Chapter one

The music loud enough to cause

tinnitus boomed from the stereo of the blue sports car that raced the highways towards sincerely.

With Hermione behind the wheel, the world seemed at her feet

"We own the night" she sang. Her heart tuned to the beat and her hair swayed in harmony

Oh we own what we own

Oh we own the night

The only thing that's worse than our back is our bite

Oh we own what we own.

The melody filled the air.

Her fingers tapped on the wheel rhythmically with the beat as she hummed.

''Woohoo...here I come you sin creek suckers"

She had learned how to curse like any normal 20 years old while at college. Every normal human being who learned there had something different About them be it culture even dialects. These she had learned but only a few.

The culture wasn't a subject of concern in her life.she never knew her relatives later alone ethnicity. Luxury was all that she knew, all she had been endowed with since birth.

Recently her parents had summoned her to return home. Her come back was the beginning of a new world. only she didn't know what all that meant.

Ethel, her mum had specifically phoned her the day before college closed down for summer.

''But why? it is just going to be for summer, right mom?.. she asked worriedly.

''No dear, it's time to come home...for good this time''

''Reality of your origin and nasty town awaits you'' her mum had said.

"Mom .what d-"

"Just come back home tomorrow and let Ralph drive" Ethel had said and hung up leaving her daughter perplexed and confused.

Melancholia set in throwing Hermione into a state of vast despair and endless longing. Life was about to change for better or worse. Change was a fact of life but adaptation was different.

Everyone she knew was here, her friends, and everything else that made life more beautiful and merrier. Home to her was a nightmare her mind created. It depicted bloodthirsty people, unending family drama, the jug heads who descended from her bloodline, awaiting to paint misery on her life.

''Maybe it isn't so bad after all".Lisa had said, as they packed the last bit of Hermione's belongings in the car.

''It may presume as a new beginning of everything. Don't let what your mind created ruin you'' Hermione couldn't agree more but one thing bugged her. Lisa was sad.it even depicted in the way she talked. For the past years, Lisa had been a ray of hope in the darkness, the shade between sadness and despair, tender and loving from corners. she would miss her.

''Bring it girl" ''I hate to see you cry, u know that.'' Hermione had said as she hugged her best friend so tight.'' I will call you every single minute, every day, every hour...''I will be back before you know it.''Hermione tried to smile but the sadness was returning.

The moment she had left her, and put the car in the ignition, Hermione figured out all she said might have been a lie. Coming back was out of the question. she wouldn't. Her mom had made that clear. The best she could do was to call.

Tears rolled as she waved bye to her best friend." Don't let your crazy ass get tired, let Ralph drive a bit okay?''Lisa had shouted, just as the car rolled away from campus. Hermione waved a thumbs up in the air and adjusted her seat belt. It was a long way to go and she needed to be prepared.

The memory of departure brought her mood down. She had been singing but now everything quietened. Deathly silence bloomed. Ralph in the back seat had not said anything till now.

''Would you like me to drive, Ralph asked faintly. so you talk, I mean all this time I thought you didn't"Hermione said sarcastically.

''Honestly, I was here boring myself with the singing.''

''Anyway take the wheel for as long as you want, I will rest.'' They switched places, only she this time sat in the co-driver seat. They chatted for a while with Ralph cracking funny jokes as ever.

"Can I be frank with you,?"He glanced at her and eyes to the road again.

''Sure'' ''What is it?. Hermione replied with eyes half-closed.She wanted to sleep.

''This is the most I have seen you smile for years I have worked as your chauffeur" Ralph replied and she was afraid he was right. She laughed a few times, only with her close friends. Ralph had worked for her for a long time. She wondered if he was ever happy if he ever had a family.

''You too''.By the way are you married?"Hermione asked with concern that surprised her too. Since when did she start caring about others lives.

''Am not, maybe I could take you as my wife my lady'', he returned the funny-am very serious look that made Hermione laugh even more. Ralph was almost her father's age. Though he had the stormy serious daze, there was more than made him more humane than scary. He had acted her father when her father wasn't there, comforted her when she failed to sleep. she loved him as much.

''Well am firing you as soon as we reach sin creek

Get a wife,

Marry and give birth to beautiful kids like me'' Hermione replied with a yawn. Sleep had kicked in and she needed it badly.

''Now watch the road while I sleep.'' With that, she tossed and turned to find a comfortable sweet spot before nightmares ruined her.