The Owl That Took Me There

It was miserably cold but as he kept his hands around my waist, I couldn’t help but feel warm and secure. Now, most people (if they knew) would ask me why are you sharing your soul with 1. Someone you barely know. 2. In such an odd place? My reason is exceptional. Sexual intercourse is my stress reliever. It takes my mind off particular things that trouble me. I know it comes off as slutty but what people don’t know won’t hurt them, right? Especially my brother if he ever found out I was having casual sex, or sex period he would-

“JANE!” The random guy on top of me and I stopped our actions when we saw my brother Chris in the doorway. “What the fuck are you doing?” Chris said making his way toward us. “Chris no, stop!” I shouted. Chris pulled back and punched the guy in his nose. The guy stumbled back and reached for his blood-filled face. With nothing but a big t-shirt covering my body, I hovered over the guy. “Christopher, just stop! You don’t need to do this.” The random guy stood up from the floor, grabbed his t shirt and scurried out the house. On his way out, Chris grabbed him by his arm and glared at him. “If you so much as ever step foot back on this property, I’ll shoot you down like a deer.” The guy trembled at the sound of Chris’ words. He turned around and spoke, “Delete my number.” My jaw dropped in astonishment. Did he really just tell me that? Chris pushed him forward. He ran down the stairs and out of the house. Never to be seen or heard from again.

“What is your problem?” I finally spoke out to him. “No, don’t even with me, what the hell is your problem? I’m out with the boys having a good time and I come home to my little sister being fucked by someone I know she doesn’t know.” I huff and walk over to my dresser. I slid one of my drawers open and pull out my hair brush. “After being caught having sexual intercourse, and you want to brush your hair? Maybe you should take a shower first, wash off all the filth he’s- “ “SHUT YOUR MOUTH. SHUT YOUR STUPID FACE!” I yelled and stammered off towards the bathroom.

He followed me. Before he could get close enough, I slammed the door, and locked myself in. “Janie? I’m sorry, but this isn’t the first time this has happened. Since the incident, you barely talk to me anymore, you haven’t even attempted to see Sparkle. I thought we were better than this.” I looked down at the floor and up at the portrait of my family. Suddenly tears began to stream down my face. “Christopher, I told you, I will talk about it when I’m ready.” Biting down on my lip, I held back sobs. “You’ve been saying this for 3 months now, stop pushing me away. More than anything we have to stick together. I miss Ma and Pa too. None of this seems real to me. But all I really have is you, but it seems like we’re fading.” I endured every word of what my brother was saying. We were fading. He didn’t like it and neither did I. “Jane? Jane please, say something.” I sat there in silence, not knowing what to say or how to say it. I heard footsteps walking away. Then a door on the other side of the house close. I got up and hopped in the shower. Not sure how long I was in there, but it felt good, therapeutic.

I was putting on my riding boots when the smell of bacon filled the atmosphere. It was in that moment I knew my brother had something to express to me. Back when Ma was still in existence, she would wake up early and cook breakfast. She would have the house smelling of a country style breakfast. Eggs, grits, pan sausage, bacon, toast and biscuits. Ma would start off with the bacon in the skillet on slow cook. So, when the AC would kick in, it filled the house with the sweet scent. She would make a great meal for the family. It was only when there was oatmeal on the table that she intended on sharing unexpected news. I just hoped that oatmeal was not there this morning.

I trotted down the stairs to see my brother in the kitchen. He had Dad’s old barbeque apron on and was scraping the pan from all the scrambled eggs. Chris looked up, “Top of the mornin’ to ya sis.” He put the skillet back on the stove. “I made breakfast; I know I kind of went all out this morning.” I examined the table. Everything looked amazing. “You can say that again.” Chris analyzed all the food he prepared on the table. He clapped his hands together. “So, shall we dig in?” We both sat down and said grace over the food. I poured grits into a bowl and reached for a few pieces of bacon, and dipped them into the bowl of grits. Crunchy as ever, I moaned slightly, “Wow I think you nailed the crunchiness of the bacon brother.” He chuckled, “Oh yeah? It took me the first half dozen pieces to get it right. I’m glad its to your liking sister dearest.” He smiled a slight smile. “Although, I have to see if these biscuits hit for what it’s worth.” The microwave went off. “Oh! Almost slipped my mind.” Chris wiped his mouth with his napkin and stood up to catch what was in the microwave.

