Page 7 of Tempest Awakening
With a shuddering breath, I opened the journal, the blank pages beckoning me to fill them with the turmoil inside.
My mother's words, laced with venom, echoed in my mind. "You're nothing but a disappointment, Tempest. Always have been, always will be."
The sting of those words had been all too familiar, dredging up memories of a childhood spent walking on eggshells, forever seeking her approval.
With trembling strokes, I poured out the tangled mess of emotions—the anger, the sadness, the fear of what lay ahead. Purging them from my heart, if only for a fleeting moment.
A soft meow broke my reverie. Whiskey nuzzled against my leg, his one green eye blinking up at me with feline concern. I managed a weak smile and scratched behind his ears, his rumbling purr a soothing balm.
"Hey there, pumpkin." My voice cracked with a fragile rawness. "I'm okay. I just... I need to figure some things out."
Whiskey cocked his head, as if understanding the weight behind my words. For years, he had been my sole companion, a steadfast presence through the darkest of times. With a weary sigh, I closed the journal, the blank pages still beckoning for the rest of my story.
Grabbing my battered duffel bag, I shoved in the few belongings I had, knowing deep down that this was it. No more going back,no more second chances. I was done being a punching bag for Mom's cruelty.
But first I needed to take care of one last thing, quitting my job.
The drive to Tres Lobos passed in a blur. Could I really do this? Leave everything behind and forge a new path? The thought should have terrified me, but strangely, it didn't. A strange sense of calm had settled over me, as if some cosmic force was gently nudging me forward.
The familiar scent of spices and sizzling meat greeted me as I stepped into the bustling eatery. James, my boss, flashed me a wolfish grin from behind the counter.
"Well, well, if it isn't my favorite human! You're looking a little rough around the edges today, Tess. Everything okay?"
I must have looked as wrecked as I felt because he ushered me into the back office without another word. Once we were ensconced in the cozy space, James fixed me with those piercing amber eyes that always seemed to peer straight into my soul.
"Spill it." His gruff voice was laced with genuine care, a stark contrast to the callous indifference I had grown accustomed to from my own family.
And spill I did. The entire sordid tale came tumbling out—Mom's latest manipulative ploy, the vicious argument that had erupted, and her ultimate act of cruel rejection. James listened intently.
When I finally fell silent, he reached across the desk and enveloped my trembling hands in his calloused grip. "You did the right thing, kid," he said gruffly. "That woman... You don't deserve that kind of toxicity in your life."
His words unleashed a fresh torrent of tears, but this time, they were tinged with a profound relief. For once, someone saw me—the real me—and didn't turn away in disgust or apathy.
"I... I need to leave, James," I managed to choke out between sobs. "Sacramento holds too many ghosts. I can't keep living in her shadow."
He nodded, his grip tightening with a reassuring squeeze. "Then go. Spread those wings and fly, Tess. You're one of the kindest, smartest, most hardworking folks I know. Plus, you've got a heart bigger than this whole damn city. Whatever path you choose, I know you'll find your place in this world."
His words resonated deep within me. I was done letting the weight of others' expectations and judgments dictate my life.
"Thank you, James," I replied, my voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how much that means to me."
He smiled warmly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just promise me one thing, kiddo. Promise me you'll find happiness, wherever the road takes you."
After scribbling out a hastily written letter of resignation, I hugged James goodbye, my heart both heavy and hopeful.
As I stepped out into the warm California sun, a strange sense of freedom washed over me. The world felt... open, brimming with possibilities I had never dared to dream of before.
With a deep breath, I slipped behind the wheel, adjusting the rear view mirror and catching a glimpse of my reflection. The woman staring back at me was one I barely recognized—her golden-brown eyes alight with a determination, her lips curved into a tentative smile that hinted at the promise of better days ahead.
I looked at Whiskey, who was watching me with his one-eyed gaze. "Well, buddy," I said, scratching him behind the ears, "looks like it's just you and me now. Ready for an adventure?”
As I merged onto Highway 5, the city skyline of Sacramento faded in the distance. The miles melted away, the landscape shifting from urban sprawl to rolling hills and verdant valleys.
Where was I going? I had no clue. All I knew was that I couldn't stay in Sacramento any longer, not with Mom's toxic presence looming over me like a perpetual storm cloud.
A couple hours later, I was ready for a break. Just then, an exit for "Drakehaven" appeared. I'd never heard of the town before, but 'Drake' made me think of dragons. And a haven was exactly what I needed after the day I'd had. Without another thought, I took the offramp, hoping Drakehaven would have a place for me to stay.
The exit wound through dark, wooded hills. Shadows stretched across the road, and the trees loomed overhead like silent sentinels. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I navigated the winding path, a sense of unease creeping into my chest. What if this was a mistake? What if Drakehaven wasn't the haven I hoped it would be?
