As we pulled into our destination the clock on the dash glowed bright, 3:37 am. I get out and stretch my sore muscles while looking at the house in front of me. This isn't where I wanted to come. Daddy and Gramma Lynn stayed away for a reason. But now I have no choice but to turn to the only person I could think of that Rylee would be safe with, since no one has been in contact with Aunt Patricia in almost 2 decades. EvenI had only been to her house the one time. "What are you talking about Catherine? you know this way she'll be hunted her whole life. Is that the life you want for her? To constantly be on the run?" "Of course not, Patty" my mother answers, " But you heard the prophecies, if we stripped her of her powers the world will end, not to mention the ritual would essentially put her body in to stasis, is that any kind of life for her either?" I know they are talking about me, momma layed me on the couch when they started talking, I knew I shouldn't listen but I was a curious child. Realizing I'd been standing there staring at the house for 10 minutes I turn to my sister. She slept most of the way here after we stopped for food, she continued to ask what was happening, and where were we going. I didn't answer her of course, so she pouted until she fell back asleep. I'm not looking forward to waking her up or what will happen after. Even though I have no other choice, they've found us and I can't keep us both safe anymore, sighing I open the car door and wake up Rylee. " Ry, you gotta wake up honey" I shake her shoulder gently. " come on baby we're here". She blinks up at me with her innocent green eyes and nods. As she gets out of the car she examines the house in front of us. I put my arm around her shoulder, "so what do you think" I ask. "It's a lot nicer than our old house who lives here?" I laugh at that "yes it is nicer than our house, this is where we're gonna be staying. They're reatives of my parents" I answer vaguely." Come on, let's get the bags". As we're pulling the bags from the trunk the porch light turns on and the door opens. Turning around I see my Aunt Patricia standing on the porch and for a second I can't control my emotions as tears form in my eyes. She just looks so much like our mother who died when Rylee was born, they were after all identical twins. With a deep shaky breath I get myself slowly under control, and turn back to the trunk. Realizing Rylee pulled all our extra bags and everything out of the trunk I say, "Only bring your stuff in, I'll grab mine in the morning that's just too much to carry at night". Beside her go bag she had 2 duffle bags full of clothes or whatever a 10 yr. old ,"NEEDS!" Lol. It really isn't that much stuff considering what she left behind. Refusing to cry thinking about what is gonna happen next I pick up her bags and walk up the porch steps. "Hello Aunt Patricia, Ry this is our Aunt". I say. "hi" Rylee says without looking up from her shoes. "sorry she's a little shy" I give a half smile and follow Rylees future into the house. "Can you show us where Rylees room is please?" " Sure, it's just down here" we file down the hallway and come to a stop at the second door on the right. It has huge double doors though Aunt Patricia only opens one of them, and gestures gallantly at the room "WELCOME HOME SWEETHEART!" She exlaims. Rylee rolls her eyes at me as if to ask what is wrong with her? I studder into a laughing cough trying to cover the laughter but I don't think Aunt Patricia bought it, as she gives me a stern glance she ushers Rylee into her new room. I glass around the room is girly but not overtly so there's a desk with a lamp and notebooks stacked on top. A lite purple couch in the corner matches the comforter and pillows there is another set of double doors on the opposite wall of the couch where I assume the closet is. To my left across from the bed is a dresser and another single doorway that leads to the en suite I can see the same purple color on the counters in there, but since I can only see about a foot into the room I can only assume the rest of the bathroom matches. Turning my attention back to the room I see Rylee has found the closet and is in heaven as Patricia tells her that the clothes are all for her. I give her a few more minutes to gush over her new clothes before I finally step in and say " Rylee baby, it's time for bed" "No not yet , mom please? we just got here" she has her bottom lip out begging me to let her stay up. Just as I'm about to tell her no my aunt Patricia surprisingly yelps "Mom?" looking at both of us like we've lost our minds. With a what the hell is wrong with you look on her face Rylee answers first "yes, mom, isn't that what you call your mother?" By the time she's done Aunt Patricia is looking at me and I swear if it were possible she'd have steam coming out of her ears that's how pissed she is. "Of course it is darling" she manages through clenched teeth and half smile. "Okay" clapping my hands I get Rylees attention, " Come on sweetheart it's late and you need to sleep I'll see you in the morning" I give her a hug and hold on a few seconds longer than normal, not knowing when or even if I'll ever see her again. Standing quickly I kiss the side of her head and turn around walking away from the only person I care about.
Aunt Patricia and I sit at the kitchen island and wait for Rylees to fall asleep so I can do the last thing I can to save her before I leave. 45 min later as I pull my bag out of the trunk, the one that hold half of who I am and all the utensils I'll need for what comes next, I fall apart. Slamming the trunk and dropping the bag I look at the sky and scream, I scream my breaking heart, I scream because after this Rylee won't even know who I am, I scream because it's not fucking fair, and I scream because fair or not I know I don't have a choice. When my voice is finally hoarse and my throat hurts I pick up my bag and walk into the house for the last time.