Morning arrived on a flood of light. The sun leaned boldly through the windowpane, its warmth spilling across the floor and climbing the walls until it reached Richard's face, coaxing him gently from the remnants of his dreams. He stirred, half-awake, content in the certainty of what the day promised to be. Today was meant to be ordinary, blissfully so. A day for lounging without purpose, for inviting friends from the neighborhood to sprawl across the backyard, for cannonball dives into the cool blue of his family's pool and laughter that echoed off tiled walls. Perhaps, if the mood struck and luck favored him, he might even steal a shy kiss or two from the girls who floated in and out of their loosely knit group, the upcoming summer making everyone a little braver, a little closer.
It should have remained a normal day. It would have, had it not been for the moment Richard pressed the power button on his computer, intent on nothing more ambitious than a single, mindless match of tetris. The familiar hum of the machine filled the room, until it was abruptly joined by another sound entirely. His printer whirred to life on its own, the sudden clanking of gears breaking the stillness of the room. The mechanical chatter echoed off the walls, followed by the unmistakable rasp of paper being drawn through rollers, each grinding second ringing louder in his ears. A chill crept up his spine. Slowly, hesitantly, he stepped closer—just in time to see multiple sheets exploding outwards.
"Oh, wha—"
Unfortunately, one sheet flew abruptly on his way, making a small cut on his cheeks. "Ouch," he murmured, touching his cheeks. A small tinge of blood marked his fingers, and seemingly used to such occurrence, he took a handkerchief laying around his study table. What was that, he thought. The sheer absurdity seemed so underwhelming until it took over him, prompting him to back away from the printer. His intuition seemed to have saved him, as soon as he had reached the door on the far other side of his room, the printer exploded. Not just the papers, but the electronics itself, making a loud sound as it made the floor shake.
"Merda…"
Soon, from the explosion came the rising flame, touching the curtain until it consumed most of it. Richard was bewildered, as he watched it all happen. "Fire!" He shouted, awakening from his stupor then proceeded to open his door and the rest was history.
…
"Yes, ma. I've been telling you for three times already. I'm fine, Jenkins was able to get the fire extinguisher and put out the fire on time."
After the unexpected situation, Richard received a telephone call from his mother as soon as the incident was conveyed by the butler. He really couldn't help but be amused at her parenting, sometimes she seems so distant due to her acting gigs, yet sometimes she would be as clingy as a mother bear. Nonetheless, he welcomed her love, and she has his love too in return.
"So… Can I sleep at uncle's for the meantime, ma? We can't have another explosion happen while I'm asleep, right?" He spoke sweetly, and sweet he must be if he wanted his mother's permission to go and have a sleepover with his cousins. From the other line of the phone, came his mother's voice, he listened intently at her decision. "There's still vacant rooms? Ma, the electricity there might explode as well."
Again, her sweet voice drifted in his ears.
"Luke ain't much of a bad influence, ma, the guy can't even step over an ant for god's sake." He defended. "And I swear I'm not just making a reason out of this incident to play with my cousin. In fact, I'll be a good boy in school after this if that's what you want."
In the end, his mother spoke a few words before she was called over, cutting the line abruptly. "That's what I've always wanted, she says… I ain't that much of a juvenile," he muttered. Though his lips formed into a smile right after, he had finally gained her permission.
After his call, he briefly informed Marco via landline of his would-be arrival to their home, then he called for their driver to prepare the car as he sorted his things out into a suitcase, preparing clothes to last him for a few days. He sure wasn't staying in this house, especially since that freak situation happened. He didn't know if that was Karma, the house being haunted, or if some of the parents of the kids he beat up finally used some voodoo stuff on him. Nevertheless, Bella ciao.
The way to his uncle's house usually varies, sometimes, the traffic would cause it to take an hour or more; but today it had taken them less to reach Sleepy hollow, a small village in the northern part of New York. The place was kind of creepy, emanating an 18th century vibe. Richard always wondered if the inhabitants used to trial women during witch hunts, maybe or maybe not… The semi-urban feel did evoke a certain satisfaction once you step foot into it, reminding him of a life that once was.
"We are here, sir. Please do be careful with your steps, the ground still seems to be slippery from the earlier rain." The driver spoke. "And please let me take your suitcase inside."
"Thanks, John."
Richard took his time savoring the fresh air, different from that long island feel. His eyes then darted to the porch of the house they had parked in front of. Marco stood there, amused, along with a blonde female with a crooked smile, yet even though she had a smile that should have belonged to a psychopath and a face that aged with time; Elizabeth was a woman with a kind and gentle nature. "Darling!" She spoke as they approached Richard, her arms spread, catching Richard into a hug. "Your mother has finally allowed you to come here."
"It's a miracle!" Marco interjected.
"It did take some concessions," he flashed them a brief smile.
"What did ya give up this time, boy?"
"No more school fights."
"Ha! God be the witness, there's one person lying here and that is not me."
Richard ignored his uncle after that, he knew someone would defend him, and that someone was the only one that could reign this man.
"Stop it, Marco, at least Richard here is trying to be Good." His aunt took away her arms, and gave his uncle's shoulder a small smack.
"Ouch!" His uncle hissed, overreacting.
"Now, Dearie, let's get you sorted into your room. Though, I wish you would join me for a cup of tea since Luke's still outside with his friends." She gestured for him to come with her hand.
Richard agreed then followed after her as she began walking to their entrance. But as he passed by his uncle, he could hear his muttering. "The boy's probably playing card games with his circle of nerds inside some basement…" Disappointment tinged within the voice. It had always been like this ever since, his cousin would often complain of Marco's disagreement with the things he liked; to which the man had always said "Ain't that a little too soft for ya.". Well, even though it wasn't his problem, he does offer some words of encouragement to his cousin from time to time.
Once inside, his auntie had John follow them to place his suitcase inside the room beside Luke's, a room on the far end of the hall in the second floor comprising six bed rooms; one for the master's and two occupied by Luke and his female cousin; Diane. She was a bit older than Luke and him, so maybe that's why she was always quite a bit distant when hanging out with them back then. "Is Diane here?" He asked Elizabeth as they passed by his cousin's room.
"She's usually on a date with her boyfriend at this time; you know girls, they love to spend time with their other half rather than family."
"Wow, that's new," he remarked, right before turning to the side and making a disgusted face. "Ugh." Teenage girls and their hormones… He couldn't imagine that cousin of his who used to be boyish with a guy.
A few moments later, they had arrived outside the room Richard used to sleep in whenever he would visit them every summer. "It still looks the same since you left; Don't want my favorite nephew sleeping in a dirty room." Elizabeth flashed him a smile, opening the door, and the fresh air of childhood memories swept him.
"Thank you."
"There's no need for gratitude. It's your room in this house, Richie, you're family."
"Love you, Aunt." He hugged her abruptly, he could feel her surprise before she hugged him back.
"I did miss spanking you and Luke when you two were still out of control." she joked.
"I've changed, aunt, Luke too. Maybe?"
"There's one person lying here and it is not me, dear." She mocked-imitate Marco. Then she and Richard began laughing. His uncle might be a man with too many dark secrets, and a bit of cold blood, but everyone could agree that the man does have a one of a kind family.