Edna Kimberly

NINE

Nathan Kimberly

Present year

The bang on the door came yet again and everyone went dead silent– even Camila.

She took some steps back which made my mother chuckle in mockery. She turned and gave my mom a death glare.

My mother bent over to Edna and gave her a peck.

"Watch her", she said to me and gave me a pat on the shoulder.

"Can I help? ", a friend of mine said.

"Help with what? ", my mom and I chorused.

"Help with looking after her, she's my friend too", he said again.

"Dude!", I whisper-yelled at him.

"Okay, sure", my mom said and stood up to face the door.

Freddy stretched her hand to feel Edna's temperature.

"Dude! ", I whisper-yelled again and held his hand mid air.

"What? ", he said, pulled his hand away and made another move.

"Dude! ".

"What?! ".

"She's my sister! ".

"So what?! ".

"She's older than you are! ".

"With just a year".

"Dude!! ", I yelled almost loudly.

"What?! ", he said as he tried to let go of my grip.

"Stop! ", I said.

"Stop what?! ".

"Just stop it, it's gross", I told him and he did stop.

He wanted to say something but was caught up when another bang came on the door.

"What do you think is out there? ", Freddy whisper.

"Probably a bogeyman ", I said and rolled my eyes.

"Bogeymen doesn't bang on doors", he whispered again.

"Why can't they? It's pretty easy", I said not paying much attention.

"Well at least not that loud", he said.

I placed the back of my hand on Edna's neck and withdrew it almost immediately. Her body is freezing cold and her breathing is really, really shallow. I tapped her shoulder many times and shook her gently.

"Edna ", I susurrated into her ear but got no reply.

"Edna", I called again but still, I got no response.

"Is she okay? ", Freddy asked.

"I don't know ", I answered insouciantly.

"Eddie wake up", I said as I shook her the more.

"Is she........... Dead? ", Freddy asked.

I don't really know what happened but this anger filled me. I turned to Freddy. My eyes literally lit up and ready to shoot out lasers but I somehow suppressed it. I was panting and struggling to not let go.

"Freddy, get up", I said when I caught my breath.

"What? ", he asked.

"I said get up! ", I said trying to keep my voice low.

He stood and kept staring at me quizzically.

"Now get far away from me", I said and he did it without thinking. He too was scared. They all are, but they hide it.

"Please, come back to me", I whispered into Edna's ear and held her hand tight.

The bang came again but this time, it threw the door open.