Darkest Enigma: Part Two

Adriana angrily yelled and threw a pillow against the wall. She hit the back of her head on the wall, shut her eyes and sighed. She put on a pair of brown boots, and left the house. She grabbed the keys to her mother's vehicle and drove away. She was not headed for anywhere specific, just needed to get out and clear her head. While she was driving, she passed a small, black house that looked suspicious. She was curious about what was inside, but soon forgot about it. A few blocks away she saw a grocery store with the sign 'Help Wanted' in the window. She stopped and walked in. She thought it might be a good idea to get a job. That way she could save up enough money to move away. She asked this man at the counter about it, and he said that she was one of the only people to ask about it, and if she wanted the job, it was hers. He told her to start Monday morning at 8:00.
"Hopefully the pay is good, and I'll be out of this God forsaken place soon."
She said to herself before exiting the building. She continued to drive north. Finally, after two hours of non-stop driving, she pulled over by a field, laid out a blanket, got out a book and began reading.

***

Eveleen found a few boxes that had not been gone through. She opened it up when she realized the box belonged to Adriana. She was curious to go through it, but decided against it. She carried one of the boxes up to Adriana's room, sat it down on the floor, knocked on the door, picked up the box again, and waited for her to open the door. She waited for nearly three minutes when she decided to open the door herself and go in. Adriana was not in her room.
"Where could she have gone?" she thought to herself. She put the box on a chair in her room, closed the door and left. She then noticed her vehicle missing.
"I wonder where she is." she asked Kristie and Renzo if they knew where she was, but neither of them had seen her.

***

Adriana was so caught up in her story that she lost track of time. She did not have a watch on, so in order to find out the time she had to go into the vehicle and look. Once she realized she had been gone for hours she decided to go home. (Not that she wanted to) It took her two and a half hours to get home. It was now 6:38. It was almost completely dark out. When she got home, she was not welcomed with open arms. Eveleen was sitting on the sofa, and Alberto was on the chair.
"Where the hell have you been?" shouted Eveleen.
"You know the rules about leaving without telling anyone where you are going."
Adriana just ignored her, went up to her room and slammed the door.

Eveleen ran after her.
She busted through the door and shouted,
"Adriana, don't you ever run from me when I'm talking to you.
I don't care if you go out, believe me, I wish you would go out more. However, if you are going to be out late please call me.
That's all I ask."

Adriana was lying on the bed, and did not answer her.
Eveleen shook her head, and just left the room.
She and Alberto began discussing the incident.

~Later That Night~

Kristie was sitting on the sofa, talking to her friend on the phone; Renzo was lying on the floor watching television; Alberto was sitting on a reclining chair reading the newspaper and Eveleen was sitting on the dining room table sipping coffee from a white cup. Adriana had been in her room all evening. She finally came down to the living room. She went into the dining room, and sat on a chair right next to Eveleen.
"Look, I just want to apologize to you for the way I've been acting lately."
She said with her head down in shame.
"Oh, Adriana."
Eveleen said.
"I just worry about you, that's all."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I'll try harder."
Said Adriana.
She then got up fixed herself something to eat.

~Fast forward to Monday~

Eveleen was making breakfast, and everything was as it always was at that time in the morning, except for the fact that Adriana was getting ready for her very first day at work. She had not even told anyone she had gotten a job.
Eveleen asked her where she was going, and that is when Adriana told her.

Eveleen was surprised, but quite pleased. She knew that this was a very good thing. That maybe it would help her to cope with whatever is bothering her.

Adriana had just arrived at her new job. She went into her boss' office to discuss everything she needed to know. Her job was to stock the shelves.
"It sounds easy enough." She thought to herself while walking out of Mr. Batali's office. She quickly got to work. It was a slow day, so not many people were in the store.
Adriana did not mind. She liked the quiet. About 45 minutes later, a man came into the store. Mr. Batali frowned at him before saying, "You're late!"
"I know, and I'm sorry." replied the man.
"This is the 4th time this month. It better not happen again."
The man was clearly a cashier. His hair was wet, but it was not raining. Adriana was curious as to why, but soon forgot about it. The day was long and slow, but Adriana enjoyed being away from her family. She was glad that she took the job. It was quitting time, and the man was leaving, but Adriana decided to stay behind to clean up.
"You don't have to stay if you don't want to. I mean, you can always come in early tomorrow and finish up before Mr. Batali comes in." Said the man to Adriana.
She smiled and said, "That's alright. I don't really want to go home now, anyway."
"Oh, Okay. I'm Aaron by the way."
Adriana was somewhat glad to finally know his name.
"I'm Adriana. This is my first day."
"Really? You must be new around here because I've never seen you around before." Aaron said trying to make conversation.
Adriana answered, "Yeah. My family just move here."

