Ode to the Queen

I think writing these acknowledgments turned out to be harder to write than the novel itself. There are so many people I want to thank and I'm so worried I might miss someone crucial that finding the tactful way to thank everyone who helped was difficult. So, let me start by simply saying: I want to thank everyone who has supported me with this endeavour. I wouldn’t be able to say that I’m a published author if not for all the love and support I have received from everyone through this journey.

I would like to thank Katharina Schffr (
https://www.flickr.com/photos/schffr/
) from Flickr for her incredible photography that I’ve used on my book cover. I was starting to worry I wouldn't find the perfect photo for the cover with commercial rights when I found her work. So, I hope my story does your photo justice.

Secondly, I'd like to thank my partner in crime. He doesn't read books but he read mine and believed in me. He's helped me with every decision throughout this process and even dealt with me when I locked myself away, as we artists tend to do when we slave over our work. I don't say it enough but I am so grateful for your undying support. I love you.

I'd also like to thank my mom who has supported me with every pipe dream I've ever laid on her. There have been many a career suggestion over the years but I think "writer" was the one we have always agreed on. Without your nurture and support I don't think I would have ever been confident enough to share my stories with everyone. This one is for you.

For Gramma; I was always your angel and now you are mine. I will miss you every day.

Coordinating two bags, one with a wobbly wheel and a mind of it’s own, through an airport wasn’t easy. It was made worst still whilst speed walking along trying to beat the other people in front of you to the line because you don’t want to be stuck waiting forever at customs. So what if the airport seemed to have put the baggage claim miles away from customs; then again, it might just a figment of my overexcited imagination. Yes; that had to be it.

There was a unique kind of excitement pitted in my stomach as my turn came closer to the customs officers waiting for me.

I’d never gone anywhere, especially not out of the United States, and now here I was – on my own - taking on Greece. The thrill sent electric shocks through my bloodstream and a stupid smile pressed itself to my face as I made my way up, passport and ticket stub in hand, to the customs officer.

“What is the purpose of your trip?” His voice was heavily mixed with a Greek accent despite his perfect English.

I didn’t falter though as I brightly proclaimed: “Studying – at the University of Athens.”

There was no doubt of the pride in my voice as he checked over my visa, looked at me, back at my photo and then swiped my passport.

This was it: the moment of truth. I found myself irrationally wondering if I had committed some kind of violent crime before leaving the country that he’d detain me for.

It was a ridiculous thought. Of course I wasn’t wanted for murder, it was an unfounded nonsensical thought that everyone had when they were travelling abroad.

“Good luck.”

He smiled as he handed back my passport and I trilled, “thanks!” as I collected my identification and tugged my bags toward the glass doors.

A year ago I would’ve never imagined I’d be here. In fact, if fate had had its chance, I probably wouldn’t have been here thanks to the various different hurdles tossed in front of me.

It had felt, at one point, that everything that could’ve possibly gone wrong had. They had lost my application, I was told the spots had already been filled, a professor tried to fail me for plagiarism and so I had to attend an academic trial to declare my innocence.

Then, of course, there was always the money issue.

My mother didn’t have the money to help me put together tuition, flight and residence fees. As it was she worked two jobs just trying to make ends meet. So I had spent the entire year working two and a half jobs just to pay for everything while remaining in school full-time and trying to maintain my grade point average.

I was grateful for the opportunity though and I wasn’t about to waste it as I had so many other opportunities before now. This was a new start, a clean slate – which was exactly what I needed.

No one knew about my dramatic history like they did back home. I could start again and get a real grip on the person I wanted to be, or at least use this for an opportunity to find out who that person was and get in touch with her.

A lot of people talk about these kinds of chances, even more talk about just the opportunity to travel abroad and see the world but few people actually do it. And even fewer packed up like I did and to do it on their own. It was brave and in a way it was foolish but I was ready to make the most of it.

A pair of blue eyes swept over the sea of faces waiting for someone to emerge from the arrivals door as I came out of them. Determined to find the exit to the buses I didn’t even notice him, not that I would have known he was waiting for me.

There were plenty of other people around that he could be looking for. Arrivals, today, was seemingly packed with bodies all of them corralled in the tiny entrance space allotted for excited family and friends.

