Chapter 70 - Departure

Sleeping soundly in my bed, I thought I heard, 'knock, 'knock', but I thought it was part of the dream I was having. I'm having the kind of dream, where I'm at my old farm house. I just walked up the gravel driveway, up to the white, with blue trim 2-story farm house. I knock on the red door and my mom answers. I'm greeted with her warm smile and she motions me to come in. I follow her in. "Hi mom!" I said to her but she doesn't say anything back. "Mom?" Dahlia says once more. Her mom doesn't say anything again. She goes to tap her mom on the shoulder and when she does, she's transported to the day of her transformation. Dahlia is looking down on her dying mother and she can feel the pain swell up inside her. Dahlia's not in wolf form, and she is cradling her mom. Off from somewhere distance she hears; "Dahlia...Dahlia...Dahlia...Dahlia!". Her eyes shoot open. Dahlia peeks her head out of her blanket burrito, to be greeted with her dad standing before her. "Dad?" Dahlia said. "Are you okay?" my dad asks. "I....I...think I was dreaming of mom again" Dahlia said. "I thought something was up, I tried knocking on the door and you didn't respond. I came in after the 5th attempt and you were whimpering and yelling in your sleep. So, I was shaking you and calling your name" my dad said. "Oh, I'm sorry dad" Dahlia replied. "Tell me about it on the way. We unfortunately have to get going. I'll leave you get dressed. Meet me in the kitchen in 10 minutes" my dad said gently. I nod my head in compliance and fight off my cocoon. I walk to my closet and grab a new pair of sweats and a heavy jacket. It may be Summer time for us now, but dad said it's winter in Rome. I walk to my vanity and thrash a brush through my hair. I'm going to be stuck on a plane, who care what I look like. I make my way out of my room and head straight for the kitchen. I don't want to be tardy because I was stuck in a dream; well nightmare. I reach the kitchen and Jackson, Paige and my dad are waiting for me. "All ready to go?" my dad asks. "Yeah, sorry about this morning" Dahlia said frustrated. "It's alright, the bags are already on board, thanks to Jackson" my dad said. "Okay great, let's head out!" Dahlia said. We are barely ahead of schedule, the time is 1:40am and it's pitch black outside. We reach the mansion doors and head out straight to the docks. The summer air, hugs my face with it's warm breeze. The walk to the docks is pretty silent. We must all lost in our own thoughts. We reach the docks and the pack Captain waves to us. "You guys are early" he announces. "Hey it's better than late!" my dad says jokingly. "watch your step, getting into the boat. The breeze is causing crashing waves but our travels will be safe" The Captain says. "Okay, sounds great" my dad said. Jackson hops up first and he helps the rest of us board the speed boat. I've never been on a speed boat, I am kind of nervous because of the shipwreck. We get on the boat and the Captain says "Hold on" and Takes off. At this point I was praying to all the gods. The ride was bumpy and I could feel myself get sick to my stomach. I'm not going to throw up, I'm not going to throw up! A little past an hour went by and we reached the mainland dock. "Thank the gods" Dahlia said. She didn't even wait for the Captain to come to a complete stop before she jumped over the front and landed on the beach. You remember how she kept thinking to herself that she wouldn't throw up? Dahlia's body betrayed her anyways and she was throwing up all over the beach like a spring break college student. "Dahlia are you okay? my dad asked worried. "Note to self, no more boat rides" Dahlia says with a slight chuckle. My dad laughs too. "You know how unrealistic that is right" my dad says rasing an eyebrow at me. "For now, let me think I don't have too" Dahlia said. "You'll be fine I brought some nausea medication with me. You probably will be again once we are up in the air. Let us get to the driver so you can lay down and rest" my dad said. I just nod my head yes, still feeling green. We walk up to the parking lot of the dock, there's a giant blacked out SUV waiting. "Load the bags" my dad said to Jackson. Jackson rushes in front of us, carrying all of our bags. He's also gently escorting my dress to the SUV. "Let us hurry" The driver says. All I know, is that it's too early for all this. My dad opens the door and let's me climb in first. I wait for them to enter and then I lay across my dad's lap. My dad gently strokes my hair. He already knows how big of a baby I can get after I throw up. The driver has a lead foot and races us to the airport. We arrive a little later than expected, due to traffic. The time now reads; 4:09am. As you'd expect my dad isn't pleased. The driver pulls up to the yellow lanes indicated for drops off. Jackson hops out first and grabs a bag trolley. "Everything is ready to go" Jackson stated. We exit the SUV and my dad thanks the driver. My dad then ushers us inside to the get checked in. He rushes up to the counter to confirm our arrival, seats and tickets. I'm in the waiting area and I can hear him get up set. "What do you mean our tickets have changed!?" my dad shouted. I watch as he seems to calm down, as the clerk gives her explanation. A few minutes later, my dad comes stomping over to us. Clearly he's upset, let us hope it's nothing serious. "Plans have changed" my father said with anger. "Changed how" Dahlia asked. "Courtesy of Lord Ulrich, we will be using his private jet" my dad said. "Oh wow!" Dahlia said, now understanding her father's frustration. My dad is pacing, he gets this way when he's trying to understand a situation. "Lord Ulrich, insisted we use his jet, getting us there in 9 hours. Something feels off" my dad said. "Well, we knew it wouldn't be easy, the gives us nearly, half a day to see Rome" Dahlia said. "This is where it gets interesting. Lord Ulrich, canceled my hotels plans and he left a $5,000 visa gift card for our inconvenience. We are to say at the castle, until the ball, per Lord Ulrich's demands" my dad said. "We won't know what the agenda is, until we get there" Dahlia said. "I guess your right" my dad said defeated. "I just hope it's not more bullshit!" my dad said nearly yelling. "Relax dad, we can make it through anything" Dahlia said with optimism. As we are sitting there taking in our new travel plans you hear over the intercom. "Flight 0920 to Roma, is now ready for boarding. Flight 0920, is ready for boarding". 'Click' and the intercom shuts off. "Looks like that us" my dad says as he shows us the new flight number, printed on the new tickets. We only have carry-ons so we grab our bags and head for the gate. Well, here goes nothing. What the hell is waiting for us in Rome?