| Act 1:: Home They had been driving for six hours straight, and the harsh bleakness of the city had finally given way to long expanses of untouched forest and clean blue skies. Mackenzie slouched down in her seat under the oppressive pressure of her parents� silence. They had been arguing the night before, though Mackenzie wasn�t even sure if they knew any more what it was about than she did. All she could remember was how her mother screamed at the top of her voice, drowning out her father. Their fighting was the whole reason that the three of them were moving. �A change of scenery is all we need,� her father had told her. His eyes had been glazed over with excitement. �You�ll see. Once she sees how peaceful the area is, she won�t be able to help but become peaceful herself. It�s been proven that environment has a direct influence on behavior.� His excitement had been infectious; even Mackenzie began to believe that a better life awaited them in the countryside. But last night�s fight had crushed those hopes, and she now felt lost in the backseat of their small car, boxes crowding her in, augmenting her feelings of suffocation. The only thing that she wanted was to get to the new house, and surround herself in the only things familiar to her: her possessions. She dozed for the remainder of the ride; but was jolted awake by the slamming of the car door. The moment that they had arrived at the house her mother stormed off, declaring that she would be unpacking her studio if she were needed. Her tone had been cool and cruel, a warning for the two to leave her alone. Mackenzie�s father, John, just smiled as if his wife had just declared her undying love for him. He believed that some people had strange ways of showing affection, and that his wife was no exception. Apparently she loved her family so much she was going to spare them the agony of dealing with her bad mood. �Well, let�s get the car unloaded, Mackenzie. Your mother needs to rest, so it�s up to us to get the job done.� Mackenzie forced a smile and carried a box labeled Ann into the house. |