Captured

{1} Numb

Sara Beth's POV:

My entire body is numb as I stand on the threshold of my front door. I scan the bare walls, the glossy hardwood floor, the once filled living room now stands a hollow wasteland of memories.

The slamming of my car's trunk brings me out of my thoughts as I glance toward the sound. My dad looks at me knowingly. This isn't how it is supposed to be. This isn't supposed to be our life. She's gone and now, we are leaving our memories behind. I turn back to the house and take in one last look.

"You ready?" my dad asks walking up behind me. I face him with a gloomy, down-ridden expression.

"Yes...and no." He nods and pulls me into a hug only a father knows how to give. I sigh into his chest and take a deep breath of his musky scent.

"I know sweetie, but this will be good for us. A fresh start to fully grieve and recover. Your mom wouldn't have wanted us to wallow in our memories, but to live our lives and make new ones. She loved you so, so much." I smile, fighting back more tears. It's hard to imagine I have any tears left.

"She loved you, too, dad." His smile softens and he silently nods. Mom's death hit him hard. I knew it and this move is definitely something he needs in order to heal from her loss. He loved her unconditionally and still does. I don't think that will ever change, regardless of where we live.

It has been a little over ten months since we got the call about the accident. We rushed to the hospital only to find out she was in emergency surgery. Even though the surgery stopped the bleeding, it wasn't enough to keep her alive for much longer. We watch her slip into a coma and then slip away completely.

She never regained consciousness and we felt slightly jaded at not being able to tell her how much we loved her or reassure her that we would always keep her memory alive. She was a beautiful soul who didn't deserve to be killed by a drunk driver.

After her funeral, my dad decided to take some time off from his IT job. He knew he wanted to attend the court proceedings since the driver of the other vehicle was charged with her death. His boss, Daniel Stenson, understood and let him resign his position with a decent severance package. It was enough to keep us afloat until everything was resolved.

The whole ordeal took its toll on him both physically and emotionally. His hair got shaggier with silver highlights. He lost weight due to not eating. His five o'clock shadow grew into a salt and pepper beard. His hazel eyes lost their sparkle even if his smile was genuine.

I guess it took its toll on me as well. I, too, lost weight, which was more noticeable on my 5'8" frame, but I hid it so as to not cause my father any more stress. I tried to eat, but my appetite was lost as my grief filled the void. I was quiet and used my photography to reflect my inner turmoil. My pictures turned toward nighttime scenery or black and whites. I didn't feel colorful and happy, which resulted in stoic, serious subjects or lonely landscapes.

My dad links his arm in mine and leads me to his truck. We decided a few months ago to move as neither of us could get passed our house full of memories. My father began researching towns for our relocation. It was actually Daniel who recommended Mountain Springs. His cousin, Leo, was a city official of some sort and said he would speak to him about any available homes for sale. A week or so later, Daniel and Leo asked my dad to come visit and have a meeting to discuss our situation. When dad returned, he had found us a house and Leo offered him the lead IT position for the town. He would basically be the IT guy for the whole town and assist with security. Needless to say, I was shocked at how quickly everything was falling into place, but relieved to see some life return to my father's face. As much as I hated to admit it, this move brings back hope, at least a sliver.

"You think I'll like Mountain Springs?" I ask quietly as we climb into his loaded-down truck. Attached to the truck is a trailer which holds my car and most of our necessities. We aren't bringing everything as the house he purchased already had furniture. I didn't get the full story there, but something about an older couple passing away with no relatives to give the house to or to clean it out. My dad said we could sort through that at a later time.

"I think you're going to love it. It's spacious, quiet, and lots of beautiful landscapes for you to capture." I smile at his excitement. I gaze out the window to look at our house one last time as he pulls off from the curb. I take a deep breath and try to think positive thoughts.

It was a 15 hour drive to get to Mountain Springs and I knew dad would want to take his time, take in the sights, and was in no rush to get there. If it were up to me, we would push through with as little stopping as possible. But, I did take the opportunity to snap pictures at each place we stopped. I always love capturing real life without fake poses or set-ups. Real people, real places, real emotions.

As we get closer, I feel my excitement and anxiety grow. This is a new place with new people and as exciting as that could be, it is also terrifying. What if we are outcasts? Shunned for being outsiders. Would I make new friends? Could I start my business? I really want to move fully into my craft and open a gallery. It is my life-long dream.

"You alright kiddo?"

"Daaaaddd." I scoff and roll my eyes at his nickname. He chuckles as the town sign comes into view.

"Mountain Springs! We made it! Home Sweet Home!" he announces.

"We'll see about that!" I smile, but deep down, hold on to some of my apprehensions. The town is relatively small, but you can sense the close-knit community vibe it oozes. I hope that won't dampen as we join the town. My dad drives slowly along Main Street, admiring all of the quaint shops and businesses. He points to a plain brick building on one corner.

"That is my new office. Mr. Turner has made me the town's official IT administrator as well as an assistant to their security team." He beams with pride.

