(0.4): The Message.

'Its you.'

Those words have replayed in mind over and over again.

The encounter I had with that elderly woman was both strange and intriguing. The words she spoke were like an unveil of my layers. A few things did confuse me, making me curious of what lies ahead in this place for me.

It hasn't been a full on week and already strange things have taken place.

I do wish I had gone after her and demanded answers. Instead, my concern for making mom worry more than she did this morning, made everything else seem less important.

It's amazing how one encounter shifted my whole day and now as we drive back home, my thoughts center back to the words spoken by that woman.

'Your desires come with a price ' As she said those words, a chill had travelled along my spine.

Such words carried something so eerie in them, I've started to doubt things I've claimed to want and need.

Throughout the trip back home, I've been going over scenarios, trying to place all that was said to me and match up everything.

Is there something in me that I need to learn about? A desire so strong that it made me pursue it too hard? I don't think so.

What comes to mind is the desire to be better, after the traumatic experience of an animal attack. I can't seem to recall having any other desire.

Thinking back to my childhood and what I can recall, which is very little by the way, I remember never wanting to be alone. No matter what may happen, the desire to never be alone was the greatest of them all as a child.

Growing up, I genuinely believed that there was something strange about me. I've always felt out of place, somewhat an alien among the ordinary. I've been surrounded by those who had it all figured out, while I looked forward to the next day.

The possibility of a better tomorrow seemed like a luxury in my eyes.

To belong somewhere and call that place home, was like a dream to a young me. A dream turned into a reality because of Elena Davies, who I now call my mother.

In her view, she never saw a child needing a new home but a daughter meant to come home with her. My childhood memories have been a blur due to the impact of a car accident. It affected my brain while I was young, but I know that I lost my parents when I was just a baby.

I've been moved from place to place, with different people taking care of me before I finally found a place to call home. Uncle Johnathan knew me before I stepped foot into Elena's home. Strangely enough, the memories from back then, that I can gather, is that he's part of that journey.

Uncle Johnathan and I have not gone in depth with my past or my life in general. We've talked, yes, but I've settled on the fact that my parents died in a car accident when I was young and nothing else.

A certain fear lies in the unknown, the many tales that link to who my parents were and the life they led. I'm afraid to open that door, because then, I'd open the floodgates of questions and curiosity.

A certain part of me was also afraid of offending my mother, if I ever enquired about my biological parents. It would hurt my heart to know that I planted a seed of doubt in her as a parent, all because I sought out answers about my biological parents. I don't want to hurt her and myself in the process.

The journey of seeking the truth is never easy and I'm not strong enough at the moment.

I have a family and don't see the need to look for more. Despite the differences, not blood related being the obvious, differences in skin colour with her being white and I, being of colour. We are still mother and daughter.

'We are pretty people.' She would always say.

She's always shown love for my long dark brown hair with blonde highlights, hazel doll like eyes as she's complimented me each time and 5'9 height and slightly curvy physique. I've admired her blonde hair which she's made lighter before we moved here, her pools of blue eyes and her heart shaped face. Her pretty smile has made a house feel like home. Her sweet voice has called me in times I've almost lost myself in the chaos.

She's been a parent through and through and I never want her, to think otherwise.

I've tried by all means to not let her worry, but she seems to do it anyway. Even now as we arrive home, I can tell that she wants to say something but clearly doesn't know where to begin.

" Casey?"

I turn to her.

" Did something happen in town while you were alone?"

Yes.

" Not really, I only got lost a couple of times and that bothered me."

" You'll get used to the place."

" Hmm." I nod.

" Hey, if something bothers you, tell me okay?"

I nod again before leaving the car.

I swallow down the guilt that claws at my insides. I've kept quite a bit from her already.

I haven't been the most honest.

Why has keeping things to myself been easier than releasing myself off the burden, from hiding them?

Mom and I move as quickly as we can, taking everything we bought inside the house. The clouds are darkening and it's possible that it might rain soon.

During this time, the sound of a car driving near captures our attention. I face the direction of where that sound comes from and I see a car, pull up at the house across the street.

It's one of those old Mercedes Benz.

I watch as three people exit the car, a tall guy who looks to be older than I am, a girl around my age wearing a dark hoodie with jeans and white sneakers, and of course an elderly woman. Their home is one of the three houses across the street but occupied. I know it's only the first proper day since we've moved here, but I thought we would have seen movement from either the houses. Well, I did see the owner of the other house and they had a uniform on, so they must not be home much.

Not wanting to be caught staring, I turn away and head inside the house.

It's better I mind my own business.

' A quiet life.' This is most important.

That has a price too.

This crosses my mind too as I enter my room. It pulls me to a stop.

" No, don't think about it." I tell myself.

By the time I return downstairs to the kitchen, for a drink of water, I notice that mom continued on without me. A look outside the window shows mom in the middle of a conversation with the people from across the street. It's the older woman and the girl around my age, the guy stands far behind them, busy scrolling on his phone.

A closer look at him and the scar under his eyes is the thing I notice first on his small face, his dirty blonde hair peeks under his cap. He is more on the lean side and his light blue jeans and grey shirt frames his tall frame.

Moving my eyes over to the girl, she quietly stands there as her guardian, I assume, talks to my mother. She looks like she'd rather be anywhere but there right now. Shifting side to side on her heel and aimlessly pull at her sleeves. Her black hair almost covers her face but when she pushes it behind her ear, I get a look at her face.

Her skin tone is much more darker than that of the guy and the woman. She is a little taller than I am from where I am standing, when she looks up momentary, glancing around, I catch sight of her dark eyes.

'I wonder if she attends the same school as I will later?'

