by KC Kean
“We knew we had overstayed here, but we had finally found somewhere that we all settled. Your father and I agreed we would let you finish your senior year in the same place, and we would move when it came time for college.” Brushing her loose blonde hair back off her face, I can see the regret in her grey eyes at thinking they could offer me that luxury. “They found us on Saturday night, Eden. And now we do as they say, or we face the same fate as him.”
Him being my father, I assume as I stare out at the street, in utter shock at the whole fucked-up situation.
Swiping a hand down my face, I try to calm my racing heart, but it’s no use.
“So, why do I have to go to Knight’s Creek?”
Standing, she braces her hands on the wooden railing that surrounds the porch. With a heavy sigh, she looks out across the garden. “Because it’s what they want, and they always get what they want. As much as I don’t want to give into them, I also want to see you alive and breathing, Eden. They’ve already taken enough from us, and I refuse to let them take anymore.”
Frowning at her back, I can’t stop my voice from rising. “You expect me to just give into them? To live in a town where I know someone played a part in killing my dad? Are you crazy? Let’s go, let’s run again.”
“We have no other option, Eden. They’re sitting in the SUV parked across the street, waiting for you to climb into your G-Wagon, or to force you into their vehicle if you don’t. But the latter option comes with a bullet between my eyes too.” Her voice cracks, and my heart all but stops as I frantically search the road, spotting the SUV just like she said.
Bolting from my seat, my mom grabs my arm before I can step off the porch. “Let go, Mom. I’m going to show these assholes they can’t just go around doing as they please,” I growl out, but her grip on me only tightens.
“Eden, we can’t act rashly. Did you forget the part where I said they killed your father and had the case closed before it even began?” she pleads, and I stop trying to pull away.
Glaring back at the SUV, I feel like I’m drowning. “We can’t do nothing, Mom,” I state, refusing to let these people destroy my family.
“I know, Eden. I’m not saying we will, but we need to let them think they’re winning, and to do that, we must play by their rules. For now.” Rubbing my arm in comfort, I turn my gaze to my mom.
“Do you have some secret life I don’t know about where you’re a secret agent or a damn ninja? Because I don’t see how we are going to play them at their own game and come out alive if they’re as bad as you say.”
“We’ll figure this out. We always do,” she responds, ignoring my sarcasm as her gaze flickers back to the SUV.
“So, you want me to go to Knight’s Creek and do what exactly?”
She visibly swallows, blinking back tears as she answers. “They want you to stay at the Freemont house and attend Asheville High for your senior year.”
Squeezing the bridge of my nose, I try to calm myself. “They must want more than that, Mom.”
“I’m sure of it too.” She nods in agreement. “But they haven’t given me anything else.”
“And where will you be while I’m sent to live in the snake's den?” I try to ask calmly, but there’s a harshness to my tone I can’t shift.
“Wherever they want me to be,” she answers back solemnly, and I squeeze my fists at my side, feeling my fingernails mark my palms.
“This is a lot of bullshit, Mom. Please, just please get in the car with me. The G-Wagon is fast as hell. I’ll be able to put some distance between us,” I beg, feeling my body tremble as fear begins to coat my skin.
The passenger door on the SUV swings open, and I instantly feel the panic from my mom as she suddenly starts pushing me down the steps of the porch, and I stumble over my own feet.
“What the fuck,” I grunt, pulling on my mom’s arm to turn her around, but the tears streaming down my mother’s face makes my anger waiver.
“Get in the car, Eden,” she pleads, continuing to push me over to my black G-Wagon parked on the driveway. “I’ve packed all your clothes and restocked all your cosmetics. You have everything you need ready for school too. It’s all in the trunk.”
Reaching my car, she pulls my keys from her pocket, fumbling with them as she tries to unlock it.
“Mom, calm down.”
“I can’t calm down, Eden,” she cries. “If you don’t get in the car now, they’re either going to start shooting or take you kicking and screaming anyway. And I raised you to keep your head held high. I refuse to let them have the satisfaction of taking you against your will.”
