Hizashi Manor, Chapters 1 & 2

Chapter 1: The Fight1

The front door slams in protest behind me as I storm out, but I know for a fact it’s not as angry as I am. This is the ninth time I’ve fought with my father this week, and I’m getting incredibly sick of it. My throat is raw, my chest heaving and eyes wet. If he thinks I’m going to come home tonight and act like nothing happened, he can forget it.2

I slump down onto the stairs in front of the house and bury my fingers in my dirty blond hair. I can’t help letting a few lone tears escape from my eyes. I listen as they land softly, like muted rain drops, against my feet on the concrete. But I don’t give into the tears completely. I’m a big girl now. Crying is for little girls. 3

You’re probably wondering why my father and I are on such bad terms. It’s a long story. So long in fact, that I wouldn’t be able to get one third through the beginning before you’d nod off. It’s boring for the most part anyways, but the main gist is I’m nothing but a mistake to my father, and to him I will never be anything else. He’s not on drugs or alcohol, but man, wouldn’t it be a lot better if he was. You try living with the reality that your father is just a cold hearted man, and all the terrible things he says to you are coming from his mouth, completely sober, completely clean. He’d be far away, probably famous if it weren’t for me, but it’s his fault I’m here and he has to deal with the consequences. The problem is he’ll do anything but. 4

My mother was some bar tramp he hooked up with sixteen years ago. They had a thing for a while until she got pregnant with me, and then realized how stupid the entire ordeal had been. By the time they found out she was already too far along and had to deal with the fact that they now had a daughter. My mother wasn’t a smart woman, but leaving my father was probably the smartest thing she ever did. 5

I just wish that she had taken me with her. My whole life my father has done nothing but yell at me, call me names and hurt me. Once he said I am just like my mother. I can’t help but take a little pride in that, because at least it means I am NOTHING like him. 6

I lift my hands from my eyes, brushing the hair out of them as I try my hardest not to choke on the sobs fighting to get out of me. Loud crashes have started to come from the house, which means Dad’s in there starting to tear things up again. I know I can’t go back in, but where can I go? Usually I stay with my friend Sasha down the street when this happens, but she and her family are out of town. Great. Now what?7

As something heavy lands against the door, I know my father has seen me. Regardless of where I can go, one thing is clear: I have to get out of here. I jump up from the steps and take off running down the street just as the front door bangs open. 8


Chapter 2: The Mansion9

Cool night air combs through my hair as it flies around my running form. I’ve always been good at running, and I’ve always loved it. It’s a hot summer this year, but the nights are always cool and peaceful. I round a corner, careful not to trample the dark blue flowers illuminated by the moon, and to avoid huge oak trees on each side of the street. I work my way through the downtown avenues until I reach the nature trails outside city limits, and pause to catch my breath. 10

I truly believe these outskirts are the most beautiful places on the planet. There are so little now, places where humanity hasn’t touched and therefore destroyed. When we were younger Sasha and I used to come here together. Among the flowers and roots was our special place, maybe not known only to us, but definitely treasured by only us.11

My favorite trail is the Hizashi trail, ‘Hizashi’ being Japanese for sunlight. It’s called that because in spring and summer both when the sun is rising and setting, it strikes this trail through the trees directly. I close my eyes to savor the memory of Sasha sitting beside me, savoring summer warmth and dreams. I can almost picture her warm chocolate eyes glowing with excitement and content. I wish she were here; that I was with her right now. But for now, I make my way towards Hizashi and walk over the smooth, black bridge. The river is barely whispering over the rocks underneath.12

I continue running until I get deep into the woods, almost losing my way because I’m so far out. Realizing there’s not much to see, I turn to start making my way back to town. Maybe I’ll go home briefly to steal money from Dad, stay in a hotel or something. I’m almost gone when something in the woods catches my eye.13

The bright light of the moon reflected off something as I turned this way. It looked like something metal, but what metal would be out here? The trail ended a mile back. I turn again, and the reflection repeats. Curious, I walk through the trees toward it, and am hardly prepared for what I find hidden along the path.14

It’s a house. Not a house, but an ancient, sprawling mansion. I would guess by the looks of it to be around three to four hundred years old, but very well preserved. It’s been painted a golden color that is now faded yellow, and there is no front door to seclude the shadows inside. The windows have all been painted black. The moonlight was reflecting off a huge metal sign posted next to the mansion’s front gate, and it read in scratchy black letters ‘Hizashi Manor.’15

I stood rooted to the spot, my mouth hanging open. Man, how had I not known this was here before?! I definitely need to show Sasha this. For now though, I want to explore a little before heading back into town. 16

It didn’t occur to me at the time to wonder why a mansion had been built in a strictly nature guided trail system where construction was prohibited. 17

Going inside the mansion is probably not to best idea right now, so I decide to go around, see what’s behind it. Excited, I begin running. 18

When I round the corner though, everything suddenly changes.