An Untitled Short Story

Oh my. It has been over a week since I posted *Gasp*. Shame on me.
Well, I have been busy editing my book, getting in trouble, and just...well, being myself. I am ashamed to admit that I have actually forgotten about my blog.
BUT, I can make it up to you!: I have a short story for you.
It is a little different from what I am used to writing. It is realistic modern fiction. I typically write unrealistic/fantasy type stuff, but I wanted to stir things up and try something new. So I wrote this.
It wasn't as hard to do as I thought it would be, but I don't think I'll be writing a novel in this genre for a very long time....if ever.
Since this is my first time writing something in this genre, if you have time, leave a comment telling me what you think about it after you finish reading it. I would REALLY appreciate it.
Anyway, I based this story off of a real town in Australia. However, I would like to note that the characters in this story are fictional, and that I have never been to the town of Gravesend.
Got it? Good...
So now, for the story.....I just slapped it together today, so forgive any faulty grammar or unclear parts in it.
Just a warning: It is a long story. So, make sure that you have extra time to read it.

Title?? I haven't a title.... any ideas?

Eden looked up from her book and glanced out the window of the car as it slowed, entering a tiny little town.

She scanned the handful of buildings and houses that made up the town before speaking “So…this is Gravesend?” she asked.

“Yeah. It’s in the middle of nowhere but….your uncle and I call it home.” Her aunt said cheerfully from the front passenger seat.

Eden glanced back at her aunt then looked back out the window “Perfect.” She said under her breath.

She closed her book and slipped it into her messenger bag before looking out the back window at her brother, Arioch, who followed them on his 1980’s Honda 900 motorcycle.

He had to jump through hoops to get “his baby” to be shipped from the USA, but he was able to do it, and now he rode it proudly.

He made eye contact with her and raised his eyebrows: his way of asking if she was okay.

She nodded and turned away. The fear and uncertainty she felt inside must have been showing on her face to make him wonder about her.

Generally, she was the one worried about him. He suffered from PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It made him unpredictable, emotionally detached in some things, and all together unstable for the most part. She never knew when he would have a delusional moment, a flash back, or a breakdown.

However, over the past month and a half, all of his energies had been trained on her. She had been an emotional wreck, and slightly unpredictable and this kept his protective instincts and his mind busy, therefore keeping him stable.

She found it slightly amusing that her instability and uncertainty kept him stable, and vise versa.

“And here we are! This is the house.” Her uncle said in his Australian accent as he pulled into a drive that belonged to a cute, little white house.

Eden stared at the little house and well-kept lawn until her brother suddenly appeared next to her door, opening it for her.

She slid out and looked at him, seeing that he was making a quick scan of the neighborhood. He looked back at her and shrugged slightly “Welcome to Gravesend, Australia.” He said.

Eden rolled her eyes and slipped her messenger bag over her shoulder “Gravesned…perfect.” She huffed and closed the door to the car.

Arioch helped their uncle grabbed their luggage, while Aunt Judith showed Eden the house.

“This will be your room, my dear.” Her aunt said, leading her into a small bedroom with lavender colored walls and antique furniture “We can paint the walls again later. I suppose the color isn’t really what you would prefer.” Her aunt said with uncertainty, glancing at Eden’s attire.

Eden was a steampunk. She liked anything antique, weird, and dark colored.

“The furniture of the room is great.” Eden said as she walked in and laid her messenger bag onto the bed “But the color of the walls might have to change….later.” she looked at her aunt and twisted the toe of her shoe on the floor “Thanks. It’s awesome.” She said, breaking a small smile.

Her aunt breathed a small sigh of relief, then stepped aside as Arioch brought in his sister’s luggage.

“Well now Arioch: follow me, and I’ll show you your room.” His aunt said, walking out into the hallway.

Arioch laid Eden’s bags down on the floor, then looked at her “Are you okay?” he asked, concern clearly showing on his face.

Eden forced a smile and nodded “Yeah. I’m just super tired.”

Arioch stared at her for a moment, then walked up and gave her a hug: something he did rarely “Okay. Get some rest.” He said.

Eden bit her lip and nodded, pulling away from him.

He walked out, closing the door behind him, leaving Eden alone in her room.

She looked around, tears starting to stream down her face. She knelt next to one of her suitcases and pulled out a picture of two people, her parents, from one of the pockets. She caressed it for a moment then walked over to her bed. She pulled a soft teddy bear from her messenger bag, kicked her shoes off, set the picture down on the night stand, and flopped into the bed.

She cried silently, hugging the bear tightly in her arms until she fell fast asleep.

Eden’s eyes flickered open slowly, then blinked, staring hard at the unfamiliar room around her.

Morning light streamed in through the crack in the dark green curtains around the single window, giving light to the small bedroom.

“Where am I?” she asked herself, sitting up.

It took her a moment, but she finally remembered, and as she did, she flopped back down on the bed, burying her face into her pillow “I’m in AUSTRALIA!!!” She screamed angrily into her pillow.

She sat back up with a huff and tugged at her long black braid. She was still in her clothes from the day before, so she decided to change, skipping any shower.

She stomped over to her suitcases and put on a pair of stripped pants, a white tank top shirt, and a leather buckle up vest, then re-braided her hair.

