The Raven

Explanations

                                                                                    Madelyn's P.O.V.
       
        I sat on the couch between my two friends trying to remember what happened, but my headbegan to throb. Mein Gott it hurts so bad...
        My father reentered the room carrying a glass of water and a few pills. "Here take this. The pain should subside in a few minutes." He handed me the glass and the pills in his hand.
        I popped the pills in my mouth and took a long sip of water. I swallowed. They had a sweet but bitter taste aftertaste, that I wasn't familiar with. "Danke." I replied.
        "Now tell us all that you remember; we need to know what happened." My father said sternly sitting o the ottoman in front of me.
        Ben squeezed my hand lightly, and Carman looked at me with sympathetic eyes. They were all worried about me. I hate when they worry about me because then I feel guilty. 
        I sighed my head throbbing slightly. "Okay, so after dance class, I was trying to figure out the best way to get to the Smiths' house." I paused and took a deep breath, then continued. "I thought that by taking the short-cut through the woods, I would get there fas-" Ben was the first to cut me off.
        "What were you thinking?! You know the woods are dangerous at night!" He exclaimed in shock.
        I clutched my head and squeezed my eyes shut. "Please d-don't sh-shout," I whispered.
        "I'm so sorry; I didn't-" Ben started.
        "Shut up. Sorry Maddie," Carman coaxed me, rubbing my back comfortingly.
        "Continue," My father stated in an authoritative tone. 
        "I thought I would get there faster, so I started into the woods," My head was still steadily throbbing. I guess I need some stronger medication. "I was walking down the old path, when a raven dove at me. I ducked but tripped on a tree root and hit my head on a rock."
        "Is that all you can remember, Süße?" My father asked concerned.
        "Before I blacked out, I saw these two gu- ah!" My head began to ache so badly that black spots began to cloud my vision. I clung the Ben's shirt waiting for the pain to subside. As I calmed down, the pain eased. "I-I saw these two guys; one was wearing a hood and the other wearing a mask."
        "Are you sure that's it?" Carman asked.
        I nodded in response. I can't tell Vati about the dream. He'll make me take my meds again or make me go see Dr. McKeany again. I won't tell him. 
        My father sat there in silence for a moment, then knelt in from of me and looked at me lovingly; a look that I haven't seen him use since I lost my mother. "I'm glad you're alright. Just try to be more careful in the future." He kissed my forehead and stood. "How about I reheat some left-overs, we have an early lunch?" 
        "That sounds great. Mr Harris," Ben said.
        "Son, call me Chris," He cast a glance at me. "Just remember our deal."
        Ben nodded, and Carman laughed, whereas I sat there with a confused look on my face. Vati walked through the kitchen door, and as soon as I was sure he was out of ear shot, I confessed to my friends.
        "That wasn't it. There was something else," I whispered frantically to the twins, which shared an identical expression of confusion. 
        "What do you mean?" Carman asked.
        "It wa-"
        My father poked his head through the door. "Where does everyone stand on Jaeger Schnitzel?"
        "We're fine with anything you cook, Chris," Ben complied. He's really trying to get on his good side...
        My father disappeared into the kitchen once more. 
        "I had a dream about my childhood back in Germany." As soon as I uttered that sentence, the throbbing came back with a vengeance. 
        The twins wait for me to recover. "What do you mean? You never lived in Germany." Ben stated confused.
        "I visited my family's estate when I was-" The throbbing had dulled slightly; maybe the meds kicked in... "when I was little. That's when I first saw him."
        "Mr No-face? Come on Maddie; grow up. He was just an imaginary friend that your subconscious created so you could cope with your grandfather's passing." Ben stated in a very logical tone of voice.
        "He's real. I know he is. why don't you guys believe me?!" I whisper shouted agitated.
        "I'm not saying that I don't believe you, I'm just worried about you talking about it." Carman stated gently.
        "So you think I'm insane!" I exclaimed and stood to face them and swayed do to the throbbing. 
        "No of course not. Just calm down." She hugged me.
        I had to bend down slightly to hug her, but I didn't care. I felt dizzy and held onto her tighter. We sat on the couch again. My father walked back in with four plates of schnitzel and handed us each a plate. 
        Ben leaned forward and whispered in my ear. "We'll discuss this later." 
        I didn't say anything, but my head throbbed more as I tried to remember more of what happened. One more secret...