A New Killer Is Born

Chapter 23: Heaven's Gardens

After I got dressed and slipped on a pair of white laced flats, I grabbed a light pink sweater just incase it got cold and walked out of my room. The first thing I did was stop by Uncle Pinhead's room. I was suppose to have my training with him today later on after supper, but I didn't know if I was going to be back in time for that. I knocked on the door and suddenly, the door flew open and Uncle Pinhead appeared.
"Yes child?", he asked. Uncle Pinhead's face went from blank to shock as he saw my outfit. H cast his eyes to me and I knew that he was wondering why I was all dressed up.
"Um, when does my training start again?", I asked to make sure.
"After supper child, why? And why are you all dressed up?"
I sighed and thought out loud about my dad and Mary going out for a walk and that I would join them. Uncle Pinhead, who must of heard my thought, face brightened and a smile spread across his face.
"Ah, I see why now. Well, if it is your wish to accompany your father and his fiancé on their walk, be my guest.", Uncle Pinhead smiled.
I smiled in return and hugged Uncle Pinhead.
"But.", Uncle Pinhead said, pulling me away and putting both of his hands on my shoulders to make me looked directly at him. "As for your punishment, I will cancel your training."
I raised any eyebrow. What did he mean by that? If my training was canceled then, was my punishment over?
"As for your punishment, you will go out and have a good time with your father and your step mom.", Uncle Pinhead smirked.
I rolled my eyes playfully and punched Uncle Pinhead lightly on the arm. I thought he was going to give me another severe punishment. I was thankful he didn't though.
Uncle Pinhead stroked my hair and then leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Have a good time Ashley, that is your punishment."
I nodded my head and smiled. "Thanks Uncle Pinhead."
I walked away and rushed down the stairs. I didn't know why I was excited for. I guess it was because I didn't have training today and have finish off my harsh punishment. I guess Uncle Pinhead figured that my punishment should be spending time with my dad and Mary since I never did before.
I walked into the living room and saw Uncle Leatherface and Glen playing the Xbox. I shook my head at them, thinking they were completely obsessed with the game. They didn't seem to notice my presence in the room, but I didn't mind. I walked out of the room and walked into the kitchen where I saw Aunt Esther and Aunt Kirsty cooking.
"Where's my dad?", I asked.
Aunt Esther was the first to look u at me. She was mixing some ingredients in a bowl and I had no clue what on earth she was about to make.
"There outside. You look pretty Ash.", Aunt Esther smiled.
Aunt Kirsty looked back from the stove to get a look for herself. She looked at me then cast her eyes down to my dress. She smiled at me and I returned the smile.
Without a word said, I walked over to the backdoor and opened it. I stepped out onto the patio where the smell of smoke and BBQ filled my nostrils. I looked over to see Uncle Michael cooking on the grill. From the looks of it, it looked like a big stack of ribs, hot dogs and burgers. I smiled. I looked over and saw Uncle Vorx, Uncle Jeepers Creepers, Uncle Freddy, May, Mary and my dad all sitting at the table. Uncle Vorx and Uncle Freddy was playing cards while Uncle Jeepers Creepers was eating a piece of raw steak.
"Hey dad.", I smiled, walking over.
My dad looked up at me and smiled in awe. "You look beautiful."
"Yeah she does.", May and Mary both said in agreement.
I held back a blush and took a seat between Uncle Vorx and my dad. I looked over across the table at Uncle Freddy who was rubbing his head with his free hand. He looked like he was deep in thought and was very frustrated. I giggled at him. He was always like this whenever he played a card game. He hated losing a card game and would try whatever it takes to win, even if that meant loosing an arm.
"Your gonna make your move or what Krueger.", Uncle Vorx smirked.
I looked over at Uncle Vorx's hand and saw that he had a full house. Hopefully Uncle Freddy had something better than that. Uncle Freddy let out a sigh of frustration and reached into his back pocket and threw out a bloody finger across the table.
"That's all I could afford.", Uncle Freddy choked a laugh.
Uncle Vorx rolled his eyes at Uncle Freddy's stupidity and laid his cards out to how Uncle Freddy. Uncle Freddy looked at his hand and growled.