“Who the hell are they? And why the fuck isn’t your head held high? We’re giving in to them. That doesn’t show any backbone, does it?” I yell back, my heart in my chest as I feel my mother pushing me away.
“Get in the car, Eden!” she screams, opening the door and trying to push me into the driver’s seat. A part of me registers that her actions are out of fear, and I hold onto that as I step up into my seat and watch as she quickly slams the door shut behind me.
Putting my key in the ignition, I lower my window. “Mom—”
“She’s going. She’s going,” she shrieks, her back against the door as she talks to whoever is sitting in the SUV with her arms waving in the air, but the driver’s side door opens too. “Please, Eden. Please,” my mom begs, whirling around to face me, her hands sneaking in through the window to cup my cheeks. “I’ve put the address into the GPS for you. Please, just go.”
My heart feels like it’s about to pound out of my chest. I don’t want to give in to these psychotic assholes, but the pain in my mom’s eyes encourages me to start the car.
“Who are these people?”
“It doesn’t matter. As long as you stay at the Freemont house and finish school in Knight’s Creek, they’ll leave you alone,” she sobs, pulling my face closer to hers so she can bring our foreheads together.
“You can’t know that, Mom,” I whimper, feeling the emotions wash over me.
“I know, I know, but I have to hold on to that hope. Now go,” she orders, kissing my forehead and stepping back from the G-Wagon. “Just know I always loved you, with all of my heart. We both did.”
Tears stream down my face as I glance over at the SUV, another door opening and adding to their threat.
Fuck.
Nodding at my mom, my family, my life, I reverse out of the driveway.
I want to ram my fucking car straight into the SUV and send us all to hell, but I know that wouldn’t work.
Watching as my mother sobs, her hand on her chest as she encourages me to go, I turn on to the road. A quick glance in my rearview mirror shows the SUV doors shut as I move farther away from the house. My heart burns as I see my mother sag to the ground.
I will fix this. I will figure this shit out, right under their noses, and make them regret the pain they’ve rained down on my family.
4
Eden
The navigation system tells me I’m twenty minutes out from the address my mom put into the system, so I pull into the gas station up ahead to give myself a minute.
Five hours. I’ve been driving for five hours, my heart breaking with every mile I cover. I’m so confused right now. What the fuck is my life, and why the hell is any of this happening to me?
I’ve tried calling my mom so many times, getting more panicked each time the line went to voicemail. Until she finally sent me a text letting me know she was okay but couldn’t talk.
Couldn’t talk? I was crossing states against my will to travel to a town I didn’t want to be in because suddenly, our lives are in danger.
From the hints of truths she spilled, maybe we have always been in danger and I’ve just been sheltered from it. It kind of justifies why we have never stayed in the same place for very long—we were on the run. Yet I still don’t know from who.
Filling the G-Wagon up with gas, I grab my favorite bag of Swedish Fish and a bottle of peach iced tea. S
itting in silence, I contemplate my life. Less than a week ago, I was living my life, partying with Lou-Lou, and relaxing in the sun. Now I’m almost four hundred miles away from where I last called home. Alone. I hope my black Amex continues to work, otherwise I have no idea how I’ll get by.
My eyes scan the backseat of my SUV, which is piled high with suitcases and boxes. I still can’t believe my mom packed everything I own while I slept.
With a sigh, I put the car into drive and continue to follow the directions. My eyes have flickered in my rearview mirror the whole way, watching to see if I’m being followed. But I was fucking stupid and didn’t glance at their license plate, and there are black SUVs everywhere.
I don’t have the energy to connect my music account up, so I opt to listen to the radio instead. “Fairytale” by Livingston begins to thrum through the speakers, and my heart almost stops. This probably isn’t the right time to hear these lyrics, but it’s fucking ironic and I can’t seem to turn it off.
