Chapter Five

Rori was glad she offered to drive because Kristi’s dress was skin tight and knee length, so she could walk but parting her knees to go from the gas to the brake was not going to happen gracefully unless she hiked her dress up around her hips. Rori climbed behind the wheel and waited for Kristi to say her goodbyes to Max before Mason and Kristi climbed into the waiting SUV. Rori jumped when Max knocked on her window.“Ms. Rori I don't feel great about-” Rori held her hand out to stop him, “Max, what did I say about my name.” Rori rolled down her window and Max nodded his head, “right, forgot my bad...Rori could I please drive, it's not a big deal, I have nothing better to do so I will gladly drop you off and pick you up.” Max had a sheepish grin on his face as if he were begging his mother for candy. Rori rolled her eyes again and jumped out of the driver's seat. Max opened the back door and Mason was slumped into the seat snoring. “Wow, we haven't even moved yet,” she mumbled and climbed in. 

It was a long enough drive that Rori ultimately fell asleep also, resting her head against the window she began to dream. First it was a dream of her flying through the air, no plane or wings just her floating through the clouds, then suddenly Rori was standing in a room full of treasure. It looked very similar to the ones she always saw in the movies. Rori marveled at how real her dream felt, the air was thick and hot, she could hear something moving, but the light was too dim to see. As a gust of wind passed close behind her Rori spun around and caught the blur of something large moving. Her body suddenly started to feel prickly and hot, not sticky but a kind of dry heat that stung the skin. It got so bad Rori grabbed her arms trying to shield them from the sting, it felt like a thousand tiny needles in her skin and she screamed. All the sudden her body burst into flames and she screamed louder, the fire was not burning her but she could feel it on her skin almost as if she were in a pool made of flames. Her chest felt heavy and it was getting harder for her to breath. Rori began to scream and yell for her mother, but all she heard was the sound of Henry laughing as the flames grew and consumed her completely. “Please, help me,” Rori choked out, but it seemed like the more frightened she became the more the flames spread. Just as Rori thought she couldn't take anymore she saw the large figure in the distance,it was walking into the fire. 

She screamed again. “help me please,” the shadow reached out and grabbed her wrist, she looked down and the flames had disappeared from her arm but the thing holding her was hideous, it had long clawed fingers and was covered in what looked like blood red scales the color was so dark it was easily mistakable for charcoal black and she started to scream louder, the arm began to shake her as she screamed and thrashed against it.

 “Rori, Rori, Roro, Ro wake up Ro!” Rori jerked awake screaming and sweating, the car had stopped and everyone was staring at her. Mason had a hold of her arm and she grabbed it away from him, scrambling to take several shallow breaths before almost whispering, “I'm sorry,” while looking from one twin to the other. Kristi had tears in her eyes and Mason looked sober but awful. Kristi slapped the headrest of her seat, “what do you mean i’m sorry, nightmares are nightmares hun don't apologize.” Kristi offered her friend a warm smile and Rori faked one back, “thanks Kristi, its stupid but it’s a dream I have had since I was a kid, it’s ridiculous but I guess some people never outgrow their childhood fears.” Rori was still taking ragged breaths, “Umm Max? I know you are doing this for us out of the kindness of your pants but, do you think it would be alright if I got out and got some air for a minute?” 

Max smirked and shrugged “fine by me you're here anyway” Rori made the Oh shape with her mouth but no sound came out. Kristi looked out the window nervous, then looked back at Rori “Hay Roro get air ok? Me and Mace are gonna go in and face the music first, cool?” Mason groaned and Rori nodded grinning. Mason and Kristi stepped out of the SUV and as Rori opened her door she found Max standing in front of her with his hand out for her to take “No thanks Max...that knight in shining armour shit is kind of annoying,” and she slid out of her seat, Rori’s heels hit soft moss covered ground and she sank a little losing her balance. Max reached out and grabbed both of Rori’s hands pulling upwards so she didn’t sink. “I only meant to keep you from sinking but I must say the sight of you hanging like a monkey from my hand is much more amusing,”and he chuckled. Rori sneered sarcastically and released his hands regaining her balance, then she suddenly realized Max had helped her forget about her dream for a minute and she let out a short amused breath. “Hay Max...thanks for making me laugh, now I owe you one.” Max shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets,“not at all Rori, can we take a quick walk?” Rori looked around and then looked down at her feet, “Not in these!” she proclaimed and snatched the shoes off her feet before pulling her pant legs up and gently folding them under her knees. 