"Son of a bitch you kicked my ass.", Uncle Freddy said, showing his hand. I looked over and saw that he only had a two pair. I giggled. Uncle Vorx chuckled and suddenly, Uncle Jeepers Creepers reached out and took the finger. I already knew what he was going to do with that, he ate it.
"What the...", Uncle Freddy said, watching Uncle Jeepers chew and swallow the finger.
"You lost Krueger, kiss that finger goodbye." Uncle Vorx laughed.
Everyone was now laughing except for Uncle Freddy and Uncle Michael. Uncle Freddy just rolled his eyes in disgust and stood up from the table and walked inside the house. As for Uncle Michael, he was too busy cooking the food that he didn't know what was going on.
"Well." my dad said standing up. He looked at Mary and then at me. "You girls ready to leave?"
Mary and I both nodded our heads and stood up from our chairs. Mary walked off and followed my dad around the house. As for me, I rushed to Uncle Michael and smiled.
"Smells good Uncle Mikey.", I smiled.
He looked down at me and I heard him laugh under his mask.
"Can I have a hot dog for the ride?", I asked.
He nodded his head and placed a cooked hot dog on a paper plate and handed it to me.
"Thanks!", I smiled.
I gave Uncle Michael a side hug and yelled good bye to everyone over my shoulder. I clutched my plate and hot dog and ran to catch up with Mary and my dad. They were in the garage, getting in the van that Aunt Esther and Aunt Tiffany would take to the store to get groceries.
I walked over on my dad's side and opened up the slide door. I hoped in and pressed the button to automatically close the door.
"I'm so happy you decided to join us Ashley.", Mary said looking back at me and strapping on her seat belt.
I nodded my head and returned a smile. "Me too. So, where are you going for a walk at?"
"There's this place called Heaven's Gardens.", my dad said, putting the van in reverse and driving out. We drove out on a little trail that led out to the highway in Caroga Lake.
"Heaven's Gardens is a beautiful spot Ash. I think you'll like it.", my dad smiled back at me.
"Oh yes, your father and I thought about planning the wedding there.", Mary chimed in.
After she said that, I felt my stomach do a flip and my anger rose. I didn't know why exactly I was getting angry for. After having that talk with Uncle Boogey, I was suppose to be happy that my dad found someone that he was going to spend the rest of his life with. I was suppose to be happy for him and also happy to just see him happy.
I let out a sigh and gave Mary a warm smile. I had to contain myself from getting angry and wanting to tell Mary off. I didn't know what my problem was with Mary, but something about her just made me snap. She was so annoying in some ways and even Uncle Boogey said she was. I didn't see how though. He said he only met her once...how could she be annoying to him? I have to ask Uncle Boogey about that later on.
"So Ashley.", Mary asked, looking back at me.
I didn't know there was silence in the van, but of course she had to be the one to break it.
"Are you excited about your upcoming birthday?", she smiled.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess, I mean it's just an birthday."
"Is there anything special you want for your birthday?", Mary asked.
I shook my head. "Not really. Everything I want, I already have."
"Really?", Mary's eyes widen and her face brightened. "And what exactly is that?"
"Family and happiness.", I replied.
I saw that while looking at my dad in the review mirror. Suddenly my dad's eyes cast back at me and he smiled. He suddenly clutched the steering wheel in one hand and reached back with his other hand to take mine. In the mirror, I saw him mouth the words, 'I love you'.
I clutched my dad's hand and smiled.
"I love you too dad.", I whispered.

Half an hour has past and we were driving out of town and heading down towards the country side. Mary and my dad were talking about the wedding plans and who would all be invited. I on the other hand sat in the back and played with Glen's Intendo DS. I was playing some Mario game and I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I wasn't really big on video games. The only ones I probably played with Glen was Midnight Club, Just Dance 1, 2, 3, and 4 and also I played Left for Dead. I remember the first time Glen got the game, Left For Dead, he wouldn't stop playing it for a week and Aunt Tiffany had got angry about it and tooken it away from him.
"Hey Ash?", my dad called out.
I looked up from the game and looked at my dad in the review mirror. "Yes?"