I’ve come to the realization that I need to learn what the hell is going on, why my parents were forced to hide with me, and then I can figure a way out of this mess.
No more being the naïve Eden I have been. I need to wear my resting bitch face like a mask. I don’t need any attachments or connections with people here. I just need to dig all of this shit up and find a solution. Why are we being threatened and murdered?
Clearly, there is more to my own mom and dad than I’ve ever been aware of, and as much as I don’t always see eye to eye with my mom, I’d rather be with her than in some town with complete strangers.
Driving down a quiet road lined with nothing but palm trees, I spot a sign up ahead.
WELCOME TO KNIGHT’S CREEK
Where the sun shines bright, and the waves crash hard.
A shiver runs down my spine. Hopefully, it’s not a metaphor for anything. But my gut tells me my simple life is gone forever.
Following the directions, the scenery slowly starts to change as the town center comes into view. Shops, bars, restaurants, it has everything. A lot seem to be small businesses, but there is the occasional designer label dotted around as well.
I don’t miss the In-N-Out Burger drive-through, and I make a mental note to visit there as soon as I can. I’ll be able to research better with a burger in hand.
My speed slows as I notice the most stunning view up ahead—the ocean. Tingles zing up my arms at the sight. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to see the ocean, feel the waves crash on my legs and my toes dig into the sand.
What on earth ever made my mom and dad leave this place? Because right now, I can’t seem to see a single reason. Knight’s Creek is stunning.
With each turn I take, I find myself heading closer and closer to the water, and even under these extreme circumstances, I’m excited at the prospect of being so close. My excitement is instantly cut short with guilt. Guilt for being so damn selfish. But if I have to be here, I at least deserve something to make me smile, I think.
The houses are getting bigger, and as big as my house was back in Arizona, these are seriously next level. They all have direct access to the beach.
“Six hundred feet on your left, and you have reached your destination.”
My excitement instantly fizzles out as I remember why I’m here and the unknown world that waits for me at this house.
Pulling to a stop a few houses away, I stare at the Freemont house. Why would I have to stay here? What significance does this hold?
Dammit. I have so many questions and nowhere near enough answers, but the only way I’ll get them is if I grow some big ass ovaries and find out.
My phone vibrates on the dashboard, pulling my attention from the house. I pray it’s my mom, but it’s Lou-Lou’s name that flashes across the front.
I haven’t spoken to her since the night of the party. I’ve sent quick one-worded responses via text, but that’s it. I’ve been too busy mourning my father’s death and sinking in self-pity to offer anything more.
Right now, though, I could use some of her sass to fire me up.
Swiping the screen, I answer her call and place her on speakerphone all at once.
“Hey, Lou,” I murmur, and I hear her gasp in surprise that I’ve answered.
“Don’t ‘hey, Lou’ me like you haven’t been avoiding my calls,” she grouches, and I shake my head.
“Would you rather I said, what the fuck do you want, Lou? My dad’s dead, and I’m suddenly sitting on the coast of California with my life literally flipped upside down?”
My snark is greeted with pure silence, and I instantly feel like a bitch.
“I’ve tried to call and support you about your dad, Eden, and it’s because of that I’ll let your attitude slide. But what the fuck are you doing in California? I thought you might appreciate a party and some alcohol. Help forget all your worries for a minute, but I can’t offer that if you’re so far away.”
Pulling invisible lint from my hoodie, I regret my mother’s choice of clothing this morning, wishing for nothing more than being able to do just that with her.
“I don’t even know myself, to be honest, Lou. It seems there is a lot about my life I’m unaware of,” I mutter, finding no relief in talking to someone.
“Well, can you not come back home?” she asks, and I can hear laughter in the background. Likely her brother and his gang causing a riot again, their usual banter filtering through the phone.
“I don’t think White River ever really was my home,” I admit, leaning my head back against the headrest and taking a deep breath. Lou-Lou has lived in the same house since she was born. She doesn’t understand the normalcy of moving homes, restarting life. I do. “And now I’m apparently at my new temporary home for the foreseeable future.”