With a final glance in the mirror, she walked out of her room and down the hall to the kitchen.

Arioch stood at the table already, two bowls of cereal in hand “Cinnamon Life Cereal: your favorite.” He said, offering one of the bowls to her.

She stared at him for a moment, then quickly took the bowl offered her “How did you know I was up?” she asked.

He scoffed and rolled his brown eyes “Eden. The whole world can hear your morning time stomping routine.” He said, turning and grabbing the milk.

Eden shrugged “Sorry.” She mumbled, sitting down at the table.

Arioch poured her some milk and the two of them silently ate; Eden sitting at the table and Arioch standing.

Arioch usually stood when he ate. He rarely ever looked relaxed, especially when eating.

Eden looked up at him when she finished the last life flake in her bowl “Where are aunt and uncle?” she asked.

Arioch drained the milk from his bowl before replying “At work.”

Eden nodded and looked at her bowl until Arioch took it. He drank the milk from her bowl as well then deposited both dishes into the sink “Do you want to take a walk with me?” he asked as he cleaned the blows and spoons.

Eden shrugged “Sure. Walk where?” she asked as she stood.

Arioch chuckled “Around town. We might as well get familiar with it.”

Eden wrapped her arms around herself “Okay. Sure. Sounds great to me.” She said with a nod.

Once Arioch finished with the dishes, he grabbed his old leather jacket and slipped it on. He really didn’t need it, but it was his security blanket, more or less.

They walked outside and to the street, pausing for a brief moment to get their bearings.

“This way leads out of the residential area.” Arioch said, pointing to the left.

Eden nodded “Great. Let’s go that way.”

The both started to walk down the street and into the main part of town.

Eden put her hands in her pockets as she tried to refrain from holding Arioch's hand while they walked.

From the time they were little, she would hold his hand when they were walking together. He usually didn't mind, and he never said anything to her about it, but she knew that he didn't like her to hold his hand in public. Ever since they had gotten that first comment about "what a cute couple they were", she had done her best to appear....well....more like a sister.

She paused when she saw a general store across the street "Do you have any money on you?" she asked.

Arioch looked at her and shrugged "I think so." he glanced at the store "You want something?"

Eden nodded and smiled lightly.

They walked across the street together and into the general store.

The store was well lit, and the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls filled the air.

An older couple toward the front paused and stared at the twosome, then the older woman smiled cheerily “Greetings! What can we do for ya?” she asked in an Australian accent.

Eden shrugged at the same time as Arioch “We’re new in town and wanted to visit the store. We’re trying to become familiar with things since we may be staying for a while.”

The woman trotted up to them, her smile growing “Oh! You must be the Safres children! You’re aunt and uncle hasn’t stopped talking about you since they found out you were coming!” she said “Come, come! I just brought in some fresh baked pastries. You are welcome to have one with my compliments!” she led them both to the front where the elderly gentleman smiled warmly at them “This is my husband Harris, and I am Liza. We own and run this store.” The woman introduced.

Eden smiled and looked at Arioch who was forcing a small smile to his face “I am Eden, and this is my brother Arioch.” She replied.

Liza waved her hand at Eden while her husband pulled two, warm cinnamon rolls out of the pan and put them onto paper plates “Oh. No need to introduce yourself. Your names are already well known in this town. All we needed were some faces to add to them!” she chuckled lightly and raised her eyebrows with a questioning expression “Has anyone else in town had the honor of meeting you yet?” she asked.

Eden smiled and shook her head “No. You two have been the first.”

Eden thought Liza would have a heart attack with her sudden show of ecstasy “Oh! Just wait until I tell Mrs. Patterson. She had her hat set on being the first to meet you, and I am afraid that she’ll just have to be disappointed.” She laughed and pushed the paper plates toward Eden and Arioch “Here: on the house.”

Eden grabbed the plates and handed one to Arioch, smiling kindly at the woman “Thank you so much.” She said.

The woman smiled warmly “We are glad you are here, safe and sound. I hope you both come to warm up to this little town, because the town has already warmed up to the both of you! We all have been so excited to meet you!” she chuckled and looked at the elderly man “Isn’t it so, Harris?”

The elderly man nodded with a smile “It is so. It is so.”

Eden giggled slightly and looked at Arioch who seemed to relax as he took a bite of the cinnamon roll.

“How is it?” she asked him.

Arioch’s eyebrows shot up and he nodded, showing that he was impressed.

Eden lifted her roll to her mouth and took a bite, savoring the wonderful taste “Mmmm…” she hummed as she chewed.

Liza chuckled “Well, there are always some fresh rolls here in the mornings. Just stop by and I’ll give you one!” she said.

Eden nodded “Thank you.” She said “These are delicious.”

Liza moved around to the other side of them and sat down on a stool “Well, while you’re here, I might as well tell you about our little town before Mrs. Ketri does. Oh lord, when she starts talking, that woman never stops! Now, our little town started out….”

Eden smiled brightly and took another bite of the cinnamon roll as the woman went on about the founding of the town and the plights of its current citizens. Perhaps, just maybe, Gravesend Australia wasn’t such a bad place after all.