ONE YEAR LATER
Isaac looked at the house before him. It wasn't like he remembered. Sure, he had only been 6 when the family, which only consisted of himself, his mother, Diana and father, Walker and younger brother Taylor, when he left, but he was glad to be back. There were now 5 of them, the addition being his other younger brother, Zac. Isaac was now 19, nearly 20. His brothers, 17 and 14. It had been a while since Isaac had seen Tulsa. To long infact. But now, here he was, with his family and a car loaded with their precious possessions. The house wasn't the one they were moving into. The owner was a long time family friend of his fathers. They had gone to high school together. He leaned against the car and watched as his parents went to ring the doorbell to see if they had the right place. He soon saw they did when the man who answered the door and his father hugged. So did the two women. Taylor and Zac were lingering halfway between the car and the front door, not really sure of whether they should hang back with Isaac or follow their parents inside the house. Isaac looked up at the house, taking in all the shutters, windows, and fixtures. He was bored. Something then caught his eye. It was a face that was staring back at him from one of the second story windows. Just as quick as it had appeared, it vanished. He saw it long enough to realise it was a girl. This sparked up his interest. Taylor and Zac had now dissappeared into the house and Isaac pushed himself off of the car door. He new what was comming. All the "Oh look how much you've grown!" and "My.. he certainly is a big boy now isn't he?" Isaac resented being called mearly a boy. He was a man. Zac was a boy. Maybe even Taylor... but not him. Everytime he heard that word refering to him, he would inwardly cringe, but smile all the same. He didn't want to be or appear rude. His parents hadn't bought him up to disrespect his elders. He reached the door and let himself in. Isaac heard laughter comming from the direction of what he thought might be the kitchen so he followed the noise. pushing the door open, he found the kitchen empty, except for the girl with her back to him.
"Oh, I'm sorry.. I'm looking for my parents.. obviously I have the wrong room." He said, startling the girl. Without turning around she answered him.
"I ah... they are probably in the living room.. it's the next on the right.". Her head was down and her shoulders hunched over. Isaac stood in the doorway for a few silent seconds then spoke.
"Ok... thanks.". He turned from the kitchen and found the room where his parents, brothers and the Walshes were.
"Ahh.. there he is! Hey, I remember you... geez, you've grown." Mike said. He was sitting next to Dianna on the sofa. Walker and Angela were both in arm chairs and Taylor and Zac were on bean bags. Isaac smiled and sat down in another arm chair. He listened to his parents and the Walshes talk about "old times" and about all that the other had been up to. His brothers looked as bored as he felt. Then he heard something that caught his interest.
"Poor Claudia... horrible it was.... when we found her.." Angela was saying, her hand raised to her mouth. She started to choke up and couldn't get anything else out. Claudia! Thats who she was.
"Do you remember Claudia, Isaac?" Mike asked him. Isaac was startled out of his thoughts and stared blankly at him.
"Umm... I ah... can't... can't say I do...." He stammered, embarrassed at being caught off gaurd.
"Oh.. I spose not.. you were quite young when you left.. I don't think she remembers you either so I wouldn't be to worried about it." Mike said, smiling. That didn't make Isaac feel any better. He noticed that Angela was now nearly close to breaking down and saw that the look his mother was giving him was plainly telling him and his brothers to go do something useful.
"Tay...Zac... come help me unload the car." Isaac commanded. He didn't ask. He very rarely asked his brothers to do something. He gave his mother a wink and it was returned with a greatful smile.
"That is a great idea Ike..thankyou honey." Diana said.
"Claudia can show you where you are all staying. CLAUDIA!" Mike boomed out. His voice was enormous and both Taylor and Zac jumped. Isaac chuckled to himself when he saw his brothers. It was only a few seconds between when Mike called and Claudia appeared at the doorway. What Isaac saw shocked him. She had an angry red scar down the left side of her face. It went from the bottom of her ear and followed along her jawline down to her chin. On her wrists were criss - crossed scars, that went the whole way around, like something had been wrapped around them.
"Hi.." She said softly. When she spoke, Isaac realised he had been staring at her and he immediately felt horrible. He cursed himself for his stupidity. He raised up off of the couch and held out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Isaac.". When he was closer to her, he saw that above her top lip was a row of tiny red dots, as if they were scars to. The same row of dots was below her bottom lip. He tried not to stare as he shook her hand. She gave him a shy smile and then looked past him to Taylor and Zac. Taylor was concealing his shock at Claudia's appearance by trying not to look at her to much, but Zac was staring, mouth slightly agape. Diana got up from the couch and crossed the room to Claudia. Claudia barely remembered this woman as she let herself be swept up in the womans arms.
"Hi honey... it's so good to see you again. You've grown up so much!" Diana said, smiling at Claudia. Claudia smiled back and wondered what these people thought of her scars. She grew increasingly uncomfortable as the youngest boy kept on staring at her. She watched as the boy next to him nudged him with his arm and the boy closed his mouth and looked away.
"It's great to see you again Mrs. Hanson" Claudia said polietly.
"Diana... these boys are Taylor and Zac. Taylor was only three when we left... Zac wasn't even born... you wouldn't remember the boys would you?". Claudia shook her head.
"No... sorry". Diana smiled.
"Thats fine honey. So, where are we staying? The boys need a place to put our things... they're unloading the car while us adults catch up"
"Okay.... um.. this way" Claudia said, turning to walk out of the living room. She didn't look back to see if the three boys were following her or not, she just assumed that they were. It wasn't until she heard one of them mumble
"My God... we're living with a freak". That she knew they were behind her. It was said just loud enough for Claudia to hear. Her face started to burn as she considered turning and going straight back to the protection of her bedroom.
"Shut up Zac, she's not a freak". That was loud enough for her to hear and obviously for her benefit, but it didn't make her feel any better. She put her head down as she opened the back door and lead the boys outside. The Walshes had a guest house in their back yard that they usually rented out to people in the summer. But as it was nearly Winter, the house was empty and just the right size for the three boys who were staying there until the family could find a house to live in. She reached the guest house and then turned to face the boys.
"Well.. you three will be staying out here... your parents are going to stay in the guest room in the house." Claudia said, making sure that her voice was full of confidence. She was greatful that it was beginning to get dark and the boys couldn't see her face all that well. There was no way she was going to let them know that they had hurt her. The oldest boy.. Isaac if she remembered correctly, smiled.
"Thanks Claud... it's ok if I call you Claud isn't it? I can call you by your full name if you want me to-"
"No... Claud is ok.. um.. do you guys want any help with your stuff?" She asked. She hoped they said no, she wanted to retreat back to her room and never leave it again. It was bad enough being a constant freak show at school, now she was going to be one in her own home. She hated her parents for inviting this family who knew nothing of what had happened into her home, where she didn't have to worry about what people were saying about her. She could forget about her problems and relax. Now she couldn't. Not with these intruders here. Isaac shook his head no.
"Nah.. I think we can handle it from here... but if we need you.. you'll be the first to know." He said, winking at her. She felt the blood rushing to her cheeks as she blushed. Without another word, Claudia turned on her heels and quickly went inside.
"My god Zac! How much of a damn jerk do you want to be huh?" Taylor snapped, turing to face his brother.
"What? It slipped out! I didn't mean it... but I mean... look at the girl!" Zac exclaimed, pointing to the door she had dissapeared though. Isaac shook his head, almost ashamed to be related to this little obnoxious shit. He looked at Taylor and nodded his head towards the car. Then both Taylor and Isaac started to unload it. Eventually Zac came over and proceeded to help. In 45 minutes the car was empty.
