I glared up at the sky as I felt the first drop of rain hit my cheek and slide its way down my cold skin.

Here I stood, silently challenging the sky with nothing but a potato sac stuffed with random clothing, some personal belongings, and my beloved twinkie stash to accompany me with. And the absurdity of my absurd situation in my even more absurd life? The fact that a pea had gotten me here. Yes, a single green piece of food that I had grown to love over the recent events in my life.

I reminisced back to a couple of hours ago, when my evil step-sister straight out of Cinderella had come and sat down at the dinner table. I had done a great job of ignoring her stupid smug look and her even more stupid comments, knowing that ignoring her was the best option. Then she had taken it to the next level. The little devil had the balls to flick an icky green pea right in the middle of my face. Now I don't have much self control, but somehow I managed to simply brush it off and ignore her. But that of course wasn't the reaction she was looking for, so she had grabbed a handful of the peas in her plate with her ugly bear hands and chucked them at me like a freaking snowball. I had looked over at my mother and step-father, but they skillfully avoided me, knowing not to say anything to El Diablo. That's what I called her. It meant the devil in Spanish. Perfect nick name right? Well anyways, back to how I ended up here. El Diablo had given me the biggest, ugliest smirk that ever existed, snapping any trace of self control and patience inside of me.

What happened next was a slight blur to me, but I remember vividly how I lunged across the table and started pounding her face with my fists, finally completing my one and only life goal. After successfully knocking her out unconscious with my pathetic family screaming at me in horror, El Diablo's daddy dearest had ordered the guards to throw me out of the palace of hell. I couldn't have been any happier. I liked to think that I was an innocent little prisoner stuck in the palace of hell and surrounded by the devil, her wuss of a father, and my psychotic mother.

So I packed my bags, stuffing in only my necessities and a picture of my real family, and had left with a smug look, never forgetting the look on El Diablo's battered and bloodied face. Fear. Pure fear.

Back to the present, here I was, stranded in the middle of nowhere with with nothing except for half my stash of twinkies for food and a small blanket for shelter. I had no clue where I was supposed to go and didn't know this town. I had grown up here half my life but like any other prisoner, I never got to leave that jail cell palace. I had been walking for what seemed like hours with aching legs, a howling stomach and chattering teeth.

Switching my sac of belongings over to my left shoulder now, I continued trudging down the road to who knows where.

By the time I had gotten five steps away, the rain had picked up, accepting my challenge to pissing me off further, and I was now drenched head to toe.

I looked up at the sky and let out an annoyed yell. "Really?" I exclaimed, before kicking at a rock nearby and storming ahead.

So far there had been no signs of civilization. All I could do now was hope.

Slowing down my pace, I twisted my bag around and dug my hand in it, slightly relaxing as I felt the wrapper of one of my twinkies. I pulled it out and fixed my sac back over my shoulder, before continuing on and not looking up. I was too busy grinning down at my lovely best friend, Mr. Twinkie, and unwrapping him.

I glanced back up as I took a bite of Mr. Twinkie and my teeth suddenly halted in the murdering of Mr. Twinkie. My jaw dropped open as I saw a small cottage house up ahead with light streaming out of the windows and smoke flowing out of the chimney.

I looked down at my decapitated twinkie, before grinning back at the cottage. I couldn't contain my excitement any longer and fist pumped the air before sprinting towards the cottage.

As soon as I reached the door, I wasted no time in pounding against it with eagerness, excitement and relief. Hopefully it wasn't some mass murderer living here. If so, I always had my trusty rock in my back pocket that I had picked up on my journey. Who knew rocks could be such great listeners. If I ever traveled again, I'd be sure to pack a few rocks.

I was relieved when the door slowly opened, revealing a middle-aged man. I knew instantly that it wasn't some psycho convict, looking into his warm chestnut eyes.

He gave me a confused look, taking in my shivering drenched form standing there with a potato sac hanging in one hand and a half-eaten twinkie in the other. "Can I help you dear?" He asked politely.

I took a breath of relief when he didn't recognize me.

I grinned at the man sheepishly before explaining. "I know this is all very sudden and absurd and I don't mean to create any problems for you, but I  haven't got a place to stay. I'm, er, new to this town so I don't really know anyone here or where to go."