With no other arrangements made to get myself to the campus the bus was exactly what I wanted to catch and yet all the signs were in Greek.

Naturally.

Turning, I began to dig through my purse looking for the Greek to English dictionary I’d bought myself, when someone shouted my name,

“Savannah!” Looking up in surprise, a man made his way toward me. He was in his early thirties – undeniably hot with his scruffy blonde hair and eyes bluer than my own. They were such a startling, unnatural shade. He grinned at me and waved a rudimentary sign of cardboard where someone had hastened to scribble my name.

“Savannah!” he tried again when I made no motion to move toward him. For a second I wondered if there had been someone else with such a unique name on the plane and glanced around before I realised this Greek God-like man was stopping in front of me.

“Hi,” he said, breathless from having fought the crowd to reach me, “I’m Atlas. Nice to meet you.” He extended his hand but all I could do was stand there transfixed, unsure if I was more confused by the fact that he seemed to have been sent for me or because his name was
Atlas
.

“Uh, hi?” I finally said, reaching my hand from my bag and into his, shaking it firmly.

“The school sent me to get you and be your transportation. They thought maybe with your bags it might…” He dragged off, maybe thinking of the right English word though from what I could tell his English was perfect but instead of torturing him I nodded.

“Right, of course… I wish I had known someone was meeting me. I didn’t mean to be rude; I was just surprised to see someone looking for me. Sorry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He flashed me a perfect pearly white smile and I could’ve sworn I felt myself swoon slightly. It was foolish that my body and mind were even reacting like this when I’d promised myself I wasn’t going to jump the gun with guys anymore. But there was something supernatural about him that I just couldn’t put my finger on. “Can I help with one of those?” He reached out for the closest suitcase, tugging it away from me and nodding for the doors. “I’m in temporary parking if you want to follow me.” He smiled again and I found myself nodding dumbly and following without any further inquiries.

Somewhere in the back of my head I wondered vaguely if I had gotten a message from the school about this meet and greet. Although I couldn’t care… he was so enchanting. Advice as a child to not get into cars with perfect strangers no longer seems applicable as you get older and deem yourself capable of taking care of yourself. But, retrospectively, it was probably good advice for someone at any age.

In the front seat I buckled up and situated my purse in my lap, training my eyes on my driver as he climbed in. Shallow, helpless thoughts of how nice he looked in those jeans as he climbed in pervaded my thoughts. I had to visibly shake myself as a sort of reminder he was no doubt either a T.A. in my program or someone else more unattainable like – God forbid - a professor. That would definitely be one class I would not be able to concentrate during if that were the case.

“Mind if I just run an errand before heading to the school?” He asked as he turned the car on, flashing a quick grin at me before concentrating on backing out of his parking spot.

“Yeah, sure.” I said dazedly, once more affected by those damn perfect teeth of his. In a pathetic, desperate attempt to not get lost in his profile I turned to my bag, rummaging for something – a piece of gum, lip balm, an old receipt to scrutinise – anything would do. I vowed I wouldn’t go for a guy just because he was hot. This time around I wanted something substantial, if I wanted anything at all, and I was going to stick to that.

My quivering fingers found a mysterious envelope someone had slipped into my purse. It was a plain letter envelope, nothing special about it save for the careful, scrolling handwriting on the front. I recognised it immediately; it was the same handwriting that had been scribbled on grocery lists, quick morning notes, and Christmas presents...

I don’t know when, but at some point in my hurried journey last night my mother had managed to slip a letter inside my bag. It was a minor keepsake from a woman whose constant absence stemmed from nothing more than a desire of something more for her daughter. Everything I’d ever had and everything I had become was thanks to my mother, someone I owed the world to. I had wondered what had spurred on her silent goodbye in the airport, why she hadn’t had any words of encouragement or otherwise for me as I embarked on this journey alone. Of course, she hadn’t the strength to conceive her thoughts into words except through paper.

To my baby girl,

I
’
m sorry I couldn
’
t be there to take you into this new chapter of your life. I know we had talked about the idea of me coming with you but it seems those aren
’
t the cards that fate has dealt for me. But they have such greatness in store for you, your every dream is going to come true and I can
’
t imagine a prouder image to see you off with. It
’
s been a privilege to witness the woman you
’
ve grown up to be and seen what you have chosen to do with your time and talents. You may have started small and helpless in my arms, but now I know you are capable of so much. It has inspired me to watch you grow brilliantly into yourself. I have always had such high hopes for you, and you continue to exceed them with the incredible person you
’
ve become.

