Dwellings On The Past ~ (Lorraine's daughter)

Family time

When JJ and I step into the living room my mom and Carol are the first to notice us. Lorraine seems relieved. She smiles and indicates for me to sit next to her. But JJ pulls on my hand and I end up sitting on family Atwell's couch. I'm not really bothered by it. It's pretty odd they're all sitting on this couch and my parents on the one opposite this anyway.

My dad shoots me a disapproving look I can't quite place before he starts the interview by pressing onto a recording device which is set on the table. "You can begin." Ed informs the family. What did I do wrong again?

My gaze finds my mom but she's focused on the parents of family Atwell. "I- I don't know where we should begin. So many things happened."

"Try to start with the first occurrence. Anything that seemed off." my mom says.

I listen carefully when the family talks. Mostly it's Carol and George, but David adds things every once in a while. "The church informed us about you that night." Carol says when she talks about the weirdest thing that has happened until now.

It's not easy to contain my shock when I realize that was the night I had the first vision about the house and saw that strange bell. The family finishes their tellings and I watch as my parents exchange a worried glance. They always understand each other without talking much. I don't know if it's that my mom can read minds or that my dad can hear thoughts. It amazes me. They probably can't do either of those things though. But they do understand each other without effort.

"I saw a lot of spirits in your house. My daughter did too." my mom says, briefly glancing at me. "Some are less harmful than others, but I'm worried the most about the one my daughter already saw earlier in a vision."

I gulp loudly when I think back to what I saw. "Well, what does that mean now?" David, the oldest son, asks.

"It means we have to do some research about this house and its earlier habitants." my dad chimes in and ends the recording. He stands up and glances at me. "If you don't mind, we'd like to do that as fast as possible." he adds, his tone polite.

"Yes, of course." Carol says while they stand up as well. I'm not really listening anymore. My head keeps showing me images of my visions. And I don't want to see them. Why can't they just stay out of my mind?

"Linda." my mom's warning voice interrupts me. I look up to her, she's standing in front of me. "Are you okay?"

I shake my head faintly. "The visions are so real, mom. And this family is so lovely. They don't deserve any of this."

My mom smiles when she wraps her arms around me, so my head is at her stomach. "They never do." she says. The soft fabric of her skirt feels so nice against my cheek and I realize how tired I am.

We just stay like this for a while. I don't know where exactly the others went, but the house is quiet. "Is this too much for you? It's okay if it is, but I need you to tell me."

"Mh-mh." I mumble, shaking my head. "I want to help them."

But to what price?

-

"You're sure you'll be fine?" my mom asks for what feels like the millionth time. It's been a few days since the interview and the rate of paranormal occurrences happening has been increasing strongly.

"Yes, mom." I laugh. "I will be fine on my own." I reassure her. My mom is sitting on my bed right next to me, worry filling her eyes as so often. Yes, this house is haunted. But I'm good alone. It's not like I know nothing. I often visit my parents' lectures, most of the time without them noticing.

She takes a deep breath. "Alright, but you come to me if you have a vision. You come to me for anything. Okay?"

I nod while she places her hand on my cheek. "Okay." I whisper.

Before standing up she presses a soft, lingering kiss on my forehead. "I love you, Linny. Sleep well."

"You too." I say before she walks out of the room and closes the door behind her. I can hear her walking into the room next to mine and thanks to the thin walls, I can her and my dad talking once again. They're not exactly fighting, but they're not on the best terms ever since we came here. It was never like this before and I think it's my fault.

"It's too early. She's not ready." my dad points out. He's been telling my mom this was a bad idea for the whole time, even though he was the one who convinced her to let me be here. "Why don't you let that for her to decide, Ed?"

"Because she doesn't know better. She doesn't know when she's ready, because truly no one is ever ready for this kind of thing. It's insane we walk into this, but taking our daughter with it? That's a whole other level."

It's quiet for a while. So quiet I can hear the wind from outside.

"God brought us together for a reason. We help people. That is not insane." I can hear my mom. Her voice sounds different, and quieter. "Linda feels that same need to help. How is that insane?"

I heard enough. It's not even that I enjoy listening in on them, but I'm forced to because of the thin walls. Or maybe the volume they're talking in. The wooden floor is uncomfortable under my feet, especially my right one, and unfortunately I placed my slippers on the other side of the room.

The door makes some noise while opening and I hope it's not loud enough to attract my parents' attention toward me. It's cold when I walk through the hallway, glancing at the open doors. Each room is filled with darkness and it would be a lie to say it's not freaking me out. But I won't go back, I can't keep listening to my parents argue because of me.

Just as I'm about to walk down the stairs I hear a strange noise from the room behind me. Julie's room. I've become very close with her and her sister over the last few days. They're amazing girls and they have a loving family. They are incredibly open considering the fact they're living in a haunted house and are scared to their bones.

But over time Julie kept scaring me more. She's just a little, sweet girl. But the things she says are something else. Something so different from her. Her whole body language changed when she talked with me today and explained how sad she is about Mila. I couldn't figure out where Mila is in the conversation and I still have no idea.

In hushed steps and breaths I sneak into Julie's room. My eyes take a few unending seconds before they're adjusted to the dark light in the room. Except for the even lower temperature everything looks normal.

I jump at the voice of a little girl. "I killed her." she cries. I don't recognize the voice. I turn on the light and walk further into the room. "My mommy." she sobs. I look around the whole room, but I can't see anyone. I walk a few steps back towards the door and almost scream when my back hits something. No, worse. Someone.

I turn around as fast as I can and face the oldest son of the family. "David." I say, my voice shaken up and just above a whisper. He takes a step back, maybe to get farther away from the room. I can't blame him.

"Linda." he says.

I furrow my eyebrows. "Yeah, that's my name."

"And David is mine." he replies. Okay, point understood. He crosses his arms in front of his chest. "What are you doing here so late in the night?"

I glance at the room behind me. I really don't like the fact I'm standing with my back towards it. "Uh, I- I could ask you the very same question." I stutter. I don't want to tell him the real reason. It's none of his business.

"I went to my room to get another pillow." he explains. "What did you do?"

"Sleepwalk."

"Sure." he chuckles. "Do you wanna go outside? The swing is beautiful in the dark." he suggests. No. I really shouldn't. Basically, he's a stranger. I haven't talked to him much and I doubt my parents have. He's a creep and I should not follow him into a dark garden. On the other hand, I want to know more.

"Yes. Why not?"