Blackwood Crossing

In 1983, Marney Odell's life took on many changes. At 20 years old, she found herself moving from the city she considered home. She was trading the bustling streets of Chicago for the small town of Blackwood Crossing, Iowa. She wasn't thrilled by the prospect, but she didn't have much of a choice.

Marney stood in the living room of her new house. Her mom was busy sorting VHS tapes to find a movie. Her daughter, on the other hand, was preoccupied. Since the last time she'd been in this house, nothing seemed to have changed.

The knotty orange carpet under her feet had aged, becoming more brown. The dark paneling on the walls darkened the large, brown flower bundle pattern on the beige couch. The yellow and white linoleum of the kitchen could be seen just beyond the door, across a narrow hall.

Marney's eyes moved over the furniture lining the walls. The wood covered, console TV had a pair of bent rabbit ears on top. The round coffee table had a white scarf thrown over it. The small turntable by the window had a console stereo beside it now.

An old wooden clock with a carved eagle on it caught her attention. The shelves along the other wall were covered in objects as familiar to Marney as her own possessions. It reminded her of the way the house used to smell; like peppermints and fresh coffee.

"How about an action movie?" Sarah glanced over her shoulder, and noticed her daughter's far away stare. "Marney..."

"Huh?" She spun to look at her mom curiously.

"You thinking about Grandma?" Sarah stood and walked to the couch.

"It's weird being here without her." She acknowledged.

"I know. She would be glad to know the place was here when we needed it, though." She sighed and sat.

"We'll make it our own." Marney sat beside her with a small, crooked smile.

"I know. I still wish you would have finished the semester before coming. I mean, I love having you here." Sarah rubbed her face tiredly. "I just don't want you to have to mess up your plans."

"I've got this all figured out, don't worry." Marney reassured her.

"I have to worry. It's kind of my job." Sarah shook her head with a smile.

"My credits transferred, no problem. Plus, I was taking a lot of classes back home. I might be able to graduate a little early with a regular course load here." She explained.

"Your father should finish paying for your tuition. We agreed when we divorced that he-"

"Mom, we don't need him." Marney sighed, interrupting her. "The tuition I would have spent in Chicago next semester, covers almost two here. I just need to find a job before it runs out, and I can pay for my classes myself."

"I just hate that he's doing this to you." Sarah shook her head in annoyance.

"Oh, well. He's that bimbos problem now." She smirked.

"Marney! Language!" She grinned while reprimanding her.

She held up her hands in mock surrender.

"Want to watch a movie, or are you unpacking your room tonight?" Sarah probed jovially.

"Neither. I'm tired from the bus ride." She stood and stretched. "I might just go to bed."

"That's fine. Get some rest for school tomorrow." She nodded.

"Goodnight, Mom." Marney stated.

"Goodnight, honey." Sarah replied as her daughter left the room.

Marney turned down the narrow hall, pulling open the door to the staircase. She climbed up the red carpeted steps, turning down the left side of the landing. She opened the door of her "new room" and entered. Her mom had removed the posters and child's furniture, but the place still reminded her of summers in her princess bed.

Now the room was plain, but still so familiar. The olive green carpet was faded and yellow in a few spots. The geometric shape on the orange curtains was red and navy blue. The iron frame on the full sized bed had been painted white, like the dresser on the opposite wall.

Marney stepped around a few boxes and her suitcase as she entered. She walked to the small, white end table. Her mom had placed a tasseled lamp there, and Marney struggled to find the switch for it. After tugging on a few beaded strings, she found the chain.

"Woah..." In the light, her belongings looked so few.

Granted, she moved from a dorm. Still, it didn't seem like her entire life should fit in 6 boxes and two suitcases. She squatted and unzipped her bag, retrieving her pajamas. She changed into her cotton boxers and went to the bathroom. After brushing her teeth, she went back to her room and flopped on the bed.

As Marney drifted off, she couldn't help feeling like something was wrong. Was it her choice to come to Blackwood Crossing? She didn't know. She simply pushed the feeling to the back of her mind, hoping it would be gone in the morning.

Maybe she had been right? Marney couldn't tell. She woke up the next day, feeling like she hadn't slept at all. Marney grabbed a change of clothes and went to the bathroom. She could hear her mom downstairs already, which meant she was nearly late.

She got a quick shower, brushing her teeth as she bathed. When she dried off, she took to brushing her thick hair. Her mousy brown curls hung around her shoulders, but could tangle more than anything Marney had ever seen.

She stepped into a pair of burgundy, corduroy shorts that nearly covered her bellybutton. Marney pulled on an orange crop-top, before rushing back to her room. She tugged on her favorite white high-top tennis shoes and grabbed her book bag from the corner.

She jogged downstairs to find her mom still in the kitchen. Sarah's brown hair was already tied back and her makeup was already in place. Sarah smiled at her rushed expression. She stood and went to the sink, grabbing her a coffee mug.

"You thought I was still going in at 9." Sarah stated knowingly.

"I did." She glanced at the clock. "I thought I was late."

"I told you to look at your clock, not just hit the alarm." She chuckled.

Sarah handed her the mug. Marney stepped up to the percolator, and poured herself some coffee.

"I can give you a ride to campus, but you may be a little early." Sarah offered.

"Not to orientation." Marney smiled and shook her head. "Thank for the offer, Mom. I'd just assume ride my bike."

"Okay, well, I put it under the carport for you." She kissed her daughter on the cheek. "I'll see you tonight."

"Don't work too hard." She called after her.

"Don't be late." Sarah quipped over her shoulder.

Marney nodded, sitting at the island counter. She finished drinking her coffee a few minutes after she heard her mom's car pull out of the driveway. She went through the kitchen door, allowing the screen to close loudly behind her.

Just as Sarah claimed, the red bike was leaning on the short wall of the carport. However, the front tire was flat. Marney groaned and leaned her head back. Exhaling heavily, she hitched her backpack up on her shoulder. It was a thirty minute walk to campus, and she had to get moving to make it in time.

Marney walked to the end of the street, cursing herself for not taking the ride her mom offered. Then again, she was frustrated to have left her Walkman in her room. At the end of the street, she crossed a wider road. Marney paused for a moment, recalling the path to the college.

To the left of her, there was a forest of tall, thick trees. She pursed her lips pensively. The school should be just across these woods. It would save time, but I could get lot and be late... Her thoughts were indecisive. Instead of waiting to think it over again, Marney stepped between the trees.

After a few minutes of quiet, she thought she heard something behind her. Spinning, she saw nothing there. You're scaring yourself. Don't be childish. Marney silently tried to boost her bravery.

A noise that once thought was a bird, now sounded like a song. Marney couldn't understand it, but the voice was lilting and feminine. Its rhythm nearly sounded like hummed chanting. Marney began walking faster, hoping to outrun the unsettling noise.

Glancing over her shoulder, she ran into something. Marney nearly fell back when an arm caught her shoulder. Jumping back fearfully, she saw a man with a startled expression. His short brown hair was combed neatly and he wore a red, colored shirt with short sleeves.

"You okay?" He asked with a furrowed brow.

"Yeah, thanks. I didn't see you." Marney replied.

"Don't worry about it." He shrugged. "Are you trying to get to campus?"

"Yeah, actually. Today's my first day." She nodded.

"Oh, welcome. I'm heading there too. You can walk with me." The young man offered.

Marney accepted the invitation, hoping to put a buffer between herself and her imagination.

"My name is Mark by the way. Mark Dean." He introduced himself.

"I'm Marney Odell." She smiled.

"Well, welcome to Blackwood University." Mark gestured to the trees ahead. "We're here."