House Of Wolves

Houston, I Have so Many Problems

Updated~5/16/20

I leaned against the window and watched the vibrant green hills roll by, taking along with it my past. I had never wanted to move, Texas was where I spent seventeen years of my life, only for it to be whisked away in a fervent moment.

"Get your head out of the clouds, Aria." My mother gripped the steering wheel tightly, glancing back quickly with a concerned look in her eyes.

"I'm just worried. I haven't heard from dad or Theo since we left. All of my stuff is back at home too, I don't even have a spare change of clothes." The car was glaringly empty in my father's absence, and the silence was too prominent without my younger brother's nagging.

"Try calling your father, he should have left just behind us."

I dialed his number quickly, having already previously contemplated making the call. The phone beeped in response to a blocked signal.

"I think his phone is off, mom" I worriedly glanced at the failed call screen.

"I'm sure he just doesn't want to be bothered driving, just relax, we have a long drive ahead of us" with that my mother turned on the radio, classic rock instantly filling the car. If I closed my eyes I could almost imagine I was back at home, and the radio was the sound of our old record player rendering melodies softly near dusk.

Only a few hours ago I was called out of school at my mother's bequest, given only the knowledge that we could no longer stay in Houston. I thought it must have been a practical joke, however my family has never been one for games. All I knew is that our family was separated, and after the first hour of the drive spent on inquisitions, I knew my mother wouldn't disclose more information.

Day quickly turned to night, and after several pit stops, it became apparent that the wonders of caffeine could only carry one person so far.

"I think we'll pull in for the night, I can barely keep my eyes open." my mother pulled off at the next exit, setting anchor at the nearest motel she could find.

Initially stepping out of the car, it was apparent the scenery had drastically changed. In place of the usual August heat was chilling breezes, and proud conifers had taken the place of oak trees. We definitely weren't in Texas anymore.

My mom drifted over to the office, hastily returning with a room key. Within the minute we had packed ourselves into the motel room; which featured the classic dingy odors, outdated duvets, and a prominent holy bible. My mother sorted away our minimal personal effects, digging out a set of clothes from her day bag.

"Here," she handed me pajamas, "these are mine but they should be fine for tonight." Despite the hours she had spent driving that day, my mom displayed a burst of energy as she fervently secured the room. Window curtains were pinned closed, doors were locked and chains were secured. I offered her a confused glance before retreating to the bathroom.

Once inside I immediately opened my phone, shooting off another of what must have been a dozen texts to my brother Theo that day. All of them were unread. I couldn't shake my feeling of dread, as I swear I have never seen that boy without his phone in his pocket. Everything was out of hand, I just wanted answers.

As I was about to change out of my outfit, incessant pounding rang through the small adjacent room. It had to have been a guest at the door.

"Hey, who's-"

"Get back in there right now. Not a word." Within seconds of entering the room I was shoved back into the bathroom. I hurriedly turned the lock and pressed my ear to the door as the knocking grew louder. Soft clinking could be heard as security locks were undone. I waited with bated breath as the door squeaked open.

"Hello sir, can I help you?"

"I'm under the impression that you've been traveling with company." A strange voice spoke, muffled from the boundary of the door. Silence rang out, I could almost hear my mother's trepidation.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're talking about"

"Really?" In a heartbeat I heard clamoring on the other side of the door, I knew the stranger had entered our room "are you calling the nice man at the front desk a liar?"

For some reason, I knew he was looking for me. Glancing about the small tiled room, I knew I had to make a decision. Muffled footsteps rang in the next room over as I hurriedly moved aside the cleaning supplies in the cabinet under the sink. Unlocking the bathroom door, I crammed myself into the cabinet.

"I'm going to need you to leave my room now, or I'm calling the police"

"Oh, I'll only be a moment, there's only so many places to hide"

The door creaked open, I could feel the stranger's eyes of scrutiny on my neck as he perused the room. I clamped a hand over my mouth to halt my labored breathing as every joint ached in its contorted position. I closed my eyes and prayed to any god that was out there, willing the man to leave the room. The shower curtains resonated through the room as they were ripped from the rail. I held in a gasp and struggled to remain still.

"Seems you're right, I apologize for intruding. Have a good night ma'am." What felt like hours finally passed as the man's leaden footsteps retreated from the motel room. I only dared move once I could hear my mother put the locks back into place.

I practically fell out of the cabinet, gasping for air on the grimy bathroom floor. My mother met me on the ground, holding onto me as the sound of a thunderous engine started, and finally receded from the motel's parking lot.

"Who was that?" I questioned while finally finding the strength to pick myself up.

"Nothing but bad news" she looked dejected and overwhelmed, I offered her a hand to help her off the floor.

"Aria, you need to know," she sighed and eyed the door, "we left Houston for your protection. This is exactly what I didn't want to happen."

"I don't- ugh! I don't understand." I exclaimed in frustration and slowly paced the room. My mother looked shell shocked, and I knew this situation was just as frightening for her as it was for me.

"You know what, I'm not sure what's happening, but we have to leave this place. Give me the car keys." I helped move our stuff back into our sedan, nerves racing through my body. The anxiety slowly lessened as I drove further from the hotel, mostly abating as we entered the desolate highway. Mother drowsily logged in the gps destination before passing out in the passenger's seat.

Information racketed around my head, overloading as I knew my mom wouldn't be providing any more insight for the night. Knowing I might be the reason my family was in danger, as well as why my father and brother were radio silent, slowly tore me apart. As the sun steadily rose in the east, slowly hitting the car with lazy pastel rays, I knew with clarity that I wasn't worth the effort they were putting in to keep me safe.

I feel like I've rewritten this story so many times. I started this book 6 years ago, and this is my third go at it, I want to do my childhood dream justice. I'm getting hit with so many nostalgic vibes, this book always brings me home on Wattpad.