The warm salty sea air filled the beat up land rover, It wasn't familiar and made Katie Emerson scrunch up her nose. She was use to the hot, dry air in phoenix it was all she had ever really known. Her family was never really high on the hog and never had enough money to spend going on lavish vacations, Instead they just stayed put. Living in a normal, Ordinary existence. It was ok for a while, That was until her father Edward got bored. That's why he left, Katie assumed. Why else would you leave a wife and 3 children you supposedly loved the week before? Her mother Lucy didn't like to talk about it much but who would? Her husband divorced her and left her with three kids and no money, Forcing them to move to live with Lucy's father in Santa Carla, California. It was a low blow for anyone to deal with, let alone a newly single mom. Michael the oldest of the three tried his best to be strong and positive because he felt it was his responsibility, He was the man of the house now and he had to look out for the younger two and his mom. It was just the way things had to be, Not that he was complaining. Sam the youngest and perhaps the most charismatic just treated it as he treated everything else in his carefree life, a bump in the road. Sure it did rain on his parade for a while but he just remembered that he always had his siblings and his mom, That was good enough. Katie, The middle child and the only girl took it the hardest, She had always been a daddy's girl and the fact that he had left her without a goodbye left a rather large hole in her heart, In an effort to remain strong she just turned on her smile when Michael, Sam or her mother asked how she was. They didn't need to know that she was actually struggling, They were probably all struggling on there own enough without her whining about how she missed her father… no she would keep it too herself.

-

The bill board came into view, even though it was still a good distance away. Katie didn't need to see what it said though, She already knew. It was a sign saying 'Welcome to Santa Carla!' or something cheesy like that.

"We're getting close.." Her mother put her thoughts into words as she too noticed the bill board in the distance.

"What's that smell?" Sam muttered in the front seat of the rover, Making Katie chuckle but then frown when she got a whiff of it. It smelled like something was polluting the air, Something rotten.

Lucy sucked in a deep breath of air. "Ocean air!" She responded cheerfully.

"Smells like something died." Sam retorted with a scrunch of his nose. Michael smirked neck to Katie, Obviously finding their little brother's honesty amusing.

"Guys, I know it hasn't been easy." Oh here we go, Katie thought as she heard her mom begin to try and talk to them about everything that had happened the past year. Usually everyone tried to stay away from that particular topic but every once in a while someone would bring it up and things would just get awkward because no one honestly wanted to talk about it. "You know… the divorce and the move, but I think you're really going to like living in Santa Carla."

All three siblings looked at each other, each one unconvinced. No one talked for a few minutes, The atmosphere having gone tense. Lucy thought quickly for a way to break the tension.

"How 'bout some music!" She said and turned the radio to a country and western station.

"Keep going." Sam said in a bored tone.

Next was an Easy Listening station, Making Katie grimace and shake her head. "Keep Going" Michael and Katie said at the same time. Lucy turns on to a song titled 'mellow yellow'.

"Keep going!" All three siblings chorused together, none of them liking the groovy music.

Lucy laughed loudly and shook her head. "Wait! This is from my generation!" She went on to sing a bit of the song before all 4 burst out laughing at the cheesy song. Lucy changed the station after very little persuasion from her kids.

Katie grinned to herself and stuck her tongue out at Sam, Then she noticed they were passing the boarder. She kept her eye on the sign, Her grin faltering as she read the back of the sign, in big spray paint letters it read, 'The murder capitol of the world.' She looked away quickly, Trying to see if either of her brother had also seen it. Michael looked a little confused and concerned so she hit his shoulder lightly to get his attention, Then pointed back at the sign, Her way of asking if he had seen the creepy lettering. He gave her a single nod to signify that he had. Slight relief washed over her, She wasn't the only one who was a little freaked out. If they really were moving to the murder capitol of the world, How were they supposed to like it? If anything seeing the sign made her want to beg her mom to go back to phoenix.

They drive to her grandpa's house was longer than planned, Mostly because he lived pretty far out of town. Lucy stopped to pump gas and let the kids stretch their legs. Michael rushed to the U haul to get his beloved motorcycle. Sam ran through the crowd with his dog Nanook faithfully next to him, only giving a brief nod to signal he heard his moms warning to stay close. Katie climbed out of the rover slowly, wincing as her thighs stuck to the seats, She slid her sunglasses on her face and pursed her lips at the sight in front of her. People were running around everywhere screaming and hollering. It was actually a little unnerving. Girls in little bikinis walked by, Surfers with deep tans and blonde hair walked past and winked at her. Bikers were everywhere, They're motorcycles making deep rumbling noises. The locals were…Colorful at the least.

