A Serpent's heart | FP Jones

Chapter 1

Life hasn't been treating me and my mother too good for the past few months. First, dad left mom for her best friend. Then she lost her good-paying job due to depression, which led us to eventually losing our house. So here we are, on our way to Riverdale. Returning to her childhood home to live with my grandmother.

I've never been to the US before. I've met my grandmother, she visited us every once in a while in Europe, but we never got to visit her due to my parents' constant work. So normally, I was scared. My friends constantly telling me the states are a dangerous place to live, as if they've experienced it.

My mother said Riverdale is tiny comapred to the city we've lived in, so I've got nothing to be afraid of. Which basically translated to it being a boring little town. But it seemed like anything but that as I observed it while driving to grandmother's house.

***

''Mom, I've unpacked everything. Is it alright if I go out for a run before it gets dark?'' I asked, coming down the stairs, already dressed in tights and running shoes on. ''Yes, just take your phone with you,'' she replied without stopping doing whatever she was up to.

I put my earphones in, stretched in front of the house and then with a slow tempo, started running alongside Rivrdale's streets. I passed the high school I was going to attend, a lovely diner, middle-class houses and as I was heading south the town seemed to get the 'dangerous' vibe my friends were talking about. I passed a trailer park, which I have never seen before in my life, so it freaked me out. Then followed a creepy looking biker bar called The White Wyrm. As I was running past it, the men outside were eyeing me without any shame. I decided soon it's best to turn around before going too south.

It was getting dark and I was more or less walking back home when I noticed a car was behind me, driving at my speed. I kept looking back just to see it was still following me. I picked up my pace and so did the car which made my heart race crazily. As I reached the trailer park, the car was still following me so I made a turn on the left and ran to the trailer in the back.

I hid behind it and watched out for anyone following me. I saw the car and it's lights still on. After a few torturing minutes it made a u turn and drove back south. Being so relieved, I leaned against the trailer with my back as my breaths started to pick up, after holding them in for so long.

I gathered myself together and was about to head back to the road when I tripped over something, screamed and fell to the muddy ground. Shit. I sat on the ground and lightly massaged my ankle when the door of the last trailer opened, revealing a tall bearded man staring at me.

''What's going on here?'' he said, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed over his chest.

''I am so sorry,'' I let out, my voice shaking, ''I got lost.''

I got up slowly, wincing as I put my weight on the hurt ankle, turning around to leave I heard him say:''Need any help?''. I thought there was a trace of amusement in his voice and it irritated me, but instead of a sassy come-back -I was still in the dangerous looking part of the town- I turned to him and politely declined.

''No, no, I wouldn't want to bother you.''

He stepped inside the trailer, then came out with keys in his hand and closed the door. As he was getting closer, I was getting more and more nervous. Taking my hand and wrapping it around his waist, he helped me get into his pick up.

''Where to, miss?'' he said, grabbing the wheel, his eyes fixated on me. How was I letting a stranger put me in his car and drive me home? If that's even where we're going. I couldn't get out of the situation by this point so I led him to the street our house was on.

We stopped in front of a house I claimed was mine, but wasn't. ''This you?'' he asked, looking at it and then at me. ''This is me,'' I replied and unfastened my seatbelt.

His hands reached his beard and brushed over it, acting like he was in deep thoughts.

''Could have sworn this is where the Cooper's live. The girlfriend of my son, too,'' he turned his head towards me and smiled widely. While that smile was to die for,  it sent shocks trough my entire body. I was scared.

''Come on now kid, easier for you if we park in front of your house and I can help you to the front door. I ain't trying to hurt you. That not obvious?''

I was not having someone else follow me tonight, so I opened the car door and bolted out as fast as I could, my ankle barely participating. As I reached my house, I sat down in front of the front door just to see the pick up pass me and the man offering me a short wave. I am so stupid.