When I look at you, I see years of memories and decades of potential. You have already changed my world in spectacular ways, and now I see you impact the rest of the world in wonderful ways as well. I am honoured to be your mother. But though I see the best parts of you, please know I never expect you to be perfect
…
no one is. Words cannot express the depth of my love for you. You are the kind of person who makes me want to do more and be more. You are one ballsy girl, I would have never tried or done half the things I see you take in stride everyday. I hope you know how proud I am of you and how proud I am to be your mum. Wherever you land, be it here or in Greece I will be there for you and I will support you in every way I can.

Love you lots, Mum.

I looked up, tears brimming in my eyes and I turned, embarrassed to hide them while looking out the window.

“You okay?” Atlas glanced over at me before having to quickly look back at where he was going.

“Yeah, I’m good… Jet lag is just hitting me now. I might have a quick nap while you run your errand, before we get to the school.”

“Of course, I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

“Thanks.” I closed my eyes, fighting the tears threatening to spill as I tried to relax again. Mum hadn’t been able to come with me because we could only afford the one plane ticket but goodness knew I had wished with all my might that she could have made the journey with me. If only just to give her the opportunity to travel somewhere she would’ve never otherwise gotten the chance to go to.

She deserved the break after all she had done for me, working two jobs and barely having the time to hang out with the child she was supposed to be raising. But I’d never held our time apart against her, I knew she did what she did out of love and nothing more.

Having closed my eyes, it brought on the sense of exhaustion I had been fighting since getting off the plane. Although it was nearly 10 am, I’d been on a plane for almost 19 hours. Sleeping while flying was easier said than done without a horse tranquilliser. My mind longed to fight the exhaustion but with the reprieve of already closing my eyes my body gave into the slumber it so craved.

The steady rhythm of the car lulled me deeper and deeper into sleep. A sudden onset of panic rushed me and I sat up. Turning to look at Atlas I was shocked to find he was no longer in the driver seat. Yet the car continued to move as steadily as before. Someone from behind me whispered in my ear and turning quickly I found the backseat was empty. Frowning I turned back, watching the scenery pass me by with some confusion. Surely I had to be dreaming and yet, if not for the car still moving without a driver everything looked
right
.

My name was whispered once more in my ear and I turned again - nothing behind me still. But this time as I returned to looking out the windshield and I saw her, a duplicate of myself, staring back at me over my left shoulder. She seemed to sigh in relief knowing that I could see her now, but relief was the last thing I was feeling at the moment.

Pulling the sun visor down so I could use the mirror I angled it toward the backseat and there she was, clear as day, staring back at me. Myself.

“What is this?” I demanded, glancing over my shoulder to find nothing behind me yet again. But turning back to the mirror she was still there.

“We don’t have a lot of time. You’re not going to the university. He’s not even from the university; he’s taking you somewhere else… Make him stop, get out, don’t go. Whatever you do… don’t go where Atlas takes you. Keep us away from him, he wants to possess us… we’ll never have any power if he gets-“

Suddenly she was gone and I turned again, hoping this time maybe I’d see something but there was nothing.

“Savannah, are you okay?” Atlas’ voice drew me back into reality and I looked over at the driver’s seat now occupied once more. Shock was evident on my face while confusion drew itself on his. I leaned my forehead against the window once again, trying to visibly relax myself. It must’ve been a dream. But something about the panic in my own voice had me wondering whether it had been my subconscious actually trying to tell me something.

“Uh, yeah… Yeah I’m fine. Whereabouts did you say we were going before going to school?”

“Just have to run an errand, then we’ll head over.”

I frowned slightly, “do you think it would be okay if you just take me now? I’m not feeling very well all of the sudden.” Concern crossed his features and then he sighed softly,

“I’m sorry, I can’t. We’re almost there… It would take too long to go back to the city to come back here.” My eyes turned to the window, searching for a clue as to where ‘here’ was, but there was nothing around. Literally, there was nothing around but trees. Upon twisting in my seat and checking the rear of the car I found the road we were supposed to be driving on was being swallowed by a darkness that was following us.