Just then, Aaron got a call. He stepped away from Adriana and answered it.
Adriana was curious to know what was being said, so she tried to listen without him noticing.

Aaron's conversation went like this

"I know. I am on my way home now. I understand, but...
Listen, I am trying to...
Please..."
The person on the other end hung up.

Aaron put his head down in disappointment.
"I have to go now. It was nice meeting you. Bye."
He then left.
Adriana was curious to know what that was all about.
She was almost finished cleaning up when she got a call from Eveleen telling her to hurry home because they were going over to the neighbor’s house for supper. Adriana wished she had not answered it.
She hates meeting people, but some how did not mind meeting Aaron. She obviously had a crush on him, but would never admit to anyone, not even herself. She hurried home. It was dark out. Everything was completely fine until she passed that creepy old house. As soon as she did, she began to feel dizzy. She vision was compromised. She was having trouble focusing, and nearly lost control of the vehicle.
She stopped the car just to catch her breath.
"What the hell was that about?" She thought to herself before realizing she was going to be late for the stupid "Get Together." She got back in the car and continued driving home. She was fine the rest of the way home. As soon as she walked through the door, Eveleen was yelling at her to change into something nicer. Adriana searched through her closet for something to wear, but nothing she found was suitable for the dinner.
She picked out this "Gothic" styled black dress, ripped off all of the chains and lace that was on it, and it almost looked nice and normal like Eveleen would like. Adriana went through a Gothic phase a while back, but was slowly getting out of it.
She got dressed and ran down the stairs. Everyone was walking out the door.
Adriana wondered why they had to be so fancy for just dinner at the neighbor’s house, but did not feel like arguing with Eveleen.

Alberto knocked on the door. Chaira answered.
"You all look so wonderful. Please, come in. Dinner will be ready soon. It is my specialty. I hope you all like it."
Eveleen replied, "I'm sure it will be great. These are my children Kristie and Renzo. You've all right met Adriana, right?"

Chaira said, "Yeah, I did. It is nice to meet your other kids. Kristie looks just like you. What a beautiful family."
Alberto and Maurizio began talking to each other; Eveleen was talking to Chaira and Kristie and Renzo were talking to Sophie.
Adriana was quiet as usual.

It was dinnertime, and everyone began eating and complementing on the food, all except for Adriana.

"Don't you like the food?" Asked Chaira.

"It's good, really. It's just been a really long day, and I'm not really that hungry." replied Adriana.

"That's right!" exclaimed Eveleen.
"You have a job now. How was your first day?"

"It was fine." Adriana said.
After everyone finished eating, Chaira began clearing the table. Eveleen offered a helping hand. While she was walking into the kitchen, she noticed that there was very little furniture in the house.

"How long have you lived here?" Asked Eveleen.

"This house belonged to Maurizio's family for over a century.
I moved in after we were married. He could not bare the thought of living anywhere else.
Over the years, we have barely changed anything. Just added plumbing and electricity."
Said Chaira.

"I noticed that there isn't much furniture around. It almost looks like you all just moved in." Stated Eveleen.

Chaira paused for a moment before saying, "We try not to make our home too crowded. We're all very claustrophobic."

Eveleen did not really believe what Chaira had said, but knew it was none of her business.

Eveleen said,
"How long did the house we live in stay empty before we bought it?"

Chaira ignored the question, and said, "Oh, the coffee's done. Would you like to help me serve the cake I made?"

Eveleen thought it was odd how she reacted when the subject was brought up.
She got to thinking, and realized that everything about them was odd.
They all continued conversing.

"So, where do you work at?" Asked Sophie.

"At Batali's." Answered Adriana.

"You don't talk much. Why?"

"I'm just not much of a "people person" I guess."

"What do you like to do for fun?" Asked Sophie.

"I mostly read and listen to music. I'm not much for socializing."
Answered Adriana.

"Neither am I."
Stated Sophie.

Adriana began feeling sick and dizzy. She stepped outside for some air. Sophie followed her, but Adriana was not in the mood for company.

"Look, I have a lot of work to do, so I'm afraid I'll have to be leaving now." She said rudely before walking home.

The rest of the family went home less than an hour later.

(To Be Continued)