"That's awesome, dad, but why does a small town like Mountain Springs need a security team? I mean, look at it? It's like we rolled into Mayberry!" I question suspiciously.

"True, but security isn't just physical nowadays and, as Leo explained, they need to have their systems upgraded to withstand cyber attacks and hackers. When he showed me their systems, I was shocked at how outdated they were. Hell, even you could have hacked in!" My dad jokes although his training has lead me to be very handy with computers. I just prefer tangible things. He knows I can handle myself with technology almost as well as he can.

"I guess the town does need a facelift. So, will you need my help?"

"For now, no. We have to do several tests and diagnostics before I can determine what upgrades are vital and which ones can wait. Mr. Turner and Mr. Stenson do a lot of work together since they are cousins. Daniel called this transition as good as having me back!" He chuckles at his former boss's words. I know Mr. Stenson hated letting my father go, but it seems maybe the relationship is still intact, which I appreciate, since my father only has a few friends. He enjoys the solace of working alone with his computers.

"I'm glad you two can still be friends, colleagues, whatever. Hopefully, Mr. Turner will be a great boss."

"I think he will. He is looking forward to what I can do to help his pa—business." I glance at my dad after his stutter. He just grins shyly. "We're here!" I look through the windshield at a beautiful pale yellow house with cedar shutters adorning the quaint two-story house. The wrap-around porch is gorgeous!

"Oh wow! This house is beautiful dad! Nice grab!" I say, astonished.

"I know right. Mr. Turner found it, actually. He told me it would be perfect as it is on the outskirts of town, but still within the city limits and not far from the office. Plus, I told him you were an up and coming photographer, so the backyard has some pretty amazing views." I can tell before I even exit the truck the sunsets and sunrises at this house on the hill will be absolutely breathtaking.

After my dad parks the truck in front of the porch stairs, I jump out of the passenger seat and run up the five steps and around to the back. It is the outside more than the inside I want to see. I breathe in deeply and take in the natural scents. The smell of pine, cedar, and lilac fill my nostrils. The air is crisp and I feel alive for the first time in a while. Maybe dad was right. Maybe this is the fresh start we both need to heal and move on. I hate to think we will move on without my mom, but reality is a b***h sometimes.

I hear the porch creak and turn to see my dad watching me. I look at him curiously.

"I know it's not under the ideal setting, but I truly hope we can start again. Find contentment. Get healthy." I see his eyes glance at my skinnier body. I knew he knew I had lost weight I didn't need to lose, but he never pushed the issue. I sigh and slowly walk toward him. I wrap my arms around him as he does the same. "I'm sorry this has been so hard on you. I didn't know how to be there for you when I was so lost myself." I can't help the tears slowly rolling down my cheeks. I lay my head to rest on his chest.

"I didn't mean to worry you. We were both hurting and neither of us took care of ourselves." I pull back to look him in the face. "I promise I will try to eat more. It is just hard to stomach anything, you know?"

" I know sweetie. A day at a time, okay?"

"Yes sir."

"Let's start unloading and I'll order us a pizza." I smile as we walk back to his truck. Dad's phone starts ringing. "You go ahead. I need to take this." I walk toward the back to start unloading my suitcase. I can hear dad talking to Mr. Turner. It's nice to see dad in his element, pacing back and forth on the front porch.

I pass him and lug the first load into the front door. I pause a moment to scan the room which is a small foyer equipped with a coat rack and bench ready to house shoes and jackets. I look to my left and find a cozy living room with a beautiful stone fireplace. To my right, a small dining room. As I walk further into the house, the room opens up to a stunning kitchen with a large island. It looks like this runs the entire length of the house.

"Wow! These people must have loved to cook and entertain." I then see a small hallway to my right leading to the master bedroom and the staircase leading to the bedrooms upstairs. Since dad would have the master, I ascend the stairs to scope out my bedroom. Upstairs houses three additional bedrooms, but only one had an en-suite so, naturally, I choose that one. It's on the left-hand corner of the house, overlooking the beautiful landscape.

"I see you found your room. I figured you would pick this one. Also, I think we can convert one of the smaller bedrooms into a dark room for you. At least, until we can find a shop for you." I snap my face toward him.

"A what?"

"I think this is a perfect spot to finally achieve that dream of yours! Your own gallery and shop? Plus, you can start your own website and branch out beyond just this city."

"I thought you wanted me to go to college." I eye him suspiciously.

"I do, but I also know talent when I see it and I refuse to be an obstacle for you. I want to help you with the start up."

"Whoa, dad. Slow down. First, thank you for the kind words and compliments and support. But, I really need time to adjust first. Let's start with an at-home dark room and then we can branch out." I smile.

"As you wish, sweetie." he leaves the room and walks back downstairs as I take another look out the window. As I'm taking in the lush forest and setting sun, movement in the treeline captures my attention. Bright blue eyes. I squint harder. I walk toward the window. These icy blue eyes bore into mine, then simply vanish.

"What the—?!"