Flicker

1

Prologue2

Flicker, the word it self means to shimmer or to waver, but it can also mean many other things: A single flame in the wind fighting to stay alight, or a life full of change and loss. For me flicker defines my story, it defines my life. 3

A night not so long ago made me learn that nightmares really do come true and there is no price that can change the pain that is felt by a heart that has been shattered along with a person’s deepest hopes and dreams. The innocent cannot remain innocent forever, one day something will be exposed stealing away that, innocents forever.4

Chapter One:5

He clicked the send button on the email task bar, as he swiped his shaggy blonde hair out of his eyes. Glancing over at the clock he cursed, Andrew was going to be late for his chemistry exam. He ran out the door and hoped that Victoria would read the email before she arrived. 6

My computer chirped, “You’ve got mail” as I turned over and snuggled deeper under my blue down comforter, searching for warmth. The room was still semi dark and with school finished for the summer and I had no plans of getting up before 10:00 am, but that was short lived. Two massive black and brown balls of fur launched them selves on top ofme, with wet pink tongues slurping every inch of bare skin that could be seen by their chocolate coloured eyes. “Moose, Molson get off, I mean it, get off!” But the dogs wouldn’t budge. “Fine I’m up! Happy? Stupid dogs” Wiping my face with the back of my ivory hands, trying to remove some of the lovely dog drool from her face. I heard a Chuckle coming from out side the door, as both dogs ears perked. Both bounded off the bed and out the door towards the deep laughter. “Thanks dad, that was another great wake up call” The comment was laced with sarcasm as she stumbled out of bed and walked groggily towards the door. 7

“No problem sweetie, I was happy to do it. I am headed into the office for a few hours before we leave. Don’t forget to finish packing, we’d like to have both car’s packed and ready to go by 3:30 this afternoon.”8

Rolling my eyes and looking around my room, “um dad if you haven’t noticed all I need to pack now is my lap top cell phone and ipod. Again I am a step ahead of you. 9

“Ok smart ass”, he grinned, and “If you want you can drive up early and catch up with your friends I know you are dying to see Andrew and Rosalie. Though I am going to ask that you take Moose with you, mom and I will take Molson with us. Last thing I promise, you do still have the keys to the cottage and the boat house right?”10

“Yes dad, I do I’m not ten any more, Moose and I will be fine, we’ll leave around noon and meet you at the cottage tonight. Have fun at work, I am going to take a shower and grab some breakfast.”11

Dad went down the stairs, and then I heard the front door close and knew that dad was gone. smiling and walking over to the computer I opened the link to my email. My inbox held a few advertisements as I went through them I hit the delete key and then came across one from Walks_with_wolves@abon.com she clicked the message and read. 12

Dear Victoria, 13

I wanted to send this now, I know you’re not up yet but I hoped that you would get a chance to read this before you left. We are looking forward to seeing you. This summer is going to be amazing with you here. As you know a lot has changed since Christmas and I know a lot has changed for you too. I can’t wait to introduce you to my new friends I think that you are going to love them as much as I do… well I better run can’t be late for my chem. Exam this morning.14

Love you always15

Andrew. 16

After reading the email and clicking the reply icon, a new window opened and I started to type away. 17

Dear Andrew, 18

Thank you for the email I hope you weren’t too late for your exam from the look of the time stamp I think you were but then again that’s not too bad as long as you take it and pass it right? I am leaving at noon so I will meet you at the cottage when you get home from school this afternoon, your favorite buddy will be with me, yeah you and Moose can jump in the lake, after you help me unpack and carry in the 50 pound bag of dog food that will be in the back of my liberty. Good luck with the exam. 19

Much love 20

Tory. 21

Sending the message and closing down the computer I finished packing it away packed in my computer bag computer bag; setting it by the door I went back to my desk and picked up the jeans and moss green tee shirt I had set out the night before and made my way into the bathroom to take a shower. My unrulely straight copper hair fell over my shoulder as I leaned into turn the hot water on. Quickly I undressed, and showered. knowing that if I wasn’t fast that Moose would be joining me and a 2 hour drive with the smell of wet dog wasn’t appealing. 22

Once showered and ready for the day, I grabbed my bags, keys, cell phone, and Ipod and made my way down the stairs. Moose and Molson followed me down the oak staircase thumping through the back door to where I was parked from the night before. Loading up all my stuff I looked around and realized that for 2 months… 2 whole months I would be free of this place, free of not fitting in, I’d not only see Andrew and Rosalie but also my grandparents who also lived in Bancroft. It was the happiest that I had been since Christmas. I wondered, why though I had it so good and was given anything and everything I could ever want that I was always the girl that never fit in, when others were out head banging to heavy metal I was the one quietly in the corner writing and drifting through slow country ballads, I was the girl that was beautiful, but so quiet and shy that no one noticed me in the room, when she was with her friends in Bancroft she wasn’t so out of place. 23

