A/N This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful and beautiful silkfeather! One of my first friends on wattpad and she has been an awesome person to talk to and get to know! Thanks for being a friend!

(Edited)

Also just a sidenote: This chapter might seem a bit dull, but it does serve a purpose for character development later on. :)  Just hang with me and hey throw me some lines how you think I could improve this chapter.

"Light thinks it travels faster than anything, but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first and is waiting for it." Terry Pratchett

Adelina stretched out on the sofa and rested her head on the side. Her leg dangled down the edge of the couch.  Grabbing her tangled mess of hair, she swept it down and onto the back of the couch. Letting a sigh escape her lips, she grabbed the novel into her hands and opened up to where she had left off. A smile spread across her pale face as she began to enjoy the words before her. 

"Adelina! Come in here and talk some sense into our mother!"

"Always getting thrown in the middle," she sighed.

She held her breath, not letting a peep escape her lips.

Maybe they would forget her.

"Adelina!"

"A girl can dream right?" She whispered to herself.

She laid the book down on the nearby coffee table, picked herself up off the sofa, and slowly made her way into the kitchen.

Tessa looked through the corner of her eye and watched Adelina enter the kitchen. A satisfactory grin spread across her heart-shaped face.

"All I am asking..." Tessa turned her delicate frame, shifting her feet so she faced their mother, Beth, and looked into her chocolate eyes. "Is for you to let us have some fun and freedom. We are going to be eighteen in a few days. We should be allowed to do things by ourselves. Most kids in town are running errands for their parents at twelve. Why are we so different? Why do you guys have to be so controlling over us? All I want is to be treated like a normal girl my age. What is so hard about that?"

"Tessa," Beth's tone was deep. " I've told you multiple times that there is a reason you both are sheltered. So j ust calm down. I'm tired of these petty arguments with you." Beth exclaimed as she focused her eyes on Tessa.

"You're really asking me to calm down?"

"Tessa, you're getting yourself worked up over something so small. There is a time and place and now is not the time. Can't you just understand?"

"When are you and dad going to give me a real explanation, and not this 'someday' stuff you guys always pull? We deserve to at least know why we're kept so sheltered. You guys allow us to wander the property and the woods, but never anywhere outside of that. Not even our own town! What is the harm in going to town alone? Besides, soon you won't be able to control what we do." Tessa's eyes gleamed in the light. "I will be able to make my own choices soon. You guys won't be able to stop me." Tessa muttered. 

Adelina leaned up against the wooden door frame. Her head rested on one of the large wooden beams as she listened to the argument intensify.

"Well this isn't getting resolved anytime soon is it, Tessa?" She moaned while meandering over to a big brown chair. She plopped herself down and pulled her legs up into her chest.

She was up to something, Adelina thought.

"Why do you insist on causing trouble Have we not provided for you? We've always taken care of you. Yet, you always insist on pushing our buttons. You and Adelina are night and day you know that?I hate to repeat myself, but someday you will understand why; why we protect you and Adelina so much, and why you two aren't allowed alone. You wouldn't be grounded so much if you would just learn from your mistakes." Beth's slender pale fingers reached out and pointed at Tessa.

"Adelina has always been such a sweet girl. Why can't you act more like her?"

Uh-Oh.

Adelina let an exasperated sigh escape her rosy lips.

"Mom.. I don't think..."

"You're going to sit here and praise Adelina? Really mom? I guarantee you she feels just as trapped as I do." Tessa exploded in rage, her voice rising in octaves.

"Adelina is always so quiet. How many times has she been grounded? You could learn a thing or two from her. I really don't see why I need to repeat myself. You aren't going to town today. You aren't going to argue with me anymore. That is that." Anger lines began to form as Beth frowned.

"Y-ou! YOU Can't control me!" Tessa screeched throwing her hands up towards the ceiling.

"Everyone needs to calm down" A voice appeared from the doorway and Adelina jumped from her chair, throwing her feet to the floor to steady herself.

"Dad, you need to not sneak up on people,"Adelina grabbed her chest, trying to slow her pulse down."You could give people a heart attack sneaking up on them"

"Don't you think the two of you should calm down and take a breath?" Carlson said while he patted Tessa on the shoulders.

Their father, Carlson, winced at the disdain shooting through Tessa's face as she stared him down.

"Why must you always take her side? UGH, You guys are infuriating. "

"I didn't come in here to fight or take any sides. I just think everyone is getting all angry and worked up. We can talk about all this in a calm manner."

