Broken

Chapter: 9

Once again, in the dark room with the mysterious woman Luna, I thought quietly to myself. "What test could she mean… the choice I'm meant to make while I'm here? Does it have something to do with those doors? Have I already begun to make my decision since one door has opened and another appeared? Is this real or am I just insane?"

Luna looked up at me with playful eyes and smirked. "You're not insane, Vaughn. This is as real as anything."

A cool breeze drifted through the dark room, causing me to shiver. "Then what were those visions of my mother about? Those weren't real, and know I'm not so sure if you're real either."

Standing up, Luna giggled then ran her fingers through her hair. "Vaughn, I'm the one who did that. I needed to bring you here somehow, and I had fun doing it too!"

I glared at the woman and turned my head towards the doors. I still don't understand their meaning. I looked back to Luna who was staring intently at me, as if I was some fascinating new toy. "Can you tell me what the doors are for?"

"It's the paths you can take; the decisions you have to chose… and it looks like the topic of you're choice is very… juicy. It affects not just you, but the people around you."

I rolled my eyes. Why does everything have to be so damn mysterious all the time? Can't I get a straight forward answer once? I sighed, looking to each door. Each one was different; the first one was an ordinary door, but looked almost sad. Another one had cracks in it, but it was the most beautiful. The third door was perfect, yet seemed expected; no creativity, and not half as beautiful as the second door. The first door was opened a crack… I tried to look at what was behind the door, but only saw pure blackness. Luna walked towards me, and rested her hand on my shoulder. She looked straight into my eyes with concern.

"Listen Vaughn, the test has begun… please think carefully of the choices you make in the human world… it's what the test is; the choices you make out there is what will either bring you happiness or despair. Please choose the right door for you. I like you Vaughn and I've seen you're future with every door. Of coarse I can't tell you, or see what choice you will choose, but I will help you."

I clenched my fists tight together, and nodded carefully. The black in her eyes was swirling with the gold, and almost seemed to be eating the light gold color; the hope. Luna smiled happily, and closed her eyes. "Good luck, Vaughn," she whispered, and suddenly, I was back in the car with Mirabelle and that other woman.

We were no longer by the trees, no longer surrounded by endless mountains, but in the middle of a busy city. I gazed out my window with curious eyes, taking in the sky scrapers and busy streets. I didn't like it. I even stuck my tongue out at the car window when I saw construction workers building a huge new mall, where I'm sure many trees once were at some point. Mirabelle caught me and chuckled.

"Don't worry sweetie, we're not living in this dump anymore. I decided to move to a nice island a few weeks ago. I'm just going to drop off my keys at my apartment's managers' office."

I sighed in relief. I hate cities. We drove around for a few more hours after Mirabelle stopped to drop her keys off to finally end up at an air port. After dropping off the cold, social worker, we got on the first plane to a place called Sunshine Islands.

….

The moon hung high in the sky, shining brightly next to many stars by the time we arrived. We had to get on a ferry after the plane dropped us off, and I was completely exhausted when my feet touched the wooden dock welcoming us to my new home.

"Isn't it beautiful here, Vaughn? There's the beach, and the island also has rivers, a jungle, a beautiful mountain, and so much more," exclaimed Mirabelle happily. I merely shrugged coldly and picked up my bags making Mirabelle frown a bit. It was pretty, but I really didn't feel like making small talk when I can barely keep my eyes open. I followed the kind, plump woman into town, which was very small. It consisted of a few houses, a couple shops and underdeveloped roads. It seemed as if hardly anyone lived here. We ended up at a barn looking house, and I stared up at Mirabelle as she got out her keys and opened the door. I was hit with the warmth of the home, making me feel even more tired. As I walked in, I could smell something… burning. Then, all of a sudden a girl ran down the stairs and flew into the kitchen.

"Oh man! I left the cookies in too long!"

"Julia Anne Vaults! I told you time after time, you're not allowed to cook when I'm not home," Mirabelle said frustrated.

