Invisible

~ Chapter 1 ~

IMPORTANT POINT: If you are confused right now, don't stop reading! I wouldn't leave you guys in the dark forever, that's just cruel ;) it will all be explained in the later chapters.

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Chapter 1

LEA

I woke up from my deep slumber to a loud noise. I'm the type of person who likes her beauty rest so let's just say that this event didn't put me in a good mood. With a dramatic sigh, I got up and looked at myself in the mirror. My wavy, chocolate brown hair was tousled from my restless sleep and I had bags under my eyes that made me look like I'd come back from the dead.

I did the best I could to look presentable and then made the trip out of the room.

"Mom!" I yelled. No answer, of course. She hated it when I raised my voice in the house. That is probably why I'm an only child because she wouldn't be able to have more than one voice nagging at her all the time.

"Dad? Are you home?" Nothing. I slumped on the stair banister, exhausted and closed my eyes, concentrating on the sounds around me. I could hear the whistle of the wind from outside the window, the branches of the tree in our front yard swaying in the morning breeze... and the screech of a "Speedy Movers" transport truck coming in our driveway?

I had no words, only actions. Why the hell was a truck like that pulling into our driveway? It wasn't like we were moving... Was it?

I bolted down the stairway as fast as I could. This couldn't be happening, we were moving? I wasn't even informed about this! Did my parents just forget to mention it? They couldn't have, not only would they have to face the wrath that is me but why would we be moving in the first place? We had one of the best houses on the block. A classic family home with three bedrooms, a spacious backyard and a pool! Who doesn't love a pool?

My mind was racing as I tried come up with some answers to the problem. The neighbourhood was safe, so that couldn’t have been the issue. The area that we live in is right in the middle of town so our distance away from civilization couldn’t be it either. Were we running away? Did my parents commit a crime causing us to change our names and go into hiding for the rest of our lives?

I wailed as I pressed my face against the window. No, that wasn't an option either. My parents were catholic for goodness sake! The biggest crime they would commit is missing church two weeks in a row.

I shook my head as I sat down by the window, placing my head in my hands.

"Honey, where are you, the moving truck is here! I told you to bring your stuff to the door!"

Mom? I bolted up from my sitting position, determined to find out what was going on. I was their daughter after all, I do deserve some input on where we should live.

I entered the kitchen and saw her standing there with her one arm resting against the spotless counter and a worried look plastered on her face.

I never realized it until now that my mother and I look strangely alike. Unlike me, she has silvery-blond hair and aged facial features but her eyes are identical to mine. They are a golden hazel colour which my dad always compares to "the sweetest of honey." That saying always made my mom blush but I would just end up gagging in disgust and embaressment.

"Yes dear, and may I point out that the movers were the ones who were late, not me. They were supposed to be here 7 minutes ago, in fact."

My Dad came strutting into the room with a brown leather suitcase, obviously proud of being so punctual. I rolled my eyes. This must be the reason that I was never the popular one in high school. I had the parents to prove it.

"Well if they were late, you should have been already ready to leave." My mother said. "We don't want to pay any extra money. This whole move is costing us a lot more than I expected."

"Kathy dear, this is a chance for us to move on and forget about the past. Moving is just what we need."

I felt that this was the perfect time to intervene because in my mind, moving is definitely not on my list of needs.

"And what made you guys think that moving was exactly the best decision?" I said from the kitchen doorway. "I still have school, Dad and it's my senior year. I can't just pack up and go. Of course you decided not to tell me because you just knew I would disagree with you and I guess you were right." While glaring at my father, I strode across the kitchen with a sense of purpose. Adrenaline was pumping through me as a stood right in between them, hoping to prove a point. "Don't I get a say in this at all? I am your daughter, it's my life too."

I took a deep breath and turned to face my mother. "You agree with me, right Mom?"

My mom looked up and exhaled in relief, like she was holding her breath for ages. Her facial expression confused me as she walked right past me to my father. "Yes, I suppose you're right." My father held out his hand and gestured for them to sit at the kitchen table as if they were going to have a serious talk. I took a seat across from them, completely unaware of what was going to happen next.

My father spoke first, but his tone surprised me as it was filled with sympathy. "I know we blame ourselves for what happened that night but there is nothing we can do to change the past. It has been 9 months and the police still have no leads to... to the disappearance. I believe in new beginnings so this move is what can lead us to that." My father sighed and took a moment before he continued. "I miss her too but... I don't think I can live in this house anymore. Everywhere I look, I can feel that she's watching us somehow and I can never figure out why."

A tear streamed down his cheek as my mom started to create massive sobs. Who were they talking about? And why were they so emotionally scarred by the disappearance of this girl?

"What are you guys talking about? Who are guys talking about?" I questioned.

My mother and father stood up and embraced. They refused to look in my direction.

"Answer me!" I protested. I stood up from my chair in frustration but shockingly, it didn't fall down from the force of my anger. "Why don't you ever listen to me? Please!"

I started to cry feeling the hot, sweaty tears roll down my cheeks. What is happening to this world? I marched over to grab my mother by the shoulders. Her back was to me as I tried to grip the back of her jacket but my hands stopped. A couple inches away from her coat, my hands were at a standstill as if there was an invisible shield that was preventing me from touching her. I pushed it with all the strength I had but it wasn't enough. The shield wouldn't budge.

"I do feel responsible, Ashton but I guess you're right. There is nothing we can do to... to change what's been done. I'm just going to miss our little Lea, that's all." My mother said sadly.

I stood there petrified as I watched them leave, hand in hand out the front door of our home.

My name was Lea.

Lea Catharine Jacobs.

My mom's going to miss Lea?

Miss me?

It all came back to me as I heard the click of our front door lock for the last time. Looking around the cold, dead kitchen, I realized that I've never felt so alone in my entire life but then, as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, I noticed that I actually wasn't alone.

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The great editing works of:

NicholeRiley

sarry97

bloom9159

Thanks guys! :)