Part 1
Five Years Ago
Elected Hurricane Stage 4. ETA 20 Hours.
It wasn't hot, it wasn't humid. It was muggy, humidity picking at her soul, pulling at her skin, heavy like there was a coat and a straight jacket on her, her armpits a primordial soup that would birth some eldritch horror.
As for her insides, well, every breath was like drinking caster oil, like she was being 'non-poisoned'. And to make it worse, she was near teary eyed with it as they walked into Fairmont middle school, grin in hand.
Their mother had a two-piece suit on, the type with the long pants but on her head was a headband that bled steam. Light and fluffy air fell upon all three of them like an umbrella. It wasn't enough for Kate but Mother looked crisp.
Inside they turned and Mother spiffed them up, pulling and tugging and somehow cranking and toggling until they were tidy.
"You're both so wonderful." She said gushing, the joy didn't last, "Griffen!" Mother commanded. Griff stiffened and saluted. "Be a good kid and you'll out-'good' the best kid in the world."
That came from Mother as a whisper packaged with a wink. Then she pushed up her chest, stiffening and expanding herself until a bold and 'tall' Mother faced Kate, naturally, how absurd would it be for them to be eye to eye… Kate didn't bother rolling her eyes. Instead she just stood at fake attention.
"Kate, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to look after the family."
She cupped Kate's cheeks, mooshing them together.
"Don't worry, mom, I'll look after him."
"I know you will. Make sure you take your steps."
"Of course mom." Kate sighed, lifting her silver and gold watch, that was more bracer than time measurement tool.
Steps Progress: 2000 Steps.
Mother used them as a battering tam, pushing them from behind, leading them on into the monolith of a building slanted like a skate ramp. It would've been pretty were it not so sterile looking.
A single turn and a two-minute wait later, they were facing the principal of Fairmont Middle School. The main looked like a brick. Completely square, just not in a fit way. He had jowls, which were so hilarious Kate had to keep her eyes forward.
Greetings and handshakes followed, but Kate could barely concentrate. The air in the room was so alien, it was magical, cool wispy. It filled her with the ease of peace and joy.
Mother smiled and winked at Kate as though reading her mind. Mother swanned away after shaking the principal's hand, she sat on the principal's desk. It caught him by surprise, shocking him enough to make him retreat to his big chair.
"The air here is lovely! A shame about the rest of the passages, even the waiting room. You know, you seem like a very well maintain man, your bookshelves immaculate, Dewey decimal too, except for that shelf over there. I bet there are two reasons. Your favourites lay there for ease of access and reason number two. You have something to hide. Let's see."
Mother's purr was so soft and playful and when she got up, popping off the desk in ways that made Kate want to cover Griff's eyes. Mr Principal jumped up off his chair to intercept Mother mid jump as if she'd fallen off a cliff. Mother let him win with ease letting him hold her arms. She smiled at his aid and slid away from his grip to pick up a book on his desk. In hindsight it explained why he'd sat at his desk so quick. He'd been protecting that book. But Mother's awkward dismount had meant Mother had abandoned it long enough to leave Mother with a slick checkmate.