The girl turned the oven off, then plopped a tray of blackened cookies as she huffed. "Mom, Taro said I could, and I wanted to bake cookies for Elliot!"

Mirabelle's face seemed to soften when she heard the word 'Elliot'. I for one was very confused. I stared at the young girl with the long wavy blonde hair, pulled back in a pony tail. Her white top was quite short and her shorts barley covered her legs, while her boots almost reached her knees. I also couldn't help but notice her chest looked a little large, like two little balloons were placed in her shirt. I blushed when the girl saw me staring at her balloons, and quickly looked away.

"Who's the kid, Mommy?"
Mirabelle puffed out her chest proudly. "This is Vaughn, you're new brother!"

The girl smiled sweetly and walked towards me, her boots making a soft clacking sound on the wood floors. She stuck out her hand, and we shook hands awkwardly.

"I'm Julia. I guess we're siblings now! I only have a few rules though: Don't go into my room, and don't tease Elliot!"

I shrugged. That's simple enough. We all went into the kitchen a moment later, ate dinner and I was showed to my room to go to bed. It was a simple bedroom. A bed with black blankets, white walls, a small closet, a dresser, a desk and a small, empty picture frame on a nightstand next to the bed. I put my bags down and squirmed out of my clothes and put on some pajamas. Without knowing why, I picked up the empty frame. I realized something, and dug into my bags. I pulled out the only picture I had; it was me and Chelsea standing by our lake. She was smiling brightly as was I. Tears formed in the corner of my eyes as I carefully put the picture in the frame and set it down softly on the nightstand. I climbed into bed, feeling exhausted and torn. I will never make a friend like her again…

"Goodnight Chelsea," I whispered to myself.

….

The next couple of weeks were horrible. I went to school, and completely ignored everyone. Julia eventually gave up on finding me a friend, and being a friend to me as well. She was nice, but still not Chelsea. No one was, so I though what was the point? I will always compare them to her, and end up disappointed. They can't even come close to being like Chelsea. I spent recess either reading or walking aimlessly. Soon, the entire school decided to leave the anti-social silver haired boy alone. I talked to Julia and Mirabelle occasionally, but that's it. When I began to feel lonely, I would go out into the animal barn and take care of the animals. Mirabelle sold farm animals, and they became my friends. That was all I needed.

…..b…r…o…..k….e…..n

It was beginning to grow colder and colder as winter came closer. Goosebumps ran across my arms when surprisingly cold air blew through the trees while I walked home. I sighed, tired of this cold weather… waiting impatiently for warmer days to roll along and opened the mailbox.

"Junk, Junk, huh?"

I looked at the careful handwriting, and glanced at the return address. It was Chelsea! I quickly ran inside, throwing the other mail on the table, and running to my room, eagerly opening the envelope with shaky hands. I quickly scanned the letter with my dark purple amethyst eyes.

Dear Vaughn,

I hope you get this letter soon. I really miss you… things aren't the same anymore. I look over at your house and I start to cry. I wish you didn't leave all the time. Does school suck as much for you as it does for me? Haha, I don't really hang out with anyone anymore since you left. But I hope you make lots and lots of friends wherever you are. Please write back.

Love,

Chelsea

I read it over and over again until the ink starts to smear. I run over to my desk and write a quick letter back. As soon as I'm finished, I put the letter in the mailbox, raising the little red flag on the side with a smile on my face.

We continue to write back and forth for awhile, and it seemed my world got just a little brighter. Chelsea even sent me a dark cowboy hat when I told her about the animals. To my distaste, she began calling me the anti-social cowboy. But one day the letters just stopped…

Something was wrong. I could just feel it.

...

Author's note: Mwahahaha I have such a good idea :P

Well, the next chapter will be entirely Chelsea's point of view, and you will never guess what happens! Sorry for the long wait, but I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Leave a review to tell me what you think :D