Chapter 2: Something Of A Fresh Start
The Roadside Shop, Main Dirt Road, Fallon Creek, Michigan....
The wind was blowing quite a bit as the red station wagon pulled toward the inner portion of town as both Casey and his mother looked around at the beautiful surroundings in awe. The brooding teen was at least pleased to note that the town had been more or less a smaller city and not some forgotten farmland in the middle of nowhere. There were stores and many other buildings that seemed to put him at ease, the only difference is that everyone would know everyone no matter who came and went in town. Casey sighed unsure whether or not this would have an impact on how he'd go about his day to day and keep his secret. Mrs. Peterson was intent on enjoying their new life as she had finally gotten her son away from those awful bullies whom had been a thorn in her side ever since he started school in that district. Being a highly trained Chef had it's perks and she was able to relocate them once her son was well enough to travel and the house had been sold. It was the final place where she had spent time with her deceased husband, but it had in no way compared to the possible loss of life with her only son.
Cooking for Helen Peterson was more than a career, it was a culinary art form and one she excelled at with flying colors and stainless steel pans. She had first met her late husband Jonathan Allen Peterson due to her cooking and he fell in love with her ever since. It was a charming story, one she told her son every chance she got about the wonderful hot shot lawyer she fell in love with whom stopped into a diner where she worked for lunch one sunny afternoon and the rest translated into a lasting love that she felt every time she looked into the blue eyes of their only son and child.
Casey had seemed to lighten up especially when he took note of his mother's favorite song blasting on the radio via her CD changer. She had a big wide smile plastered across her face as the music began. He wasn't surprised as they had listened to the freshly made CD so much that he too had memorized he songs. The instrumentals for LeAnn Rimes' 1996 classic One Way Ticket (Because I Can), played in the background as they continued their drive through town taking in the sights as they went along singing along to the song despite paying little attention to it.
"And buy a one way ticket on a west bound train...." sang Helen with a smile as she looked over at her formerly brooding son.
"See how far I can go." he sang finishing the lyrics.
{"Because I Can."} chimed the radio in the background.
"I'm gonna go out dancing in the pouring rain..." sang Helen as she drove getting into the overall groove the song provided.
"Talk to someone I don't know." added Casey reluctantly despite loving the song as much as his mother had due to her putting emphasis on the line to begin with.
{"Because I Can."} continued the radio.
"I will face the world around me..." sang Helen as they pulled up toward what appeared to have been the place their new home was located.
"Knowing that I'm strong enough to let you go..." Casey sang before letting the CD finish the remainder of the performance.
He had gotten a real kick out of the song over the years as it was something his other played often when they were going through a rough time in a bid to remind them that brighter days were ahead.
Helen smiled at her son as she pulled the station wagon into the driveway of the massive four bedroom house that she'd purchased via a really good deal following the sale of their former home back in New Jersey.
It was an impressive place, with a large front and backyard, big enough to get a dog and have a pool party if one had a pool built on the property. The fresh coat of white paint made it appear new and the added bonus of his mother sending the movers ahead of time as she furnished the place before bringing Casey along had done wonders in terms of saving time. All they had to do was move in their personal belongings from the house and stick the key in the door.
Casey had been staying with a close family friend for the two weeks his mother had left him to get everything ready, he'd been in their house of course and the friend stayed over, but he was well looked after for the time she'd been away.
Helen smiled again as she put the car into park and they climbed out each looking over their new home and sizing it up for good measure. It was much bigger than the old place that was for sure and had a natural spring nearby so they didn't have to worry about water much. The cool breeze that had come from being so close to the rushing water had done a world of good for the two of them due to how hot the day had been.
