In Between

CHAPTER 1

PRESENT

It had been seventeen years since he had last seen the buzzling town of Lazuli. When he turned three, Nicolas parents migrated abroad, raising him in another country, and now he's back and he can't wait to see the whole wonderful place by himself. He heard so much about it from his parents but unfortunately, their work kept them from visiting even for a short vacation. 

Now that he turned twenty, his parents helped him to shift from his old school to the Northern State University - considered one of the most prestigious institution in the country , pulling connections through their godmother Theresa and with good standing from his previous sport scholarship, he effortlessly made the transfer without a hitch. 

A black cab stopped in front of a huge black iron gate with a dualism like symbol on its crest. Nicolas alight from the vehicle, pulled his bags in the trunk, and gave a couple of bills to the driver as an extra tip. When the taxi left, Nicolas stared at the gate in front of him – he was going to live in one of the Montgomery's villa inside the enormous compound. His mother's bestfriend - almost a sister -  was a Montgomery and her house had been unoccupied for years, and  thus she had insisted that he stayed there instead of renting expensive apartments in town center which he gratefully accepted. Carrying his two bulky hand carry bags, Nicolas grinned to himself and went past the awaiting gate.

The Montgomery's private property was huge; to Nicolas assessment, it was a half a thousand hectares or more. It was in a sloping land and on the far top stood an insanely gigantic white mansion weathered by time. Around it were dozens of its smaller version that he knew had been rented to a few others. The main house had been abandoned for decades, according to his mother's bestfriend Maya. The last heir from the head clan had been in a coma for years and was only kept alive by machines. His aunt Maya said that the heir was considered dead, but no one on from the branch family wanted to give him up, even if it meant keeping the body alive without a soul, so they say. But then again, as his Aunt Maya insisted, the comatose successor had been dead the day he was born. She told him that the boy, besides his reverent appearance, was dull, painfully quiet, and washed down with life. "A perfect human doll – absolutely soulless," Aunt Maya quoted before.

The Montgomery family was an odd lot, though he also learned that losing the line of the head family would completely destroy this notoriety. And until they found ways to correct their position and reach a decision on whose next line from within the main clan would lead, they could not let the last heir go. Even just for representation. These are thing Nicolas has no clue about, confuses him. what's with the main and branch and clans, as though they're still living in a medieval time.

Nicolas made his way towards the houses, dry leaves fluttering down concrete steps and colorful trees swaying against the cold autumn winds. The flowery plants that probably grew beautifully during spring now crawled on the earth with their crippled bodies.

Reaching one of the white stoned houses, the nearest from the gate, he adjusted his black windbreaker and peeked inside the glass door. It was glowing inside and he could hear laughter from within. He hesitated for a moment but the freezing breeze that blew around him forced him to ring the doorbell attached to the elegant golden handle at the upper front of the door. He painstakingly rubbed his hands together, drawing warmth from the dark thick gloves that covered his hands. It was late autumn after all. 

He heard an approaching footsteps and then a girl, probably around his age or maybe younger, came out. She halted for a moment, giving him an inspecting look before opening the door. The grayish light outside landed on her comely face. Though her forehead was a bit protruded, it did not obliterate from the prettiness of her sea blue eyes, small nose, generous smiling lips, and long ginger colored hair.

"Uh, Yes?" she inquired. "Do you need anything?"

"Ah, yes actually," Nicolas started, rubbing the back of his head, his usual gesture when he's unsure or embarrassed. "I'm looking for this house number, and I'm not sure which among the houses here –"

"Oh, you're the one who's going to live at Ms. Maya's house!" the girl exclaimed, cutting him off when she saw the address on the paper he's holding.

"Uhm… I supposed I am," he answered, smiling at her.

The girl smiled at him, showing a perfect set of white even teeth. "You're funny. By the way I'm Joana, Joana Smith. And I guess you're Nicolas right? Ms. Maya called last week and told my parents to check on you once in a while just to be safe, she says." 

"Oh god, she doesn't have to do that. I'm not a kid. " Nicolas replied, his cheeks brighten more than it was from the chilly air.

 "Yeah, I thought so too. When she called it was kinda funny, was thinking if you're a middle schooled kid or younger with how she frets over. But it's all good I guess. It's nice when someone cares, right?"

Nicolas shrugs, heave a sigh then scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, I guess."

"The house just over there, the one closely situated to the main house. Your closest neighbors are the Blacks', they're a family of veterenarian. If there's an emergency, you could ask their help too, they're really nice."

"Thanks Joana for the info and sorry for bothering you," he said, yanking his bags.

"Don't worry about it. We'll be neighboors after all."

He nodded in acknowledgement.

"See you around then, and maybe I'll bring you something later. Mom will surely make something from you once he learns you've arrived."

"Great! Thanks again," Nicolas added as he left the porch and ambled slowly to his new home.