"You want to be the flower girl in the wedding?"
I thought for a moment, thinking that my only job was to drop out flowers in the aisle and stand to the side with my dad as Mary walks down. How I know that, I had to be the flower girl for Uncle Pinhead's and Aunt Kirsty's wedding. Yeah, that was pretty much all I had to do, just drop flowers.
"Sure.", I said. "Can Glen be the ring bearer?", I smiled.
My dad chuckled and Mary just smiled. "If he wants to be."
I thought to myself, knowing for a fact that Glen wouldn't want to do it, but I was going to make him do it whether he liked it or not. There was just no way that I was going through this wedding by myself. He was the ring bearer the last time, and this time he's going to be the ring bearer again.
"Who's going to be your best man dad?", I asked.
My dad had his eyes glued on the road and then slowly, the van came to a stop and my dad made a left.
"I was thinking about either Michael or Jeepers Creepers.", my dad said.
"I think you should choose Michael dear.", Mary spoken. "At least he can fit into an tux unlike that-that creature!"
My dad didn't say anything and that made me snap inside, but I quickly regained myself. I held back an growl and without a word, I snapped the intendo ds shut. This caused Mary to jump and to look back at me. I gave her one of the meanest looks I could give her. How dare she called my Uncle that and talk about my Uncle that way. Now I see why I couldn't stand her and yet my dad was going to marry her?
Mary seemed to tense up by my look and quickly spun around in her seat. I didn't say nothing to her, but my face expression said a whole lot. My dad, who was so intent on the road and figuring out which turns he had to take, he didn't seem to notice the intense tension between Mary and I. I could tell just by looking at Mary shifting in her seat and looking out the window nervously, I knew I made her uncomfortable. I smiled to myself in satisfactory, thinking yeah, this lady was scared. Did she not know that I was trained to be just like my family? And what exactly was my family? Killers, every single one of them were cold, blood-thirsty killers and with all the training I received and learned, I was finally one of them.


After a few minutes, my dad came to a parking lot and to my surprisement, the parking lot was almost packed. I saw some people heading back to their cars so I assume they were leaving. I smiled at one couple as they had the first parking spot and were heading back to their car to leave.
"Dad wait!", I said. "Try get that spot right there.", I smiled, pointing at the couple that were getting in the car.
"O.k.", my dad smiled, stopping the car and waiting.
We waited a couple minutes until the car was backing up slowly and then drove off. My dad drove off and quickly turned into the first spot. I smiled and thought to myself that we wouldn't have to walk much. My dad turned off the engine and stuffed the keys into his pocket.
"Ready my loves?", dad smiled looking at Mary and I.
I nodded my head and opened the slide door and stepped out.
Cool air hit me and sent shivers down my spine. It was a good thing I brought my sweater. My dad closed his door and locked up the van. Mary walked over and stood close by my dad. We all started walking off. I was walking ahead of them and led the way to a sign that said ENTRANCE. I walked up the sidewalk and led the way up the stoned stairs. I looked up ahead of me and saw people already making their way to the top. I wondered to myself at what this place looked like and wondered if it was as beautiful as my dad and Mary said.
I finally made it to the top a minute later and I smiled in awe as I saw patterns of yellow, pink, purple, white, red, blue and green fill the yard. Everywhere I looked there was beautiful flowers. On the right side was a green house where I saw a few people walking in and out of. Then I saw a water fountain with a statue of an angel holding a baby stand in the middle. Water was flowing around it and rose petals floated above the water. Then there was a stairway on the far left side. The stairway led to a building where I saw a lot of people sitting down doing what looked like, eating and talking.
I smiled and suddenly I felt two strong arms wrap around my shoulder and pull me back against them.
"Like it Ashley?", my dad asked.
I looked up at him with a smile. "It's beautiful just like you said."
My dad smiled down at me and then looked over at Mary. She walked over and wrapped her arms around my dad's waist. I detached myself away from my dad as they formed an embrace. Just seeing that kind of disgusted me. In other times when they did that, it didn't bother me, but now it did. I guess it was because of what she said about Uncle Jeepers Creepers. Yeah, I was still a little pissed at her for that.
