Rating/Warning(s)/Note(s): T, Shadows
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Prompt: Proportions

An Audi A7 was parked in front of my house. Fully loaded with every safety feature available, the final price floored me. Who spends seventy-seven thousand dollars on a car? I thought I could just buy a base model, but apparently that wasn't allowed. When the very happy salesman ran my Trust Fund card he came back ecstatic.

"Miss Swan, the card people called and instructed me what options were to be added to the car," he said, almost quivering like an excited puppy in his happiness. "It will take just a moment to redraft the order form, I'm afraid we don't have one with this level of amenities in stock. It'll be delivered to your home next week."

His phone rang. It took every bit of my will-power to not roll my eyes when after a few 'Yes ma'am' and 'No ma'am' comments he told me I'd have it in two days but it couldn't get there any faster since one matching my specifications was in LA and had to be shipped. Even Charlie looked taken aback by this latest interference.

My father kept looking at me sideways on the long drive home. At a raised eyebrow from me he said gruffly, "These people concern me, Bells. Not gonna lie." I nodded; things were a bit too odd. "Still, they seem to care about your safety." He snorted a laugh. "Probably just trying to protect their investment."

"Sure, dad," I said but thinking about it made my head swim. Why the interest in me?

So with the car parked in the driveway, Charlie refused to let me park it on the street, I sat at the table staring at a check for three thousand dollars and a letter informing me this was a clothing allowance and suggestions on where to purchase luggage for my trip. This time my eyes did roll as I ripped it up. My clothes may have been purchased from discount stores and my luggage was a duffel bag, but they were fine. Did they really think a check would encourage me when a loaded credit card didn't?

Looking up I could see a worried look on Charlie's face. He started getting the Valley News delivered from Hanover ever since I received my acceptance. Naturally he focused on the crime report. For the last five months he told me about every robbery, vandalism, rape and murder that happened within a hundred mile radius of where I'd be living. What had him mostly worried was the murders that started to crop up right around the time of my graduation. The press had labeled the culprit the Vampire Killer because the bodies were dumped completely drained of blood.

"Is it getting worse?" I asked, teasing him. None of the murders happened on campus but he was still freaking out. Granted some victims had been students but they had been off doing something alone when they'd been grabbed. The school had already sent a notice telling me to form a buddy system and always travel in groups of three or more until the killer was caught.

"No, it's stopped completely. The police are baffled," he said, setting down the paper.

"That's a good thing, right?" I asked, not understanding why he looked so worried.

"Yes and no." He scrubbed a hand over his face, something he only did when really concerned. "Maybe he's moved on, but if so, where? Maybe he's just biding his time, waiting for the furor to die down before he kills again."

"So what was in the paper today?" I asked. I knew my father. He didn't get his information that the police were baffled from the newspaper. No doubt he was now on a first name basis with the chief in Hanover and had made arrangements with the guy to fly out and go fishing. I wouldn't be surprised if a member of the force was already tasked with checking up on me. I was sure he was probably blowing the whole thing way out of proportion, though.

"Just some strange fire out in the woods. The smoke was purple, which is really odd considering how much there was. They figured some kids in the chemistry department got carried away with the potassium nitrate and made a massive smoke bomb." He fixed me with a look. "Don't you go off and do any crazy stunts like that."

"Right, dad, because there is so much potassium whatever in the literature department," I said with a laugh. Charlie's mustache twitched as he tried not to smile.

The end of the third week of August was my last day of working at Newton's. They threw a surprise party for me that wasn't much of a surprise, but sweet nonetheless. My presents included hiking gear for exploring the White Mountains, because they were lower than the Cascades so might be more appealing, an all-weather parka, because it was colder in New Hampshire, and freeze-dried snacks to keep in my dorm room. I thanked them profusely and even shed a tear as I hugged Mrs. Newton goodbye.

Two days before my flight my car was packed for the trip east. I had no idea you could ship a car in a padded crate, but apparently you can. They were far more careful with it than even I was, which is surprising because I felt like it didn't really belong to me so I babied it as much as possible. Once in the crate they used a crane to lift it onto a semi-trailer for the long haul, attached the straps, and sent the driver on his way.

That was when it hit home to me that this was real. I was about to move across the country. Turning to my dad I could see tears threatening in his eyes and knew he was thinking the same thing. Wrapping my arms around his waist I gave him a big hug. "I'm going to miss you so much," I said, sniffing back the threatening tears.

"Just be sure to call your old man every now and then, okay? Let me know you're all right?" His voice was uncharacteristically rough. Charlie was as taciturn as the day is long, and I wasn't much different. Until I stepped foot past the security gates to catch my plane we spent as much time together as possible. I even went fishing.

You can mix potassium nitrate with sugar, along with a few more ingredients, to make a smoke bomb. You can google how to make them. Sometimes it's fun being a chemist.

I'm surprised by the reaction to this silly little story. Thanks so much everyone! I'll try to get lots written on the cruise ship, but there is no internet (well, there is, but $150 for 170 minutes seems a bit extreme to me). So my lovelies, I'll try to post something on the 12th! Who knows, maybe Edward will even show up...he's been busy though.