Crazy Enough by Chloe L. (read book .txt) 📖

Now,it was summer.Not my sister, Summer, but the season.It was always the same summer every year. But this year I turn 16. It’s not like I’m becoming an adult , like Summer will in the winter, But it means I’m one year closer to my death.Death.Death.Death. The word almost kills me inside. I think of Orson. Yes, he’s still alive but not for long. They want to kill him. I know they do. I bit my lip until it bleeds. The sight of blood makes me think of Orson. Orson, so perfect. So fearless. So stupid. So horribly stupid.
Orson, my one and only true love. The poor, beautiful, mad crazy boy who I love so very much. He’s against our royals. Everyone is. Orson is just brave and stupid enough to let them know. Now, we are all in great danger. I love it. The danger. This summer might not be the same. The grass will always be brown and dead. My father isn’t going to come back. Mother isn’t going to have the baby she wants in our family or even a husband. But something will happen. Orson will make it happen. I’ll make it happen.
He was out there. On his yard, across the street from ours.Wind blowing in his hair. His green eyes squinting from the sun. He was just sitting on the grass. Naked. I’m not imagining this. He was naked, other than his boxers. It was so hard not to laugh. What goes on inside his head? “Um, Is there a reason you’re not wearing clothes?”I ask not really expecting an answer. “I guess I just forgot” He said scratching his head. Who forgets to wear pants? No one around here is quite sane. “Flair, you can fight, right?” He asked me in that voice. The voice like warm milk with honey. The voice that makes you feel safe. But the question was so dangerous I was too afraid to answer. “That rhymed.” I said sounding like a fool. “Fight and right.” He smiled. “I’m not as insane as most people think.” He said with his milk and honey voice. “No, not nearly as insane as my sister.” My sister has always been insane. She has always been afraid. When I was about five years old, she told me about these bad people. Kidnappers, murderers, thieves, people who hurt your family,and something about killing a goldfish. She talked a lot about some goldfish. Then, I remembered her nightmares. Always the same one. For years, Summer would wake up screaming “He killed my Zay! He killed him! I saw!” It was our father. He killed a goldfish. Summer must have loved that goldfish. He must have killed Zay right in front of Summer.
“I need to go back inside for a bit.” I said wanting to stay. He nodded and I ran across the street not looking to see if there were any cars coming. I took the rusty, old key out of my pocket and opened the door. I went to Summer’s room. It all made sense. The fish painting. Zay was written on everything. She was traumatized.
How was I so stupid? I always knew it was weird but I had no idea what it meant. I used to think she was an alien.
I was just a baby when my father left. The day I was born, Our beloved king died. Which meant his cruel son would step up to the throne. He must think it was my fault. Maybe it was. But that didn’t matter now.
I heard the door open. “W-W-Who’s there?” I asked. Summer and my mother were buying a gift for my dear cousin who was in the hospital.They weren’t supposed to be back until 5:00. It was 2:15. No one answered. I pulled Summer’s curtain rod out of the wall. It was the closest weapon. Yes, I knew how to fight. In our neighborhood, everyone had to fight. There were gangs and thieves,robbers and killers. I’ve taken out guys twice the size of me. It’s not my fault. I need to defend myself. And protect Summer.
“Flair!” Screamed his voice. Not quite like honey. What was he doing here? But I heard another voice. “Come out! I have a gun!” Yelled a much rougher voice. All i have is a curtain rod. I came into the kitchen, where the voice was coming from. He was with Orson. He was fat, and pretty ugly. But he had a gun.He took the rod from my hand and hit Orson’s beautiful head. Orson fell to the floor. The man walked over and smacked my head. I stayed quiet and shut my eyes. I still heard everything. Which was nothing. But I did hear some car driving away. And I felt Orson’s hand. It squeezed mine. I opened one eye. We were laying in the back of some van. He opened his eyes and smiled. Even when he was being kidnapped, he could smile.
He put his face right next to mine. “Don’t worry. All part of the plan.” He whispered. What was he talking about? There were two other guys in the van. Both a lot taller and stronger than the first man. “I’ll tell you later.”Orson whispered softly.
We drove for hours. The van pulled into a gas station. “Get out , now.” said the short man. “Both of yous better fill her up!” He said. He closed the door after they got out. “Step on it!” Yelled Orson and the car zoomed away. “You really think this’ll work?” Asked the man. “Absolutely. Flair can do anything.” Orson said with a smile. “I didn’t mean for it to hurt her. Just for it to look that way.” The strange man said. “She was a good actress even when she didn’t know what was going on.” Orson said. “Acting? So, she ain’t knocked out?” I wasn’t sure if I should say something. I was so afraid. “No” I said “I’m alright. Just a small bump.” The man laughed. “At least I didn’t use the gun.” He said. “Yeah, If it was real!” Orson said laughing. What are they talking about?
