Sweet But Psycho
Phoebe was always a weird kid and always had trouble making (or keeping) friends, even during high school. At age five she began talking to others no one believed existed except her, by age ten she was obsessed with ghosts and the supernatural; mostly vampires. Phoebe's parents started to worry eventually, but she soon learned not to talk to people about certain things. Once she realized the strange occurrences happening around her wasn't happening to everyone else Phoebe became a lone wolf, or at least she kept her mouth shut when it came to anything paranormal. Ever since she was a child Phoebe knew something about her, perhaps her energy, attracted all types of characters to come up to her randomly. Half of them are human, but more often than not - monsters. She's faced creatures of all kinds since she was little. The only thing that scares Phoebe, other than heights or bugs, is the fate of humanity. Her best friend Gregory couldn't even scare her when they first met.
Twelve Years Ago
It was weird going from living in the United States to living in another part of the world, so far away from everything she's known since birth. Being forced to leave the only friends she's ever known. Being uprooted to her grandmother's house in Scotland, all because her doting mother and father thought the green countryside would help after the medication, the therapy, and the constant talks never did.
Phoebe had a natural gift, one they couldn't seem to wrap their heads around or accept.
She could see things other people didn't.
She could do things other people couldn't.
She was special, but not in the way how parents usually brag about their child's abilities.
Phoebe didn't get perfect grades, she didn't play a team sport, she wasn't even the perfect little princess either.
She was six when she left behind everything she knew in Georgia, or at least everything she thought she knew. There was something special about Scotland too.
Something wicked, seedy, and dangerous.
Another world that could only be seen by those who really look, or already have their eyes opened to the possibility of more.
Phoebe was five now, no worries on her mind about that other world which bred monsters that liked to play in the shadows.
She sat in her bedroom, alone (but not completely), waiting on her friend Eli to be dropped off by his mother so they could play dragons. It was their favorite game. She was a witch when they played dragons, put a curse on Eli that turned him into a snarling, scaly creature.
Which did her bidding, whatever she said - no matter if she told him to shove sticks up his nose. Eli was a goofy six-year-old who lived on the opposite street, one of five siblings who were all older than he was. The oldest had a baby herself, a four-month old who had the lungs of a scuba-diver.
Phoebe had no idea she wouldn't be seeing Eli for a long, long time.
"It shouldn't take this long for your friend to get here, Bee. What time did he say his mommy was dropping him off?"
The girl accompanying her right now was almost see-through, a translucent shape sitting cross-legged on the purple beanbag in Phoebe's bedroom. She was weak at the moment, having used most of her energy to play on tag out back earlier and then tea party when Phoebe retired to her room again. Her name was Jenny when she was alive. She liked going by Jen now, as she always told Phoebe before.
Jen had pretty, cat-like green eyes and a thick mane of black curls. Just like Phoebe's daddy. But her face shape, the cute up-turn of her nose, and the thin-petal lips reminded Phoebe of her mama. And herself. Jen looked just like Phoebe, but with eerie eyes and dark hair.
Phoebe remembered once that Jen told her she was her older sister, but she had no recollection of ever having a sibling and pushed the sudden thought aside, turning her head towards the four-year old with a persistent shake. "He'll be here! I promise. Eli always sticks to his word, always."
She still could not wrap her head around her older sister being younger than she was and when she asked her mommy Alice one time about Jenny the woman broke down into tears, inconsolable for days. So like with anything negative in her life Phoebe pushed it aside.
What was the point in staying stuck on the bad stuff when there was still so much more fun things to do?
"You're just saying that because you have a crush on him."
Gasp.
"You take that back, Jen! I do not have a crush on Eli. He's just really, really nice to me all the time and actually cares about me."
There was a sudden knock on the door, startling both of them, but while Phoebe jumped up from her spot Jen disappeared. Gone like a wisp of smoke disappearing in the air. Both of her parents smoked cigarettes. It stank the house up and made her eyes water so they didn't smoke around her anymore, not after an incident where their packs mysteriously (Jenny) went missing.
