Chapter 5 The Town

When morning broke, Carmina and her brother Martin decided to push through with their initial plan, though they are aware of the fear it will invoke in their mother's mental psyche, they can't, for the most part, continue living in fear and hesitation. They have all decided to start a new life, how will they achieve it though, if they will succumb to their mother's fear?

While inside their father's car, Carmina glanced at the driver's seat and kept her eyes on her brother. There's so much written on his face, it will not take a genius to know that he is going through a lot.

"We will be okay Carmina." Her brother whispered, as he takes a turn towards the now populated area of Glass Lake.

"I'm tired of this, I can't live like this anymore! I love mom and dad, but how can we move on if they can't?" Carmina murmured.

Marvin glanced at his sister and answered, "We will survive this Mina, trust me."

Marvin decided to park the car in an empty lot near a desolate park. They know it is the town's park, due to the huge letterings printed on an arch shaped structure positioned on top of an open gate which appears to be the entrance.

"Do you think it's safe to leave the car here while we walk around town?" Carmina asked as the two of them stepped out of the car.

"We're not in the city anymore Mina, I'm sure this place don't have robbers."

A chuckle from Carmina had her brother's eyes rolling.

"Even silent places like this have criminals Marvin, specially desolate spots like this," Carmina answered.

"Well, whether you believe me or not, I still think it's safe to leave the car here-besides, who would want an old looking thing like this?" Marvin responded while arching an eyebrow at his sister.

The two of them ended the conversation with laughter, setting aside the worries invoked by their past.

The first thing that caught their attention while walking around town is the stillness in their surroundings. They are aware that Glass Lake is not a populated place, but the silence around them felt ridiculous.

Awhile back, when Marvin was maneuvering the car to enter the town proper, they happened to see a bunch of people walking around-but when he finally parked the car, the people seemed fewer and is becoming less by the minute.

A passing thought stopped him from his tracks for a moment-causing his sister to question if there was problem.

Marvin shook his head and jokingly replied, "I feel like the town's people are avoiding us."

Carmina knows of her brother's tendency to crack absurd jokes, and though she felt like his words carried something deeper in it, she laughed and playfully punched his shoulder.

"Well, maybe-they don't like people from the city," She replied-half heartedly.

Both of them shook the uneasy feelings away and continued to walk from one street corner to another. They entered stores and occasionally introduced themselves when someone asks who they are. They managed to visit the town's University, which had their jaw dropping. Yes, Glass Lake have its own University.

They didn't expect much when their father mentioned it to them, because their thoughts were filled with how their father can immediately decide on sacrificing their chance for a better education. Graduating from a small town's University is definitely not as pleasing as graduating from a known school. But, in the end-they conceded. It is after all, for the better.

At first, they expected a rundown building. Theey even went as far as believing that the University is probably surrounded by farm animals. But, they are proven wrong. Whet stands before them now is a magnificent structure. The five storey building with a modern design, painted in white, cream and brown can rival even the most prestigious school from the city they came from. The lot surrounding it is covered with well trimmed grass and an abundance of fruit bearing trees which gave a generous amount of shade on the open lot.

"Did dad knew about this school?" Carmina can't help but whisper.

Marvin bobbed his head and answered, "I guess we have nothing to worry about. If this place offers the same grandeur of education as its appearance, then I'd say we're in good hands. Dad didn't mess up our education after all."

Carmina winced, she was-at one point, a dady's girl. Avery was smarter and prettier, but Carmina was closer to her dad. Unfortunately, she can't forgive him for the mistake he made. It's not that she's cold hearted or cruel. She supposes, her anger is due to the emotional trauma Avery's death left on their entire family. She mourns her sister's death, but-she is angry at her father for what his action subjected their family into-and not the thought of losing Avery.

"Let's check what's inside that store." Marvin suggested-interrupting Carmina's musings.

The bell hanging above the front door gave a loud ring after Marvin pushed open the door, and when him and Carmina stepped inside the store, the man behind the counter along with the four people inside gave them a steady gaze. Something about the way they looked at Marvin and Carmina gave the prior a weird feeling.

Marvin is not someone who easily judge people, but in that moment, something inside him nudged at his instinct to flee.

Whithout a word, Marvin grabbed Carmina's arm and led her outside.

Stunned by her brother's reaction, Carmina didn't have time to protest. She allowed her brother to drag her away like a rag doll. At some point, Marvin almost lost his footing while dragging her towards the parking lot where their father's car was parked.

"Marvin, you're going to break my arm." Carmina protested, but her brother wasn't listening. He kept pulling at her, until they reached the car. He opened the door for her and shoved her inside, then went around and took his place inside the driver's seat.

"What the hell had gotten into you?" Carmina yelled, eyes wide, with tears threatening to fall from the corner of her eyes.

"I have a bad feeling about this place." Her brother replied then went on to start the car. He drove faster than he normally would-leaving Carmina in a state of panic.

It was thirty minutes after they left the parking lot when Marvin spoke again. This time, his voice seemed steady and calm.

"Sorry about that Mina, I just had a weird feeling when we entered that store." He murmured.

Carmina-with a frown lining her forehead, kept her eyes on her brother. The beads of sweat sliding from his temple, down to his cheek didn't make sense. The weather is chilly, the air conditioner inside the car is turned on-so, Marvin sweating like crazy is-well, crazy.

Despite wanting to probe for answers, Carmina decided to remain silent. She will ask about it when the two of them arrives home.

********************************

The cashier, Mr. Garish-shook his head after watching the two teens run away.

"Next time, keep your eyes to your selves." He yelled, aiming his anger towards the four people inside his shop.

"Hey, it's not everyday we see a new face around here, we were curious." A man wearing blue jeans and white polo shirt answered.

Mr. Garish, kept shaking his head from side to side. "Those two probably think we're weird." He murmured while computing the purchase made by his curtomer.

"Well, we'll just have to appologize when we see them again-a middle aged man, known as Mr. Bernard answered.

The cashier can only chuckle at that. They are after all, excited, upon hearing that a new family is moving to their not so popular town.

Tourist had come and gone, but none stayed to become an actual resident, so, having a new family to be a part of their community is big news.

"We gave the kids a fright, but don't worry about it Garish. I will explain everything to the doctor when he comes to the hospital." Mrs. Cambridge, a nurse, working for the Glass Lake hospital interjected.

Garish smiled and bobbed his head, then continued to serve the rest of his customers.