It felt like forever as I watched the ocean finally come into view. The smell of salt water hit my nose as I lay in the back of my mom's car with my twin brother Michael. My little brother Sam was in the passenger seat changing the station every few seconds.
" Pick a station, Sammy, it's going to drive me nuts if you don't," I say with annoyance as Mom hums along and joking with my kid brother.
" It's alright Scarlet, I don't mind the changing of it." Mom said as it landed on People Are Strange by The Doors.
" Mom, what's that smell?" Sam asked as the smell hit me like a set of bricks, It smelled like the dead. I covered my nose with my arm.
"Ah, that's the ocean air." Mom replied as she turned down the slightly winding road.
" It smells like someone died." Sam replied as I chuckled.
" Or it smells like Michael after he works out." I say as he playfully punches my arm.
" Aw, honey. Look, guys, l know the last year hasn't been easy, but I think you're really going to like living in Santa Carla." Mom said as I saw the sign that read ' Welcome to Santa Carla'. As we pass it, I turn to see the back in a graffiti design read, " Murder Capital Of The World."
" Well, if that doesn't scream death. I don't know what does." I said as I twirled a piece of my newly dyed red and black hair.
" You are always superstitious." Michael said as I smirked at him.
" One day it'll make sense to you." I replied as I watched him roll his eyes.
" When your skin gets a tan, I will believe it." Michael said as I just scoffed. Just because I couldn't hold the bronze color of a tan to my skin. Nanook laying his head in my lap.
" Were you able to fix your bike chain before we left?" He asked as I nodded. It was chained next to Michael's bike.
" I'm glad I was able to get help with the engine." I told him as I saw Mom's face with slight worry. She didn't like the fact I owned or rode a bike. I have reassured her a million times that I would be ok. We have tried to mend a mother/daughter relationship in the past, but it's been slow. We had to park to get some gas, it gave me time to step outside and stretch my legs.
" Mom, there's an amusement park right on the beach." Sam says after he got Nanook on his leash.
" Sam, tell those kids to get something to eat." Mom says as she hands him a twenty. I saw that Mom was pointing her finger at some kid's dumpster diving. I leaned on the car as Mom filled up the tank.
" I'm glad you can express yourself, Scarlet. I remember you used to be so small and adorable." Mom said as I looked at my outfit. A black tank top with red roses and some torn-up blue jeans. My favorite red flannel wrapped around my waist. My leather boots cover my feet.
" I've filled out in a lot of ways." I replied as I was referring to my chest and butt.
" I just hope you are smart." She said as I felt my cheeks grow red.
" Mom, I'm eighteen. I don't need the safe sex talk." I said as I covered my ears.
" I'm just making sure." She said as I felt my face get hotter and hotter.
" Would it be okay if I ride the rest of the way?" I asked as I saw her face with that worried look again.
" If Michael can go with." She said as I nodded. If it was the only option, I would suck it up. I walked to the trailer, pulled my bike down, and started her up. Onyx, My 1983 Black Yamaha Virago XV500, was my baby. I had saved up for three summers before I was able to find a bike that screamed 'Badass'.
" Mom letting you ride?" Michael asked as he came back. I smirked at him.
" Only if you ride by." I replied as he smiled. He loved to ride, he got his bike down.
" Last one there springs for gas!" I said as I saw Mom and Sam get in the car.
" You are on Scar!" He yelled as I revved my bike. Mom got back on the road and I followed. Michael was on my ass the entire time, but I made it before he had the chance to park.
" Alright, you win." He said as I was off my bike. I went back to the car and grabbed a box of my favorite books. I walked up to see what looked to be my Grandfather snoozing on the porch.
" Dad? Dad?" Mom says as she tries to shake him awake. I can see his chest slowly rising.
" Looks like he's dead." Michael says as I scoffed.
" Nice joke." I told him as I saw Sam trying to get a decent look.
