The Lost Daughter

Chapter One

My father once told me there are things in this world hidden, not in the shadows but in plain sight. "Creatures" that make the bogey man seem like child's play. I thought he had gone crazy, but maybe he was the only sane one. My father told me horrifying bedtime stories about those that go bump in the night.
My childhood was never normal, but I remember a time when things were simpler when my family was carefree and loving. Everything changed when I was eight. My mother passed away in a horrific car accident that I somehow survived. I remember my mother and I were singing along to the radio as we were on the way home from the store.
The wind whipping through the car making my hair fly the next thing I know there's a blinding light and I hear the tires screeching the smell of burning rubber and then the car flipped. I felt a burning pain through my body and ringing in my ears. I woke up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened after. Not only that, but I was out for three days in a medically induced coma my chest bruised from the seatbelt and a broken wrist from trying to brace myself as the car rolled I had cuts from the broken glass a piece had embedded itself just above my right eyebrow I needed 3 stitches. My mother however wasn't as lucky as me.
She died on impact the car ran through a red light crashing right into her according to the police and my father, it was a drunk driver, but that's all I was told about it. I don't even know if the bastard survived or not. The next few years consisted of my fathers paranoid ramblings we never stayed in one place for long we were constantly moving until my 17th birthday that's when my father brought me to a strange women's home and left me. Little did I know this was just the beginning of the shit storm that is my life.

Jolting up in bed I hear objects being banged around down the hallway. Looking to my left I see its still pitch black outside. Slowly creeping from my bed I unplug my phone from the charger and check the time. It's three in the morning what the hell is going on? Shoving my phone in my bra I tiptoe to my closet and slide the door open as quietly as possible, but the railing lets out a squeak. I hold my breath and cringe hoping no one heard that as I grab my aluminum bat. Inching out of the room I grip my bat start towards the noise. Noticing the lights are on, and it's just my dad I place the bat against the wall and approach closer.
"Dad what's the matter? Where are we going?" I cautioned as I made my way to where he was throwing items in bags.
"We need to leave again it's not safe." He mumbled as he continued searching the room for anything else he needed.
"Dad you're scaring me, we haven't even been here a week yet, and we are already leaving? What's going on?" I begged. We have always moved around a lot, but we usually stayed put for at least three months. He promised this time would be different that I wouldn't have to spend my birthday on the road again.
"Alita I don't have time for questions right now okay? I need you to go pack your stuff up and meet me in the car in fifteen minutes" He snapped.
I had never seen my dad so scared before he's always been so calm. He isn't the most sane person always muttering about creatures being after us, but I think his paranoia is getting worse. He refuses to see a therapist he says he's perfectly sane. His health is worrying me I'm not sure how much more of this we can take without him being properly diagnosed and medicated. Ever since the accident my dads been different I think losing mom broke something inside him. I turn around and head to my room, grabbing my two duffle bags I toss my clothes and phone charger in and make my way to the bathroom to grab my hygiene products. We don't own a lot of items. It's easier to move around that way. Taking one last glance around the apartment I head towards the car and hop in the passenger side throwing my bags in the back.
"So where are we heading this time?" I inquired glancing at him from the side of my eye.
"We are going to visit an old friend of your mothers."
"After ten years we are finally going to meet up with someone from our old life?"
"She can help us. They are getting closer every day I'm not sure how much longer I can put them off our trail."
"You keep saying they are after us. Who are they?"
"If I do my job right you won't ever have to find out."
"If I were better informed maybe I could help protect myself. My lack of knowledge will be my death if there is something actually after me." I seethed.
"You're going to be fine I'm not going to let anything happen to you."
"That's besides the point dad. You said yourself you don't know how much longer we can keep this up. It's only a matter of time, maybe if I know what we are up against we can fight it instead of running away all the time." I begged.
"That's enough! I don't want to talk about this anymore. Get comfortable we have a long ride ahead of us." He demanded switching on the radio to drown me out. Sighing I look out my window and watch the scenery pass. I just want to go back to before my mom died. I miss her, things were so much simpler so much more normal back then. Girls my age should be finishing up their last two years of high school, dating, hanging out with friends. I've never even had the chance to kiss a boy unless you count Danny Wilkins from third grade. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even remember me how depressing. The closest thing I have to a boyfriend or a friend are my books. At this rate my social life is doomed. I don't think I could even talk to a boy if I had the chance I'm probably social inept. I'm probably going to die a 70-year-old virgin if the mystery creatures don't kill me first.

After a few hours of driving we pull into a rest stop to get gas and use the bathroom.
"Alita after you use the restroom you mind getting us some drinks and something to eat my wallet is in the center console I have some cash."
"Yeah sure anything in particular?"
"Whatever looks the best just hurry up once we refuel we need to get on the road again. I want to get as close as possible before it gets dark."
Grabbing some cash from his wallet I head towards the station and look for a bathroom once I'm inside I take a look in the mirror. Purple bags under my eyes and my hair looks like a rats nest. I use the bathroom then try to tame my hair and rinse my face to look at least somewhat presentable. I'm still in my pajamas from when we rushed out the house I'm wearing pink shorts and a white camisole, luckily it has a built-in bra otherwise I'd be flashing everyone. Scanning the isles I pick out two turkey sandwiches a bag of ranch Doritos and two bottles of Gatorade. Once I'm done checking out and get back to the car I notice my dad having a heated conversation over the phone.
"Alessandra I don't know what else to do just please take her. I can't handle this anymore I've looked out for her for the last 17 years, and it cost me my wife! I'm not equipped for this she's not like me soon enough she's going to need the guidance of your kind. I've done more than what was asked of me."
"Dad who are you talking to?"
"Sweetheart! How much did you hear?" He probed.
"Not much I just got here." I lied. Taking my seat in the passenger side I take out my sandwich and begin eating. What is he talking about I didn't kill mom she died in a car accident. I'm his daughter does he not want me anymore? Why is he trying to pawn me off on someone else? Once my stomach is full I begin to drift off with the thought of why everyone I love leaves me.
I dreamt of green mist and whispers all around me hands grabbing me trying to bring me below Whispers slowly became louder and louder till it was like they were screaming in my ears. "You need to find them. You need to save them. HURRY THEIR DYING! YOU NEED TO SAVE THEM!" I tried to find where the voices were coming from but I couldn't find my way out of the mist. Suddenly I'm in a Forrest surrounded by people chanting. I can't see their faces, its so cold I can see my breath.I sink to my knees in agony as bolt of electricity run through me.
"Stop what are you doing?! Please it hurts!" I gasp as it gets harder and harder to breath. The chants get louder and louder until everything stops. The beings stare at me as if they are studying me their faces are blurred.
"YOU NEED TO WAKE UP!" The whispers scream.
My eyes flash open as I gas trying to catch my breath. My father is stand beside me with his hand on my arm. It looks like we arrived to where ever he's taking me.
"We are here. Grab your things." He demands.
Jumping out the car I grab my things and shuffle behind him to the front door. The small house looks like it's in the middle Of nowhere it's different than anyplace I've ever stayed in. There a bunch of land surrounding us. Welcome home I guess.