𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦 - 𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘱𝘯

𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘐𝘐

𝐉𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐀𝐑𝐂

𝐓𝐖𝐎
___________

As the moon retreats behind a blanket of clouds, its ethereal light casts an eerie glow upon the landscape. Shadows come alive, dancing and whispering secrets in the depths of the night. The air carries a sense of mystery, every rustle and creak becoming a potential thrill that sends shivers down your spine.

While the world around you slumbers peacefully, you find yourself wide awake, feeling the urge to surrender to sleep. It's not the fright within your dreams that keeps you awake, but the weight of guilt that haunts your every waking moment.

Restless, you roll over onto your stomach, seeking solace in the familiar embrace of your pillow. With hands tucked underneath, you let out a gentle sigh, as if releasing the weight of the world from your weary shoulders. The room is cloaked in darkness, save for the faint glow of the moon's hidden presence, casting long shadows across the floor, mirroring the turmoil within your soul.

As you lie there, lost in your thoughts, you catch a faint sound of movement behind you. It's Norman, possibly shifting to find a more comfortable position.

Suddenly, the floorboards creak, and your curiosity piques. You turn your gaze towards the source of the sound and notice Norman standing by the door. In the hallway, a soft glow of light emanates, casting an intriguing aura as he leaves and quietly shuts the door.

Realizing that Norman's intentions were not to use the bathroom, you swiftly and silently rose from your position. With utmost caution, you tiptoed towards the door, carefully opening it to slip out unnoticed.

Taking cover behind a nearby wall, you observed the persistent glow of light that still illuminated the hallway. Peeking slightly, you see Norman crouched in front of the storage room, diligently attempting to unlock it. Emma stood beside him, holding a lantern to provide the necessary light for him.

Norman's successful unlocking of the door allows both him and Emma to enter the room, leaving the door open behind them. You approach the open door, your curiosity getting the better of you as you steal a glimpse inside.

As you discreetly observe, you witness them scanning the surroundings, searching for something.

"We could definitely make use of these spare tablecloths." Norman whispers, his voice barely audible. He picks up one that had long been forgotten, covered in a layer of dust.

Emma, agreeing with his suggestion, replies in a hushed tone, "That's a good idea." The two of them begin their quest for more tablecloths, carefully draping them over their arms as they continue their search.

'What are those two up to?' you wonder silently as you observe Norman positioning himself behind Emma, who gathers the final piece of tablecloth.

With their task complete, they start making their way back. Sensing the need for caution, you swiftly return to the room, quietly shutting the door behind you. You lie in bed, keeping perfectly still, hoping to remain undetected.

You hear the door creak open a minute later, followed by the sound of it gently closing. You can sense his presence behind you as he adjusts himself, until finally settling back into bed, seeking some well-deserved rest.

-

The sky hangs heavy with dark clouds, casting a somber shadow over the world below. The air feels damp and cool. The once vibrant colors of nature seem muted, as if they too are affected by the gloom of the day.

You find yourself standing beside Mom, both of you gazing ahead at the lively scene of children playing. After a moment of contemplation, you gather the courage to speak up, hoping to share the information that has been weighing on your mind.

"Hey, Mom." you begin, your voice filled with a mix of concern and intrigue, "I wanted to let you know that something interesting happened last night. Norman and Emma, they managed to break into the storage room around midnight." Your words catch her attention, and she looks down at the toddler cradled in her arms, a gentle smile gracing her face.

"Oh? What were they doing in there?" You take a moment to gather your thoughts, aware of the delicate nature of the situation.

"Well," you reply, your voice tinged with uncertainty, "they seemed to be collecting a bunch of spare tablecloths. It's hard to say for sure what they're planning to do with them." As you speak, you can't help but steal glances at the baby in Mom's arms, a wave of emotions washing over you.

In this place, where innocence and childhood intertwine, it's impossible not to be reminded of the harsh reality that awaits these children at the gate. Each time you lay eyes on them, a mix of hope and fear fills your heart. You can't help but wonder what lies ahead for them, what challenges they will face, and if they will ever truly be free from the shadows that loom over their lives.

"I see." she murmurs. "Also," she begins, her voice tinged with a mix of seriousness and resolve, "there's someone coming today, a sister." As the words escape her lips, you can't help but feel a surge of intrigue and anticipation.

You raise your gaze to meet Mom's eyes, a puzzled expression etched across your face. "A sister?" you echo, your voice filled with curiosity. "But why would there be a sister coming?" Your mind races with questions, trying to make sense of this unexpected development.

She turns her attention back to you, her eyes reflecting a sense of purpose. "I can't let any of my valuables escape." she declares, her voice carrying a hint of protectiveness. It becomes clear to you that this sister, this newcomer, holds a significance beyond what meets the eye. There's a certain urgency in Mom's words, a determination to safeguard what she holds dear.

"Ring the bell. It's time to go inside and introduce everyone to our new Sister."

-

We all gathered together in the cozy dining room, the anticipation palpable in the air. Standing before us was a remarkable woman, tall and elegant, with a complexion that radiated strength.

By her side stood Mom, a proud smile on her face, cradling a precious bundle in her arms. It was a new addition to our family, a baby who would fill the void left by Conny's absence.

"Attention! I want you to meet Carol, your newest sibling. And this is Sister Krone. She's here to help me with my duties." Mom says.

Sister Krone steps forward, radiating warmth and enthusiasm."I'll be living here with all of you from now on. It nice to meet you." she says with a smile.

The younger kids can't contain their excitement and rush towards Sister Krone, eager to welcome her into their lives. Meanwhile, your gaze shifts to the side, catching the intense expressions on Norman and Emma's faces. Something seems to be stirring within them, and it fills the air with a sense of unease.