The pair started walking around the side of a large plantation style country home and were silent for a while before Max spoke first,“Rori I hope you dont feel this to forward of me but I was in a military unit for quite some time and during my time there...I started having nightmares too.” Max spoke softly, as if trying not to scare a small animal. “What are you saying,” Rori asked in a flat tone of voice. Max smirked at the defensive tone,“what I'm saying is that if you need someone to talk to that doesnt know anything about you and would never judge you...I can be an ear to listen, or even a punching bag to beat on,” Max pounded his fist against his own chest. Rori laughed a little and they began walking back up toward the house before Max helped Rori climb onto the gravel driveway, so she could put her shoes back on. “Hay Max I'm sorry for being a bitch when we met,” Rori almost whispered, “I should know better than to act like a spoiled brat, but when people expect that from you it's hard not to just give them what they ask for, ya know what I mean?” Max chuckled and patted her head affectionately, “Eh don’t worry about it honestly, I figured you were a spoiled brat at first so we are even I guess...but i'm serious Rori if you ever want to talk about your nightmares, or maybe talk about what causes your nightmares i’m a good listener... or if you don't want to talk i’m good at just sitting here and not saying anything.” Rori laughed and tried hard to hold in the tears but before she could thank him he clapped his hands together,“if you will excuse me miss-” and Rori crossed her arms while Max stuttered “Miss uhh America,” the driver smirked “I must go see a fish about a date.” Rori scrunched her nose and shook her head,“you're a weird dude Max,” she said and before she could get on his case about the name slip up Kristi and Mason were standing next to each other staring at them. “You guys look like the creepy twins from the shining right now,” Rori yelled and Max threw his head back with laughter as Mason threw his hands up in the air in disbelief and Krisit just crossed her arms and stuck her tongue out, “you are so annoying Esmerelda!” Kristi spat playfully at her friend and the girls laughed as Mason shook his head. “Right, that's weird and on that note I think I will be going” Max mumbled and strode up to Kristi, Rori watched again as he approached so close there was almost nothing but thin scraps of clothing between them. Rori took note of how Max’s profile almost mirrored Kristi’s, like they were puzzle pieces that fit together. 

Max whispered something in her ear and Mason started to tap his foot annoyed. “Hay Kris unless you want mom out here I suggest you tell him to sit, stay, or play dead.” Max turned around and was in Mason’s face when Rori rushed forward before she realised what she was doing. “Hay Max no need for more nightmares yea?” Max looked down at Rori with shock on his face and he backed off of Mason immediately taking a step back and then sideways. “Ten-Four commander,” Max said and winked at Rori before giving her a fake salute, then flipping his hand up and putting his middle finger in Mason’s face. Max blew a series of kisses at Kristi and climbed behind the wheel of his SUV. “Gimme a call when you're ready to get the hell out,”he yelled and disappeared down the path. Kristi turned around and punched her brother in the arm so hard he flinched, “Ow! What the hell Kris,”Mason whined and Rori laughed.

Suddenly the silky sound of a woman’s voice could be heard,“come on! What is taking so long out here you two, did she get lost?” It was Mason and Kristi’s mother Mina, she was a uniquely beautiful woman, Kristi looked just like her mother except that Mina’s hair was a rich brown and Kristi’s was a vibrant mermaid red. Mina smiled when she saw Rori, “what are you doing out here girl for heaven's sake, let's get inside come on let’s go, let's go” she coaxed them with her hands, looking Rori in the eyes with so much warmth that Rori smiled back at her in spite of herself.    Mina grabbed Rori into a soft hug,rubbing her shoulders. “Good night girl, you are freezing cold come on, come into the house before you catch a cold,” and she started to usher Rori toward the house. “Or worse, we piss off dad” Mason half slurred and his mother shot him a look that sent chills down Rori’s body. 

As they walked through the arch that separated the house entrance from the drive up Rori noticed that a motorcycle was sitting just inside the gate. As they got closer she gasped and put her hands over her mouth. Rori tore herself from Mina’s grasp and ran to within a few inches of the bike, squatting down to get a better look. “Holy cow! Kris when did your dad get a bike...and such a delicious one at that.” Kristi, Mason, and Mina looked between each other confused. Mason crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders “big deal it's a bike, I got dirt bikes in the garage too.” Rori shot upright and stood in front of Mason with one hand on her hip and the other wagging a slender golden brown finger in his face, “I will have you know Mace that is not just a bike.” Rori paused to turn and look at the beautiful twist of metal and rubber like she was defending her lover and whirled back around to face Mason. “That is a Kawasaki Ninja H2, it's almost the-” before Rori could finish her spew of dreamy information she was cut short. “H2R principessa,” came the sound of a voice so deep and masculine it could crumble mountains. Instead of the sound hitting Rori’s ear and traveling through her it was almost as if her entire body was alive with the sound of this voice. Her heart almost stopped beating with every syllable and she grabbed Mason by the forearms looking into his eyes. 

For some reason Rori found herself terrified without fear by the sound of this strange man’s voice. 

Mason moved in front of Rori to shield her, and she snuck a peek out from behind him to see the source of this world shattering voice. Rori started from the black knot on the top of his head; indicating long black hair and she moved down to his almost golden amber orbs, his eyes seemed to hold Rori and she felt her chest become tight so she averted her gaze to his lips. They were turned upward in a sly grin, not exposing his teeth but his amusement. His jaw and cheeks were smooth and chiseled, like he was made of stone, this man was tall and as far as Rori could see through his riding jacket he was built like the greek god he embodied. “Is it yours?” Rori forced herself to squeak out before darting back behind Mason and squeezing her eyes shut. Rori forced herself to look out from behind Mason as she heard heavy footsteps approach, she almost screamed when those same amber gold eyes were almost nose to nose with her.