Walking back inside the house, saying good morning to mother, who was sitting reading the paper and slowly sipping her steaming mug of coffee. I went to the hall closet and grabbed Moose’s Collar and leash. Then went back to the kitchen and poured myself a glass of orange juice, and made some toast. Looking around the newly renovated kitchen a feeling of hope and calm fell over me. 24

“Mom?”25

“What do you need Tory?”26

“ Well I told dad that I was going to leave at noon so I am going to go get some gas and be on my way, I have my cell phone and a map in the liberty.” 27

“Alright be safe and we’ll meet you at the cottage. Do you want to have dinner at the Fox and the Hound tonight?”28

“Sure sounds good to me, they have a killer chicken pot pie, and the best onion rings. Any ways I better be on my way, love you and I’ll call you as soon as I get to the cottage so you know I got there safe”29

“Bye” grabbing Moose, his collar and leash we were off. 30

Hitting Ramma Road was the best feeling ever, I had the music blasted and the windows open. The roads were clear since all the weekend traffic had already made its way back from the beautiful realms of cottage country. Bancroft was empty once more. Knowing it as a place where there was so much simplicity, and untouched beauty in the nature that surrounded the small town, I could finally relax a little bit. The drive was a peaceful one, I sang along with Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw while Moose was fast asleep on the back seat. I had no idea what this summer had in store for me but I had hopes that it would be better than the past 6 months of hell that I had endured. 31

Just outside of Kinmount I pulled off the road and let Moose out to relieve him-self, while I waited I could stretch a little bit too. I took some pictures of the ever-famous shoetree, and then got Moose back into the car and settled on all his pillows. Then walked around and got in on the driver’s side. My cell phone went off the familiar tune of “Moon River” rang through out the liberty. “Hello” I answered. “Yes this is she” she paused and listening for a moment, angrily I yelled into the phone “my parents have asked you to stop contacting me, what happened to me isn’t going to be some part of your story thank you”. With that I hung up the phone, and let it slide with a thump it hit the floor. With tears streaming silently down my face, I wished that this nightmare I was living in would end. Moose nuzzled my arm and whined. “Its ok boy, I’m fine,” I whispered. Wiping the tears away and scratching Moose’s ears. I started the jeep and continued on. The last forty minutes of the drive were silent. Memories of that night came back it was haunting me all over again. My mind must have been on autopilot I pulled up the drive way parked, then let Moose out of the back. Normally Moose would have bounded down to the lake but today he stuck close to me. I picked up my phone from where it had fallen under the seat and called her mother. “Mom?” she said flatly “I made it here safely”32

“Victoria is something wrong is Moose ok?” 33

“Yes mom Moose is ok, A reporter called me wanting to ask if id give him the story of what happened that night, he called about an hour ago”. 34

“Honey daddy and I will take care of it, why don’t you go to grandma and grandpa’s house, or over to Andrew’s? Just put Moose in the cottage and go”.35

“Mom I am fine and Andrew’s going to be here in a minute and I want to unpack so I don’t have to do it after dinner.36

“Are you sure sweet heart?37

“Yes mom in fact I hear Andrew pulling up the drive way right now, I’ll talk to you later tonight when you get here! Love you lots.” 38

I hung up the phone and turned to meet Andrew all 6 feet of him. Then noticed he was not alone, my chest tightened a little, but I made myself move forward any ways. Forcing a smile I ran over to Andrew and threw my arms around him. “OH MY GOD I HAVE BEEN DYING TO SEE YOU!” I gasped as he lifted her up and spun her around and looked a little worried. Andrew noticed that I was too thin, what normally was Ivory skin was too pale and the bags under my eyes said that she still wasn’t sleeping. When Andrew caught my eyes flickering between him and the guest who had come with him, he saw the panic and knew that some one better start talking. “Tory, this is Liam, Liam Huron he moved here back in February. He was slow in his movement but confidant and his eyes never left mine. “Hello, I am Liam, it’s really nice to meet you and may I say that you are more stunning than Andrew could ever describe.” My hand wavered for a moment but I took his and almost instantly pulled it way again, it was as though my hand had been burned for a brief second. “Its nice to meet you Liam” I was stumbling over my words a little bit. Feeling more than a little dense I was glad that Moose came over to the thereof us and rubbed up against Liam’s Jeans t knocking him off balance. That’s odd she thought to myself Moose doesn’t ever let people we don’t know touch him. Liam’s eyes danced and he smirked as though he knew what I was thinking. To cut the tension Andrew looked at the back of Victoria’s jeep “Hey Liam looks like we have a job to do. Tory why don’t you go unlock the door and wait for Liam and I to come in with all this stuff” 39

“Andy sweet heart oh almost brother of mine, I’ll unlock the door but I can carry my own bags thanks.” 40

“Victoria” Liam’s deep musical voice rumbled, “this is what we guys live for go on in. we don’t think you can’t do it we just want to help you, its what friends do”41