Lucy pumped the gas, looking around and observing the area. Sam appeared from nowhere and started ranting about an amusement park right on the beach. Katie gave him an amused smile and shook her head.

"That would be the boardwalk bud." She told him patting him on the shoulder.

"Can we go now? Katie wouldn't mind taking me, would you Katie?" Katie gave an indifferent shrug, She had nothing else to do and she certainly wasn't looking forward to unpacking all of the crap they lugged from Arizona to California

Lucy sighed and thought about it for a minute. "Maybe Later. Grandpa's expecting us."

Sam frowned, Katie threw her arm around his shoulders in an effort to cheer him up and comfort him at the same time. She knew Sam wasn't even less excited than she was about the move but he would get over it quickly once he made some new friends and got a feel for the place. Sam had always been good at adjusting faster than most.

"Hey mom, Can I have a dollar? I want a candy bar." Katie asked with a pout. She knew it was unlikely that her mom would give it too her, but she was craving something sweet and she figured she would at least give an attempt.

Lucy gave her a pointed look. "We can eat when we get to your grandfathers. You can hold out for that long can't you?"

Katie nodded and decided to go into the little shop to look around at least, Maybe they had a tour guide book or something interesting. Going into a crowd of raving lunatics did sound kind of appealing but she figured that since she would be living here, She would have plenty of time to do it any other time. Plus she wasn't that big of a partier anymore, Back in phoenix she had her moments when she went out and partied until early hours of the morning. It drove her parents crazy, and her brothers were both constantly hounding her about how it wasn't safe for her to do that. After a particular incident with a drunk guy who had wandering hangs Katie gave it up for good. It was getting old anyway.

Michael poked his head in and quickly spotted "Kate! Time to head out to grandpa's!" Katie set the book she had been scanning through and quickly left the store when she noticed a dude with a Mohawk staring at her.

"We moved to a pretty strange place didn't we mikey?" She asked Michael as they walked back to the rover.

"Yeah, We definitely did. I bet you'll fit in just fine though." teased Michael as he sat on his bike, Katie stuck her tongue out and climbed into the front seat, Ignoring Sam's protest.

"Come on squirt, The ride to grandpa's isn't that long. You'll survive in the back." She reasoned as they started the journey, Michael following closely behind them. Katie watched him ride his motorcycle with ease through the side mirror. She had no clue how he rode that thing, Her balance was seriously lacking and she could see herself breaking a bone or two if she even attempted to ride the bike on her own. Michael had taken her on rides before, she didn't mind those. Riding on her own was a different story.

Pulling up to the house they would be sharing with their grandpa, Katie was pleased. It was sort of an old lodge, It looked a bit worn out and scuffed up but it had character. It was unusual, Kinda like the rest of Santa Carla.

"I like it," She said to her mother taking them both by surprise. Katie had pretty much remained silent the entire trip, Showing no indication of how she felt about them moving away from Arizona. Now a small bead of hope started in Lucy, Katie had said something positive about the place. It was more than she had gotten out of the teenager for the past couple of weeks. Maybe things would go better in the new town.

"Yeah, Its pretty unique." Lucy said, Not wanting to push Katie back into her shell.

Sam snorted. "I think its creepy."

"That's because your wimpy Sammy." Kate retorted, Keeping her tone playful so he would know she was kidding, The last thing she needed was a miffed little brother. The kid was smart.

"Haha your so funny Kate."

Lucy rolled her eyes but had an easy going smile on her face, The kids playfully bantering made her relax a little. That's the best part about have three great kids, They could make her smile without realizing it most of the time.

Katie got out of the car, Pulling her cut offs that had ridden up during the ride down. The place looked slightly deserted and she cocked an eyebrow. "Where's grandpa?"

Sam points at a body on the porch that Katie had some how missed completely. She approached it with her mom and her brothers, looking at the still form apprehensively. If her grandpa had passed away, What did that mean for them?

"Is he okay mom?" Katie asked worriedly, bending down and getting a better look at the older man, who didn't appear to have any life to him.

Michael shook his head. "He looks dead."

"He's just a deep sleeper," Lucy defended, Although she sounded like she was trying to reassure herself, Not her kids.

