Dove

The whole world turned blue. Well to me it seemed that way. Waiting on a day... on a day for something to happen. Until that day, I'll stay, cooped up in this room. Locked away, trying to find the key.
Oops. I found it.

Prologue


A blank page stared me in the face. Tapping a pen against the imitation wood, I tried to think of what to write. Even a name or a word, but nothing came. Not even who to address it to. Who had I hurt the most? Lily.
The words came off the top of my head. Tired from weeks of no sleep. Tired of sitting in front of this monstrous blank page. I wrote:
Dear Lily,
I'm so sorry it ended the way it did. I never intended on so much pain. I'm sure she is in a better place now. Please forgive me and all my mistakes.
Love,
Alyssa Watson

My hands were shaking, my words were sloppy. Water droplets polka dotted the page. Not from tears, but the window was open and freezing rain fell onto the desk lightly. Folding the letter and sliding it into an envelope, I jotted her work address onto the front and knew Lily would recognize my handwriting.
I closed the window, the rain now pelted the glass. Nibbling at my lower lip, I exited the den and descended downstairs.
Jared and Luther were sprawled on the couch. They looked calm, casual, and put together. Three things I've never been in my life. Jared looked up, "A letter? For what?"
"Closure I suppose," I shrugged. I walked to the front door, tucking the envelope under my arm to shield it from the winter storm I was about to walk out to.
"Don't forget your coat princess," Luther added with sarcasm. Jared whacked him on the back of his head.
"Smart ass, go start packing."
"We're moving already?" I asked, we had been there only a week...
"We have to dove," Jared said, standing. He walked over and opened the door. "Ladies first."
Walking outside, I could hear Luther moving around, grumbling. Jared chimed in, "Why are you so desperate for closure?"
I looked ahead at the icy path, "The sooner I get closure... the sooner I can forget." I opened up the slot to the mail box, Jared's tan hand blocked it.
"Closure won't make you forget. It's supposed to make you feel better, to live with it."
"Live?" I glared at him.
"You know what I mean," he urged on.
"They won't forgive me if I don't try. I'll always remember the hate. I won't always remember the people who liked me."
"Alyssa, dove, that won't make you forget what you did."
"But I want to so badly..."
He sighed, "I know." I looked down, and tore the letter in pieces; letting it fall into the puddles of snow and water.
"We gotta get going," he said, "Let's go."


Chapter One- On the Road Again


The dreams came back all too vividly. Forgetting was beginning to be harder than I thought. And I thought it was going to be near impossible. Turns out it was.
I was in the backseat of Luther's 1970 Torino, waking up I rubbed my eyes- but not opening them. "Morning sleepy head," I heard Jared say.
"What day is it?"
"Sunday, 2:00AM."
"Town?"
"Going to a small town in Texas, El Paso."
"Can I hunt there?" I asked, finally prying my eyes open.
Jared smiled, "Of course."
"Good, I'm dying over here," I joked, but telling the truth. They gave a small chuckle in return.
My skin felt dry from the lack of moisture. "Why Texas? It's too sunny." I asked.
"You can hunt at night. I called a favor from Jack. He's goin' to let us stay at his ranch." Luther spoke up. Jack was a "friend" from a collection of people in Luther's book of people he either helped or owed him money.
"When will we get there?" I asked.
"Around seven, you can go back to sleep," Jared said softly.
I started a sentence but didn't finish it.

- - -

7:12AM
I pulled on Jared's old hoodie and shielded my face. Luther and Jared got out of the car and I followed. They walked ahead to the ranches front door. Keeping my head down to block the rays of the direct sun.
The gravel shook and scattered near me. I allowed myself to look up to see Rosie's car pull up. She stepped out. Rosie had red hair that fell in loose curls down her back, bright eye eyes and a glowed tan. It looked like she had came fresh off a movie set. And the funny part of Rosie was, she was my worst enemy.