tiny entrance table next to the elongated stairwell. Cheryl flops her hand around on the sooty walls down onto the smooth table, fingers searching for a switch on the antique lamp sitting delicate in the house. The switch glows, the ample array of light flashes out across the entire entrance with some spilling into the living area. She jolts, witnessing her mother lying on a large black couch. Her mother's arms droops off the side. She attempts to leave when her mother's cough prompts Cheryl to stop.
"Where the hell have you been wretched child?" Her mother belts, in a low raspy tone. Cheryl, standing stiff with only her legs wobbly, remains quiet. Her mother coughs again, a sound dry and sore that bits of blood dribble from the corners of her lips, she pulls out a bright red handkerchief to wipe her mouth. "Coming in at all hours of the night, like this."
"I was just visiting a friend in the hospital," Cheryl replies, her shoulders and head high, eyes obviate away from her mother. Her mother stumbles on her feet, trying to stand.
"Please," her mother cackles deep and authentic. "You don't have any damn friends, Cheryl." She makes her way to Cheryl. "Why don't you tell me what you were actually doing and stop with these fairytales, child."
"I've told you, mother," Cheryl repeats through clenched teeth. "I was visiting a friend, Josie's sister Jaeden." Her mother hisses at Cheryl's response, her long thin legs trembling beneath her as she tries to move closer and closer to her daughter.
"Josie's sister, you mean that girl you've been stalking since my beloved Jason died?" Her mother's expression hollows, furniture around them starts to rattle and twitch as Cheryl fires a hard look towards her mother before running up the stairs.
She could hear her mother's coughing until she reaches the top of the large elegant stairway. She stops for a brief moment, her mother's words drilling into her soul with spores of the anger and embarrassment building up inside of her. The rumbling and slamming of some doors nearby shower throughout the old house. The patterns of them creak with a small but fast rhythmic beat matching Cheryl's rapid heartbeat. Strutting down the hall, one by one the doors all cease to stop. She gets to her own bedroom, watches as the door slide open with a gentle subtle greeting. She rushes through and slams it shut behind her.
She makes her way to the large window in her bedroom as she maneuvers around the piles of clothing and furniture blocking every step she takes. The small bench beneath the window is warm as Cheryl prepares to open the latch and allow the warm breeze inside. She smiles as she looks out, gazing upon the stars in the sky. Cheryl stands up and moves to her bed, kneeling down beside to pull out a large notepad from beneath it. She returns to the window and returns to look at the stars. She opens her notepad in her hand and pulls out the pencil marking her last entry and begins to scribble large dark lines and shapes all over the notepaper. Her hand glides a few marks with shading and coloring until Cheryl's hand grows numb.
She sighs and looks at the drawing she has crafted, frowning. She goes to her bed and shoves the notepad back underneath, hidden. She sulks to the bathroom, preparing herself for bed. As a few moments later, she emerges in her long bright red nightgown hitting against her pale white skin. Her long strawberry red hair braided into two long plaits against her scalp. She crawls into her bed and falls against the pillow. Her dark brown eyes staring at the stars' light shining down on her from the window. She hums a soft tune to herself as she drifts to sleep within a few minutes.
Cheryl runs to the large stables that house the horses. Her small heart beating, she enters with the horses greeting her. She moves to the back of the stable. She pushes her back against the wall. Her mind races, contemplating her next move. She looks around the stable with all the horses staring at her. She moves and opens one of the stables and sneaks inside. The majestic dark brown horse becomes excited and happy to find Cheryl joining him in the stables.
"Be quiet," Cheryl whispers. "Be quiet, Maple. I don't want him to find us." Cheryl's voice becomes a little shaky at Maple's inability to calm herself. Cheryl grabs the horse with her tiny small hands and rubs its side, humming. The horse settles down and remains calm. Cheryl leans against the horse when she hears the small patter of footsteps entering into the stables. She closes her eyes almost as if this could hide herself better. The steps get closer and closer into the stables until it reaches the end. The steps round themselves to the stable that Cheryl is hiding inside with the horse. Cheryl tightens her eyelids to the point of them bursting. Her breathing gets thick, with the air blowing itself out of her nose like a small breeze.
