Don't Be Scared

CHAPTER TWO: I hear them too.

"Evangeline, wake up. I'm scared. Mommy is scaring me." Delicate hands danced on my shoulders trying to wake me. My eyes peeked open to see my 7 year old sister, Caroline, staring wide-eyed at me.
I sat up immediately, causing her to shimmy to the place next to mine.
"Care, don't be scared. Just tell me where she is." I soothed pulling her to my lap.
"She's in the closet, cursing and whacking her head around. I don't know!" She began to shake as tears soaked my shoulder sleeve. Sniffling she backed away and pointed a fragile boney finger down the corridor.
"There." She whispered, standing and brushing down her pink dress and smoothing her gold locks. Then she tiptoed away, holding her dress.
I took a deep breath, doing the same routine Caroline had just done and making sure everything was set and tidy. Lightly walking to where she pointed, I heard as she had described.
"Shame on you!" I heard my Mother scream. There was no one with her.
My mother had a scaring experience with men. Leaving me and Caroline fatherless and leaving her with the assumption that every man was a using leech. They may have been at one age, and maybe the one she chose. But not all of them end this way, or else there wouldn't be marriage.

I reached the closet and saw Caroline standing at the entrance of the dark hallway, smiling so wide I'm sure her cheeks hurt. My eyebrows furrowed but I decided to ignore her. Turning back to the door, my hand encased the door knob. And pushed it open. Empty. Completely empty. I turn back to the end of the hall at a Caroline with a completely different expression then before. Worry.

"Evangeline?" She whispered. I shook my head and met her at the end where I pulled her into a hug.

"Are you sure you heard those things, Care?"

"Yes, I promise." She answered wrapping her hands around my waist. She lifted her head and I saw fear lacing her eyes.

"It's going to be alright, okay?" I tried to convince. Even though, I know I heard it too.

Soothing down her hair, I picked her up and tucked her into her bed. Standing up, I heard a click. Looking around, my eyes met myself in reflection. Looking to the ground of that, a small pile of the glass I swept yesterday, scattered across the floor. Just as it was before.
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Sitting on the edge of the well wall, I dipped my bucket beneath the surface, watching the ripples cover my face. I jumped when I saw a shadowy figure in the water reflection behind me. No features visible but a shadow with a smile.

I quickly spun around as my heart beat uncontrollably. But I was alone. In the dark woods. Taking in a sharp breath, I stood making my dress tumble to the dirt. Taking my bucket, I made gentle and quiet steps back to the way I knew home. Every so often, a twig would snap and I would spin with cautious eyes.

But as the skies grew darker, I found myself running and spilling most of the water. But no matter how fast I ran, I felt something. I ran looking behind me, so when I turned back, I bumped into something. Both of us collapsed to the ground, me on top. My breath released in relief once I saw a familiar face.

"Ethan." I breathed, standing and offering my hand.

"Evie, hi," he smiled. My heart beat at an unnatural speed once my name left his mouth and I smiled back. No one had ever called me that. Why did I like it so much?
I blushed looking to the ground fixing where my dress was creased.

"Evie, are you blushing?" He teased. The heat heightened and I used my long brown hair as a curtain.

"Stop it, Ethan!" I pretended to act offended but I had to hide my smile.

"Come on then Evie, look at me."

I slowly raised my face and he gently brushed away my hair and grabbed my hand.

"Let's get you home." And that's when the good moment disappeared and I was reminded by the bad one to come.

"I have to have a full bucket of water or she'll kill me." I sighed.
He chuckled seeming to believe it as a joke, if only it were one in my mind too. I wouldn't put it past her.
Leading me back to the well, I dumped the bucket in the water once again.
I turned around to find Ethan looking at me smiling. Once again, I couldn't find my control as the blood rushed up to my cheeks.

"Only a smile and I see the blush, that's lovely."
Groaning I turned away again hoping to calm myself. Only he turned me back around and stared at my cheeks in amusement.

"It's cute, really."

Was he doing this purposely? The coloring only deepened and I walked away from him as he laughed behind me. I turned over my shoulder and glared at him and put my cloak hood on.
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