Phoebe, of course, was blamed for that. She took her punishment in stride though. No electronics for a week. It was a good thing she had a library card. Whenever she got in trouble for anything no electronics was her parents way of discipline, which didn't bother Phoebe at all. She was the only kid, her father Jared liked to say, that didn't wanna be glued to a tablet or phone. Phoebe would rather be outside or reading.
Between both her parents Jared was the fun, understanding one. Alice was the kind, loving one. They were also both very protective of Phoebe which she adored about them. It was her mother who poked her head in, but before stepping through the crack she created she glanced around the room with a wariness Phoebe wished she would drop already.
Another thing both of her parents shared were their nervousness around her.
Which has gone on for almost two years now, since she stopped telling them everything she saw.
"Hi baby, are you okay in here? Your daddy and I haven't seen you since breakfast."
Phoebe plastered a big smile on her face, gap-toothed and dimpled. "I'm okay mommy. Do y'all miss me? I can come down and we can play a board game."
Alice cleared her throat and stepped into the room, pushing Phoebe's bedroom door open all the way to reveal Jared standing behind her. He didn't look happy at all. His mouth was set in a grim line, eyes glossy like he's about to cry. There were teardrops already forming at Alice's waterline. Prepared to fall and crush Phoebe like a wrecking ball falling on top of Wile E Coyote.
"That sounds lovely, sweetie. Maybe we can play a game after we help you pack your things?"
Now she was confused, a hurt look crossing her face. "What do you mean mommy? Are we going somewhere?"
Jared clasped Alice's shoulder with a strong hand as a sob burst from her mouth, "No honey. We aren't going anywhere. But you are."
Gasp.
Phoebe reared back as if she had been slapped and almost tripped over her heels, eyes popping open like a fish out of water as it felt like her jaw hit the floor.
"Wh-what do y-you mean? Whe-r-er am I going? Do you not want me anymore?"
She didn't wanna leave!
What's going on?
She was a good girl.
Sure, she had her flaws and once in awhile got a temper that would've made the devil beg for mercy.
Did she do something wrong?
Alice sniffled, choked up again, and shrugged off Jared's hand to drop to her knees in front of Phoebe. "You know daddy and I would never do anything to hurt you, right? We love you so much and we want you to grow up with the best life possible. I can't stand letting you go, you are my world."
Her father went straight for her closet, grabbing the two suitcases that were stashed away in the bottom like a robot.
This had to be a dream, right?
Just a crazy dream.
Phoebe would pinch herself and she'd wake up, then she would go downstairs to eat her breakfast. Her mother would be cooking bacon when she walks into the kitchen rubbing sleep from her eyes, singing a Fleetwood Mac song. Jared would be sitting at the table sipping his coffee while he skimmed through the newspaper.
She pinched herself as Alice gripped tight to her upper arms.
She pinched herself as her mother pulled her closer.
As her father began taking clothes from the hangers.
As Jared refused to look in her direction while making quick work of packing up Phoebe's everything.
Clothes, shoes, her stuffed panda bear Teddy.
The panda bear she's had forever. For as long as she's known Jen.
Since birth.
Phoebe felt her throat closing up, struggling for air.
Struggling to wake up from this nightmare.
She was leaving home.
She was going far, far away.
'Sometimes,
I feel the fear of
uncertainty stinging clear.
And I, can't help but ask myself how much I'll let the fear,
take the wheel and steer.
It's driven me before and seems to have a vague,
haunting mass appeal.
But lately I'm beginning to find that I
should be the one behind the wheel.
Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there,
with open arms and open eyes, yeah.
Whatever tomorrow brings,
I'll be there, I'll be there.
So, if I
decide to waiver my
chance to be one of
the hive.
Will I choose water over wine,
and hold my own and drive?
Aah ah ooo.
It's driven me before and it seems to be the way
that everyone else gets around.
But lately I'm beginning to find that when
I drive myself my light is found.
Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there,
with open arms and open eyes, yeah.
Whatever tomorrow brings,
I'll be there, I'll be there.
Would you choose water over wine?
Hold the wheel and drive.
Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there,
with open arms and open eyes, yeah.
Whatever tomorrow brings,
I'll be there. I'll be there.'
Incubus, Drive