"Well what are you doing in such weather out there all alone?" He asked, his confusion unwavering.

"Well you see, my family sort of kicked me out of their palace- er I mean house so I've been walking for hours and I just need a small rest if that's okay?" I asked with hopeful eyes.

"John, who's there?" I heard a feminine voice ask from inside the house.

When John didn't answer, a small lady with chocolate brown hair appeared at the door, taking in my appearance.

"Oh dear! Look at you! You're going to catch a cold love, come inside!" She quickly ordered.

John gave me a warm smile, before moving out of the way and gesturing me inside.

I gave them an unsure look which the kind couple quickly erased by ordering me to get inside before I died of hypothermia. So I kicked off my soaked shoes outside so I wouldn't ruin their floors, before taking a small step into their house.

I was suddenly hit by the delicious smell of cinnamon rolls. So that's what had been causing the smoke out of the chimney. I took in my surroundings and instantly fell in love with their cozy cottage. In one corner there were comfy couches squished together with a TV. The room opposite that was the kitchen, only a few steps away. It was all white with silver pots and pans here and there. Up ahead, there was a short hallway with a few doors on the sides, and further up lay a staircase leading to their second floor.

"You guys have a lovely home." I complimented with a smile, glancing around.

Although it was a bit small, it was homey and welcoming. I'd prefer it over that cold dungeon castle any day.

"Thank you dear." The lady gave me a warm smile in return. "So what brings you here?" She asked.

I opened my mouth to answer, but instead a sneeze came out. I sniffled as I excused myself.

"You know what? Why don't you get changed into some warmer clothes and I'll make you a cup of hot cocoa, then we'll talk." She said with a warm smile. "I'm Linda by the way."

I returned her smile. "That would be lovely, I'm Avery." I introduced myself.

After telling me where I could get changed, I easily found my way and stepped into a nicely decorated washroom. I quickly stripped off my wet clothes and replaced them with a pair of thick grey leggings and a comfy black hoodie. I glanced at my appearance finally. My slightly wavy black hair was still a bit wet from the rain, sitting a few inches above my belly button. My cheeks finally had color in them again from the warmth and my light green eyes looked a bit tired, but a few hours of sleep could fix that. After making sure I looked presentable, I stepped back out and thankfully I remembered the way back into the living room, although it wasn't that hard to find.

I was greeted by the smell of hot cocoa and I found John and Linda sitting on the couches with their own mugs of hot cocoa.

They looked up as I entered and gave me a warm smile. Linda handed me a mug of the chocolatey goodness and I greatly took it, before sitting on the couch opposite them.

"So what brought you here?" Linda asked first as I took a small sip. It was truly delicious.

"Well you see, my family kicked me out of their house and so I walked ahead aimlessly, not sure where to go when I saw this cottage." I started.

I looked up to see their concerned faces and felt warm inside. Even if I was a stranger to them, they were practically treating me like their own blood.

"I had been walking for a couple of hours and the rain picked up so would it be fine if I stay here just until the rain stops?" I asked.

"What? Of course not!" Linda started, surprising me. "You're to stay here as long as you need to!" She exclaimed.

I relaxed and smiled. "That's real kind of you Miss, but I don't want to cause a burden, I only need an hour or so of rest, then I'll be good." I smiled.

"None sense!" Linda argued. "You hardly know this town, you said so yourself, so how about you stay here until you figure out where to go. We'll give you a map and a ride too." Linda smiled.

My heart warmed at the lady's words. "I really would appreciate that." I smiled at the couple.

"Of course dear. Stay here as long as you need to." John replied, before a loud roar of a car came from outside.

"Oh Drew's home!" Linda exclaimed, before getting up and walking towards the door.

I stared confusedly after her.

"Hey mom." I heard a masculine voice speak from outside, before an attractive boy who looked to be around my age stepped in. His chocolate colored hair, like his mother's, was slightly wet from the rain. He wore a black leather jacket with a white shirt underneath, paired with dark washed jeans. Although I've rarely seen any male species in that dungeon castle, this guy was the most attractive guy I'd ever seen. He was even hotter than that imaginary Prince Charming in my mind that I tended to day dream about.

I quickly composed myself as he walked further into the house, finally noticing me.

I watched as confusion crossed his eyes, before recognition took place in them and his eyes widened.