The door to the stable open and once more, Maple gets excited and giddy. The horse rises up at the guest, knocking Cheryl down against the dirty stable hay and dirt. The young boy with bright strawberry red hair that matches Cheryl's reaches his hand out to her.
"Find you!" the boy sings, Cheryl grabbing his hand giggling.
"Alright, Jason I guess you win. I'm tired of this game." Cheryl pouts brushing over her dress. She looks down and sees the dirt and stains on her bright yellow and white petticoat dress. Her tiny beige shoes cover in mud and dirt. Cheryl looks over at Jason with an eerie hint of fear in her eyes that Jason all too well recognizes. "Jason, my dress is ruined. I can't go with mother and father like this. They, they'll," Jason calms her with a soothing hush of his voice. He reaches over to her placing his hands on her shoulders. Jason could feel Cheryl's entire body tremble.
"We just have to get you clean up," he states, his voice still and plain. "That's all we have to do." Cheryl begins to protest, her chatter turning into a series of rambles. Jason takes her hands and leads her out of the stables. The two of them run out of there and head to the large mansion sitting atop a large hill, the Thornhill Manor. The little redheads bounce along the smooth, tall blades of grass. They move up towards the hill and continue running against the pounding of their hearts in their little chests.
They make it across the many acres of land and reach their mansion. They tiptoe towards the back east wing of their home. Jason looks inside through the window of their laundry area and sees a slew of maids washing. Jason turns back to Cheryl, kneeling her down with him on the ground.
"It looks like they are about to finish up with the laundry. All you have to do is find another nice dress to wear and put it on, that simple." Jason explains. Cheryl nods her head. The two creep to the door of the laundry area and open it. Jason begins to stand and walks inside. The maids ignore him, continuing about their duties. Jason reaches his hand out and grab Cheryl to pull her inside with him. The two rummage around the room looking for clean clothes for her to wear. Jason stops at a laundry basket sitting on the ground as something catches his eyes. Jason bends down and pulls out a beautiful red sundress with ribbons. He holds it out for Cheryl, who turns her nose up.
"What?" Jason asks. "It's good isn't it?"
"I always hated that dress," Cheryl groans, reaching for it. She slips out of her own dirty clothes and slides the dress over her. Jason smiles with a thumbs up.
"Well, I like it," Jason remarks. "I think red really suits you as a color." Cheryl smiles as she moves to a sink and washes off her face. They run out of the laundry room and find a flight of stairs and run up it. They find themselves in the large entrance of their home and stand in the middle of the marble floor, waiting with a patience and maturity unknown for most.
Their parents arrive, looking displease and unhappy. They stop and look at their children. "Well, don't just stand there." Their father, Claudius shouts. "Let's hurry or else we'll miss the dinner." He makes his way towards the door. Penelope stops and looks down, smiling at Jason. She leans and gives him a kiss on the cheek.
"You look handsome," she coos. Cheryl steps up to her mother.
"What about me, mother?" Cheryl chimes. Penelope looks her over, sighing.
"I swear my dear child," Penelope groans. "I don't know if the help just doesn't dress you up properly or if you're just a dreadful looking girl, in general. But you look decent enough for the dinner." Penelope sighs, flowing out the door. Her long strawberry red hair, matches the tone and color of the children, is pulled back in an intricate bun on top of her head. Her long black lace dress flows around her small petite frame, creating an air of elegance and prestige combine with sensual and alluring. The silver jewelry tie to her neck, ears, and wrists sparkle underneath the crisp black of the dress.
The children begin to follow after their mother. A few beads of shame start to well up in Cheryl's eyes. Jason leans closer to Cheryl. "I think you look nice, as always Cheryl," he chirps. Cheryl nods, smiling as she wipes away the tears from her eyes. The family exits out of the house and descend down the steep slew of steps. They make it to the bright white limo waiting for them, as the driver holds the door open. As they get closer to the door, a large brown horse jumps towards them all. The sheer eagerness of the horse frightens Penelope to the point of causing her to fall. Her bun loosens allowing for some strands of hair to spring out of their place.
