The slow and steady pitter-patter of the raindrops, gently began to calm her frazzled nerves. She had lain there all night, wide awake and vigilant, waiting for her mother and father to return home. Three days had passed without a word and she was beginning to worry. As the rain continued to fall, she felt her eyes grow heavy until she slipped into a dreamless slumber.
***************************************
I was running. Running to a certain point in the distance that I couldn't quite reach. The howls, screeches and roars followed me, trying to swallow me. Branches like gnarled hands, reached and tore at my clothing and any available patch of skin. Twigs tangled in my thick hair, scratches formed on my hands. I was about to reach a glorious lake when a root tripped me and I fell, my fear a clear indication to him as to my location. The root tangled around my ankle, capturing me. I broke out in a sweat, frantically grabbing at the root to free myself. By the time they slowly approached me, their black hoods billowing in the chilling wind, my fingers were raw and bloody from my feeble attacks. The tallest and most commanding made his way towards me and grabbed my jaw roughly, causing me to yelp in pain. He leaned forwards until his lips brushed my ear and he whispered,
"I'll make you mine. And you will be mine forever."
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I startled awake, a cold sweat breaking all over my body. I slid from underneath the covers and tiptoed down the stairs. It was almost four a.m. and everyone was asleep. My thoughts were a frenzied mess, I couldn't come to terms with this new nightmare. I began to pace and absentmindedly fingered the gold locket that hung around my neck. For many years, I've had the same nightmare, running to a certain spot that I wasn't sure of. Until last night. The eve of my seventeenth birthday. I heard a creak and whirled around only to find my new brother.
"Happy birthday, Kira."
I smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Sam."
"What are you doing up so early?"
I shrugged my shoulders and sat down on the couch.
"I couldn't sleep."
He came and sat next to me.
"Yeah. I couldn't either."
We sat in silence for a few minutes just enjoying each other's company.
"You know," I started. "I never expected I could end up in a great home with a great family. After my parents abandoned me, I always thought I did something wrong. To this day, I occasionally feel that way. The home they sent me to was horrible. I always ate less than the others because they thought I was too fat for anyone to take me. I know for awhile, you didn't like me because we're the same age and you hated me for 'taking' over. I'm sorry."
He took my hand in his.
"You have nothing to be sorry for. I should be apologizing. I had not right to act like an asshole. Its just...it was weird. I was an only child my whole life until last year when they wanted to adopt you. It was new, different. So I'm sorry."
I smiled softly at him and he leaned forward and kissed my cheek when the light flicked on, causing us both to jump.
"What's going on here?"
We both turned to see our father standing in his robe with a stern look on his gentle face. We shared a glance and burst out laughing. He watched us silently as we tried to catch out breath.
"I-I couldn't sleep...so,so" I laughed again. "I came down here and-"
"And I came down and," Sam laughed so hard he cried. "we've been talking un-until you came down."
We continued laughing as frustration replaced the anger and he stood here flustered.
"Well, what was that kiss? You are siblings now. That's not right."
I finally managed to stop laughing and stood up and hugged him.
"We were apologizing for things said, done and thought. We were bonding."
As our dad opened his mouth, our mother came down.
"Jeff? What's going on down here?"
She paused as she took in the picture. My brother, now in the kitchen, poked his head out.
"Kira and I couldn't sleep so we've been talking. Dad came down and saw me kiss her cheek and got all stern and you came down while we were explaining."
She blinked and turned to our dad.
"Jeff?"
"Margerie, honey, that's what happened."
She continued to gaze at us until she finally came and hugged me.
"This has been an interesting start to your birthday, hasn't it? Happy birthday darling."
I hugged her back.
"Thanks, mom."
"I know it's early, but can we eat? I'm hungry," said Sam.
Mom, dad and I laughed.
"You're always hungry," mom teased.
He only shrugged his shoulders and disappeared. I turned to our parents.
"How do pancakes, eggs, sausage, oj, strawberries and whipped cream sound?"
They chuckled.
"Like a birthday breakfast for a champion."
I beamed and took off after Sam. when I entered, I couldn't find him.
"Sam?"
I walked around the island to find him laying on the floor, pale and unresponsive.
"Sam!" I screamed.
