The Destined

Chapter 15: Avani

    Avani    

Anna found this house earlier. Once it started thundering, we ran towards it, dragging Melissa behind us. The house is old and made of wood, apparently abandoned from a long time ago. Inside, there's an old mattress. The pillow and blanket have moth holes, but they should keep Melissa warm.

Other than the mattress, there's a small, two-person couch. Exhausted, Anna and I both plop down onto it.

"Will Melissa be ok?" Anna asks. She's obviously tired, her eyelids closed as he wipes the dirt from her face.

"I hope so," I I say. "I think she should get some rest." I pull my knees up to my chest, trying to comfort myself. Eventually, Anna falls asleep, resting her head on my shoulder. I try to go to sleep, too, but my mind keeps racing with thoughts. I realize how different Melissa is from Anna and I. There is always something you don't know about her, something she always keeps to herself. She only gives away bits and pieces, but never the full story. It's like there's always something...more.

My thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a loud creaking noise. It reminds me of a rocking chair. I remember a time when my mom and I sat on it together, and she would read me stories and I would fall asleep. The creaking continues and Anna jolts awake.

"What. Was. That?" Anna says with emphasis on each word.

"Relax. It is probably just the wind." I try to reassure her, but I realize I am only doing it for myself. I am worried too.

Melissa is so out of it that she doesn't wake up when she rolls of the mattress. She groans loudly.

"Ugh!" I grunt loudly as I hoist myself off of the couch. Using all of my strength, I pick her up and lay her down on the mattress again.

Anna says she is starving, so I take out the pack Lotso left for us and I take out the leftover apples. I hand one to Anna and take one for myself. It is so good, especially when we are so hungry. It isn't as fresh as it was earlier, but it still tastes amazing. Melissa moans loudly.

"Are you sure she is fine?" Anna asks, worry on her face.

"Positive," I reply. The creaking noise doesn't stop. Anna and I ignore it, but I can tell she is just as scared as I am.

☾☾☾  

Eventually, Melissa wakes up from her sleep. She was in terrible shape. Even after hours of sleep, she looks completely exhausted.

"What did I miss?" Melissa asks, smiling as she eats the last of the apples.

"Pretty much nothing, except for this creaking noise. No big deal," Anna says. Then, as if on cue, the creaking is heard again.

"What's causing that sound?" Melissa frowns, throwing the core of the apple away.

"I am not sure. We thought it was the wind." Anna says.

"It sounds like a rocking – "

I am interrupted by a loud, moaning voice. It sounds like it is coming from the roof. That was definitely not the wind. It sounded too...human. We stand in silence, stunned. All of our faces go pale. Nothing happens for a while. And then, the silence is killed by a piercing, high-pitched scream.