Chapter Text
The smell of shitty coffee and cheap cleaner filled your nose as you stepped into the gas station. It was small, the lights that weren’t broken bright and buzzing. Though it wasn’t like shoddy stops weren’t normal for you by now, two years on the road gets you used to places that look straight out of a slasher.
Making your way through the aisles, you snagged a few snacks and a drink or two. This would be your last stop before you made it to the coast. You’d been all over the States, staying in one place for a month at most before hitting the road again. Though, you knew you’d be staying in Santa Carla longer than you had with other places. Santa Carla was different, you had a reason to stay, you had a friend, a family that had almost become like your own, that you hadn’t seen since you’d started this road trip.
The ache in your chest became more prominent as you thought about the town. That was just the cherry on top. That ache in your chest, like someone was tugging on your heart or maybe your ribs, pulling you along until it subsided, only to return. It’s part of what had led you to go on this impromptu road trip in the first place, and it had never led you astray before. Now, it was pulling you towards Santa Carla, only getting easier to follow the closer to the coast you got. You were never sure when the tug had started, or why. Was it connected to the magic that ran through your veins, or was it something older, deeper?
You shook the thoughts off, paying for the items you’d grabbed, there was a time and place. You stepped back out of the small building, the sun warming your skin before it was hidden by the clouds. Even during Autumn California was somewhat warm, a stark difference from spending time in the Northern part of the US, the warmth of the golden state was refreshing in comparison.
As you made your way across the small parking lot, towards the van you’d called home for the last two years, you couldn’t help but smile. Being on the road was nice, it was freeing, being able to go where you wanted, when you wanted. But you had to admit, you’d missed the charm of solid houses and the feeling of just staying in one place, rather than letting the current take you where it pleased.
Sitting the bag on the floor of the passenger side, you looked over at the Ragdoll cat that lounged on the seat, soaking up the sunlight whenever it happened to shine through the windshield. You gave the cat a small pat as you shut the driver's side door, buckling up as you let out a breath.
“We’re on the last stretch, Binx. We’ll be in Santa Carla before the sun’s even set.”
A small laugh left you as you spoke. Binx had been with you for a good few months now, and he was the best driving companion you could’ve asked for, even if he lacked conversational skills. The cat only lifted his head to watch you as you started the van, pulling out of the small lot and back onto the road.
-
The sun hovered just above the horizon line, the warm light bathing the town ahead in orange and red hues. The large sign on the side of the road painted with landscapes and large, bright letters reading; ‘Welcome to Santa Carla’.
The town was sprawling, all types of people filled the streets and shops, some tourists, others locals. Even in the ‘off season’ for tourism, the town attracted a lively crowd.
You let out a breath, glancing around as you drove through the streets. Looking at Binx, who had jumped onto the dashboard to lie there, you smiled brightly. You had finally made it. Santa Carla was so much, more than you’d imagined. You’d only ever heard about the town before, but it was already starting to get overwhelming from the sheer amount of people and things to do, everything seemed focused on drawing people’s eye.
Shaking your head, hoping to get yourself back on track, you pulled out the piece of paper that had been crumpled in one of the cup holders, the writing luckily still legible. You followed the directions you’d been given, driving to a far less populated part of the town, out of the way and across dusty roads.
Making the final turn on the dirt road, you pulled up to a large house. The house was made of dark wood with various shrubbery and small trees decorating the space around the front, along with plenty handmade decorations; hanging bones, carved statues made from wood, and various pieces of furniture and old structures. A large shed sat in front of you, the house itself to your right, and you could glimpse a field with horses in it on the other side of the house. It was overall quite eclectic, but not completely off putting. Though that may be because you knew who was inside.
As you turned the key and the engine stopped, you sat back, just taking it in. You were nervous, it’d been two years since you’d left that small section of Phoenix that seemed to be both paradise and hell. Yes, you’d kept in contact, calling them from payphones when you could. But there was a stark difference in just calling someone and seeing them face to face.
You’d left Phoenix to get away, you told yourself you were starting a new life, leaving everything from your previous one behind. But, you couldn’t bear to leave everything, you couldn’t bear to leave him, to just disappear without a word. So, when you’d left, they were the only ones you’d actually said goodbye to, the only ones who you ever called. They were why you were here, he was why.
The weight of something in your lap broke you out of your thoughts and you looked down to see Binx, looking up at you almost expectantly. You laughed quietly, putting a hand on his head and scratching at the space behind his ears.
“You’re right, you’re right. I should just do it.” You let out a sigh, looking back at the house.
The door of the van shut behind you, Binx climbing onto your shoulders as you shoved the keys back into your pocket. Trying to will the anxiety and nerves away, you walked up to the house. The sound of wind chimes filled the air as you stood in front of the door, the weight of Binx perched on your shoulders as you kept him steady with a hand was grounding, comforting as you reached up your other hand and knocked.
For a few seconds there was nothing, just the wind chimes still clinking together in the quiet air, before the door opened.
Lucy Emerson had always been lovely, in every sense of the word. She had always been a sweet woman, motherly in every way a person could be. She’d been more of a mother to you than your own had. Time had done her well. Though not all that much had changed about the woman, she looked happier, more in her element than she ever had back in Phoenix with her now ex-husband.
The tension that had been curled against your spine and shoulders let up a bit as she gave you a bright smile.
“Oh, hello! It’s so good to see you! Come in, please.” Lucy pulled the door open more, stepping back as you made your way into the house, toeing your shoes off by the door as you took in the interior. It almost reminded you of what you thought a hunting cabin would look like, all wood and animals everywhere.
Binx climbed down into your arms, and as you adjusted to hold him better you looked over at Lucy.
“It’s been a long time, can’t say I haven’t missed you guys.” A smile spread across your face, just as a pair of sliding doors that were off to one side of the frankly; large living room, opened. An old man stepped out, his hair wispy and white, with a bandana or piece of cloth tied around his head. He raised a brow when he spotted you, but didn’t seem particularly perturbed by your presence. You’d take that as a win, considering you’d never properly met him before.
-
The tension set in your bones had ebbed away bit by bit as you spoke with Lucy, and the man who you’d correctly assumed was grandpa Emerson, or just grandpa as he’d said to call him. It was easy to fall back into the space you’d once filled in the Emerson family, kid next door or not, they were better to you than your parents, so you were practically one of them.
After just an hour you were happily in the kitchen, helping Lucy cook something for dinner. Binx was lounging on a table not too far away, already treating the house like he’d lived in it forever. As you moved around the kitchen, cooking with Lucy, the two of you talked. You told her about your trip to the coast, anything interesting you’d seen or done. She told you about what had happened in the past few months they’d been in Santa Carla, and while it felt like she was holding something back, you figured it wasn’t your place to pry, and if she felt you needed to know, she’d eventually tell you.
Truthfully, you’d been planning this visit with Lucy since the Emersons had moved to Santa Carla. It just felt right. It had, sadly, had to be postponed as there had been an accident of some sort and the house was questionably livable, though neither of the three had specified what exactly had caused the damage.
The Emersons had gotten lucky, from what they told you, the entire house was a mess. But they were able to fix everything in a few months, with the help of a few professionals of course. The house looked great though, just from first glance you couldn’t tell anything had happened.
After the fiasco that apparently was the Emersons’ Summer, you were able to come. It was something only you and Lucy were aware of, you’d both agreed it would be more fun to surprise the other two. So, you’d driven your way to California, all the way to the coastal town. It was just strange luck that neither of the younger Emersons were home.
Though they could only stay away for so long.
The tension that had let up, coiled itself around your spine again as the front door opened, the sound of voices drifting into the kitchen.