"Tessa is acting like a child, Carlson.  You shouldn't have to be in here telling anyone to calm down." Beth said glaring at Carlson.

"Sweetie.." he walked over to his wife taking his hands and placing them on her slender waist. His eyes shone with a deep and long love for his wife.

"Please calm down. This stress and anger can't be good for you. I'm going to go wash up  now so please just try to not stress."

His lips met hers and lingered for a moment. Adelina and Tessa scoffed in disgust.

"Come on! We don't need to see that." Adelina's fingers went to her mouth and made a gagging gesture which caused everyone to break out in laughter.

Carlson winked at Adelina and swiftly left the room.

"You keep us trapped in here like we are some sort of prisoners. I don't understand why we are permanently grounded. We shouldn't be locked up. We should be out there doing things with other people our age. You guys don't even let Adelina see Daniel alone and they have been dating for years now." Tessa started back up.

"She sees Daniel plenty. I don't see her complaining."

"BECAUSE SHE NEVER COMPLAINS. Molly, Irene, and Lydia never were treated the way you guys treat us. When they lived here, they did pretty much whatever they wanted. What makes us so different?"

"I realize that you think we are treating you wrong and different. And maybe we are. There is a reason behind this Tessa. You have to trust us. We only want what is best."

"Mom...I know you are upset with the way Tessa is acting right now. I don't really like the fact she threw me into the middle either. And you know Tessa loves both of you. "

Adelina turned her wide eyes towards Tessa and glared.

If looks could kill...

Keep your mouth shut, she narrowed her eyes at Tessa.

"We both love you. I understand if you still don't want to let us go, but I could always ask Daniel to tag along? We wouldn't be going alone that way. As Tessa reminded you multiple times, our birthday is coming up and it would be nice to see Daniel before the big day?"

Beth let out a ragged breath laced with frustration. Her hands began to shake and heat spread through her body from anxiety.

She didn't like this idea.

"I swear I'm going to move out as soon as I can and get away from this prison," Tessa sneered at Beth.

"Tessa, will you ever learn just to keep your mouth shut? And how dare you call this place a prison? We have done everything we can for you and you never appreciate anything."

"I'm sorry mom. I don't know why Tessa is acting like this," Adelina narrowed her eyes again and shot Tessa another warning look.

Did she really want to end up being grounded?

"But I really would enjoy seeing Daniel before my birthday and maybe we can stop by to see our older sisters, too."

"You are such a sweet girl Adelina," Beth grabbed Adelina, wrapping her small arms around Adelina's body. She held her close and tight. 

"I fear someday your kindness will get you in trouble," Beth said in Adelina's ear, barely audible. "Fine, you two can go to town, but make sure you take Daniel along."

Tessa barreled up the stairs,

"Thanks, mom. We will be okay." Adelina squeezed her mom, leaning in she gave her a peck on the cheek.

"I just don't think you girls understand. Things aren't the same outside of the village. We grew up in a different world. We saw a lot of horrible things and we want to keep you girls protected and safe. We would never want either of you to go through what we did." 

Tears glistened in Adelina's wide blue eyes, threatening to erupt.

"I know Mom, but we are safe. Daniel will be with us, too."

"I know. Try to be safe and have some fun. Tell Daniel I said hello. I would like him and his mother to stop in this week for dinner."

"Okay, Mom. And please don't let Tessa upset you. She does love you, she just has a weird way of showing it."

Adelina tromped up the stairs and into their small bedroom.

Tessa ran her fingers through her tangled wavy locks attempting to tame the mess. She pinched her cheeks, causing a bit of redness to appear. Satisfied with the way she looked, Tessa turned and let her eyes wander to where Adelina was standing.

"Can you help me zip this dress up?"

"Sure." Adelina grabbed the back of the dress and zipped it up.

"You shouldn't be so rough on Mom. She is just trying to do what is best for us."

"How does this dress look?" Tessa avoided the comment.

Adelina took a second to look her over. She had a pale blue dress on with a sweetheart neckline. Her dark hair was pinned back and wavy curls fell around her heart shaped face.

"I think the blue really brings out your eyes Tess. So you going to tell me who are trying to impress?"

"That is none of your business. Now hurry up and meet me downstairs." Tessa strutted out the room and down the wooden stairs, each step creaked under her small frame.

