Beautiful Sins: Leigha Lowery (2 page)

"Leigha, do you think I could come in?" Randy asked.

"Su-Sure," I said, pulling myself up into a sitting position. Randy entered, pulled out the small computer chair, and sat in front of me. He stared down at his long, pale hands as he spoke.

"I spoke with my pilots. The attack is clearing up, and we'll be able to leave by tomorrow night. I wanted to know if there was anyone you wanted to say goodbye to before we left." God, I had a newfound hatred for this man! Could he be any more annoying? Randy sighed.

"Leigha, I know this is a difficult transition for you, but I promise I will do everything I can to make sure that you are comfortable. The Dark Coast isn't what you think it is. It truly is a good land."

"Yeah, a land full of legendary monsters and mythical creatures." I muttered sarcastically. He flinched at my rude comment. What was that all about?

All I really knew about the Dark Coast was the horrible stuff I learned from regular news footage of mysterious unsolved murders and “large animals”. I also knew that the crime rate there was ridiculous right after the storm. I'll admit it though, things have calmed down quite a bit since King Royce arrived and claimed the lands. I suppose you could say the King brought some kind of balance to the Dark Coast.

Whatever my feelings about the Coast, I would have to remain polite. I had never had a father, and the idea of it did sound nice. Even if I couldn't stand him. I took a deep breath before I spoke.

"Randy, I'm not going to lie to you. This is the only home I know, and the thought of leaving it behind is incomprehensible to me. But I am willing to put my problems aside for my mother. She deserves to be happy."

Randy smiled, "You are so selfless, Leigha. It's a good attribute to have. Hold on to it."

I rolled my eyes.

"I'll leave you alone now. Think about what I said. I'm going to go check on your mother." With that, he left the room.

I got up from my bed and pushed my small black chair back towards my computer. As I turned on the monitor, I scowled at the pile of pre-written articles for my column. I wondered who my editor would replace me with. The very thought made me furiously angry, and I scattered the papers onto the floor. That’s it when I saw it.

The Chronicles. God, it had been so long since I had read it. I paused and stared at the thick, encyclopedia-like fictional journal. I thought about how The Chronicles had changed my life—inspired me to become an established writer. The feeling of escaping to a new world—a world of your own fantasies. King Thaneaddus, the first evil that shaped and molded the world into what it is today. And how without evil, the world could not exist. Thaneaddus was the balance. I picked up the thick book and sat it in front of my desktop, thumbing through it.

I paused at the middle of the book. The love story, how Thaneaddus chose his beloved Eden over the Heavens. A love that powerful simply doesn't exist. I slammed the book shut and tossed it to the floor. It was absurd to even consider believing such fictitious urban legends. It was like believing that Santa Claus existed, or the Easter Bunny. A low chuckle erupted from my chest as I chided myself for my child-like attraction to the story.

As I began to type my final article, I couldn't quite figure out why the Chronicles remained in my thoughts. I looked up at the screen glaring at the small paragraph I had written.

* * * * *

Goodbyes

Today had to be the most difficult day of my life. I stood on the front porch, taking my final look of the only home I knew, saying “goodbye. Perhaps the terrorist attack had cleared out; however, military tanks and trucks still patrolled the streets. It's 2026 and perhaps the worst war in human history. America was running out of willing soldiers, and teenagers were being pulled out of their homes to serve their country.

My mother sat peacefully in Randy's black SUV, while Randy loaded the trunk with our luggage. We were only allowed to take what we could carry. I would be leaving my life behind in this house. A part of me would have to be left behind as well. As much as I hated Randy for that, I loved and respected him in another way. The way he looked at my mother… It reminded me of The Chronicles, the way Thaneaddus adored and cherished his beloved Eden. I envied the love my mother received from Randy. It was a passionate love, an unconditional love. You just don't see that these days, not even in the movies.

"Leigha my dear, it's time," Randy called, pulling me from my reverie. I took one final look into the sky. The clouds were still thick from the fire, and the scent of the air burned my nose. All I could smell these days was smoke and blood. I walked slowly down the steps, taking my time as I walked to the SUV. Randy opened the passenger door for me and assisted me inside before getting in and taking off.

"Where to?" Randy asked as we turned onto Plymouth Road. My mother glared at me through the rearview mirror. She didn't want this, but we needed this. It was the mature thing to do. We had to say our goodbyes.

"To Southfield. I need to say goodbye to my Grandpa." I chided myself internally for saying that. But I knew I would never be able to get on the plane unless I did this. I was brave; I could handle this. My mother groaned and relaxed back into her seat. Randy reached over and brushed his fingers along her pale rosy cheek. She took his hand in hers and lifted it to plant gentle kisses on the back of his hand.

Their love was worth the trip. I constantly chanted that to myself internally. Their love was worth it.

With Randy's speedy driving, we were in the City of Southfield within fifteen minutes. Randy pulled into the driveway and put the SUV in park.

"I won't be long," I said. Randy hopped out of the driver's seat and helped me out of the car.

"We'll be right here. Say goodbye for your mother, okay?" I nodded, trying to fight the tears that I was saving for Granddad. Randy placed his cool hands over my shoulders. I looked up into his bright blue eyes.

"Take deep breaths, sweetheart," he suggested. I took his advice as I walked up to the front door. I lost my nerve before I could ring the doorbell. My knees gave out and before I hit the hard pavement, two strong arms wrapped swiftly around my waist, pulling me back onto my feet.

"I can't… I just can't do it," I sobbed into Randy's chest. Randy wrapped his arm around the back of my knees, pulling me up so that I was cradled into his arms. He whispered soothing words that calmed me as he carried me back to the SUV.