The sudden feeling of being watched knocks me out of my thoughts and I quickly meet eyes belonging to that guy. His attention is on me and the phone is nowhere in sight.

To think that he will look away when I return his gaze, but no, he doesn't. I feel rather awkward and uncomfortable with the way he is just staring back at me. He even tilts his head to the side as if daring me of something.

I place the glass in the sink and walk away.

" Oh Casey, come here for a minute." I internally sigh as I step out of the house, exposing myself.

I walk down the porch steps and head on over to my mom, standing next to her. She soon introduces me to the woman first, who clearly resembles the girl with her skin tone, oval shaped face and dark hair. Even the height.

The elderly woman is Ms Arian. She is the aunt to Mia(who so happens to be the girl).  I can tell that she is shy and awkward but still nods my way with a small smile. Introductions with the guy have me frowning a little, all because I notice the small twitch of his lips, as if something he knows something I don't.  I learn that his name is Carter and he's Mia's half brother.

I don't know what it is about Carter, but his vibe makes me a little uncomfortable.

I only mumble a 'hello' and I can't remember what else before I excuse myself, making my escape. I disappear into the house with a pair of eyes following my every move.

Later, around the evening, both mom and I are settled and having take out. Cooking didn't seem like an option, because we are exhausted from the day.

With mom expected to start work soon especially after a smooth transfer, I am aware that we will be back to the same old routine. Being in the medical field as a nurse, she's always on the move and by the time she returns, she's exhausted and ready for bed.

On off days, she would always try to make time for me but even then, the exhaustion on her face would make me force her to get into bed and receive good rest.

I believe she had this in mind tonight, wanting to take advantage of the time we have together. We settle for a rom com, which is her favourite by the way. I let her have it, being the least interested on watching anything tonight.

Anticipation creeps into my system when I receive a call and it's from uncle Johnathan. I'm reminded of his words from earlier  in the day. He said he'd call and somehow it slipped my mind.

I slip away to my room, telling mom on the way that he's calling.

" Uncle Johnathan."

" Casey, how are you?"

" I'm fine."

I sit on my window seat and look outside the window and wait for his next words.

" How was your first night?" Straight to the point.

" I-it was okay." Not really. " A little unfamiliar."

" Make sense, it was only the first night and it will take some time to adjust." He reassures me.

I'm tempted to mention what happened earlier today. The encounter I had with that elderly lady and what she said, has not left my mind.

The words are at the tip of my tongue, but something keeps holding me back.

" The house is definitely bigger than our last one."

" Do you like it?"

I take a minute before giving my answer.

" Ask me this after a month and I'll tell you."

He chuckles, " okay."

We are dancing around the main reason why he called.

" Mom called you." I point out.

" She was worried. I know I would be if I found out that you were missing."

" But you already know how she gets, why are you entertaining her?" The question slips out before I can hold myself back

I close my eyes, regret instantly washing over me.

That didn't sound good in my ears, my words don't sound good. They lack care and that's not how I meant it to sound.

" Casey, she's your mother and she cares."

" I know, " I say through a sigh.

" And any mention of you not being okay, will always get my attention."

" But I am fine!" There is a bit of edge to my voice and I have to take a calm breath before I continue speaking. " I only couldn't sleep well, that's all. The dream......"

" What dream?" He says almost immediately.

" Nothing. " I mumble.

" Casey, talk to me about anything and I listen, remember?"

" Hmm." I nod even though he can't see me.

" So, do you want to talk about the dream you had?"

" Not right now." I admit truthfully

" Okay."

This is uncle Johnathan, he never pushes unless a situation calls for it.

" Mom will call you again."

" And why is that?"

" Because you interrupted movie night."

" I should let you go before I get into more trouble then." He says, humour evident in his voice.

I feel less tense because the atmosphere is light.

" Tell me something-you are keeping the necklace I gave you safe, right?"

" Yes, it's in the safest place I could keep it." I respond.

I wonder why he's brought up the necklace right now.

" Hmm, that's good."

" Why do you ask?( My voice drops low, a little unsure), do you want it back?"

" No, it's yours." He quickly shuts down my overthinking. " everything I've given you has been all yours and I'll continue to give you more, because you deserve it."

" Okay uncle Johnathan."

" Casey!" I hear mom's call from downstairs.

I place the phone aside and call back, " coming!" I bring the phone back to my ear and say, " Mom is calling."

" Okay, I'll call you again soon."

" Okay, bye."

After the call, I head back downstairs.

" I'm here." I say as I step into view.

Mom is settled on the couch with a refilled bowl of popcorn.

" Was that your uncle?"

" Yes. Are we watching another rom- com?"

" I was thinking we could watch something else, your pick this time."

" Okay." I join her on the couch, taking the remote and start scrolling through the options for something interesting.

" Casey?"

" Yes mom?" I respond, not tearing my eyes away from the screen.

" There's something I want us to talk about."

" Hmmph." I place the remote down and face her.

She looks nervous.

" What's wrong?"

" Don't get upset, but I did something."

I don't comment but rather stare at her silently, waiting for her to continue.

" I passed by the pharmacy while in town."

" Okay......" I trail off..

" Casey----"

" I hope I was not the reason."

The guilty look that passes through her eyes tells me all I need to know.

" Casey---" The sound of a knock from the front door cuts her off.

I know that we both aren't expecting anyone and it couldn't be the people from across the street.

Well, I hope not. It's very late.

" Let me answer that." She moves off the couch and head on over to answer the door.

I continue on to scroll through the movie options, while I wait for mom to come back.

" Casey?" I turn in her direction. " Someone is here for you."

I frown in curiosity.

Who could be here to see me so late in the night?

My eyes widen in surprise when mom steps aside and someone truly comes into view.

Someone I have longed to see.

" Ethan?!"