Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)(13)
My bedroom was fairly bland for a teenage girl. I didn’t see the point to decorating a room that was literally just a cube I slept in. The headboard of my twin size bed rested against the far wall. A nightstand stood to the left side of the bed with a small lamp and alarm clock on top. A dresser hid behind an overly large bookcase overflowing with books. To the right of my bed was a small walk in closet that was mostly empty. On the opposite side of the room was a large bay window that opened up onto a miniature terrace. Not surprisingly, the terrace was my favorite spot and housed some patio furniture and a tiny space heater for brisk nights
Maye and Ash thought that my room represented my need to remain apart from the family and they altered it slightly to make it seem more lived in. The picture frames of my friends and family were placed on my dresser by Ash and the flowery quilt with matching drapes had been Maye’s addition. I came home one day from a hike through the woods to find the surprises in my room. Each time I saw their personal touches; I couldn’t help but think that they were symbols of love and the only items I cherished.
My bedspread was twisted, as I moved to the Carrie Underwood song on my MP3 player. I was lying on my belly, attempting to write a biography on Marie Antoinette. It would be more interesting if it was a biography about Carrie, but I had a feeling my history teacher wouldn’t be too happy with that.
I looked up to find Maye peeking through the doorway with a smile on her face; her wrinkles in stark contrast to her emerald eyes. They were not to be outdone by the crease between her eyebrows, which announced the impending serious conversation.
“How was your day, darling?” She moved forward to sit on the edge of my bed, while I put my pen down.
“Which part do you want to hear about first, the part when I am fairly sure I flunked my calculus test, or when Izzy brought us to a gothic clothing store to torture us, and we ended up loving it?”
Maye let loose a startling laugh, “Please tell me, you are not going to begin coating your eyes in black coal and walking around looking like a corpse.” When I didn’t say anything she raised her eyes in a disbelieving stare.
“Well, I did buy clothes, but they’re not exactly the typical gothic look. I think you would approve and they actually suit me.” I shrugged, as I pushed my homework aside. “Is that really why you came up here?”
Maye chuckled, “You’re too smart for me; you always were.” She sighed. “I am assuming you saw the text I sent you earlier today?” I was silent, but nodded in ascent. “Good. I found a buyer for your parents’ home, but I think that we need to make a visit to the house before we sell it.”
“Why? It’s not like I want anything that belonged to them!” My anger began bubbling up and Maye looked around in surprise to see my furniture shaking in response. “That house is supposed to be, what…a legacy from them? It’s a legacy I want nothing to do with.” I ground my teeth, and sat up to look at Maye. I tried to calm my anger and saw the furniture’s shaking dwindle to miniature spasms.
“Child, I am not bringing you there for your parents’ legacy. I am bringing you there for your ancestral legacy. You shouldn’t turn your back on your ancestors just because your parents took a dark path.” Maye fixated me with a stern look, and shook her head in disappointment. “You of all people should know not to judge someone by who they are related to. Your line is filled with extraordinary witches who have passed down heirlooms that belong to you.”
“Couldn’t you just go and bring me back whatever you think I should have?” Silence greeted my question, and I hesitantly began to explain, “I’m not sure I can face that place again. I don’t know what it will do to me. Please don’t ask me to do this.” My head bowed in personal shame at admitting my weakness.
“Darling, I will be with you. Your parents are gone; they can’t hurt you. All that is left to bring you pain are the memories. If you face those, you’ll be free. You can’t spend the rest of your life hiding from yourself; always afraid that your memories will incapacitate you, and they will if you continue to bury them.” She gripped my hand, while her eyes flowed with a river of emotion.
“Why do I need to face the memories in that house? They already plague me every night in my dreams? I can’t escape them.”
Maye looked disappointed, “Sweetheart, you know I love you, and part of loving someone means that sometimes you need to save them from their self. You are not confronting the memories in your dreams. The nightmares are your minds attempt at repressing demons that refuse to leave.”
“Okay, okay. You win, but before I agree to go, you have to promise me one thing. If I want to leave, we leave. I’ll face my demons, but on my terms.”
“Agreed.” She smiled and kissed my forehead. “If you were strong enough to become the woman you are, after being subjected to such evil, you can overcome any obstacle.” She walked slowly from the room and closed the door behind her.
Her faith in me was eternal. I never knew unconditional love and support until I came here. Maye and Ash had given me more than a home; they took my fractured soul and somehow pieced it back together. The damage was still done, but now I knew I could survive. I wouldn’t fail them.
My body became overwhelmingly lethargic. It was as though the stress that had built up over the course of a lifetime was suddenly slamming down on my shoulders, and forcing me to kneel before the memories. My eyes drifted shut and I passed into a dark sleep filled with nightmares. My mind swam with blurry images of my parents committing horrendous acts, and switched to visions of red eyes following me as I ran for safety. I continuously turned and each time I was confronted with a new image that left me whimpering beneath the sheets. I was becoming fitful, when something cool grazed my cheek. A soothing sound quieted me into a restful sleep and I was at peace.