"Will someone come and get this goddamn horse!" Claudius shouts. A slew of gardeners hears his commands and make an attempt to restrain the animal. Cheryl notices them using force and harmful tools to subdue the animal.
"Don't hurt, Maple!" Cheryl cries out. She and Jason run to the horse, sprinting towards the chaos. The horse runs wild all over the fresh rose bushes and flowers planted by the entrance of their mansion. The gardeners manage to tame the animal with a rope slung around her neck, the strength of them holding it causing Maple to relax. Maple gallops until she is calm.
Penelope stands to her feet and rushes to Cheryl. She snatches her by her arm in a tight grip to the point that her little arm starts to turn shades of purple and blue.
"You did this on purpose!" Penelope screams. Her hair hangs around her blister red face in a dismay of chaos. Cheryl shakes her head, beginning to cry. Jason attempts to step forwards claiming the fault of the horse escaping. "Well, Cheryl. Explain why your legs are covered in filth and dirt?" Penelope demands. Cheryl does not respond. Penelope's breathing gets tighter when Claudius steps closer to her.
"Penelope," he directs. "I know you're upset darling but we have to make it to this dinner. We can have some of the maids travel with us to help fix up back up." Penelope listens with intent to her husband's words. She swings Cheryl to the ground and stomps away to the limo. Claudius gestures for the children to follow. They enter the limo and prepare on their way.
"I don't know how I could have birthed such a despicable, homely, and ungrateful little girl," Penelope muses. The maid attempts to redo her hair and replenish her make-up. "I'm just not sure, what I can do with you at this point."
"I slightly agree with your grievances," Claudius states. "I think it's best to discuss where to send Cheryl to better discipline her."
Cheryl stares at them with regret and anger. "I didn't do anything wrong," Cheryl begins to beg. "Maple just got out. It happens."
"Yeah, Cheryl and I didn't," Jason continues.
"Please, son," Claudius demands. "Don't bring yourself into these manners that have nothing to concern you."
"But father,"
"I said, enough!" Claudius strikes out the words with his voice, his fists clenching tight. Jason feels the fear creep up his spine as he looks away in silence.
"Perhaps, that horse is just willful," Penelope continues. "Maybe we should just put it out of our misery and have the vet take care of it."
"No!" Cheryl quivers. "You can't kill Maple. You can't! She did nothing wrong!"
"Cheryl, please. It's just a stupid animal." Claudius states. "We'll get you another one, this time better trained."
"But she's my friend, father!" Cheryl cries, the tears streaming down her face. "I don't want another horse. I want to keep Maple."
"Well, let this be a lesson for you, girl. To be more respectful towards your parents," Penelope chuckles. "Now, stop with the theatrics, Cheryl. There's no one else here to applaud and pamper you."
"No!" Cheryl shouts. The limo begins to shake and veer from side to side. "I said I don't want maple to die! I want to keep her, please!"
Penelope rolls her eyes as Claudius sits stead in his position looking out the tinted windows.
"I promise I'll be good! I promise I'll always obey just don't kill her!"
"Cheryl, please," Penelope interrupts. "I swear; in two months you won't even remember that stupid beast."
The limo starts to swerve out of control, veering from side to side. Claudius shouts and bangs on the window separating him from the driver.
"Hey!" He says. "Can you stop with the asinine driving, for fucks sake! It's a sunny day in broad daylight!"
The limo continues to swerve, with more sharps in it. The limo driver responds back with muffle voices, before the limo flips on its side. First once, then a few more times, then it seems like it keeps flipping over and over on itself. The large vehicle cascades down a steep cliff, drifting down the sides of it. Finally, it stops, silence.