"Shh, sweetheart. Everything will be better soon," he promised. I wrapped my arms around his cool neck, pulling myself closer to him.

"Sleep, sweetheart. You'll be home before you know it." I'm not sure how he did it, but with his words, I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

My eyes fluttered open to a rounded white ceiling. Where was I? Cool fingers draped across my clammy forehead, and I sat up quickly in defense. To my left, my mother was resting peacefully in a leather seat, with a warm quilt draped across her body. Beside me, Randy sat holding out a glass of water.

"I'm glad you decided to wake before we arrived. You were giving your mother a panic attack," Randy smiled with his bright, perfect teeth that were slightly off. They were too perfect, almost canine. I took the water reluctantly and took a sip.

"Wow, I didn't say goodbye to anyone," I whispered. Randy chuckled.

"Don't worry. I sent something out for you," he said smugly. The flight attendant walked over to us and handed him a small stack of papers.

"All sent out as you requested, sir."

I stared at him blankly. He smiled and handed them to me. As I shuffled through them, I realized they were copies of letters to all my friends and family. The strangest part was that it was in my own handwriting.

"I-don't-understand," I said, scratching my forehead. "I don't remember writing these."

Randy chuckled. "Yes, you weren't yourself at the time."

I would have remembered writing these letters. Writing is what I do best. Randy reached toward me and tucked my long wavy auburn hair behind my ear. His bright blue eyes were hypnotizing. I wondered if he had that effect on everyone. I shook my head and passed the papers back to him. I couldn't even remember what I was thinking about a few moments ago.

"We've left already?" I asked, looking towards the oval shaped window beside me. I lifted up the shade and it was nightfall.

"Yes, you've been out for four hours. We're almost in Portland," Randy said as he handed the papers and my glass to the flight attendant.

"Four hours!" I said, horrified. "But…But I didn't even get to say goodbye!"

"Leigha, dear, please calm down. You'll see them again one day," Randy promised. I hoped he was right.

I groaned and leaned back on the comfortable leather sofa.

"Where are we going exactly?"

"I have a house in Banks, Oregon. It's actually a great town, small and quiet. It will be easier for you and your mother to adjust to your new lifestyles." I just stared at him blankly.

"What do you mean by 'adjusting' to our new lifestyles?"

Randy sighed, "Your mother didn’t tell you? You're wealthy, Leigha. Plus, I have close ties with the Royal Family, so you'll have to get used to being around the court."

Okay, this time I believe my mouth fell open. How many times had I dreamed of being around King Royce?

"Really?" was my stupid response.

Randy laughed, "Yes, Leigha, if that's okay with you, of course."

I rolled my eyes. "Of course, it is!"

"Shh," Randy quickly responded. I knew what he meant. Now was not a good time to be waking my mother. We both took a fearful glance at my mother as she shifted in her seat. We sighed in unison.

"My bad," I whispered.

Randy laughed and shook his head. "I'm going to go see if we have anything on board for you to eat."

I stared out the window into the darkness. I wondered what state we were floating across. I thought about Amy and Granddad; I was going to miss them.

"Goodbye," I sighed and pulled down the window shade.

* * * * *

To the Coast

It wasn't long before we entered the Dark Coast. We were forced to land in Vegas—a checkpoint for Royce's soldiers to validate residency. Randy assisted us off the small white luxury jet and escorted us into the terminal. Two large men hurried to our sides. I stared, perturbed by their strange behavior. Randy met my gaze briefly, giving me a wink of encouragement.

As Randy explained the situation to the Border Patrol, I gazed out the large open window of the terminal. It was if the world had been split in half; a world of complete darkness and a world of light. I looked to the west, gazing at the dark grey, hazy clouds. Towards the east, the sun beamed down on what was left of Nevada. I realized that this would possibly be the last time I’d ever see it again. I kept my gaze on the large, bright sun, appreciating the light once more before it left me, possibly forever.

"Let's get married now! I don't want to wait a moment more!" My mother exclaimed to Randy. My mother was so happy, I couldn't help but smile each time they caressed, kissed, gazed into each other's eyes. That was exactly the love I had always wanted for her. I walked a few paces behind them as we walked back to the jet.

The flight to Portland wasn't as long as I assumed it would be, but it felt like we had been flying all day. As the plane landed at Portland International Airport, I noticed that the constant cloud cover couldn't destroy the beauty of Mount Hood, the largest and most beautiful mountain in the state. It was mid-afternoon, but felt like twilight. I remembered my grandfather telling me that it got dark early here. The white snow covered the top of the mountain, and its beauty captured my gaze. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to be here. I had imagined that it would always be dark here, but there was light; a hazy, gloomy grey light. No sun; I would miss that.

Randy led the way through the airport as a skycap carried our bags to a long black limousine. As we rode down the highway and into town, I thought about the past that we left behind. Patricia, my mother, had made it very clear throughout my life to never get attached to anything. We had moved so much, all over Detroit, and with that we lost a lot of things. I had never truly held onto even one good friend, and it didn’t look like I’d hold onto Amy this time either.

Reality finally began to set in when we arrived at our new house in the small town of Banks. “House” was an understatement. It was a mansion. I had to hold my mouth shut to keep it from flopping open. Maybe my eyes were out-of-focus, I don't know. But this house had to have been five stories high. My mind was already contemplating the acres behind the mansion. Indoor/outdoor pool? Oh God… My mother and I dreamed of places like this.

The yard was covered in snow, typical for January. I would be attending school here. I looked up into the sky as the night fell right before our eyes. The most beautiful thing happened. My body froze as I watched nature perform the most beautiful act. The clouds suddenly faded, opening up to clear skies. The moon was full and almost as bright as the sun. The stars glowed overhead like a night light. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.