Adelina groaned as her muscles ached with each step she took towards the closet.

"Well, I guess I can dress however I want since I don't need to impress anyone. hmmm.."

She grabbed an old jacket off the floor and a pair of worn down jeans. She slipped the clothes on in a hurry, stumbling around the closet. Grabbing a pair of worn brown boots, she lumbered out of the closet and threw the boots on.

She glanced at the mirror briefly, running her tiny fingers through her pale locks.

"I'm not even going to try and tame this mess today." She complained and grabbed her hair in her hand. She took the mess of curls and twisted them tightly onto the top of her head.

She strolled out of the room and down the stairs, taking her time with each step.

Tessa tapped her foot and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You take forever to get ready."

"You seem to be in a much better mood now that you got your way."

Tessa walked to the door and violently threw it open, it slammed against the hinges vibrating the front of the house.

Adelina pulled her hand shielding her eyes from the blinding light of the sun that sat high in the sky. Tessa galloped ahead not giving Adelina time to let her eyes adjust. The trees around them looked golden as the sun hit them. The orange leaves scattered the ground all around them. Autumn was in the air.

"Are you going to tell me the real reason you are so excited to go town today?"

"If I tell you, you better not run back to Mom and Dad, though, Adelina." Tessa pointed a bony finger at her.

Adelina scoffed. "Really Tessa? Just tell me."

"We have visitors in town. " Tessa finally confessed.

"That is great and all, but do you want to explain why they are different. We have merchants carrying things into town constantly."

"These aren't merchants, Adelina. Molly told me that they are three young men, about our age. Molly said they are really something to look at." Tessa mimicked Molly's voice.

"Hmmm..." Adelina let her thoughts drift.

Young handsome visitors, her body shivered with a warning at the thought.

"I don't know that I like this. Why are they in town? Usually, the merchants go through a heavy screening before we let them in. Did Molly say anything else?"

"Molly was in a hurry, so I didn't get all the details."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"Quit trying to act like Mom, Adelina. We will be fine, now hurry up!" Tessa spun around and galloped away.

Adelina watched the leaves fall around her in a swirl of orange and red. Her body shook as the cold wind blew.

She knew Tessa wasn't going to turn around, not even if she begged. Adelina shook off the cold creeping up her spine and trudged along after her sister. As the walked over the hill and down into a valley, a small white farmhouse appeared. In the distance, she could make out two tall figures crouched over working in the large garden.

Adelina walked forward covering the distance between her and the small plot of land. Her eyes set upon Daniel and she smiled. He was covered in dirt and muck, and she laughed as he swiped at his forehead. A few stray strands of hair fell to his face as he began to stride towards the girls.

She grasped him and pulled him close to her. Her head rested on his broad chest.

"I don't want to take you away from your work, but I was hoping you would join us in town. My mom didn't want us to go alone so I told her you would tag along too."

"Sure, let me just wash up real quick and grab some shoes. Why don't you and Tessa go in and just give me a few minutes?"

Daniel didn't let go of her until they were inside. She plopped herself on the old leather sofa.

Silence echoed in the room. Adelina and Tessa both stared at the wall, not wanting to converse with each other.

Daniel cleared his throat as he entered the living room. Tessa saw him first. She didn't waste any time and ran towards the door. She was already frustrated with this detour they had t take. All she wanted was to get to town so she could properly introduce herself to these men. Maybe, just maybe one of them would take her far away from here.

Adelina stood there with Daniel and watched him grab his coat. He opened the door for her while he slid his arms into the coat and the two of them walked back out into the open.

Daniel put his hand on Adelina's lower back. Her heart fluttered at the sweet gesture. She loved the way his touch felt. She loved everything about him. Sometimes, she swore she could feel electricity buzz through her when he touched her.

"Thank you for coming with us. Mom wouldn't have let us go if I didn't promise you would join."

Daniel smiled at her and took her hand in his. Once again, a shock traveled fast through her body. She shivered at the feeling.

"I don't mind spending time with you." He looked into her eyes and leaned down. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, letting his lips linger for a few seconds.

She blushed, silently wishing he would pull her into a gentle kiss, but he turned his gaze from her and looked towards Tessa's disappearing figure.

"Guess we better catch up." Daniel said.

Adelina smiled at Daniel as they walked hand in hand  down the gravel road. She smiled wider as she  thought to herself how wonderful everything was.

If only she had known what was waiting for her.

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