 The mysteriously dark man leaned down to not seem as tall and intimidating, as he was pretty sure this young girl had used every ounce of her courage to ask him that question and he figured he would reward this terrified little animal with an answer. “Yes it is mine, would you like to go for a ride?” As he spoke he let the animal within him follow every word. “Back off Murdok, she isn't interested in hanging out with the help.” Mason spat in his face and Rori pushed her friend sideways, completely exposing herself but she suddenly didn't care, Mason had been rude for no reason.  

Mason turned to look at Rori and she heard another voice boom from behind the mountain of a man she now knew as Murdok. “Mason!, I will not have you speak to Murdok in that manner. He is one of my oldest friends' boy and this family owes him a great deal of...why is she here?” 

The voice belonged to Arthur, Mason and Kristi’s father and he was staring straight at Rori, who clasped her hands together in front of herself and slumped her shoulders recoiling into her own body slightly. Mina reached out and placed her hands on Rori’s arms, almost hugging the young girl and Rori relaxed a little. “Good lord Aruther, you make it sound like she is not welcome here, go in the house and make a drink or something.” Rori looked up at Mina who smiled down at her warmly. Arthur sighed and scratched the back of his head almost like he was trying to think but was too exhausted to make his brain work properly, “Im sorry Rori that was not what I meant at all, you know you are welcome here anytime.” Arthur sounded more rehearsed than sincere but Rori smiled and nodded anyway, he had never been mean to her but he had never really made her feel welcome either, Rori could tell he had some sort of discomfort over the fact his children spent their time with her but Arthur loved his family very much and never denied his children anything. Rori admired that about him most, so she tried her best to stay away from their house to respect his wishes, she was pretty sure his problem with her had something to do with the great Henry Augastine the third. “However,” Arthur's words snapped Rori from her thoughts, “I was under the impression my children understood this was to be a family dinner...as we have much to discuss.” Arthur shot a pointed look at Mason and Rori was now more than positive she had been brought along as a distraction because Kristi ran over and grabbed Rori by the arm like she was a small child begging to keep a stray kitten. “Well she gets to stay because she is my best friend so she is basically family anyway,” Arthur groaned and mumbled as Murdok acted unfazed by the entire conversation, he kept his eyes on Rori the entire time and the minute things were quite he offered his hand out to her and she looked at his hand then slowly up into his eyes, he cocked his head slightly and she licked her lips nervously. Rori took a step forward forgetting Kristi had her by the arm and Mina had her hands on her shoulders.

Rori placed her hand into Murdok’s and he pulled her close, she could feel his cold boots next to her exposed toes, she held her breath as he brought her hand up to his mouth and pressed his warm soft lips against the back of her hand, never letting her eyes leave his. It sent a shiver down her spine when he pressed her hand to his lips so hard she could almost feel his teeth. “Was it her imagination or was this man hot, like physically a different temperature,” Rori thought and she let out the breath she had been holding. Murdok lowered her hand, not releasing it “name’s Murdok principessa... how about that ride?” Rori pulled her hand from Murdok’s and looked at Aruther changing the subject. “My driver just left but I can call him back, I did not realize this was supposed to be a private family meal, my apologies Mr.Scopuli.”

Rori looked at Aruther and bowed her head slightly letting her wild hair fall around her shoulders and face. She was holding back her sadness as best she could. Rori respected the fact that Arthur did not consider her family but she had never seen this Murdok character before and the way he spoke with her friends and their parents it was as if he were an important part of their life that she was not allowed into and it hurt her a little, it was like Henry all over again and it made Rori wonder a little if there was something wrong with her that made people want to be around her but only at a distance, almost as if getting too close might hurt them. 

Arthur waved his arms in the air,“dont be stupid Rori I would never turn you away, you mean the world to my children and you waited this long to eat so I imagine you must be hungry?” He looked at her with a devilish smile and Rori laughed a little in relief, “yes sir, I tried to eat earlier but Mace and Kristi decided I needed to wear my food instead.” Rori laughed and Kristi nugged her with wide eyes, suddenly Rori thought about Max and sucked in a breath. 

“Oh really?” Mina added in a suspicious tone, “Come on, food is almost ready and everyone is starving. Let's get a warm drink for everyone and get to the food.” Mason rubbed his hands together and skipped inside, causing Kristi and Rori to giggle in unison. “Come on girls, I will make you some tea,” Mina said and started guiding the girls toward the house. 

Rori turned her head to steal one last glance at the bike and caught Murdok’s eye instead, he was talking to Aruther but looking directly at her. He smiled and Rori felt her stomach clench with unknown desire. Rori jerked her head back around and tried to ignore it but she could swear she felt Murdok’s eyes travel over her body like a hungry beast. //