Lessons In Butterflies

Chapter 5: Fine Step-Monster

1st Person (Shella's POV):

I was on babysitting duty. My dad and his stupid wife decided a date night was more important than, you know, their actual children. And on a school night too, which was just great. 

But honestly, it wasn't the worst thing in the world. The twins could be cute sometimes.

The house, on the other hand, was a different story. It was pristine, picture-perfect, the kind of place you'd see in a magazine. White walls, expensive-looking furniture, everything spotless. 

It wasn't like the house I'd grown up in with Mum. That house had been messy, full of life, not some showroom. 

I missed it. I missed her.

"Shella, can we play superheroes?" asked Theo, already tugging at my hand with his sticky fingers. 

His twin, Leo, bounced on the couch, echoing the same request.

"Please, pretty please!" they chorused, giving me those big, innocent puppy eyes. I couldn't help but smile. They knew I'd say yes.

"Alright, alright," I sighed dramatically, "but only if I get to be the villain."

They squealed in excitement, running off to grab their capes from the giant toy bin in the living room. My role was always the same—some evil monster or robber they had to defeat. 

The boys were really into it, pretending to throw webs or lightning bolts at me as I exaggerated my villainous cries. 

"Nooo, you've got me!" I said, collapsing on the couch.

After what felt like a never-ending battle of their relentless superhero moves, they finally started to slow down, yawning and rubbing their eyes.

"Tired, heroes?" I teased, scooping Theo up into my arms as he curled against my chest. Leo waddled over and held out his hands, looking equally exhausted. 

"Alright, let's get you two to bed."

I tucked them in, making sure their stuffed animals were properly positioned by their sides. They were out in seconds, leaving me in the quiet of the house.

With the twins down, I wandered back to the living room and flopped onto the couch. I grabbed the remote, mindlessly flicking through the channels. 

I thought about Mr. Caldwell for a second—why was he even nice to me today? With his surprisingly gentle touch...

I shook the thought out of my head. Focus on something else, Shella.

Suddenly, I heard something—a creak.

My heart started racing. I muted the TV, straining to listen. There it was again—a soft noise outside, like someone walking on gravel. 

Panic rose in my throat, but I tried to stay calm. It was probably nothing, right? 

But what if it wasn't?

I grabbed my phone, inching toward the window. Peeking through the curtain, I squinted, trying to see what was out there.

I could barely see through the dim glow of the porch light. 

There was nothing there... or at least nothing I could see.

"Shella, get it together," I whispered to myself, stepping away from the window. 

Maybe it was just a raccoon or something. Probably not even that. Maybe the wind?

I went back to the couch, but the house suddenly felt way too quiet, too still.  

I pulled a blanket around me, wrapping myself tight like a cocoon, but the silence just got to me. My mind wouldn't let it go—what if someone was outside? What if they were trying to break in?