sunlight kisses in the dark

when it all began

It was a normal boring day in Minahpolis City.
I awoke from my slumber after I felt a ray of sunlight pierce through the shattered windows glass. Sleeping on the floor never feels the best, but you'll eventually get used to it. That's what I had to, at least. Ever since the breakout 2 years ago I was left wandering alone through the (almost) empty city.

It all started when I was 16.
I was living in Nama's Bay and it was my birthday.
I was having a sleepover party with my best friend Sarah who was dating my brother, and we were bingewatching old horror movies in my bedroom. Just your average stormy sunday night on a summer's breeze.
When suddenly someone rang the doorbell.
"Who could that be?" I said, looking at Sarah as if asking whether she invited someone else over as a surprise or not. "I dunno, may be aunt Marie, don't you think? Better go check up on it", is what my brother Davy said. "Ugh, it's my birthday, why do I gotta be the one to go downstairs? I haven't had a single minute where I wasn't busy preparing snacks, movies, blankets or some other shit", I mumbled trying to get my will through. "Okay okay, we got it, princess. You're the boss", my brother gave in and we all laughed.

Well, I could be stubborn, but I'm not actually THAT stubborn. Actually, I did have plans. Something I had on my mind for a long while, but never dared to tell anyone.

I used my chance while Davy was going downstairs, and sat up a little bit closer to Sarah. Her deepbrown deerlike eyes were looking absolutely lovely in the purple lights in my room. "Hey, so uh, about my present. I know it's not expensive or anything but I just hope it's enough. Really want you to know that I made this with thought and it came from my heart", Sarah seemed kinda insecure and nervous about the photoalbum she gave me. "No, no, don't worry. It's perfect. I really like it",I gave her a smile to reassure her, while turning pages on the album. "Aww now look at this! Hannah's 8th birthday party, at Nana Louise's! Remember when you wanted to try riding the pony?", the nostalgia from our old pictures was making me feel warm inside. "Oh yea, your cousin, right? Ha, all I know is that you fell down a hill after you got scared and ran away from a goose", Sarah poked at me and I jokingly punched her.
I laid down onto the bed and was staring at the starlights on my ceiling.
"Sarah"
"Yeah?"
I closed my eyes and tried to gather some courage while relaxing my breath. I felt Sarah leaning over and staring at me.
"What is it sweetie, you okay?.. Vanessa? ", she asked calmly and yet I could sense her worry. She knew me too well.
I gulped.
"I know you and Davy have been seeing each other officially since 3 months now, but uh I kinda uhm.. I was.. wonderin if.. or whether.."
I felt awfully nervous and insecure, so all I really gave out was stuttering and being incapable of forming a proper sentence,when suddenly I was interrupted by a loud sound.
" Thank God" , was what I first thought, "somewhat finally broke the fckn awkward silence".
But that feeling didn't last long.
"Davy?... Dave? Babe??"
Sarah quickly stood up and hurried out of the room to look after her boyfriend. "Are you hurt baby? Did something happen?"
I still sat on my bed thinking about the awkward situation that just happened.
"Sarah wait, I'm coming too!"
As I heard her rush down the stairs, I also stood up to check out the situation.

But seconds later,
I heard a loud scream.
"V, OHMYGOD"
"Sarah!!"
I ran to the first floor.

There I saw Sarah, standing there with her knees shaking  and finger pointing to the floor towards the door in the hallway.

It was Davy.
My older brother.
On the floor.
Bleeding.
Dead.

What was going on? What happened?
How did that happen??

Sarah and I both freaked out.
She was sat on the floor crying, having a panic attack.
I ran towards Davy's body and checked if someone was still at the door.
No one.
But there was a wound  in his stomache.
Something sharp, cut through his shirt.
It almost looked like claws??

"God this is so cruel.. Oh God who did that..?? Who hurt you like this??", Sarah was holding her boyfriends face while crying in pain.

Who did that?? Did he let someone in?? Was he attacked?? By an animal?

Sarah's screams were echoing in my head and I was trying my best to not also burst out in tears and panic.
I couldn't even realize what just happened. A second ago.. we were.. sitting in my room? Having fun.. watching movies.. And now? He's dead? M-My brother.. got killed?? All I knew was that we might not be safe yet. Something was here. Someone was here. Maybe IS still here. We couldn't stay here. It wasn't safe. Sarah wasn't safe.

"Sarah. We need to go. Now!"
"How can we leave him here-NOOO!!"
I grabbed her hand and took her with me as we ran out the door.

Where do we go?? Where would it be safe? How far should we run??

Not even god knew the answer to those questions.