"If he's dead can we move back to phoenix?" Sam asks insensitively, Obviously not that concerned. Katie slapped his arm and glared at him. Before she can yell at her younger brother, Her grandpa opens his eyes.

"Playing dead…and from what I heard, Doin; a damn good job of it, too." He said mischievously, His eyes gleaming youthfully. Katie decided right then and there that she was going to enjoy living with the old fellow.

Carrying in her first box of books, Katie follows behind Michael who was carrying barbells, Behind them both Sam was struggling with his large comic book collection.

"Wow." Katie mutters looking around the large, Lodge like home. Funky leather furniture furnished the living room with Indian style blankets and weird decorations.

"This is kind of a cool place." Michael noted also looking around. Katie grinned and nodded. She was loving all the Indian stuff, It was her kind of thing.

Sam sent them both a look. "I'm so excited, I just can't hid it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it." He deadpanned the lyrics to the song.

"Come on Sam, Loosen up and at least give it a chance." Katie slapped his arm lightly, although she did find his deadpanning amusing.

"I'm with Kate on this one, Will you give mom a break?" Michael reprimanded him. Katie felt a little bad but didn't say anything, Just sets her books down on a chair and follows the boys into kitchen wordlessly.

Mike sets his barbells on the back porch, while Sam whines about the lack of T.V.

"Grandpa does not own a T.V. Have you noticed? There's no T.V. Santa Carla has no malls, No Cineplex's and I won't even have MTV! I will not know anything hip anymore."

Michael sent him a look. "Hey, Sam, Were flat broke."

"Yeah, and 1. Your not going to die without that mall Sammy, Maybe you'll start dressing like a normal human being. 2. MTV is just a show that is put on to kill your brain cells and make you a brainless zombie. 3. Don't use the term Hip, Its dumb."

Sam pouts. "Even poor people have T.V. s mike, and what do you mean I'll start dressing like a normal human being?! I dress amazing! You're just jealous, and mtv is amazing thank you very much," Said Sam, Weakly defending himself.

Katie rolls her eyes and bites back an easy retort. She knew better than to get him started.

The three siblings quickly make their way up the stairs to choose bedrooms, Katie knew that the boys were going to end up fighting over the largest room so she just went ahead and took the smallest one, It had the biggest closet space anyway and that was one thing she needed, Closet space.

Hearing the boys arguing, She walked out of her room, only to be knocked down my Sam who was running from Michael. Her anger spiked when both brothers just kept running so she ran after them, She noticed them stopping in front of a pair of old sliding glass doors and hops on Michaels back, He instantly grabbed hold of the back of her knees to keep her up and she lightly wrapped her arms around his neck. When she looked up at what was in front of them, She winced.

Stuffed animals of all different varieties were sitting around the room, they seemed to be staring and it sent a shiver down her back. Squirrels, Birds, Cats and other odd things. Boxes of eyes, Pelts, Hides, Wooden animal forms. All the obvious equipment of a taxidermist.

"Talk about the Texas chainsaw massacre," Michael muttered nudging Sammy, Causing both Sam and Katie to chuckle.

Grandpa's voice from behind them cause the trio to jump. "Rules! Got some rules around here!"

Katie hops off of Michael carefully and barely listened as Grandpa ranted about the rules of the Fridge, then the rules of the TV guide, Smiling when he finally said that there was no TV, Crushing sam's slight bit of hope. She knew her little brother could do without it for a while. He needed a break from everything 'hip' actually.

Later the same night, Their mom decides to go with them to the boardwalk to look for jobs. Also so they could see around town. All three know its just because she wants to get on their good sides for a while. She still felt bad about the divorce and still couldn't bear the thought of the kids blaming her.

Michael, Katie and Sam all walk along the boardwalk, taking in the new environment. It was new to all three of them, although Lucy wasn't too amazed she could tell Sam was enjoying himself. Michael seemed to be too. They soon gathered near the band stand, A guy is singing on stage and playing the saxophone. Katie jokingly starts dancing with Sam, Just for giggles. Then gets into the music for real when he starts playing a song she likes. After a while she notices Michael had turned his attention elsewhere.

"Hello? Earth to big Brother?" She joked, waving her hands in front of his face, after that failed she tried along with Sam to see what he was so enraptured by. It was a pretty girl with dark and curly hair, She had a little boy about 7 or 8 with her. After finally realizing they couldn't break their brother out of his trance they let him be. It wasn't until they saw Michael start following her and the kid that they realized they might have a problem.

