On the drive back I was taking in the scenery and enjoying the few moments of peace before the hectic act of packing, going over the last minute details, and eating. For now, it was me and the road. That feeling of a smooth glide of the wheles over the surface, it just sings of freedom.
Coming around the corner and pulling up at the house, it was obvious that the house was in full preparation for tomorrow. I could feel my father agitation through the concrete walls. I focused on him, he was on his phone as usual. Such a normality in a time of change. I was scared and excited about the future, it's going to be a challenging year ahead. The first part of the plan was simple enough, fly across the world, reconnect with Dragomirs over the next couple of days and start school. It would be good to see them all again. My father deemed them to be a safe haven of normalcy for me. They had two children, Lissa and Andre, who were like a sister and a brother to me. Their mother was everything I wishes to have in mine but never quite had. Instead I had Anita. She was my rock and travelled everywhere with me when my father could not or I was not staying with a reliable family, as my father refereed to them.
My father deemed them to be a safe haven of normalcy for me a long time ago. They had two children, Lissa and Andre, who were like a sister and a brother to me. Their mother was everything I wished to have in mine but never quite had. They were the picture perfect family. However, they didn't have Anita. The woman who brought me up along with my father. She was my rock and travelled everywhere with me since the day I was born. My father joined us sometimes, but it was rare as it was safer for us to be apart. I am going to miss Anita, but I was looking forward to seeing Lissa again, even though I knew that both of us are going to experience an immeasurable level of pain. I saw our future a few months ago, but sadly there isn't much I could do to change it. Every version of it ended up almost the same. Almost.
Parking my bike, I focused on my room and then my father. Once I opened my eyes, before me was my suitcase, ready to be filled. I thought of my father and sent him a question.
- Hey old man, guess who is back?
- Good to have you. Come down in 5 we need to go over a few things.
"Urgh, I hate being told what to do. Sometimes it difficult not to be stubborn, even about the stupidest things" With that thought, I walked out of my room and into his office. He jumped from my sudden appearance.
- Kiz, you know I hate it when you do that.
- Just keeping you on your toes old man.
- Tomorrow, we area leaving the house at 5, the plane leaves at 6, you will be accompanied by 4 guardians, and once you land you call me. When you walk through the doors of the Dragomirs house, you call me. Got it?
- This is insane. You are going overboard. I kill strigoi for fun!
- Kiz, you are my only child, humour me.
- Only for you old man
- That's my Rose
I was about to walk out of my door when Abe spoke up.
- I got something for you.
He handed me a box, opening it I discovered a necklace, unlike anything I have seen before. It was simple but beautiful. It was a nazar within a five-pointed star.
- This was hard to locate but necessary knowing you. It's charmed to give you protection. Wear it always, promise me.
- It's beautiful and I can feel its power. Thank you old man, and that's a promise I can keep.
- How about agreeing to keep out of trouble?
- Hah, that's unlikely. Someone has to keep it interesting. - I said winking at him.
- Thats the motto!
Despite his earlier words, I felt his pride in me. I walked out of the office and into the kitchen to grab some food. The next few hours proved to be torturous, packing was never my forte. Finally, I collapsed in my bed, setting my alarm clock for 4am, and falling into a blissful sleep.
Beep Beep BEEP
"Oh no, no way is it time…five more minutes"
- Rose, get out of bed this second or I won't be making your favourite and you will be getting an ice cold bucket as a send off instead! - Anita screamed from behind my door as she heard me jumping off the bed.
"She knows me too well. Plus no way would I want to repeat of that again!"
- I am up!
Thirty minutes late, I was showered, dressed and ready for breakfast! It's my favourite meal of the day after all and Anita spoils me. Waffles, french toast, pancakes, maple syrup and crepes are all of my favourites. Anita really outdid herself.
- Anita, quick pack yourself into my suitcase this second before anyone sees you!
That's when Abe decided to walk into the kitchen
- Quick, before he notices! - at which Abe decides to look up - Oh old man, you spoiled it!
He had such a confused look on his face, Anita and I couldn't help ourselves and burst out laughing.
- What are you talking about Rose?
- You just spoiled her latest plan of kidnap to take me with her Mr Mazure!
- What was it this time? Transporting Anita into the aeroplane on the way out? and Anita how many times do I have to remind you to call me Abe?
- Damn old man, that's a good one! Why haven't I thought of that one before?
- You just haven't reached my level yet Rose.
- Eat up Rose, you are leaving soon and we all know how temperamental you are without breakfast. I will also call a feeder for you, just in case.
- Thanks Anita, you are the best.
- Rose, eat. We don't have much time left and I want to go through the security procedures with everyone one more time.
- Lighten up dad, this is not the first time I am going away.
- I know Rose, but I just have this unsettling feeling.
His voice held such emotion. I wish I could tell him what would happen, to prepare him but why trouble the poor man. He would just try to lock me up but this is inevitable.
- I love you, dad. It will all work out, you will see. Plus I'm wearing your gift, it will protect me against all the monsters of the night!
- I believe you Rose.
Abe bent down and kissed me on the forehead, something he hasn't done in years. After that, the rest of the breakfast and feeding was spent in silence, each of us worrying about the future. Finally, everyone was outside, briefed, set into the cars and sent to the airport. Thanks to that fact that Abe owned a private jet, I didn't have to worry about security, but the goodbye was difficult. We went into a private room to exchange the last few words in person for a while.
- I am going to miss you kiz, remember your old man and drop me a line or a few once in a while. Your mother too, you know how she worries.
- Ha, sure she does. Not a single message yet since we told her.
- She called me last night, worried. Please call her, be the wise one.
- Urgh, damn! You know the effect it has on me when you say it!
- Haha, why do you think I use it?
- Fine old man, I will call. I love you dad.
- I love you too. Take care and call me if you get into trouble. You know I love the excitement you create in your path!
- Oh you can count on it!
With a final hug, I headed off to the plane. I saw my father watching me from the window. Suddenly, my eyes clouded over and a completely different scene opened before me.