She sat quietly on the balcony attached to her room, immersed in her book. Outside, instead of the usual bustle of a busy street, lay a lush green world with the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional birdsong. Rose cherished this peaceful setting; her home was nestled amidst serene surroundings, enveloped in trees and verdant foliage.
Lost in the supernatural tale she held, Rose scarcely heard her mother calling for her. The book was enthralling, filled with suspense and intrigue, just as she adored. Her younger sister often teased her for her preference for such genres, but Rose paid it no mind.
A knock on the door interrupted her reverie. She glanced up to see her mother standing there.
"Rose! How many times have I told you to answer me when I call? You've been glued to that novel all day again!" her mother chided in a calm but firm tone.
"Sorry, Mom. I'll be more attentive," Rose apologized.
"You always say that. Anyway, get ready; we need to go to the store for groceries. We're running low," her mother informed her, leaving the room.
"Ugh, getting ready is such a hassle. Why can't I go in my pajamas?" Rose muttered under her breath.
She quickly selected a pair of ripped blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt from her closet and changed. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she noted her resemblance to her mother: brown eyes, long black curls cascading down her back, and a round face with almond-shaped eyes. She hastily brushed her hair into a messy bun and headed downstairs.
"I'm ready, Mom! Where are you?" Rose called out.
"In the kitchen," her mother replied.
In the kitchen, her mother was serving pancakes to her younger sister, Sia, who was 12 years old with blue eyes inherited from their father.
"Sit down and have some pancakes," her mother offered, serving Rose a plate.
"Which book are you reading now?" Sia asked, her mouth still full of pancakes.
Rose pondered the supernatural novel she was engrossed in. She began imagining the fantastical creatures within it, their magical realms, and powers...
"Sis?" Sia interrupted, noticing Rose lost in thought.
Rose wondered aloud about the existence of such creatures. "Even in the deep oceans, new species are still being discovered. What if there are mermaids and mermen living in the ocean depths, with their own hidden world? What if supernatural beings really exist but are hiding from us? Considering how polluted our world has become and how dangerous humans have grown with technology, they might be afraid..."
"Rose!" her mother's voice cut through her thoughts sharply.
Lost in her musings, Rose was startled. She saw irritation etched on her mother's face.
"Sorry, Mom. I was just thinking..." Rose began.
"Stop. How many times do I have to remind you not to discuss these things around Sia? You know she gets scared easily. Finish your pancake quickly and get in the car. I'll be waiting," her mother instructed before leaving.
Rose hurriedly finished her meal, waved goodbye to Sia, and headed outside.
"Good morning, Rose. Helping your mom today?" Elijah, the gardener, greeted her. In his late sixties, he had peppered hair but the vigor of an athlete.
"Good morning, Pa. Yep, see you later," Rose replied before joining her mother in the car. Elijah reminded her of her late grandfather; he had tended the garden for as long as she could remember.
As they drove through the tree-lined path that led to the city, Rose mused on the contrast between their serene home and the bustling city life.
"How do people manage to live in cities with all the noise and crowds?" she wondered, interrupted abruptly by a blaring car horn.
Arriving at the supermarket, they parked and began filling their cart with necessities. After grabbing some snacks, her mother headed for the vegetables while Rose made a beeline for the bookstore inside the mart. She quickly located the Supernatural section and spotted a book about vampires that piqued her interest. She added it to their cart and joined her mother at the checkout counter.
"I want this one, please," Rose said, showing the book to her mother.
Her mother sighed, knowing it was futile to argue. After paying, they headed back home. Rose helped her mother put away the groceries, grabbed her new book, changed into something comfortable, and settled into bed to read.
Her younger sister barged in and hopped onto the bed. "What's the book about?" Sia asked eagerly.
"Vampires," Rose replied succinctly.
"Will you tell me the story after you finish reading?" Sia pleaded with puppy-dog eyes, knowing full well that their mother had forbidden such tales.
"No, Mom said you're not allowed to read or hear such stories," Rose replied firmly.
"Okay, can I just stay here then?" Sia asked hopefully.
Rose nodded, and Sia settled in beside her. Rose resumed reading, losing herself once more in the supernatural world of vampires.
Later, their mother called them for lunch.
"Have you finished your college work? It's due tomorrow," her mother inquired.
"Yes, just the report for the group project is left. Elle and Felix are coming over at 5 to finish it. Is that okay?" Rose replied.
"Of course, I'll prepare some snacks for you all," her mother replied with a smile.
After lunch, Rose took a leisurely walk around their house, contemplating how eerie it might look to outsiders but feeling perfectly at home within its walls. She chuckled at her own thoughts.
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*Next Chapter will be posted soon.
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Something is Unknown
VampireLegend has it that there was once a formidable vampire who sought to dominate the world and despised humanity for its perceived weakness. His pale skin was vulnerable to sunlight, which burned like fire upon contact. It's said he was mummified by an...
