A Moon Of Blood • Paul Lahote

Chapter Four

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"Bella told me a few of your friends were going to the beach tomorrow," Rhys said, nudging her legs to let him sit next to her. She swung her legs down, her feet landing on the wooden floor. He slumped on the sofa next to her, grabbing the TV remote and switching the channel. "She also told me you're not going," Cerise let her head fall back, closing her eyes and letting out a sigh. She had a suspicion Bella would tell him. Though the fact that she did made her stomach flip. She waited a moment before turning to look at her brother. 

"You need sleep, Rhys," Rhys rolled his eyes, giving her a small smile. It was soft but screamed 'stop worrying about me'. He knew how much she had sacrificed to help care for their father, and allow Rhys some moments of rest and piece. He hated it. Knowing he had a chance of being a teenager, while his little sister had it torn from her. Hoping that Bella returning would encourage her to get out more. 

"And you need to be a teenager. I'd rather lose some sleep than watch you waste your life." He tilted her head looking at her. Cerise huffed, her tongue pushing against her cheek. 

"It's just one day," She said exasperated. "It's not going to ruin my life, and I've been to La Push beach loads," She tried to argue. Rhys raised an eyebrow, his smile falling as he gave her a pointed look. She knew he wanted her to get out more, but seeing her brother with bags bigger than the earth and stress lines on his forehead at such a young age made her heart break. She just wanted to help carry that burden, even if it was small. 

"Go out. There's no point in wasting your life," He told her, giving her hand a small squeeze. She looked down at their hands, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Fine," Rhys smiled, happy he managed to get her to agree without much arguing. She looked at him, a smirk growing on her face. "but on one condition." Rhys rolled his eyes, internally facepalming.  Cerise giggled, knowing she was irking her brother.  

"Always a catch. What is it?" He huffed. Raising his eyebrows, folding his arms over his chest. 

"You order some Pizza," Rhys nodded, pulling out his phone. Cerise rested her head on her brother's shoulder. Her eyes trained on the TV show he had turned it to. A weird remake of Dracula playing in front of her. She didn't know if it was supposed to be a comedy or if it was just bad. 

"Meat feast?" Rhys asked. Cerise hummed in agreement, lost in the horrific show playing in front of her. 

A sudden cold breeze smashed into them. Cerise's head shot up. The wind sending a chill down her spine. The two siblings turned to see the backdoor wide open. Swinging back like it had been flung open with as much force as possible. Cerise felt her heart speeding, pounding against her chest. Brows pulled together, back straight as a plank of wood. "Did you not close it properly?" Rhys asked her. 

"I must have forgotten," She mumbled. Getting up to close it while Rhys finished ordering the food. She crept forwards. One step at a time. Like one wrong move and she'd be dead on the spot. Her hand rested on the handle for a moment. A sudden rush of wind knocing her back. Like something had run up to her at supersonic speed. Stumbling back, she managed to catch ehr footing. Racing forwards, she quickly slammed the door closed, grabbing the key to lock it. Her breath was heavy. Her heart begging to escape the confines of her chest. She closed her eyes, trying to calm down. One breath. She spun around. The feeling of someone breathing down her neck, sent her heart jumping once again.

"You okay in there?" Her brother called. Cerise swallowed the lump in her throat before responding.

"Yeah. Want a drink?" She looked around the room, eyes scanning every crevice. But there was nothing. No sign of anything being there.