Truth Behind Lies

Chapter 2: Legal Guardian

The ceremony was over. The sky was cloudy as if mourning Beth's death as well. People in black walked solemnly to their cars. I did what I could to try and act like Bethie's responsible older brother as I said goodbye to everyone. Finally, a man with a briefcase came up to me.

"Mr. Englam?" he said formally.

"Yes, that would be me," I said. I was trying very hard to not act like the jackass I was. My sister deserved at least that.

"I am your sister's lawyer. I need to speak with you about her will," he said curtly.

"Alright, when and where?" I just wanted to get out of here.

The man sighed, "Well, because of your limited family we can do it right now," The man turned and led Skip to his car. He stopped and set his cast on the hood of the car. He popped it open and pulled out the will. As he read through it I noticed that he was skimming as if to get to the most important part. Aren't most lawyers very precise? I didn't have time to wonder because he started.

"Your sister and her husband left the house to Steve's cousin who is about to start college. They left their life's saving's to Jez, naturally. Friends and family may go through their belongings and take what they wish, friends and family are listed. Everything not take will be given to the town's auction house. Profits will be put in the savings account for Jez. Ah, here it is. Custody and care of the Smith's remaining daughter falls on Skip Englam, brother of Beth Smith,"

"Wait a second. Are you sure about that?"

"Positive. It says right here," The lawyer showed him the will.

"But why the hell would she choose me? I can barely take care of myself. Why would she leave Jez to me?" I was too shocked to swear. What was left of the family thought that Steve's mother would get Jez, me included.

"She left you a letter explaining her choice. Now if you could sign here…" The lawyer handed me a white envelope and pointed to where I needed to sign. As if through a haze I signed my name and the man left.

I looked around the graveyard. I noticed Jez was standing alone by her parents graves. Walked over and stood beside her. We stood silently together for a long time. Finally, Jez spoke.

"I was the one that found them. I came in through the back door. I wasn't supposed to be out. My Dad has always been over protective. As I walked in I was worried that he was gonna get mad at me. At first I thought that Dad had spilled spaghetti sauce all over the kitchen floor. Then I noticed… it was the wrong color. Too dark. Then I saw my Dad. Well, what they told me was my Dad. He was scattered around the kitchen, a hand here, an organ there. I ran through the kitchen and into the Living room. My mom and Lisa were scattered everywhere. I dialed 911. They got there in 5 minutes. But it felt like hours. I didn't barf until they were questioning me outside and I saw them carrying them out in buckets. The reporters got it on tape. Later I asked a reporter not to show that footage. I didn't want to be remembered as the girl who barfed on tv. Later I felt bad about it. I mean my parents just died and I was worried about being seen barfing on tv,"

I didn't know what to say. I think I settled on, "I think they'd understand. No one wants to be seen barfing on tv,"

She smiled a little. Well, at least I don' completely suck at this, "Who am I living with?"

"Me," She stood their quietly for a while.

"Well, I've always wanted to go to California…"

۞

I walked silently as Uncle Skip lead me to his car. They're gone. They are really gone. And it's all my fault. They made me go see a physiatrist after they questioned me. She said that it wasn't my fault and that I shouldn't think that. But they don't know the whole story.

If I did tell them the whole story they would send me off to see the men in white coats. Because you see I'm not human. Yeah, I know. Sounds like something out of a B rated Sci-Fi movie. But it's true.

It happened when I was 12. I was walking through the woods behind my house and I got this headache. No a headache is an understatement. It was more like a migraine on steroids. Then I blacked out. I know isn't that lame. If I was turning into some weird creature couldn't I have at least been awake for it? Anyway…

I woke up the next day feeling fine. I didn't notice the weird things that happened around me until Logan 'kidnapped' me. Logan is an immortal elf warrior. Sounds very Lord of the Rings but is very true. He took me to his home and explained what had happened to me.

Apparently, I'm the next life if an ancient elf warrior princes who happened to be the most powerful witch ever. That was your first guess too wasn't it? To save time Logan cast a spell to make me remember everything I learned in my past life. Lazy bastard. So now I know how to sword fight, proper tale manners, archery, horseback riding, spells out the wazzue, potions galore, and almost anything considered a magical creature.

Isn't my life peachy.

I never told anyone. Like they would believe me. But this always made my life difficult. Because you see I have a problem. No matter what I do or don't do I always end up in the Underworld. Either it's a Overlord that needs killed or a bounty on my head. I always end up there.

Now look where it has gotten me. No friends and my family dead. Oh, and don't forget that I have to move across the country.

As I said before… isn't my life peachy.