The van stopped, suddenly.I looked through the window. Nothing. Nowhere. Just sand and the road we were on. No people. No one. Orson opened the van’s door. “Ladies first.” He said with a smile. I stepped out of the van and he followed. If we drove further North, we would be in the rich neighborhoods. Like Hannah and her sister, Lovette.I hated them. I hated Hannah for calling Orson “Hot but he’s also stupid.” In her annoying, little voice. And, I hated Lovette for everything she does. I hated her for everything she is.
“Come on, now.” Orson said snapping me back into reality.”Oh right. Sorry.” I muttered climbing out of the van. It was dark and cold. It should be about 10:00. Summer would be worried. Nightmares. Crying. Summer’s had enough to deal with today because of Lovette. Just the sound of her name makes me want to scream. I hate her. Lovette. I hate Lovette.
“Flair!” Orson yelled.”Stop your daydreaming.” I followed them. Orson and the man were talking. Laughing about something. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you before all this happened.” He whispered “I couldn’t tell you then. I can’t tell you now. Soon. I will soon.” I nodded but inside I hoped he will tell me loves me soon. Like that’ll ever happen.
We reached a wall. A random brick wall. If you took ten steps to the left, you could walk right around it. They just stood in front of it. Waiting for something.So did I. In about five minutes, the wall changed color. The red wall was now green.That was all that happened.
The ground started shaking. I started to fall to the ground but Orson’s strong hands held me up. A beautiful elevator seemed to have just come out of the ground. It was glass with what looked like diamonds on the back door and a glossy red carpet. I’ve only seen elevators on television and they were never this fancy. The doors automatically opened and I stepped inside. There were shiny buttons that lit up when you pressed them. Just being in an elevator made me feel rich. I looked up at Orson. His smile was like the diamonds. And somehow I felt safe being here.
The man pressed a button and the elevator zoomed down. I held Orson’s hand. It was scary. I saw nothing but dirt and worms. It was a bit gross. Then, we entered a huge, fancy, expensive building. This is what lies underground in the middle of nowhere. There was a long table with seven rolling office chairs and behind it was a huge computer or T.V thing. People were sitting at desks typing so fast you couldn’t see their fingers. I randomly squeaked with excitement. Everyone wore suits. “Follow me.” The man said when the elevator stopped. Orson’s hand still held mine. We looked at each other and smiled. God, how I love him.
We walked in a thin hallway with diamonds on the walls and that same red carpet. There were glass doors and inside the rooms looked like hospital rooms.There were white beds and sick people lying in them. This must be some kind of hospital. I didn’t want to ask questions. It would be best if I didn’t know. And besides, Orson said he’d tell me soon.
“Here’s your rooms.” The short man said pointing to a wooden door. I’m glad they’re not glass doors like the other rooms. “There’s a phone so you can call your mommy.” The man said softly. “Just don’t tell her exactly where you are.You hear me?” Orson and I nodded. The man handed us clean, shiny keys. “I’ll be back in an hour.” The man said. “If you need anything tell someone you need Dave.” He said. “Is that your name?” I asked. “No princess, my name’s sugar.” Dave said sarcastically.”Just asking.” I whispered.
I opened the door to my room. The walls had diamonds and the carpet was a glossy red. The closet was made of tinted glass. On the other side was the bathroom. It had red tiles and the walls were all black. There was a hair dryer in the wall, a red toilet, and shower with a black curtain. The mirror was shiny and clean, just like everything else. I walked into a small bedroom. I never really had a bedroom. Summer and my mother did but I just slept on the couch. The bed had white pillows, a red frame, and black sheets and blankets. I sat on the bed and sunk right into it.It was soft and cozy. It was perfect. I turned off the small, green lamp and went in the living area. I stood in amazement in front of the huge television. It must be 60 inches. At home, we had a tiny, old T.V which we rarely watched.The couch was black with red, fluffy pillows. In the corner, there was a black desk with a computer on it. I’ve never used a computer and I don’t plan on touching it. It wasn’t comfortable here at all. I just felt lost and confused. I wasn’t even sure why I was here.I wanted to see Orson but I wasn’t sure I’m allowed to be out of here until Dave comes. It didn’t matter. I grabbed my key off of the desk and ran out of there. Orson needs to tell me what’s going on. Right now, my life might