Looking down at the ground for a second and looking back up and his eyes held mine again. “Fine thank you. That would be great”. I turned and walked up the wooden steps keeping my shoulders square. Unlocking the front door and then hoping over the railing, I made it back to open the tail gate and grabbed her computer bag before the guys could even lift out the duffle bags and fifty pound bag of dog food. 42

Andrew and Liam followed me back into the cottage with Moose on their heels Liam looked around the house as he walked through and saw what Andrew had meant that Victoria and her family were very particular in taste and everything was of the best quality. “Tory while you start unpacking why don’t I go switch on the router so your wireless is working. I will leave Liam here with you and Moose, you’ll be safe in his capable hands.” My expression changed back to a guarded expression,43

“sure Andrew that would be great” Liam noticing that she looked uneasy offered, 44

“Well I can go with Andrew we both know that he and technology are not a safe mix some one is bound to be fried.” 45

I felt guilty that Liam was offering to leave. 46

“No your fine here we can put you to work isn’t that right Moose? You can put some of those books in the black duffel bag on the shelf above the bed if you would?” 47

“Sure no problem I’d be happy to help, and get to know you a little bit since I have a feeling that we will all be spending a lot of time together this summer.” Grabbing the duffle bag off the floor he unzipped it and started taking the books out and placing them on the bed. Interesting he thought to him self as he came to her c.d. collection on the shelf. After Andrew was sure that I was going to be all right alone with Liam he made his way to the loft to plug everything back in and turn it all on. 48

“so” posed Liam from the top of her bed. “You like country music?” 49

A slight flush came over my face. “Yeah, I have a thing for it, How about your self?”50

“Country music is excellent but I have a wider range of tastes such as classical, Rock and even a little Celtic or Jazz. I like to be diverse.” He continued stacking the books side by side. Coming across a book, that looked very much like a journal. “ I think it maybe safer if you put this some where you want rather than on the self where any one might pick it up” he walked across the room and handed it to me as Andrew walked back in. 51

“Thanks Liam, Hey Andrew thanks for setting that up for me. Could you see if the Internet works? The password is still Molson+moose.”52

“Yeah no problem” Andrew pulled the laptop out of the green computer bag and set it up. “So what are your plans for tonight Victoria?” still looking at the computer screen and not me he kept playing with my laptop while he waited for a reply. 53

“Well I am going out to dinner with mom and dad, to the fox and the hound. Then I don’t think we have any other plans why?” Andrew looked at Liam and Liam looked at me . 54

“Well with our classes being finished and all we were planning on going over to my house and hanging out maybe having a fire and or a movie tonight. Jaden and Rosie will be there” Liam paused for a moment “And my brother Edward as well. You are welcome to join us if you would like, I’d like to get to know you more” Andrew and Liam waited. 55

“Um sure it would be great to see ever one and to meet Edward. I’ll need to call mom and dad to make sure that it’s alright with them.” Andy beat me to the punch calling her mom and dad before I could get my cell phone out of her pocket.56

“Hello Mr. Stanton, How are you today?” Andy made small talk for a few moments then asked “would it be alright if Tory goes out with me tonight, a friend of mine is having a end of semester party and I thought it might be fun to drag her along with me, there wont be any drinking or drugs and she will be safe Jaden, Rosie and I will be there and the party is being hosted by Edward and Liam Huron, friends of mine who moved here just after you left at Christmas”. The line was quiet for a moment. 57

“Andrew I trust that you will keep her safe. Tell her to be home by midnight if you would.”58

“Yes sir of course I will pass on the message” Andrew inched out of hearing range to ask his question “Sir before I let you go would it be possible to speak to you before Tory and I head up to Eagle Nest tomorrow afternoon?” 59

“Andrew I always welcome talking to you just find me when you get to the cottage, I’ll have time to talk. You guys have fun and stay out of trouble.” 60

“We will. Have a safe trip here”. With that Andrew hung up his phone and walked back into my room. Liam looked deep in thought and I was still unpacking. 61

“Hey, you dad said you could go, you want to drive out your self or do you want to ride with Liam and I?”. 62

Cocking my head to the side I looked at Liam for a moment and then spoke, 63

“Uh I think I better drive, it seems silly to make you come all the way back here to drop me off later.” All the while Andrew was thinking that a night out would be just what the doctor ordered. Andrew’s cell phone started to ring. 64

“Hello? Oh Hey Jaden what’s up? Oh yeah that’s cool I’ll pick up Rosie before we head out there then, its not a big deal. See ya there.” Andrew looked as he hung up his phone. “Well pretty girl, here’s the deal, Jaden is going to be late. So I am going to have to pick up my sister before I head over to Liam’s and well you know as well as I do my truck can only fit two people in it comfortably. So I don’t know if you’d be cool letting Liam ride with you or if you want to pick up Rosie and bring her with you.” 65