Karmic Ties- Chapter 1
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- | | The characters in this story were created by me, KnightWulf. | Any similarity to someone's characters or | real life individuals is purely coincidental. | I wrote this in 3 hours while trying to sleep before my first | day at my new job, so please forgive some minor mistakes. | | Enjoy! +
- "Jessica! Hurry up! We're leaving in five minutes!" The brown squirrel looked up from her overstuffed backpack, trying to get her sketchbook and pencils in with everything else she packed. "Just grabbing a few more things!" she yelled. Looking up, she scanned the room for anything else that may be useful. Jessica, or Jessie as she liked to be called, was the only child of Terrance and Edina Hastings. He was the co-founder of an internet based business that took off like wildfire, while she was the daughter of a real estate giant. Much to the chagrin of her mother, Jessica's room looked nothing like that of a well-to-do young lady. Her walls were covered with posters of games rather than boy bands and her shelves held sports trophies and swords instead of ponies and dolls. She didn't look the part either, she wore a red tank top and a pair of jean shorts. At fifteen years old she was already developing into a beautiful young woman. Her clothes hugged her curves, outlining them perfectly. Her tail was full and bushy, with lighter brown markings along the sides and tip. Nodding to herself, she zipped up and put on her backpack, took up her suitcase, and headed out the door. On the way out, she snagged her binder of games and DVDs. She took the stairs three at a time, luggage bouncing along beside her. When she landed on the floor, she yelled "Ready!" "About time," her mother said, turning as she spoke. She wore a fine dress, fit for a grand reception. "What in all that is holy do you think you are wearing?!" Even when angry she always used proper grammar and never outright swore. "It's summer mom, and it's not like I'm going with you and dad on your trip." "That is hardly just cause. Go upstairs right now young lady, and do not return until you are fit to be seen." "But mom.." Before Jessie could form a rebuttal, her father walked into the room, adjusting his tie with one hand, briefcase in the other. "Terrance, explain to your daughter that her clothing is not acceptable." Terrance looked up, glanced at Jessie, then his wife. "She's fine. Besides, if we don?t leave now, we may miss our flight." Edina turned and scoffed, then made her way out the door to the waiting limo. "Don't worry kiddo, she'll be fine. Got everything?" Jessie's dad asked. When she nodded, he patted her head. "Good, now get a move on, we're late as it is." Jessie climbed into the limo and tried to avoid her mom's gaze. A moment later her dad got in and they were off. "Remember what we told you?" Her father asked as the car passes various estates. "Yes dad. I have it all written down in my notebook." "We should not have agreed to this, surely the Crestons could have hired someone." Edina seemed both angry and worried at the same time. "They did dear, they hired Jessie. Don't worry, she's a big girl and can handle herself. Right?" He asked as he looked up at me. "Yeah mom, I'll be fine." All this started a few weeks ago. Due to some corporate stuff, my dad's company was in danger of losing one of its biggest clients from Europe. After some negotiation they agreed to a series of meetings in person, and were invited to a ball held by some count, or something like that. So, mom and dad had to leave, and so did dad's partner, Mr. Creston. The trouble is, the Crestons have a six year old boy, and couldn't take him with them. I knew Kyle pretty well, and had even saved his life when he nearly drowned at the lake party last year, so Mr. Creston agreed. We pulled up to a house much like our own. A large brick house with ivy climbing tresses around the corners. At the door stood Mr. Creston. When the limo stopped, dad got out and Mr. Creston approached. "Good morning Terry," said the geeky otter. Mr. Creston handled all the computer stuff while dad did all the footwork for the company. "Morning Curt, where's Molly?" "Probably checking in on Kyle again. She's really worried about this trip. Hey Jessie, ready for an adventure?" He chuckled as I got out of the car. "Is he really that much trouble?" I asked, and then looked up as Mrs. Creston came out. "He'll be no trouble," she said. "He's in his room playing his favorite game." Dad escorted her to the limo while Mr. Creston held the door. "Remember," Mrs. Creston said, "He's to be in bed by eight, menus are laid out.." "And important numbers are on the table in the foyer." I finished. She gave me an odd stare then laughed. "Well have fun then." As she climbed into the car. "And don't burn down the house." Mr. Creston said as he too got in. "I won't. Everything will be fine." "We'll be back in two weeks," dad said as he climbed in, "Love you, we'll call when we land." And with that they were gone. The Creston's house was very different from mine. Mom liked to have the house resemble a museum. Glass cabinets held various collectable antiques. Books on the shelves were all leather bound editions. There wasn't even a TV in the living room, that place was reserved for entertaining guests with tea and such. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was a 72" plasma TV in the living room. The furniture was large and overstuffed. I opened my backpack and pulled out the simple map I was given, and headed toward the guest room to drop off my stuff. I dropped everything on the bed and looked around. The guest room was about the same size as my room back home. There was a queen sized bed, an armchair and table by the window, a dresser with a TV on it, and a large closet. I grabbed my notes and decided to check in on Kyle. I walked back through the living room, and up the stairs. Rock music filled my ears as I walked down the hall. I went to Kyle's room and knocked. When I got no answer, I knocked louder. Still no answer, so I opened the door. Inside, Kyle was sitting on his bed with an electric drum set in front of him. His black fur was accented with blond markings on his face, arms, and legs. His throat was also blond down to the tip of his tail. He wore a white t-shirt with an anime character on the front and the game's logo on the back. His pants were black gym shorts with his school emblem on the leg. He was looking at the TV and apparently playing along with what the game said. He seemed to be engrossed in the game, so I waited till the song was over. "What 'cha do'in Ky?" I asked. He turned when I spoke and a big grin covered his face. "Jessie! It's Rock Band. Dad got it for me for my birthday last month. Wana play?" "Umm, I guess. What do I do?" I said as I walked over to him. He got up and ran to the game console, messed with the cords a bit and came back to me. "Here." he held out a microphone. "All ya gotta do is sing the song. You pick." he exclaimed as he got behind his drums again. "Ok, how about that one." I said. "I'm really good at that one, let's go!" We played a few songs, and I did ok. Ky just flew over those pads and never missed a beat. When we stopped he looked up at me. "I'm hungry, when's lunch?" I looked at my notes then at my watch, "Oops, lunch was supposed to be half an hour ago. I'll go get it ready." I got up and headed for the kitchen. On the counter I found the menu plan. Each meal was written out on a card and the cards were attached by a spiral. I opened the book and saw the first page. Saturday, June 15 Lunch: 1:00 P.M. Salad and Fruit Each: 1 package salad mix 1/2 oz. dressing 1 piece of fruit I opened the refrigerator and saw the salad in the crisper drawer. It was divided into single serving pouches. I grabbed two of them and two dressing packets. All they had was ranch, but that was fine by me. When I turned around, Ky was standing right in front of me. "What's for lunch?" he asked. "Your mom said salad and fruit. That ok with you?" I walked over to the cupboard to get some plates. "Yeah, I want an apricot, what about you?" he called over his shoulder while digging through the fruit drawer. "You got apples?" I asked searching drawers for silverware. He looked back into the fridge. "Yeah, red or green?" I finally found the silverware. "Red's fine." I served up the salads and brought the plates to the table. Ky handed me an apple and held up his apricot. "Can you cut this for me? Mom always does." "Sure" I said taking the fruit and going back into the kitchen. "How does she usually cut it?" "Small pieces," he said, tailing me the entire way. I cut up the fruit for him and we finished eating. After rinsing the dishes, Ky wanted to play his game some more, so I went to my room to unpack. When I finished I went to the living room and turned on the TV. I put on the cartoon channel and watched for a while until Ky came down stairs. "I'm bored." he declared. "Want to watch TV with me?" He shrugged, "OK," and climbed up onto the couch. The show on TV was about a bunch of ninja kids or something, I had never seen it before. "You like cartoons too?" he asked after he sat down. "I thought only kids liked cartoons." "Well," I said, "I like them because I like to draw them." "Can I see? Can I see? Can I see?" he repeated as he began bouncing in place. I stood up and went to get my stuff, "Sure, I'll be right back." I got my sketchbook and some pencils and came back out. "Who do you want me to draw?" "Umm, him!" he exclaimed pointing at a dog ninja who was telling the main characters something. He had his headband pulled over one eye and seemed kind of lazy. "No problem," I watched the screen for a while then began to sketch. Ky climbed onto the back of the couch to see what I was doing, so I kept moving my tail between him and the drawing until I finished. "Wow, that's so cool!" he exclaimed when I showed him the picture. "Can I try?" "Here you go," I said as I handed him my pencil, "Just use a new page." He turned the page and began to draw. I decided to let him try for a while, so I went back to watching the TV. When the next show was over he stood up. "Here." he said, holding the book out to me. He looked so serious when I took it that I had to try not to laugh. I turned the book over and looked at Ky's drawing. The drawing looked good for a kid his age, but I didn't recognize the character. "Who is this?" I asked, showing it to him. He blushed and looked at the floor, fidgeting with his feet. He mumbled something, I couldn't hear. "Huh?" I leaned closer to hear better. "I drew you as a ninja too." he finally said, looking up at me. I looked back at the picture then back at him. "How cute, thanks." Just then the show finished, and it was time to make dinner. A dish of baked casserole was prepared and waiting in the oven, all I had to do was cook it. I set the timer and looked around. Out the window, a large pool dominated the back yard. "Good thing I brought my swimsuit." I said to myself. I decided to explore the rest of the house while dinner cooked. Ky just stayed in his room on that game machine. After dinner it was time for Ky's bath. Unlike most kids, he seemed to love baths. He ran off from the table and upstairs while I cleaned the dishes. When I finished, I went up stairs to check on him. I saw a towel on the floor in the bathroom and put it in the hamper, then went to Ky's room. I knocked on the door. "You decent?" When I got no answer, I opened the door. There sitting on the bed, was Ky. He was wearing flannel pants and had a guitar in his paws. On the TV was that same game again. I walked in, "Time for bed." He turned and looked at me with pleading eyes, "Right now?" "Yes, right now. You can play more tomorrow." "Aww," he got up and turned off the game. I pulled down the covers and he climbed into bed. "Good night Ky. You need a night light?" "No, but could you leave the door open?" "Sure thing." I tucked him in and turned out the light. Light filtered into the room from the bathroom, so I left toe door open and went back downstairs. I watched TV for another hour before checking in on Ky again. He had kicked the covers down, but was sound asleep. I tiptoed back downstairs. I took a shower in the guest bathroom and got ready for bed. "This wasn't so hard after all," I said to myself as I drifted off. End of Night 1