“What in the motherfucking hell has happened, Eden?” Her choice of curse words almost brings a smile to my lips, but the sight of someone opening the front door of my new home draws my attention.
“I don’t know, Lou, but I’ll try to keep you up to date. I’ll call soon.”
Ending the call, I watch as an older guy, around my parent’s age, walks to the end of the driveway and looks directly at my SUV. Hands on his hips, he glances down at his feet as if composing himself, swipes at his face before nodding his head. With one quick sweep, he waves his hand in my direction, encouraging me forward.
How the hell does he know I’m here? Or who I am?
I can see the strain on his face from here, and it’s that look that has me crawling forward and pulling into the driveway, as he indicates.
My heart pounds in my chest, and my palms sweat as I feel his eyes staring me down, waiting for me to exit the SUV. I take a deep breath and paste on a blank face, not wanting anyone to see my emotions.
Opening the door, I slowly slip from the vehicle, leaving the door open as I come to stand at the hood, looking at the guy standing on the other side. His eyes are swollen, and his face red as he tries to look at me. His temples are peppered with grey hairs that run into his overgrown beard. His blue eyes look sadder than mine, and I didn’t think that was possible.
Has he been crying?
Clearing his throat, he looks off into the distance. “You must be Eden. I’m, uh, Richard.”
I don’t know what this man is going through, but I can feel his pain from here.
“Yeah, that’s me,” I mumble, wringing my hands nervously in front of me. “Why am I here?” I ask, not wanting to waste time on small talk.
His deep blue eyes burn into mine as he rubs the back of his neck. “Because they deem it so. Don’t let the false pretenses of this town trick you, Eden. As pretty as it may look at first glance, it’s rotten to the core. We’re all puppets in their bigger games, and they take fun in playing with our lives.” Turning, he walks back to the front door, pausing just before he steps back inside. “Make yourself at home. Your room is the third door to the right on the top floor.”
With that, he’s gone, and I’m l
eft by my SUV even more confused than I already was.
Does he just expect me to go in there? He didn’t even let me ask if he knew anything about my father’s death. Shit. Did he have something to do with it? Fuck. I can feel a migraine coming on. I think I’m still in shock with the past week, so I don’t know how to handle anything. My mind is overwhelmed and crashing at the same time.
Nausea turns my stomach as I realize how alone I really am. I can’t trust anyone.
“Miss Eden?”
Whipping my head back around to the door, another man is standing politely with his hands behind his back. He looks like house staff, wearing a cream polo top and chino shorts.
“Uh, that’s me,” I offer, and he nods his head with a sad smile I just can’t seem to place.
“Miss, I’m Stevens. If you would like to follow Mr. Richard’s directions to your room, we’ll have all of your things brought to you in no time.”
Glancing at my belongings in the SUV, I consider my options. Where else am I supposed to go? It’s not like I can go back to White River to be with my mom. I don’t even know where she is.
With a resigned sigh, I grab my phone and head for the door.
Finally taking a deeper look at the house before me, its sleek lines and overall pearl white exterior walls are filled with floor-length glass windows, offering a sneak peek inside the formal house. The driveway continues to lead down to the beach. Light fixtures line the way, in between little shrubs planted all the way down the slope at the side of the house.
The sound of the waves crashing in the distance, on the other side of the house, is what draws me closer. The sea breeze ruffles my hair as I sweat beneath my hoodie. Stepping through the double-doored entry, I have to stop my jaw from hitting the floor when I see it leads straight into a huge open space.
The opposite wall is pure glass, offering the most amazing view of the ocean, with a huge pool and lawn space in between. The entire first floor is an open plan, with two sets of stairs leading both up and down to my left. The open space is broken down into a huge den, the largest sofa I have ever seen takes up most of the space, and the most amazing television to watch football hangs on the wall.