“Stop saying that. You don’t love me, either. Whatever happened between us was not love. What did happen anyway?” Rachel asked as she looked down to find all her clothes still intact and her hair still in place. She worried for a second that something happened between them that she’d really regret.
“Please Rachel. Please. I love you. Just come with me. We can go back to the castle. That will help you remember,” Benji said.
“Castle?” Rachel questioned. She didn’t know what to make of this guy. Was he some fairytale character living in some fictitious fantasyland? Was he serious? She was curious, but not curious enough to find out.
“No, I’m leaving,” Rachel, said as she stood up to walk away.
“Where are you going to go?” Benji said.
“Why does it matter?” Rachel snapped.
“Please, come with me. Don’t go!” Benji begged.
“I’m not coming with you to your CASTLE, you creep. Leave me alone now!” Rachel yelled.
“Rachel, don’t do this. Don’t go. Not after all we’ve been through!”
“I can’t hear this anymore. I have to go!” Rachel said as she walked quickly away from Benji.
She didn’t know where she was walking to but figured she’d eventually get her bearings and figure out where she was. She knew she’d find her way back home somehow.
CHAPTER 2
Rachel walked up the front walkway to her house in Pennsylvania. She was overjoyed to be home and felt a sense of security walking up towards her front door. She reached into her pocket, looking for her house key, but it wasn’t there.
That’s odd, she thought to herself.
She stopped and listened; she heard her dad’s voice coming through the door. He sounded angry. She suddenly wished she didn’t stay out all night. She knew she was going to be in trouble.
Rachel lifted her right hand and put her pointer finger to the round, lit up doorbell and pushed it.
DING DONG.
She heard footsteps growing louder towards the door and then she saw her father’s face peeking through the curtain in the door. He took a second look, blinking his eyes. Then, he opened the door, slowly, staring at her as if he was confused or angry. She couldn’t make out his expression really.
“What are you doing back here?” her dad said.
Rachel looked at him in confusion, “What do you mean?”
“Why did you come back? Did you forget something?” her dad asked.
“Um? I live here. What are you talking about, Dad?” Rachel asked.
“No, you don’t. You haven’t lived here for years,” her dad replied.
“C’mon Dad! Don’t kid with me,” Rachel said. “Can I come in now?”
“Why do you want to come in?” her dad asked.
“Because I LIVE HERE!” she said, in a booming voice. “What do you want me to do pitch a tent in the lawn and stay outside?”
Her dad laughed and cracked a smile. “I guess you can come inside.”
“I’m going up to my room,” Rachel said.
“Well…it’s not exactly your room anymore,” her dad said.
Rachel had no idea what he was talking about. She couldn’t understand it. She was gone for one night and he cleared out her bedroom. What was he talking about?
“What do you mean? I was here yesterday,” Rachel said.
“Rachel, are you Ok? What happened to you?” her dad asked.
She knew he’d eventually ask her about last night. She was surprised he wasn’t angrier though. It was almost as if he didn’t realize she’d gone out.
“I’m sorry. I know I should have called, or texted. It won’t happen again. I promise,” Rachel said shamefully.
“Huh?” her dad said. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh,” Rachel said. “I thought you were asking about last night.”
“Last night?” her dad said.
“Yeah, I’m sorry I stayed out all night. It’s totally out of character and I’m sorry. I hope you and mom weren’t too worried about me. I didn’t mean it,” Rachel said again.
She waited for a response from her dad, but didn’t get anything but a blank, confused stare.
“Ok, I’m coming in, Dad,” Rachel said, as she scooted by him in the doorway.
She was taken back a little bit at the changes in the house. She was surprised, but figured her mom went through one of her re-decorating frenzies last night and changed things around while she was out. There was no other explanation she could think of.
On her way up the stairs to her room, she could hear her father’s footsteps trailing behind her. Why was he following her? She wondered.
As she came to her door, it was closed shut. The sign on her door that said Rachel’s Room was taken down and the nail hole closed up.
“Huh?” she said out loud.
She turned the brass handle to her door and opened it, surprised by what she saw.
“Dad! What’s going on?” Rachel yelled. “Where’s all my stuff?”
“Rachel, I was trying to explain that to you before. You don’t live here anymore,” her dad responded.
“Dad, seriously. What did you guys do with it? Where’s Mom? I need to talk to her about this. It’s one thing to go and change up the downstairs or your bedroom, but why did she have to change mine?” Rachel questioned angrily.
“Rachel, you haven’t lived here in two years. What do you expect?” her dad said.
“Two years!” Rachel yelled. “Why do you keep saying that?”
“Remember Bedford? Remember how you disappeared this past year? Remember you HATE us?” her dad said.
Rachel looked at him in surprise. She had no idea what he was going on about. Was everyone crazy today? She thought. If they weren’t crazy than she must be going mad.
“Ok, seriously. This isn’t funny. Where did you put all my stuff?” Rachel said. “Is this some sort of prank? April fools joke? Speaking of which, what day is it?”
“It’s December 1st,” her dad replied. “It’s been a long time, Rachel. A really long time. I’m surprised you came back to us.”
“Well, I’m back. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I want to put my room back together. Where’d you put my things?” Rachel asked.
“Um…they’re in the garage. But why are you going to put your room back together. You can’t stay here!” her dad said, sternly.
“What do you mean I can’t stay here? Where do you think I should go then?” Rachel questioned.
“I don’t know. Where have you been living this past year? Why don’t you go back there? You’re probably more welcome there than here. After all we’ve been through you don’t seriously think you can just march back in here as if nothing happened, do you?” her dad remarked.
“All you’ve been through? It was ONE NIGHT! Don’t get all worked up over it. You’re completely blowing this whole thing out of proportion,” Rachel said, letting out a little laugh.