“What do you have planned for today Jane?” I grabbed the bottle of honey sitting on the table and poured the honey over the biscuit in my hand. “I’m going to pay a visit to- “I stopped speaking when Chris sat down a bowl of oatmeal. I stared at the steaming hot bowl, then immediately got up to storm out the room. It was then my brother spoke out. “I’m going to the Navy.” I stopped in my tracks. “Did you hear me? Janie?” I turned around and shrugged my shoulders. “What made you decide on this so soon?” I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you.” Chris spoke out. “Jane you haven’t said too much of anything to me since the funeral. Like our parent’s death was my fault. I’m grieving too sister.” I scoff, “So you just expect me to live here alone in my grieving’s?” Chris looked down. “I’ve made some arrangements for you in the city. You’ll be staying with Aunt Murcle and her two daughters.” I eyed him down. “I’m not even sure what the worst thing about this whole situation is. The fact that you’re leaving or the idea of living with Murcle and her sinister daughters. I mean, what about the house?” “The house is going up for sale. It’s already on the market and I have been reassured that there are already some leads.”

“Did you not even think of consulting with me before making such drastic decisions?” Out of frustration, Chris slammed the dirty dishes into the sink breaking a glass or two while doing so. “Damnit Jane, I’ve tried with you! I have. You don’t want to talk; you never want to spend time with me. Sparkle probably wouldn’t know who you are anymore. The people at the church ask about you every Sunday. I can’t continue to up hold this house working down at the market. Going to the Navy will provide for the both of us and help me take my mind off things. Maybe even help me heal some. As you choose to do so in, other ways. This is my way.” Chris sighed deeply and continued to clean. “You might want to tidy up your room, there will be people here to look at the house soon.” I began to mumble, “I’m not cleaning a damn thing.”

Chris turned around astonished, “What?” I ran out of the front door, and sprinted to the barn house. It was still dark outside but I knew my route like the back of my hand. Chris yelled after me. But didn’t follow. Who cares if I’m only seventeen? This house is the only thing I have left to remind me of my parents, and my only brother has to take that away from me? Nothing about this is right at all.

Beyond the woods I sprinted through, laid my family’s big barn house. Inside was the only thing that could give me comfort. I opened the gate to the property and entered the barn. My white horse, Sparkle neighed out of fear. “Woah there, Sparkle. It’s me, Jane. I know long time no see.” Sparkle finally found her calm. I got close to Sparkle, rubbing her snout. I put her forehead up against the horse and closed my eyes. “I’m sorry I’ve been neglecting you. Things have just been hard for me lately.” I looked Sparkle in the eyes, “Can you find it in you to forgive me?” Sparkle sniffed and licked my cheek. I laughed. “Great. I brought you something.” Sparkle nodded her head up and down. I dug into my bag and pulled out a few apples. I snuck them from the kitchen. Sparkle neighed in excitement. I giggled, “Let me tear the sticker off for you, then you can have at it.”

Ha! I’m surprised he didn’t just snatch it out of your grasp when you first pulled them out. I dropped the apple and looked up at Sparkle. “D-Did you just speak to me?” You’re getting warmer. The voice said. I slowly turned around and saw nothing. “What, is going on?” Let me make it a little more obvious. The voice said annoyingly. Suddenly, a white owl with sunset-colored eyes appeared. I was tongue tied and at a loss for words. Terrified, I stepped back and got closer to Sparkle.

Don’t be frightened. The owl’s beak never moved. I am not here to harm you. I am here to help you heal. It was almost like everything this owl was saying was being spoken through my head. “You can understand me, right?” I spoke out loud to the owl. Yes. I know everything about you, Ms. Jane Flakerson. I know your weakest abilities and your strongest. I know where you lie your head at night, and I also know what troubles your soul. Those last words gave me goosebumps. Which is why I am here. The owl flew closer to me and landed on the stable ledge. Ms. Jane, I insist that you accept my guidance and follow me. “Follow you where?” To a place called there. “There?” The owl nodded his head. “And tell me owl, what is in this place called There?” That is for me to guide you through, and you to find out. Jane gasped in surprise. The owl flew from one ledge to the other landing by an open window. I will be waiting for you where the woods start. We shall go together. The owl flew out of the barn, disappearing. I stood there in shock at what I had just seen. This is all so crazy, I thought to myself. Is this even real? Sparkle began to neigh and jump upon her back legs in excitement. Sparkle is down for the caus,e why shouldn’t I be?

The owl sat upon a tree glaring into the night. When suddenly, a loud noise came from behind. The owl turned its head around completely. In the distance, rode a girl on a horse galloping for the woods. Glad you decided to join me Ms. Jane. You may call me Karoo, follow me. They swarmed through the woods, leaving behind all of Earth’s atmosphere into a bright lighted dimension.