𝖲𝗂𝗅𝖾𝗇𝗍 𝗏𝗈𝗂𝖼𝖾𝗌|~𝒟.𝑀

1

I am lost.

I am standing alone in a dark forest like area surrounded by trees. The moon was shining down on me as it was my only source of light. I have never been to this forest before. I try to look around as faint noises whizz by me. When I turn to my left The noises seem to be getting louder. When I try to make out what they are...it all just sounds like an abnormal voice is calling my name.

A voice I have most certainly never heard before, yet it sounded familiar? I start to turn slowly around so I am able to find where this voice is coming from and that is when I finally spot a shadow lurking behind me. I turn around to face the mysterious creature but am hit with a screeching scream. I shut my eyes tightly and slam the palms of my hands to my ears trying to drown out this ear bleeding scream. As my knees hit the ground, the scream suddenly stops. I drop my hands from my ears and slowly flutter my eyes open. As my vision clears my eyes are met with a dark ragged cloak like whooshing around me. I slowly tilt my head up to look at what is in front of me but before I am able to get a good look at what is in front of me everything goes blurry. I feel as if life is being sucked out of me. I have no control over my body.

My vision begins to slowly turn black like my eyes are closing and they will never
be able to open again. I tried to scream but it is like I had forgotten how to? My body is numb and my vision is going away fast. My breath hitches in my throat as I am no longer able to breathe, then suddenly I shake up.

My eyes wide open as I shoot up from my bed clutching my chest tightly as it rises and falls quickly trying to stabilize my breathing. It was the eighth time this month that I have had this nightmare. They started when I was 11, and ever since I had turned 13 they just seem to be getting worse. It is always the same dream every time. My breathing is finally stable and I am able to actually catch a breath like normal. I look around my surroundings to realize that I am safe and sound in my room and it was just another nightmare. I wiped away the damp sticky beads that were sticking to my forehead.

Throwing the duvet off over me, I fling my legs over to the side of my bed. Placing my feet down. I am met with the cold gray floorboards beneath me. My body shook at the sudden change in temperature.

I rubbed my eyes tightly trying to wake myself to reality. With blurry-eyes, I went downstairs for breakfast. The only sort of noise was from Aspen as he clicked through the channels
on the telly.

"Goodmorning, where is mum and dad?" I asked, my voice still not fully there. "Er- you scared me!" Aspen shook "mum and dad are at work i think? not sure i woke up and they weren't here" aspen shrugged as his voice was laced with a bit of confusion. he shut the telly off and placed the remote down.

I nodded slightly at aspen. Mum and dad always did this. They always left at random days of the week and wouldn't tell us until they had arrived later into the night. It was quite frustrating really, they could at least warn me that they were leaving. But no, instead they leave me all alone with aspen? He is only 9 and all he knows how to do is use the telly. I wonder how long he has been up? Has he eaten?

"Aspen?" I turned my head around to look at him as I walked toward the cupboard. Aspen let out a slight hum in response. "How long have you been up?" I questioned "maybe sense early seven?" Aspen shrugged as he turned his head around, his eyes locked onto mine. He has been up since seven? Wait- what time is it even?! I turned toward the clock on the wall and saw it read ten thirty-four. I whipped my head back toward aspen as my eyes were wide in shock. "It has been nearly three hours! Have you eaten? Why didn't you wake me!" Aspen stood up from the couch and shrugged at me "I tried to make eggs and well.."

He pointed to the stove behind me. I turned to look and I was met with the horror of a huge mess. Egg shells on the floor, milk spilt on the counter, raw eggs in a bowl that was placed on top of the stove top. I felt my face harden in anger "Bloody hell mate! Was mum here to help?!" I spat back in annoyance at the mess behind me. Aspen shook his head "No they were gone when I woke up" he looked down at the ground then back up at me with teary eyes "Im s..sorry for the mess" he stuttered "I was just hungry" he sniffled as tears began to slowly stream down his cheeks.

My face quickly softened and i walked toward aspen and bent down so i was at eye level with him "hey its okay" i rubbed his cheeks clear from the tears "I'm sorry i shouldn't have yelled at you, it's not your fault i promise" I pulled him into a hug and rubbed his back.

"Just next time wake me up please so you don't hurt yourself please?" I pulled away from the hug and cupped his cheeks as I smiled at him. He smiled back at me and wiped his face clean of tears "I promise, you're the best sister ever, Kasseya!" I smiled at him as I stood back up. "Well thank you aspen, You are a pretty cool brother i guess" i shrugged and let out a slight laugh as i teased him. Aspen let out a laugh "sometimes i wish you were my mum! You wouldnt leave me" he said with a smile.

I instantly felt my smile drop from my face and guilt wash all over me. I looked down at aspen and smiled slightly as I racked a hand through his hair. "Thanks asp" I said with a tone of slight guilt. Having Aspen wish I was his mum is not what bothered me.

No. it was the fact that my own mum who decided to have these kids wasn't even here to help her children. My father was at fault too. They were both very unfit parents and that made me angry at them. I quickly shook off any feelings and turned my attention back towards aspen. "Are you hungry?" I asked him. Aspen shot up with joy and nodded quickly. I laughed at his excited behavior but part of me felt like I was going to be sick due to the fact that this little boy was down here by himself with no source of food waiting for either his sister to wake up or his nut job of parents to finally show up and choose to be
parents.

"How about I teach you how to make eggs, hm?" I asked him as I forced a smile on my lips. Aspen immediately ran over towards me "Yes! Let's do that!" he shouted in pure excitement. I watched his eyes rake over behind me and when I looked behind I saw the stove was still a mess. I turned back over to him "How about we clean this up first, You always need a clean space to cook first" I laughed. Aspen nodded as he ran to the cupboard "I will get the cleaning supplies" he froze and turned back around at me "while you get the ingredients" he pointed his small finger at me then ran back off to the cupboard.