Court of Ambrose

{Celeste’s POV} (Reader Discretion Advised. This chapter talked about themes of S/A, and Domestic Violence.) I unloaded the last of the boxes from the moving truck, carrying them carefully into the living room. As I sat them down I wiped the sweat from my forehead and let out a long sigh. “Finally..” I said, walking to the dusty bay window in the living room and sitting down. I needed a rest, especially since I decided to unpack the entire moving truck today. I was supposed to have some help from a few people in town, but something must’ve come up, because no one showed. Instead of waiting, I figured I’d go ahead and unload everything myself. I was never against doing things on my own, independence has always been something I strived for. Now it feels ridiculous to have wanted such a thing when I ended up moving right back into the home that I was raised in. Nana passed away three weeks ago, the funeral was lonely, no one in the family showed up. Instead it was me, her doctor, her live in nurse, and her lawyer. After the funeral was over Nana’s lawyer Jerry, pulled me aside and handed me an envelope with the will. He asked me to join him for coffee in his office, and we could go over everything, and I could sign the necessary paperwork. Once there, he let me know that Nana had left everything to me, aside from some money that she’d wanted for those who took care of her towards the end of her life. Her house, her cars, the rest of the money, all of it was mine. I wasn’t sure how to feel, Nana raised me, and in her big beautiful house I had such a happy childhood. Within the past eight years, my ignorant decisions, and horrible temper had left me and her, mostly estranged. I met someone online, his name was Mason, and we were happy together. He wanted to take me to see the world, my Nana warned me that I should be studying, and graduating college. She reminded me how hard I had worked for my career, and if I left with him, I’d only be throwing it all away. I was so angry, and I lost my tempter regrettably telling her that she was just trying to keep me in this run down town because she was lonely, and I didn’t want to end up sad, and alone like her. I have wished for a do over of that day, for all these years. She was right, she was always right, and I never listened. She loved me, even texted to check up on me, she’d call and wish me a Happy Birthday, and she’d always send me a Christmas card, with a gift. She was the best, and I failed her in her final years. Instead of being with her, I ran off with Mason. We were happy for two years, then I walked in on him cheating on me with our tour guide on our trip to Italy. I flew back to the states, but I didn’t want to face Nana until I had my head on straight. When he made his way back, he cornered me in my apartment, the one that I paid for, and told me that I embarrassed him by leaving him behind. I told him he needed to leave, and he beat me so badly that I still walk with a slight limp. When he was done beating me, he pushed me onto the couch.. and he.. he.. I can still feel him on top of me.. his hot breath that reeked of alcohol. I begged him to stop, to leave, I looked anywhere but at him, and I’ve never been the same. I went to the hospital, got looked at for all of my injuries, and pressed charges. He’s been in prison ever since, and after that, I worked three jobs, and put myself through school, and finally graduated with a teaching degree. I still need to go for my masters, but I can do that while I teach. I was going to move back, and get a job here at the elementary school. I applied months ago, and finally heard back last month. I was trying to find my own place here in town before I visited Nana. Now.. I’d never see her again, all because of my ridiculous pride. I wiped the tears that had begun to stream down my face and headed upstairs to the master bedroom. I turned towards the fireplace, and walked slowly to it, grabbing some logs that were still left beside it. I threw them in, and lit it up. The house’s electric had been turned off and they said it’ll be tomorrow before they’ll have the paperwork ready for me to sign. Then they’ll be able to turn it back on, so for tonight, I’m sleeping in front of the fireplace in the room that will soon be mine. I’ll have to move out Nana’s furniture, and move in my own before I really move in here. Sleeping in her bed, especially when I abandoned her, just seems wrong. I grabbed some blankets from one of my boxes, along with my pillow. I laid them down in front of the fireplace, and bundled myself up. There, by the fireplace, I finally slept for the first time in days. {Dayus Ambrose’s POV} This night was different from the ones I’m used to. Marnie was a quiet woman, but when she passed, the house was truly silent. Suddenly, noise began to sound from upstairs. I was curious, but I knew I couldn’t come out yet. I sighed, pacing back and forth before turning to face my brother, Veryn. He was still sleeping soundly in his bed, his chest rising and falling very slowly. I had to figure out what was going on before he woke up and went poking around. I grabbed my cloak, throwing it on and carefully crept out of the basement. Then I smelled it, smoke, the house was on fire! I raced to find the source of the smell, and when I did, I froze in the doorway. A young girl was sleeping in front of the fireplace in Marnie’s room. She was beautiful, her hair was a deep brown, long, and curly. Her skin was pale and looked so soft, and her face was sprinkled with freckles. She shivered, and pulled the blankets up higher on her head. I looked down at her, she reminded me of Marnie.. but there was something else.. something familiar about her. I walked over, squatting beside her and brushing a loose bunch of curls behind her ear. “Mmm.. I’m.. sorry Nana..” she whimpered in her sleep, turning slightly before settling back. That’s when it hit me, she was Marnie’s Granddaughter.. Celeste. I smiled, peering down at her, Marnie would be heartbroken to see her like this.. but she’ll freeze in this house without being close to the fire. I suppose it can’t be helped, but only for tonight. I stood back up, walking back to the doorway, then I heard Veryn. “The house is on fire!” He yelled. I ran to him, as fast as I could and covered his mouth. “The house isn’t on fire you i***t! Go back into the basement, you know we’re not supposed to come out here!” I snapped, pointing back. He bit my hand, causing me to pull my hand away from his mouth. “I woke up and you were gone, so I came looking for you, then I smelled the smoke! You can’t blame me for freaking out jacka**!” He snapped. “Fine, just go back before you..” I started, before hearing footsteps above us. “Sh**!” I hissed, grabbing him and running back to the basement with him. “Hello? Who’s there?” I could hear her voice frantically calling out. Footsteps came down the stairs, and into the main living room. She’d never find the basement, it’s supposed to be filled in, and the door was changed out with a bookcase door. “Hello?” She whimpered, her voice getting closer, before her footsteps began to fade away.