The Rutherfords
image source: google images
Dusk painted purple in washes across the dimming orange sky. The forest lining either side was mostly green, but with November coming in, the tips of the trees were alight with oranges and reds. It was a long trip to see the Rutherfords, but it was definitely worthwhile. They lived in rural New England, a ways out from their neighbors and a good 3 hours from where Nadine lived. Though it was long, she always enjoyed the drive, its views, and the way it afforded her the opportunity to catch up on whatever audiobook she had been attempting to finish.
Suddenly, a dark form streaked across the street directly in front of her car. Gasping, she plunged her foot onto the break and searched around wildly to see what it was. The car screeched to a stop in the middle of the road, but nothing was in sight; it must have disappeared into the tree line. Nadine pushed her bangs out of her face and held her face in her hands for a moment before taking a deep breath and straightening out the car.
“There’s no way I imagined that,” she thought as the faintest line of orange began to disappear behind the horizon. She took a few more breaths before straightening out her car and slowly driving through the wooded area. Finally, the Rutherford home came into view, a colonial style brick house with lavish windows and white shutters. It was a wonder how the posh Rutherfords were such good friends with her parents, who embodied a more messy collage aesthetic.
After pulling into the driveway, Nadine began pulling her luggage out of the car. This was a long and cumbersome process, she had never been one to pack light. Just as the last of it was out, she heard hushed, forceful voices coming from the nearest window. Curious, she crept up to the window, gold light pouring from it through the light fabric in front of it. It sounded like Mrs. Rutherford.
“Garret, keep your shit together. My husband doesn’t know and doesn’t suspect anything so keep your shit together. Right. Now.”
“What are you doing?” came a voice from behind Nadine. She whirled around to find the youngest Rutherford child right behind her, shovel cocked behind her head.