The Devil's reflection

The Entities Call

"Should we have done something?" Evan called to his wife as she washed her face in the bathroom. Anna peaked out of the bathroom shooting her husband a look he could clearly see from where he sat on the bed. She huffed understanding what he was saying but there was only so much they could do.

"I know but right now we don't know much. We don't know what's happening behind closed doors and we have no right to alert social services, at least without proof."

"But An-"

"No, Evan you know we can't do anything unless Frank admits abuse or asks for help." Anna said as she walked out of the bathroom throwing off her robe revealing the tanktop and shorts she wore to bed. Evan signed leaning against the headboard, as he rubbed at his eyes trying to think. Snow was coming down harder outside as the wind whipped past the windows making them howl as it slipped through the cracks in the house. The music from the television down the hallway was still loud enough to be heard even through the closed bedroom door.

"I know." Evan muttered as Anna smiled sadly at her husband before sitting down on her side of the bed and gently taking his hand.

"We'll figure it out, if not Joey then Rin will get something out of him." Anna stated with assurance as Evan nodded. He sat on the bed and picked up the book that was on the mattress, slipping the marker in place he deposited the book on the side table. Anna yawned as she pulled back the sheets and slipped under them she glanced at the clock, almost midnight.

A small knock came from the door, and a moment later it opened to Philip standing in the doorway rubbing at his right eye as tears trailed down his cheeks.

"Sweetheart what happened?" Anna asked as she got up scooping up the six year old and bringing him to the bed.

"Bad dream?" Evan questioned as Philip nodded, hiding a sniffle as he dug his head into Anna's shoulder.

"Sorry..." Philip whispered.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. Now what was your nightmare about?" Anna asked. Philip sniffled and wiped his nose on his big t-shirt before answering.

"It... was scary... It was cold and dark.... My head hurt and everything below me was red..." Philip whimpered as he rubbed at his eyes again and buried himself deeper into Anna. She held the child to herself as she glanced at Evan about to say something when someone started pounding at the window from outside. The trio fell silent in shock as Evan got up, pulling on a pair of sport shorts over his boxers and grabbing a shirt. The knocking grew louder and more frantic as Evan grabbed the edge of the curtain pulling it back revealing only darkness. Evan blinked at the space for a moment before glancing over at his wife.

"Philip, we are going by the others." Anna said getting to her feet as he cradled the boy closer to her chest.

"Dad!" Rin yelled as she sprinted into the partly open door panic on her face.

"What?"

"Someones knocking on the door and on the windows." Rin cried as she turned running back down the hall to her friends. Anna and Evan rushed after her aware that the knocking was growing louder as they got to the living room. Julie, and Susie were on the couch while Michael hovered behind the sofa constantly switching his attention to the different locations of the pounding. Joey returned a few moments later with Sally as the college student rushed to her mother taking Philip from her grip.

"All of you stay here." Evan ordered as he grabbed a jacket before tossing another to Anna. Pulling them on, Anna grabbed two flashlights as Evan grabbed an axe and a pistol from their safe. Anna pulled her boots on as Evan quickly slipped his winter boots on. Handing the gun to Anna she checked the safety and chambered the gun as the knocking grew louder and more frantic. They headed into the entrance of the house where the door was rattling with each hit as the howling wind now roared through the house. Evan readied the axe in his hand as he grabbed the dead bolt flicking it to unlock. The knocking stopped as Anna glanced at her husband concerned as he threw the door open, the axe raised.