Soulless

Chapter 2: Mysterious Stranger

As Elvira continued to write, she heard the knob of her door turn. Her heart sank, and she quickly closed her diary, hiding it under her pillow. The door creaked open, and her mother stepped into the room, looking displeased.

"Elvira!" Mrs. Clifton's voice exclaimed with sharpness. "How many times do me and your father have to call your name?" 

Her mother didn't stop there. "Why are you always hiding in here? It's your sister's birthday. We have guests arriving, and you're expected to join us." 

Elvira looked up from her diary, her eyes meeting her mother's disapproving gaze. "I'm sorry, mother...I was just writing." 

Mrs. Clifton huffed with irritation. "Writing, writing. Always writing. That's all you ever do. Hide away in this room, scribbling in that diary of yours. Wearing the same plain clothes day after day, never bothering to join us."

Elvira shifted uncomfortably, lowering her gaze to the floor. "It's Meredith's birthday. We have guests arriving, and you're expected to be there," Mrs. Clifton continued, her voice growing sterner. "Your sister deserves your respect, and you're showing none by sulking in here."

"I just... don't feel like celebrating," Elvira admitted quietly, her voice trembling. "I feel... depressed."

Her mother was growing more frustrated. "That's exactly your problem, Elvira. You never feel like doing anything. Not sure why everything feels like a drag to you. You hide away here, isolating yourself. It's not normal at all. You need to make an effort. For once, think about someone other than yourself." 

Elvira answered, "Ok, mother, I will. I'll go change and then come right downstairs." 

Mrs. Clifton sighed, turning to leave. "I don't understand why you can't be more like Meredith," she muttered under her breath. 

This was how my family always was to me.

Ignorant and indifferent towards how I feel and expecting me to reach their expectations I couldn't meet.

Everything was always about them and my sister. Never about me or my wishes.

She wanted to explain, to make them understand the depth of her feelings, but she knew it would be futile. Her family would never understand her complex, dark thoughts. They would only see them as a sign of defiance and selfishness. She quickly hurried up and changed into a dress that she only wore at special occasions. Following her mother out of her room, her heart got heavy. As they reached the stairs, the sounds of laughter and music grew louder. Once again, Elvira felt like an outsider stepping into a world that wasn't meant for her. Meredith spotted her and rushed over, her face glowing with excitement.

"There you are, sister!" Meredith exclaimed with joy. "You finally got out of your room."

Elvira forced a smile, trying to push down the feelings of envy and sadness. "Yes, I did. Happy birthday, Meredith," she said. "Must feel great turning 18."

Her sister, usually a happy and cheerful individual, was oblivious to the strained tone of her voice and her expression of struggling to feign happiness.

Meredith's face lit up. "Oh, it feels more than great! I got many better presents than last year." 

Their aunt approached Meredith. "Happy birthday, Meredith darling. I got you something you would absolutely adore," she said, presenting a gift box with a flourish. "From your doting aunt."

She opened the present box and something shiny and priceless was revealed. It was a butterfly shaped amethyst diamond necklace and one that not many townspeople can afford.