" No, he's just a deep sleeper." Mom replied as I saw Sam take a step forward.
" If he's dead, can we go back to Phoenix?" Sam asked in anticipation before Grandpa raised his head.
" Playing dead. And from what I heard, doing a damn good job of it too." He said as I saw my mom's face light up with happiness.
" Dad. Oh, Dad." Mom said as she hugged him. He gets up and lets us inside. I see all the taxidermy and get slightly weirded out. I shrugged as I walked into the kitchen and put my box down.
" This is a pretty cool place." Michael said as I saw Sam trailing him.
" For The Texas Chain Saw Massacre." Sam reiterated as I rolled my eyes.
" It's better than nothing. Even though it gives me the creeps." I said as Sam stood by me.
" Come on, Sam, give Mom a break." Michael said as he was carrying his weights and a few boxes on the side.
" What's wrong with this picture? There's no TV. Have you seen a TV? I haven't seen a TV, Mike." Sam said as he looked at our brother.
" You know what it means when there's no TV? No MTV." Sam said as he looked at me for sympathy.
" Sammy, we're flat broke. Scarlet doesn't need a TV when she has her witchy books to read." Michael said as I flipped him off.
" Oh hush Mikey!" I yelled out as he snickered at me.
" It's cool you have a hobby Scar." Sam said as I smirked at him before ruffling his hair.
" Why thank you, Sammy, my favorite brother." I said as he smirked. I see Michael roll his eyes. I grabbed my box and walked upstairs. I see that there were four rooms with signs on them. I walked to the one that said ' Scarlet's room.' As I opened the door, I saw that a bed and shelf were already placed there.
" Choice!" I said to myself as I placed my box near the shelf. After taking the sign off the door, I walked back to the car and got the rest of my stuff in the room. I made my new bed and put up my blackout curtains, I'm more of a night owl than a morning person. I hung up my clothes and put my books on the shelf. I hear Michael and Sam running down the hall.
" Mom. Mom, you've gotta help me." Sam yelled as Michael was still chasing him. I walked down the stairs to see Mom bringing stuff in.
" Hey, guys, no running in the house." She called out as they went past her. I followed them to see that they opened what appeared to be a taxidermy room.
" And that's a big fuck no for me." I said before going out on the porch. I looked out upon the fields as I saw Nanook running around the yard.
" You find your room ok?" Grandpa asked as I was startled by his voice.
" Yeah, wasn't too much trouble." I replied as he stood next to me.
" I saw the books you had in that box. Interesting read." He said as I nodded.
" I always believe in the unnatural. Things aren't always easily explained." I replied to him. He smiled and patted my shoulder.
" I have a few rules around here. 1) The second shelf in the fridge is mine. 2) Don't touch anything, I have it the way I want it." He said as I smiled.
" Hey, on the way here. I saw a sign that said ' Murder Capital Of The World'. Is that true?" I asked as he looked blankly at me.
" A few bad elements but we do have people disappear." He said before leaving. I head back inside and up to my new room. I got on the bed and decided to rest my eyes.
" Hey." Sam's voice echoed into my room. I sat up and looked at him.
" Yeah, what's up?" I asked as he stood in the doorway.
" Do you want to head to the boardwalk later tonight? Michael wants to go and so do I." He asked as I nodded.
" Let me get some shut-eye and I'll go with you guys." I said as he smiled.
" Awesome!" He said before I gave him the thumbs up. He left my room and I curled up. I closed my eyes as I felt the waves of sleep hit me like a bag of bricks.
I never want to grow up! I want to fly in starlight! The child cried out as the forest cried with cheers and revelry. The moon was full and bright as her eyes glinted with wonder and another emotion that couldn't be read.
We can help. Just take a leap! Be our Lost Sister! The boys called out in the distance. Their cheer and sway call to the girl.
Be my Lost Girl. And you'll never have to grow up. A titillating voice called as the girl wondered, the voice clear and alluring to her.