"Come Ashley.", my dad said walking over towards me and wrapping his one free arm around my shoulders. He had the other arm draped around Mary as well. "Let me show you where Mary and I thought about having our wedding."
I sighed softly to myself so that Mary and my dad wouldn't hear. I walked with my dad and Mary to the back of the yard, far away from other people. We walked past a bunch of rose bushes and a few lavender trees. I smiled at the beauty of this place. This place was just so beautiful and peaceful. Now I can see why this place was called "Heaven's Gardens"
I walked by my dad's side as he led the way to a stoned trail that led to another big yard surrounded by more flowers and trees.
"This is where Mary and I decided to have the wedding. What do you think?", he asked.
I pulled myself away from my dad and walked around the yard. I examined every little bit that was here planted in the yard. There was even a fountain in the far end of the field with another statue of an angel, holding a musical instrument. I smiled and then saw a flight of stairs in the other end of the field. I walked over to it and looked up to see that it led to a small building. I raised an eyebrow and wondered what was up there.
I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear Mary walk up from behind me.
"Up there is where I'm going to be getting ready.", Mary smiled.
I spun around and looked at her. She was looking up at the building herself and then looked down at me.
"When exactly did you and dad plan on getting married? Did you ya'll schedule a date?", I asked.
"We sure did.", my dad said, walking over, wrapping his arms around Mary from behind. "We thought about next month. November sixteenth."
"Oh.", was all I could say. So I see that they already had everything planned out and scheduled. Wait a minute, what about the honey moon? Were they going to have one? If so, where were they gonna go?
"Are you guys gonna go on a honeymoon?", I asked. I felt kind of stupid for asking that, but remembering back to Uncle Pinhead's and Kirsty's wedding, they didn't go on a honeymoon. Well, when I think about it, Kirsty didn't want a honeymoon anyway, she actually didn't want to be married to Uncle Pinhead in the first place. I felt sorry for Kirsty.
"Yup, Mary always wanted to go to California, so I'm taking her there was a week or so.",my dad smiled.
Mary giggled and leaned back in my dad's arms. I saw lust written over her face and I swear if I could vomit, I would.
"Don't worry Ash, it'll be a week tops and we'll be back soon. At least you'll have fun with your Uncles and Aunts.", my dad reassured.
"I guess.", I said, walking off and heading over towards the water fountain.
I didn't really want my dad to leave. I didn't give a damn if Mary left, she meant nothing to me, but my dad, he was everything. This would probably be the first time in my whole life that my dad would leave me for the longest. Of course there was hours and maybe a day he would leave to go out and "hunt", but for a week? I don't think I could bare it.
I sat at the bench of the water fountain and looked down at my reflection in the water. Suddenly, I felt someone sit behind me. I didn't hear my dad come over until I looked over and saw him with a worried expression.
"What's wrong Ashley?", my dad asked, reaching out to touch my face.
I pulled my face out of his reach and muttered, "Nothing."
My dad went to say something until Mary came over and said, "Dear, I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat."
My dad looked up at her with a smile and nodded. "O.k., just let me talk to Ashley first and-"
"No baby! I'm hungry now.", Mary whined.
I growled softly to myself and tried to contain myself from jumping over and scratching her face.
My dad let out a sigh and nodded. "Ok."
My dad stood up and grabbed my arm gently. "Come Ash, lets get something to eat."
I got up without a word and walked with dad and Mary back over to the first yard we entered. My dad and Mary wrapped themselves in each other's arms and led the way up the stairway to the building. The smell of Italian food filled my nose and I wondered if they served spaghetti. I smiled and followed them up and once we were at the top, they led the way over towards a small stoned table that stood next to the balcony of the building. I smiled and took a seat next to the railing. I looked down below and saw people looking at flowers, and sitting at the water fountain. I giggled to myself thinking that they looked like ants up here.
"Hello, welcome to Heaven's Gardens.", said a lady.
I looked over and saw her dressed up in a waitress uniform. She passed out three menus to each of us and the first thing I scanned for was spaghetti. I smiled.
"May I have some spaghetti please with some garlic bread and um...a glass of water too please would be nice. Thank you.", I smiled, handing the menu back to her.
