The Sister.

Rock-a-bye bye

Annabel Liss (Mel's mum.)

It was only ten o'clock when we returned from the concert, but every light in the house was dark. I fumbled with the lock until the door swung open. Sobs could be heard echoing from the kitchen. I kicked off my boots and rushed in.

"Melany!" I called. She was slumped on the floor, hugging her knees and crying. "Oh, baby, what's wrong?" I draped my coat over her shoulders though she already wore a thick sweater. She hiccuped, trying to speak.

"S-She's gone, mum." Mel whispered hoarsly. "W-we had a fight, something s-stupid, she took her bag a-and l-left." She broke into fresh sobs. I stroked her hair.

"Shh." I whispered. "Shh. It's okay. It's okay." I turned to my husband, now leaning in the doorway. "Ian, Resa's run off." He nodded, and came to kneel by Mel with me.

"Did you call the police?" He asked. Mel paused in her tears.

"I-I didn't think...Oh I'm so stupid!" She wailed

"It's okay." He said. "I'll go call them now. We'll find her, honey, she can't have gone far." He left to fetch the phone.

Mel's POV.

My head throbbed, a steady, pulsing pain. I lay stiff and cold on frozen wood. Slowly, I pulled myself up. The pain in my head intensified. I groaned. Where was I? It took a moment, but my the pain finally faded to a dull ache and I looked around, taking stock of my surroundings. 

I was in a shed. The wooden walls were thin and there was a layer of ice around the edges wher the wall met the ground. I turned my gaze upwards. A chain snaked around the door. I was locked in.

Resa

I was to thin. I'd have to gain weight for this to work. My hair, now bleached honey-blonde, was a perfect match to Melany's. People here were stupid. They'd never suspect sweet little Mel of anything. I smiled at myself in the mirror. Now, there was only one obstacle left to crush.

Mel was locked in the abandoned shed by the creek.

She couldn't hide there forever. . .

I would have to be rid of her. Tonight, after dark.