The tinted windows smash out. The sides crush inwards of the vehicle. The splatter of blood spreads out on the inside of the limo. Cheryl is the first to open her eyes. She looks down at her hands, a few scratches and smears of blood. She moves feeling no pain, no harm done to her. She looks around her. Her mother's body is limp against the back of the limo. Her arm appears crooked and bent backwards, dangling from her body. Her father lies against the seat, a large gash on his forehead. His chest rises and falls slow but steady. Cheryl turns to look at the maid, who's body appears broken and twisted amongst the rumble. She looks and looks until she finds Jason.
His face looks at her, with wide eyes of terror. His mouth slings open, unhinged, hanging like a deformed puppet. The blood seeps from the large open cuts on her cheeks, spilling and dripping into the vehicle. His neck twisted at the base, as his torso faces away from Cheryl. His arms, his legs crumble in the opposite direction from his face. Cheryl stares in agonizing horror and anguish. The heaving of her shrieks of regret and guilt plagues her mind. It pulses at the temples of her forehead, bustling in her brain.
Cheryl leaps out of her sleep, out of her dreams, almost back into her own body and existence. She screams at the penetrating highest pitch of her voice. The blood-curdling scream compasses out to the entire mansion. Cheryl stops, tears running down her face. She clamps her hands over her head and brings them down to her face, in a swift motion. She brings her knees to her chest, hugging them tight. She sobs in the quiet night to herself, resting her head on her knees as she forces herself to stay up through the night, again.
The chatter fills up the empty air above their heads as the church empties out. The praise and honors that everyone are providing Veronica brings a large smile to her face. Her brown tan skin flushes with a light pink as she smiles at everyone who greets her. Her long jet black hair pours over her shoulders in the simple black and silver gown that crafts itself around her curvaceous and lean body. An older woman, that has similar features as her, glides over to her. The older woman grasps both of Veronica's hands into hers, with tight force.
"That was a beautiful ceremony, Veronica," She smiles. Veronica beams as she holds onto her grandmother's hand.
"Gracias abuelita, It means so much to me for you to come." Her grandmother smiles, her grin growing larger with each passing second.
"Of course, bonita," she says, the elegant words coming out of her mouth with a stale flare. "I wouldn't miss this, para todo en el mundo." She drops Veronica's hand without a thought as they fall down to her sides with a sudden crash. Her grandmother continues to look at her, staring, examining her. Veronica stands still, uneasy. She gives her grandmother a respectful nod.
"I have to go and check on the other guests, abuelita," she coughs. She begins to trot off before she feels her grandmother's bony fingers latch onto her skin. They dig and stick to her like small needles sinking into her flesh. Veronica attempts to speak but feels unsure and embarrassed to make too much of a distraction with so many others leaving out. Her grandmother brings up her other hand, a long silver chain with silver beads dangles from it.
"Extiende tu mano, Veronica," her grandmother scowls in a low, husky commanding voice. Veronica searches around her, noticing everyone busying themselves along with no worries or regrets. Veronica returns her gaze to her grandmother, whose entire face slips into a cold, menacing frown. Veronica reaches out her hand, her palm facing up, trembling ever so slight. Her grandmother drops the item into her palm. A bright red glass cross finds itself attached to the other end of the chain. Veronica attempts to smile, but finds herself stammering.
"Oh, gracias abuelita," Veronica forges. "But I already have a rosary, abuelita."
Her grandmother shakes her head with intensity. "Not like this way, Veronica." She states. Her words echoing out of her like a trance. She unclenches herself from Veronica's arm and her entire demeanor changes to back to the soft, charming short brunette that she was before she spoke to Veronica. "I'm going to find your father, and then I'm afraid I will have to return home," she yammers with a sweet, sugary smile. "Buena suerta, Veronica. I'm sure you'll be fuerta y vicioso on this journey." She stalks away from her, leaving Veronica standing there. She reaches for her arm where her grandmother grazes her and rubs it with a tender caress.
She looks back at her grandmother, and her father, Hiram Lodge, conversing with each other. He gestures towards Veronica, almost on cue, as they both turn and smile at her. Veronica forces a grin back. In just that instance, they turn away from her continuing on with their conversation.