"Very good ma'am.", she said in an English accent. She tucked the menu under her arm and scribbled down my order on her notepad.
I looked over at Mary and my dad who seemed surprised for some reason.
"What?", I gave them a questioning look.
The both shook their heads and Mary was next to order. "Um, a nice fine chicken salad would nice for me with a glass of sweet tea."
Mary handed the menu back to the waitress and the waitress scribbled down the order.
"I'll have a chicken alfredo with Italian bread please and a glass of water.", my dad smiled.
He handed his menu to the waitress and she yet again scribbled down the order.
"Ok, I'll be back shortly with your drinks."
Mary and my dad nodded their heads and then, the waitress walked away. My dad turned back to me and gave a smile.
"You don't know how happy I am to see that your finally decided to join us.", my dad smiled.
"Yes, and what made you change your mind Ashley?", Mary asked.
"You.", I said sternly, thinking back to the conversation with Uncle Boogey.
Mary raised an eyebrow and exchanged a look with my dad. "What do you mean?", she asked.
"Well.", I smiled. "I realized that we haven't really hung out or anything, plus my dad has to get my approval to see if your worthy of marrying or not."
My dad looked at me and chuckled. Mary didn't find it amusing, all she did was bit and lick her lips.
"Well, what do I have to do to get your approval?", Mary asked.
"Tell me about your history. Tell me about your family, hobbies, your likes and dislikes.", I said.
Mary seemed to be taken back. She looked at my dad for answers, but he just nodded his head with a smile as in to say 'Tell her'.
Mary turned back to me and began to say, "Well, as you may know, when I was little, my mother and father left me and my sister by ourselves in the house that we were living in at the time. Luckily, my grandma came by for a visit and found us. When she saw that we were by ourselves, she took us in and raised us as her own. As May and I grew up, we began to find out secret about our grandmother. You see Ashley, my grandma was studying black magic and became well-known as a witch."
"A witch?", I asked. "Is that where you got your powers from?"
She gigged and nodded. "Actually, I really didn't just get my powers, I earned them. Studying black magic was a difficult subject to learn."
"How so?"
"Well.", Mary began, until she got interrupted with our drinks being sat down on the table.
"Here's your drinks.", the waitress smiled.
"Thank you ma'am.", my dad replied.
I took my glass of water and took a sip of it. I sat the glass down and looked over at Mary. Once the waitress disappeared, Mary continued talking.
"Anyways, black magic is a very difficult study Ashley.", Mary sighed.
She wasn't looking at me when she said that. She was instead, stirring her ice around with her straw. My dad was rubbing her back, waiting for her to continue on. In my head, I was wondering how Black Magic was hard to study. It wasn't hard for me. During my years of training, Aunt Esther, who was the "little witch" in the family, had taught me some of the black magic. She didn't teach me everything, she only taught me spells that would protect me and others away from my enemies. She always taught me self defense spells when it came to fighting with my enemies. I swear, during that training with Aunt Esther, I felt like I was becoming the new Harry Potter. I didn't really cast spells that much, only when Aunt Esther was teaching me, but that was quite about it.
"You didn't answer my question.", I told Mary. "What was so difficult about it?"
Mary suddenly cast her eyes up at me and said with a sigh, "Everything. Remembering the spells and casting them. It was hard pronouncing the words because if you may know, black magic is not appropriate English."
I nodded my head. "Yeah I know."
Just then, our food came. The waitress sat down my dad's plate of Alfredo first, with his Italian bread, next was Mary's salad and then it was my spaghetti and garlic bread. I smiled in satisfactory.
"Enjoy and if you need anything, let me know.", the waitress smiled.
We all thanked her and she walked away. I picked my fork up and twirled it around in my noodles. I took a bite.
"Mmm.", I smiled. The food was really delicious.
"So Ashley, do you think Mary is worthy yet?", my dad smiled over at me.
I took a bite of my garlic bread and cast my eyes up at Mary who was looking at me. She gave me a hopeful look and all I could do was nod.
Mary smiled at me and then started to dig into her chicken salad.
"Do what makes you happy dad." I smiled. "Do what makes you happy."