Into the Unknown!

Raelynn POV:

I was back in the room again.

My dark green eyes roaming over the familiar details of the room as my body sank into the comfortable bed. A heavy layer of grayish black paint coated each wall of the bedroom. Odd carvings and designs littered the walls that weren’t covered in paintings. While other paintings showed a gorgeous drawing of this man, some were detailed paintings of forests or mountains. 

As my gaze glides across the room, vaguely taking in everything else before eagerly snapping back to the painting of the man. This is how my time is usually spent whenever I’m trapped here. On the rare occasion that I leave the comfort of the bed to poke around and explore. My attention is usually glued to the captivating painting of this man.

I had no idea who he was.

I’ve never seen him before outside of this strange, recurring dream. I think I would remember encountering a man that looked like that. A glistening shade of paleness stretched across his skin, making his pink lips and abnormal colored eyes pop. The portraits varied between a clean shaven, muscular jaw and a jaw covered in a messy array of stubble. 

Though his sculpted face and lucious black hair were a marvelous sight, my main focus was on his eyes. An abnormal whitish gold with a specks of ruby red hardened into a stern glare. 

After a quick sweep to see if anything in the room changed, most of time would be spent gazing into the portraits' harsh gems. I could never understand why I was enthralled with them. Maybe it had something to do with the rare color? Maybe there was a deeper reason that I wasn’t aware of.      

“Raelynn!”

A loud gasp escaped my parted lips as I tore my eyes away from the pair of earrings. “W-What?”

“I’ve been trying to get your attention for like 5 minutes! I found this cute two piece set that you should wear for my mom’s dinner! I need you to-” While she thrusted the outfit towards me, her honey brown eyes landed on the earrings I was previously ogling. A gold and ruby themed pair of jewelry. The design, a shiny web of whitish gold encased the dark shade of ruby that desperately peaked through the slithering holes, reminded me of his eyes. 

“Sorry,” I grinned sheepishly, “I was staring at these. Kinda got lost in thought.”

“Those are cute! Good eye!” Daniella bent down to get a better look. Her gleaming eyes trailed along the perfectly cut diamonds and sculpted details. A low hum left her pursed lips, a familiar sign of her approval to the jewelry. “You know, those would look great with what I picked out for you.”

I merely blinked, “Okay?”

Straightening from her bent position, Daniella flashed me a quick, cheeky grin. “I’m going to get them for you, duh. There’s no way I can just not get them for you.” 

Flapping a hand in the air, she loudly called an employee over, ignoring my splutter of protest. Daniella jabbed a finger into the glass, questioning the quality and price of the earrings as soon as the employee slid in front of her. They bounced questions back and forth, completely ignoring my consistent tries to interject. 

I gave up with a pout. It was slowly becoming obvious to me that Daniella was going to go through with the transaction no matter what I say. Her stubbornness was rearing its head and I knew from past experience it would be easier to not fight her on it. 

I eased away from Daniella when I noticed her inquiry about the shiny diamond necklace that laid a few inches away. That was a rabbit hole that I wanted nothing to deal with. I knew she was going to be there picking and choosing for a while, so I decided to return to my light shopping.

I eyed the price tags that littered the stylish tops and bottoms. Grimacing, I only grabbed a few things that I actually needed to add to my wardrobe. Fall was slowly beginning to settle in and I was in desperate need for fuzzy sweaters. I varied between the many colors, not shying away from the brightness, the softness, or the darkness each one of them provided. I simply adored most colors. Having enough skirts, leggings, and overalls to match whatever shade that was tossed my way.

“Done?” With my chosen outfit slung over her arm and a tiny bag filled to the brim with expensive jewelry clutched in her hand, Daniella sauntered towards me happily. “Are you sure you don’t need anything else? I’m more than willing to-”

“You know this is more than enough, Danny.” I interrupted with a firm shake of my head. “And I can pay for these since you brought those earrings. Something you didn’t have to do by the way.”

“Nope. I promised you a shopping spree on me and that’s exactly what I’m going to deliver.” She eagerly plucked the few pieces of clothing I picked out from my hands eagerly. Without another moment of hesitation, Daniella sauntered over to the waiting cashier with me at her heels. Greeting the cashier with an alluring smile and a sultry hello, she plopped my purchases on the counter. “I would like these to be sent to the same address as my other purchases. That shouldn’t be a problem?”

A glazed pool of black slowly began to coat his brown eye color as his pupils began to dilate. His eyelids fluttered in a sluggish blink. Words tumbling out of his mouth as he gazed deeply in Daniella’s honey brown pools. “Of course not, Miss. Delmanco.”   

The transaction continued quickly. As the cashier rattled off the price, Daniella merely took out her debit card, swiping the sleek red card into the machine. She patiently waited for the numbers on the till to change to zero before placing the card back into the confines of her purse.   

-

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“Moooooom! I’m home!” Shopping bags cluttered the length of our arm as I followed Daniella into her home. Her loud voice shattered the silence that settled throughout the house. Calls for her mom slipped past her lips when hushes of home met her greeting. “Mom?! Moooom! Answer the call from your youngest fledgling!” 

We wander deeper into the house, “Mooom! I brought Rae with me!”

