2 Chapter 1

The accident happened 6 months ago. At this point in my life I've been through 5 of my relatives, each refusing to keep me. It's not my fault they didn't want me to stay, it's the ghosts, the nightmares, the voices that haunt me. Over time it's gotten worse, and my solution is to run. I used to be the kind of person to face problems head on, and then my family died. Running from my emotions, the past, the ghosts, it all made sense to me.

After my Aunt Kate on my dads side refused to keep me, my last option was my estranged Aunt Lysa, on my mothers side. My mom never spoke of having a sister, but I guess that's why they call it estranged. She agreed to take me in, and allow me to move to their little town in Refuge, Kansas. The social worker made it loud and clear that this was my last hope. If this didn't work out, I would officially be put into the system and hopefully adopted out. At 16 years old, I knew the odds on someone like me getting adopted. Typically, the odds didn't work in the kids favor.

The bus ride to Kansas took 12 hours. I would've liked to meet my aunt with a better mood, but beggars can't be choosers. Aunt Lysa came to pick me up from the bus stop at 2 p.m. She wasn't at all what I had expected. My mother is very reserved and old fashioned. With her red hair pulled back from her face, and her glasses in place, she'd often spend time in her office studying history and working on her novels. The blonde hair and grey eyes, I got all that from my fathers side of the family. My aunt was the complete opposite of my mother. Her long red hair flowed in waves down her back, her long black skirt, blue tank top, and white sweater made her stand out. The fact that she was wearing make up showed the obvious differences between her and my mother.

"Corinne?" The woman asked me.

"Yeah thats me." I gave a sheepish smile. I used to be outgoing, friendly, but after the accident everything changed. Things that once mattered so much, meant absolutely nothing to me.

"Its so good to finally meet you!" She squealed with delight pulling me into a hug. I'd never admit this if anyone noticed, but I breathed in her scent, hoping some part of her would smell like my mother. I closed my eyes and imagined my mom was here, hugging me, telling me these last 6 months have been a dream. She didn't smell like my mothers perfume and air freshener. She smelled of herbs and lavender, it was equally comforting.

"Uh yeah it's good to meet you too." I said, trying to effortlessly laugh.

"Alright lets get going, I can't wait to show you your new room!" She exclaimed, leading me out of the bus terminal and towards a small blue Honda.

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We pulled up to a small blue house at the beginning of the block and parked. It was a quaint house, blue with old fashioned white shutters. It perfectly matched the eccentricity of my aunt. At that moment, I made a silent pact with myself to not screw things up again, to make sure they work out. This was the first relative that actually wanted me around. The rest took me in out of obligation to the poor girl who lost her whole family.

"Lets get these bags inside, then you can walk around the town, maybe meet some friends?" My aunt suggested eagerly.

"Walk around town? I can do that here?" I ask confused, living in a city meant it wasn't always a good idea to be walking around by yourself.

"Yeah of course! It's a small town, so don't pay any mind if some of the townsfolk know who you are! News travels fast around here." My aunt laughed and grabbed a few of my bags.

I followed my aunt inside, and the decor of the house matched her personality perfectly. The furniture and throw pillows didn't match each other at all. It seems as if all of the furniture was collected at different moments in time and thrown into the house. None of it matched or went together, but at the same time it fit perfectly. She lead me up the stairs and to the first door down the hallway.

"Alright, are you ready? I spent a week making sure everything was perfect!" She squealed setting my bags down.

"I'm ready." I chuckled.

"Alright close your eyes!" She said eagerly.

I obliged and closed my eyes, for her sake. She opened the door and led me inside.

"Okay open them!" She exclaimed.

I opened my eyes, unsure of what reaction I should give. What would be appropriate? I looked around the room and the first thing I noticed was the large bed, sitting on a white wooden frame, with a white canopy cascading down the sides of the bed. In the other corner of the room sat a little black couch, next to a book shelf full of novels. A beautiful white vanity sat on the other side of the room, just like the one I had before the accident. Beautiful abstract paintings filled the walls of the bedroom adding color. I loved the room.

"Wow.. you really nailed it Aunt Lysa." I said speechless for once.

"You really like it?" She asked eagerly, her hands clasped in anticipation.

"I do, I love it!" I exclaimed, giving her a small hug.

"Good good, I knew I still had some style left in me! Go on and explore the town, just be back by 4 p.m. for dinner!" My aunt smiled at me shooing me out of the room.