The fresh air was quite something as Casey noted the distinct lack of smog and hint of rotten garbage when he took a breath. Helen was determined to ensure that Casey had a long and wonderful life now that they had left the cluttered mess that had been the city for the wide open countryside even with the small town amid them. There were trees galore and the sense of nature having eyes on them as Casey began assisting his mother with loading their things into the house. His old room was quite small back in the city, and selecting a new one was at least something to look forward to when he stepped into the new house. There were many rooms outside the one his mother had chosen for herself to pick from and he settled on the one at the furthest end of the house.
It wasn't much of a surprise to his mother, as he'd been longing for independence for quite some time and being a young man for the most part, he had been entitled to it. She was just pleased that he seemed to be coming around about the new move and set to work getting everything else inside situated as Casey moved about the house exploring as it were and setting up his own room.
The room he picked was quite spacious and seemed to have a good deal more than he was lacking back in the city despite the location. It was something at least in terms of a positive direction. Despite the familiarity of the big city, he didn't have any friends, merely casual acquaintances due to having grown up around them so it wasn't like he actually missed anyone he left behind.
Casey resolved himself to setting up his room for the remainder of the hour while his mother did the same and put away the newly bought groceries. It was a long and busy day of travels and they had a great deal to do before it's end.
As he worked, Casey came to the conclusion that he hadn't too much minded having a fresh start, no one knew him here and he could possibly take the time to reinvent himself with no problems. The more he thought about it, the more he realized how right his mother had been for moving them out of the big city.
Chapter 3: Introducing Mr. Big Bad The Open Woods, Fallon Creek, Michigan.... No sooner had The Petersons pulled away from the old roadside shop, did a young man appearing to be no more than sixteen or seventeen moved about in the woods where the newly arrived resident had come from. The nostrils on the young man, whom had been nearing six feet in height with a lean muscled ripped body, dark black hair, and dark brown eyes made his way toward the tree that had been used for the previous teen boy to relieve himself after such a long time on the open road. The dark haired teen looked to be a bit rough around the edges, with the ripped dark colored jeans, the checkered red and white long sleeve shirt wrapped around his waist and the white men's tank top shirt that was peppered via dirt from his frequent ventures into the woods. He carried a cigarette tucked behind his ear, a silver torch liter and a silver switchblade knife in his back pocket. There was a bit of peach fuzz in the
Chapter 4: The Newest Kid In TownCasey's Bedroom, The Peterson Residence, 1345 North Grand Street, Fallon Creek, Michigan.... Casey could hardly believe it when he finally finished unpacking and passed out on the large four poster bed covered with dark blue bedding and pillows, in the center of the very spacious room. His body seemed to ache all over and he was still exhausted from the long drive, but he was in a much better mood than when he first arrived. The bedding was soft, and familiar as it was what he used on his old bed back at the old house which his room currently smelled of right down to his dirty gym socks in the hamper. Despite the vast space, it was beginning to feel a bit like home. His mother was busy getting the remainder of the house together before she started dinner. She promised him salmon and salad for the evening as she settled into her much more spacious kitchen complete with a black marble isle in the center. They now had a dining area and cupboards ga
Chapter 5: The Old Gloom And DoomThe Clark Residence, Klimt RD, Fallon Creek, Michigan.... The black pickup truck that belonged to one Dee Clark had pulled into the drive of a very spacious tan colored three bedroom house with a large front lawn and an even bigger backyard where one could see the woods. Dee's keen eyes caught sight of the neighbors whom had just moved in across the way and found them to be a welcome sight. It had been ages since any new blood had arrived in Fallon Creek and it was always good to see new people come and appreciate the sights and the location. There were plenty of people passing through at one point mostly due to detours and car troubles that brought them to Old Rusty's mechanic shop down the ways but none ever had the desire to move in on a permanent basis. City life had just been something people were more accustomed to in this day and age. As the truck came to a stop, the brooding dark haired teen in the passenger side sat with his arms folded