“Raelynn!” A voice laced in a soothing, hispanic accent called out my name happily. A messy mop of bleach blonde locks and a familiar pair of chestnut brown eyes peered around the corner. The brown pools teasingly grazed over Daniella, landing on me with a mischievous twinkle. “It’s so good to see you sweetie!”  

“Ha, ha, ha! Your hilarious mom! Really!” Her dry voice sneered out sarcastically. I tried my hardest to hold in the budding laughter. My painted lips rolled together in a pressed line as Daniella's gaze flittered over to me. “It’s so not funny, Rae!”

I blubbered, “I’m not-”

“You're trying not to.” Her eyes narrowed teasingly, “Just as shameful.”

“There’s nothing shameful about laughing, Danny. What is shameful is that eyeshadow.” Daniella’s head swivels back to her mom. Honey and chestnut clashed in a lively fierceness as Darcey continued her unmerciful teasing. “Really, sweetheart? Blue? You know that isn’t your color.”

“I know blue isn’t the most flattering on me but I just couldn’t help it mom. I just had to try your favorite palette. You know the one you told me not to touch?” Her glossy lips quirked up smugly, “I may have accidentally used the rest of the, “Bold Blue”. So pretty. So bold.”

“That explains your face.”

“Which explains your attitude.”

My hand reached up to slap over my mouth to try and muffle the snort that escaped. My shoulders shook as the mother and daughter duo continued to launch playful insults towards each other.

Their bond was something I envied and adored. It was a sweet, mutual love that they proudly shared with each other. Sappy and joyful moments decorated the time that was spent together. The type of affection I never received from my own mother. She would never dare to send something so treasured my way. That was preserved towards her more favored child.

“Go put your stuff up before I change my mind about feeding you.”

“I’ll go. Only because I know Franny is making my favorite today.” She huffed. Raising her chin in a mock, spoiled gesture, Daniella sauntered past her mom as I followed. I giggled freely as her mom met my gaze, her chestnut pools rolling in amusement at her overdramatic daughter.

The second I set foot in her room, I made a bee-line towards her walk-in closet. I ignored her loud snickering as I hurriedly placed my shopping bags onto the smooth marbled surface of her lone dresser. My arms immediately fell limp at my side, aching harshly from the carrying. I slowly dragged myself from the closet, falling face first into her bed with a weak, muffled cry. “Freedom!”

“It’s not that bad.” I knew Daniella merely dropped hers in a messy pile on the floor before joining me in her room. “But it does get old that we have to carry these all by ourselves. I’ll have to bring someone along to handle these for us next time.”

“Who are you going to bring?” I ask.

“Whoever I can persuade the easiest.” She answered with an uncaring shrug.

“You should offer them food. That always works for me.” I was a people pleaser at heart, so exploiting my longing for food wasn’t absolutely necessary. Though having it as a reward always made me more giddy about doing whatever was asked of me.   

“Especially when the food is pie.” Daniella teased. I eagerly nodded at the merciful jab. I would happily let someone use me for labor with the promise of pie. “Speaking of which, I may have asked Franny to bake a pie for dessert. Just a little incentive so you don’t feel guilty about missing your mom’s family dinner.”

My happy thoughts of pie were quickly interrupted by her words. It took some effort but I was able to turn my head to face her. “Family dinner?”

“Your mom called mine yesterday to brag about it. Something about good news? Mom said she had that tone that meant she was up to no good so I was hoping that I could convince you to stay here for dinner.”

I didn’t say anything at first as I let my mind take in everything that was just explained. Any good news my mother would want to announce never had anything to do with me. Those detailed stories were always reserved for my more favored sister. Most times mother wouldn’t mind boasting about the news to me without an audience. Anytime she wanted to flaunt with other’s, the news was big and it usually occurred during a prepared family dinner. Mother would demand that her chefs would spend all their time putting together my sister’s favorite for everyone to feast on. I would be threatened to stay silent and appear happy, even if the news hurted me.

Knowing all of this, Daniella and Darcey made it their responsibility to help keep me away from them.    

A pitiful groan slowly began to work its way up my throat.

“Oh, no. I am not about to let your bitch of a mother ruin your good mood.” She tugged on my sweater urgently. “C’mon. We’re going to go downstairs and stuff ourselves silly with enchiladas and refried beans. You can’t pass up on that.”

“I don’t-”

“You can stuff yourself silly with enchiladas while I help myself to your helping of refried beans.”

My stomach rumbled hungrily. Drowning my worries and sorrows in enchiladas does sound amazing right now. Filling my stomach with a platter of corn tortillas that are stuffed with either juicy chicken slices or slow cooked ground beef. Melted cheese that dripped leisurely from the sides. Fresh herbs and vegetables that blended with the desired meats and sunk into the yellow goop of the cheese. And smother in a homemade, spicy sauce that left my mouth happily tingling in hotness and flavor. 

“I’m convinced!” Arms still a little numb, I struggled to lift myself from the bed. Daniella helped me in my floundering endeavor once she saw how much I was struggling. The second I was steady on my feet, I whirled around to face her. “Let’s go while the food is still hot.”

“Onward!”

“Into the unknown!”