Beginning

                                    

                                          

Saturday is my last day in California, this morning I was awoken by movers and goodbyes from neighbors. I didn't want to move from my house or school as I know nothing but the little community I was isolated in. 
                          
My mother and I just got off a three hour flight and now we are in a rental on the way to our new home. During our drive neither of us had said a word to the other, the only sound that filled the car is the radio that played the same songs from the previous hour. 
                          
In the last thirty minutes of our drive to a small town in Marietta, Ohio it seems that my mom and I finally get tired of the radio as we both reach for the volume dial. 
                          
She laughs while keeping her eyes on the road, "I can't take another song." She groans while I laugh agreeing with her. 
                          
"You and I both." I smile at her before turning my head towards the window watching the many trees blur pass. The beautiful scenery has my thoughts run like a train as I think about how my life is about to change. 
                          
I look back over to my mom who has been through so much and I smile at her, she is the reason I have not been verbally complaining about the sudden move, it made her happy. 
                          
My mom talked so highly of this small town, she said this is where we use to live before we moved to California but I know the real reason. This small place of nothing but trees and dirt is where she and my father fell in love. 
                          
Where is he you may ask?
                          
 My father died the day after I was born, he died from an animal attack but I'm not really sure from what animal. From what my mom said he was a sweet and kind man who could look intimidating at time to those who do not know him. 
                          
Unfortunately, because of him I had to go through years of 'training' as my mom calls it. She said it was something my father would have wanted so I can protect myself. I don't know what from, maybe just the world in general but I stopped questioning their method of protecting me as the stuff I learned can really come in hand later on in life. 
                          
A honk from the car stops my train of thought  as the car pulls into a long driveway. Once in front of the house that's already being filled with our belongings by movers both my mom and I exit the car.
                          
I look up to the house- sorry mansion- and gape at the sight of the tall modern structure. I keep opening and closing my mouth to say something but nothing comes out. The sight is just too beautiful, I mean the outside is already perfect with the cream color of the house to the green grass for a lawn along with the planted white and red flowers that aligns with a stone entrance path. 
                          
It looks like home. 
                          
I smile as my eyes finds the back of my mothers head. Walking over I lay my head on her shoulder as we both look up and admire our new home. As I hear her sniffling I already know she is tearing up from pure happiness as she told me countless of times that this is my fathers childhood home. 
                          
I feel her hand wrap around my waist as she pulls me in for a hug, "This house brings back so many memories." She sighs out in content. 
                          
"Well we're here and I'd say we can make a hundred more memorable memories." I smile trying to cheer her up. 
                          
She laughs while wiping at her eyes letting me go in the process, "Lets get started then." We both have big smiles. 
                          
We enter the house together and let me tell you it's amazing. First walking in I notice a grand double stair case leading up to the second floor of the house, letting my eyes take in the huge building I glance past the entrance of a huge kitchen before looking to the open space of a living room to my left. Excitement rushes through me before I run off to another part of the house exploring the in's and out's of the mansion. As I look around the rest of the house I discover we have a basement which my mom says is a workout room but of course needs to be cleaned up. 
                          
At least I know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow. 
                          
I find my way around the house and I happen to find a room that holds a king-size bed which is mine after I confirmed it with my mom who's been staring off into space with a ghost of a smile on her face.   I leave her to her thoughts before dashing to my new room which is definitely two times bigger than my last. 
                          
My spacious sanctuary is covered with unpacked brown boxes and a bare bed I can not wait to sleep on. Stepping away from the door frame I maneuver my way around the boxes looking around the white wall space noticing an open door leading to an empty bathroom. I continue to gape at the room  peeking a look in another door to find a closet with a single hanger dangling. 
                          
Sighing in content I sit at the edge of my new bed looking out two big windows that are to the left of the room noticing the sun slowly fade down leaving darkness behind it. I takes this as a sign to begin unpacking my things wanting to be done with the work already. 
                          
I pick out the boxes I need most before opening them and organize my clothes in the unused space in the closet until I have no more packed away clothes. I focus on the next best thing just as remember the bathroom before searching through many of my things looking for toiletries as I will need them soon. The time it takes for me to unpack and load my bathroom is half the time it took for hanging up my clothes which I am grateful for. 
                          
"Athena?" My mom calls from my room. 
                          
Stepping out the half decorated bathroom I come face to face with an exhausted looking woman, "Yeah mom?" I question looking around the room at my progress. 
                          
"I am just checking on you, I know this move was so unexpected for you." She says guilty. 
                          
I shake my head and lean against the door frame of the bathrrom, "I was hesitant at first but with this new bedroom I'd say I'll get over it." I laugh shaking my head at my own silliness. 
                          
Mom laughs with me, "I knew you'd say something like that, well don't let me keep you just dont stay up too much later Athena, get some rest." She warns walking to the door. 
                          
"I won't." I groan wanting to get more things done but with the mention of resting I feel a yawn coming on. 
                          
"Goodnight." She calls sweetly over her shoulder knowing I am about to fall out any minute. 
                          
I wave her off feeling the soreness of my eyes before glancing at my unmade bed, I grab my blanket from my previous bed which does not fit my new the king-size mattress and wrap my self up before plopping down on it stretching my limbs before my eyes get heavier with exhaustion. 
                          
Before I can fall into a dreamless sleep the sound of a howl pierce through the quiet night just as I fall into darkness of the unknown.