Chapter 6: First Impressions Are The Damnedest ThingFallon Creek, Michigan.... With his stomach in a massive jumble of knots, Casey Allen Peterson made his way toward the front of the school that he'd been transferred to by the name of Ridgemont High. It wasn't much different than any other high school he'd been to, but he was quite pleased that nothing had changed all that much. It was at least something he could navigate in terms of familiarity. He had chosen to make himself as presentable as he possibly could given the situation electing to wear a plain white t-shirt, Tanned cargo pants, a dark grey overshirt with pockets and a black leather belt and black hiking boots due to the rugged woodland area. He had his backpack, which was also black casually held onto his back via one shoulder strap and his messy brown hair was purposely combed to resemble spikes as he put on his black sports watch and did his best not to look like a punching bag as he headed out of his bedroom and d
Chapter 7: The Undue Side Effects Of Anxious PressureRidgemont High School, Felton Dr., Fallon Creek, Michigan.... Alarick Michael Channon was in something of a foul mood as he shuffled through the all too familiar halls of Ridgemont High School and toward his morning class. He had not been fond of having to be in this place, the loud noises, the bright lights and the arrogant condescension that came from each and everyone of his teachers who thought their classrooms made them the de facto power of the world had annoyed him to no end. His mood, which had not improved in the last four years following the murder of his entire family, everyone had known the story and they knew what he was like before. In the old days, he was a happy kid, helpful and kind. His test scores gave people something to strive for and his frequent participation in the Summer League for Basketball was the stuff of high school legend. The Channon family always frequented Fallon Creek during their vacations
Chapter 8: Awkwardness At Its FinestFirst Period, Mr. Hizen's Class, Ridgemont High School, Felton Dr., Fallon Creek, Michigan.... All eyes appeared to be on both Rick Channon and Casey Peterson as they both entered the class room one after the other much to the surprise of their resident English teacher Mr. Richard Hizen. He was an average looking man given to warm colored sweaters and long sleeve button down shirts with khaki pants and shiny dress shoes. He had something of a mustache that he seemed to take pride in managing and neat dark brown hair that matched his equally dark brown eyes. He was slightly on the pale size and gave Casey the impression of being closer in appearance to Bert from Sesame Street, as he turned his attention to them and the latest novel he'd chosen to be part of the syllabus for the new semester. Casey made his way toward the final desk after watching the angry older boy sit down in the one farthest from the front and near the window. The class wat
Chapter 9: The Rebel With CauseThe Outside Patio, Ridgemont High School, Felton Dr., Fallon Creek, Michigan.... A cool breeze rushed by Casey as he made his way toward one of the empty tables which happened to be the farthest away from the other students whom were going about their usual day chatting up a storm about any and everything that came to mind or happened in the past few days in an effort to stave off boredom and the surrounding influence of being at school. The table had not been empty for long as none other than Rick Channon came outside and copped a squat near him at the table, tray in hand and a look of annoyance etched across his handsome face. He seemed to be contemplating something, but eventually turned his attention back to eating his meal without a word. Casey had not been much for conversation either as he did his best to eat his lunch while trying not to get on the rather odd teen Rick's bad side. Rick rolled his eyes as he noted the fear that seemed to r
Chapter 10: Fear And ConjectureOpen Field, Ridgemont High School, Felton Dr., Fallon Creek, Michigan.... Cold air surrounded a very nervous and out of his depth Casey Peterson, as he found himself standing in the middle of a grassy field in a bid to get credit for P.E. class. He was dressed in the same short sleeve white t-shirt and dark blue shorts as the other boys complete with the school logo on the side of the leg as he moved about the grassy field. There seemed to be a lot of firsts where Rick Channon had been concerned as he had also dressed for physical education and made it his personal mission to see Casey Peterson eat dirt every chance he got when it came to the physical matchup between the two of them once someone had thrown the ball they were forced to go after. Flag football wasn't exactly Casey's cup of tea so to speak, but he had little choice in the matter given that he was new and needed the credits. He had not been too thrilled to see that Rick Channon also h