"Great, Go out for a nice fun night and Michael becomes infatuated with a girl and we have to follow him around." Katie whined to Sam who hurriedly agreed. Katie took a minute to thank god for her little brother to keep her company.

Where are we going?" Sam asked Michael.

"Nowhere." Was all Michael said back.

"Then what's the rush? You're chasing that girl, Why don't you just admit it? Katie and I are at the mercy of your sex glands buddy!" Sam teased, Making Katie chuckle and Michael give them both a peeved look.

"Don't you guys have something better to do than follow me around all night?" Michael said. It kind of hurt Katie's feelings, But he'd never know. She and Michael had always been close, They were closer in age than She and Sam were. So for him to just blatantly brush her off miffed her a bit.

Sam didn't seem to care though and quickly smiled and took off when he noticed the second hand comic store.

"Sam!?" Katie yelled after him, but he was already gone. Little twerp left her alone with lover boy. She'd have to get him back for that later.

Michael had already started walking and Katie had to run to keep up with him. He didn't even notice he had left her behind. "Jeez mike, You're a douche." She muttered crossing her arms over her chest.

Michael looked at her for a moment at her before continuing to follow curly q and the little boy.

"Are you going to talk to her or follow her around like a lost puppy?" Katie asked taking another jab at a conversation. Michaels glare quickly told her that she should stop talking and they continued to walk in silence.

Finally the girl reaches what seems to be her group, or posse. A group of 4 guys, all looking a little rough with motorcycles. Michael continues to eye star as she gets on behind the bleach blonde one with the ugly bleached hair. She quickly looks over each one, Finding none of them desirable, Until she saw the one with the dark hair. He looked dark and dangerous and Katie couldn't helped but be attracted to him. His long dark hair was wind blown and he met her eyes after helping the little boy on behind him. His dark eyes met her blue ones and she couldn't look away, He seemed to be just as captured by her. It wasn't until the other guys started their bikes that he snapped out of it. She gave him a small smile as he rode away, Although it grew when he returned it. Mostly because he had an amazing smile too.

"Mom's ready to go guys." Neither moved or acknowledged him as they watched the motorcycles disappear in the distance. "Come on! She siffed ya!"

Both snapped out of it and followed Sam to their mom and the rover. They find her and she happily tells them about her job at the video store and a nice gentleman named Max. All three congratulate her and Sam quickly asks about getting TV.

"Hey what was with you and that girl Michael?" Katie asked him once they were sitting in the back. Sam and Lucy were up front having a conversation.

Michael shrugged. "I don't know," Was all he said back.

Katie huffed in agitation and turned away from him. Michael usually wasn't so blunt and mean as he was being. She wasn't enjoying this new attitude of his and she would gladly tell him that if he kept it up. Michael seemed to notice that he had upset her but couldn't bring himself to really do anything about it. All he could think about was The girl on the boardwalk.

Meanwhile, Other than Michaels apparent douche-bagery. All Katie could think about was the guy with the dark hair. She had other boyfriends before but none got that reaction from her. She felt some sort of a pull from him, it was unusual and she didn't know what to make of it. He seemed to think something of her too because he stared back just as strongly.

"Why are you two so quiet back there?" Lucy asked as they pulled into the driveway. Lucy was a little surprised, She hadn't even noticed they had already returned.

Michael obviously noticed his sister wasn't responding and responded for both of them. "Just tired mom, Been a long day."

"Yeah mom its nothing, Just need a nice long sleep." Said Katie, backing Michael up even though she wasn't the least bit tired. None of them needed to know that.

Lucy nodded enthusiastically. "Me too, Me too. Its definitely cool around here though right?"

Katie walked up the stairs "Its definitely different." I don't know if it's a good different or a bad different though, Katie thought as she walked into her small and cozy bed. Laying down on it, She picked up the first book on the box of books and began to read. Looking up at the closed door to her room, She frowned. Most nights Michael would come in and they'd talk, Sometimes sam would join them. It was kind of a routine and she didn't think Michael wouldn't come. He sort of owed it too her to come in and make amends for being such a jerk. She read until 2 am but Michael never came in. It was right then she started having heavy doubts about moving but she pushed them to the back of her mind. Michael was just in a funk and Sam was still odd, lovable Sam.
Finally the book got blurry as her eyelids started to get heavy. Placing it on the desk table beside her bed, Katie climbed under the covers and thought about those dark eyes on the stranger.