The Seven Painites

Liasha Aurora

The sky was thick as the first chill of autumn settled over the hills, casting the familiar forest in a gloomy shade of gray. The large windows of the old house felt like eyes, staring out into the endless woods, watching, waiting. I stood in front of my mirror, staring at my reflection, my long black hair falling in waves down my back. The faded purple and green highlights almost blended into the darkness, but what caught my attention was how dull they'd become. Huh, weird. My hair's had these highlights since I was born so that isn't unusual the highlights have never faded before though, either it started fading in my sleep or I just never noticed. Maybe both. I touched a strand of hair, feeling the texture, wondering if there was some logical explanation for why it was changing now. Just as I was about to pull my hair up, the door flew open, and in stormed my mother, her face tight with frustration.

"Liasha! I told you 5 minutes ago to get dressed! Why are you still in your pajamas?" Her voice cutting through the silence of the house. She always did this when Dad came home from a trip, making a fuss over every little thing.

"Okay, okay, I'm getting dressed now," I tried to keep my voice neutral, but annoyance seeped through. Dad's trip had finally ended, and after weeks away, he was coming home today. Normally, I would've been excited, but lately, the distance between us felt bigger, even when he was physically here. He was always overseas working, too busy for his own family. And when he was home, it felt like he was still somewhere else, distracted and preoccupied. But Mom? She turned everything into a spectacle whenever he came back. Everything had to be perfect. The house, the food, and, of course, me. It's not like he payed any attention to her so what's the point? Eh doesn't matter I dealt with this ever since mom decided to have me move back in with her.

Dang, I'm noticing everything today, like how 70% of my wardrobe is full of clothes mom bought for me that she "Thought I would like" when she knows very well that the clothes she buys, I hate. I decide to put my hair into a ponytail leaving two strands of hair out in the front and put a random outfit on.

"Guess this will have to do." I walk downstairs to see my mother pacing the entryway in front of the stairs. The large and bright chandelier making her look lighter than she is. What's up with her now? She only starts pacing around the house when she's nervous.

"What's going on? Why is this happening now? Why? Why? Why?" She continues murmuring,
What happened? Why is she so scared?

It was unlike her to be so agitated, and the mention of "Why?" repeated over and over. I knew mother was nervous about father's arrival, but this behavior was unusual, weird.

"Mom, what's the matter?" I tried to sound patient, but failed. "Why are you so worried?"

She suddenly stopped talking to herself and looked at me on the right stairwell.

"I'm fine sweetie just...... some drama with a friend. You know how we lady's are." I do know how they are, but mother is never this nervous about drama with her friends.

"What are you wearing? Your father is going to be here soon!" She scolds me, switching the topic before I can say anything else. Mother wasn't one to get this worked up over her friends. Something about the way she was acting felt... off.

"I'm wearing an outfit mother, you asked me to change, so I got changed." She lets out a huff and walks away, into the kitchen. Must be to frustrated to berate me even more than she normally would.

**4 HOURS LATER**

Dad arrived 30 minutes later than he said he would, which to be honest is early for him. He stepped through the front door, suitcase in hand, wearing a weary expression. Huh, why does everyone look worried today? He looked like he was still somewhere far away, even as he stood in our entryway. Mom immediately rushed over to greet him with her usual enthusiasm.

"Welcome home!" Mother reached out to hug him. He responded with a side hug, like usual his gaze shifted to me.

"Hello Liasha." His tone distant.

"Hey father." I wanted to feel happy, to feel that connection, but the routine was starting to feel stale. I couldn't remember the last time he'd truly been present when he was home. After a few exchanges about his trip, he disappeared into his study, leaving mother and me in the living room. She looked at me, her face caught somewhere between frustration and disappointment.

"Why didn't you try to look a little happier to see him?" Her voice sharp but quiet.

"I don't know what you expect me to say to the father I hardly know." I shrugged, looking away, feeling that strange pull in my chest, half sadness, half not caring all that much. Mom's mouth opened as if she was about to lecture me, but she stopped herself, her shoulders slumping slightly. It was one of the few times I'd ever seen her look genuinely tired.

"Just... try, okay?" Her voice softer, almost pleading.

"Fine," though I wasn't sure I meant it. I decide to just go get showered and ready for bed.

**45 MINUTES LATER**

I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. I kept thinking back to my mother's pacing, her strange mutterings, and father's distant expression. It was like there was something lurking just out of sight, like we were all pretending things were fine, but no one believed it. My legs are restless, so I ended up getting out of bed and started walking barefoot down the hall, moving as quietly as I could. I didn't even know where I was going, just that I couldn't stay in that room any longer. As I reached the staircase, I could see a faint blue light from father's study, the door was cracked open just enough for me to peek inside. He was standing in-front of his desk, tapping something on his wall. His fingers moving in quick, frantic motions. I was about to turn away, feeling like I was seeing something I shouldn't see, when he suddenly spoke out loud, his voice low and angry.

"No, no she doesn't know. She doesn't need to know either!" Who or what is he talking to? I strained to listen, pressing myself against the wall outside his study. My father's voice dropped so low I could barely make out the words.

"It's happening sooner than we planned... yes, yes, I'll handle it. Just make sure everything's ready on your end."

His fingers were still moving across the wall, I tried squinted so I could see what he was doing.

What the actual flip flap??

The wall has nothing on it! It's just.....books, what is he moving?!? Ughh, this is dumb. I started walking away but then I saw a light blue glow coming from his wall, a symbol. Where did it come from? Suddenly I felt dizzy, Before I could take a step back, father turned around.

"Liasha!" He yelled at me "What are you doing? Go back to bed!" But what was that? 

"What was that light? Is something wr-" I need to know, something is telling me that whatever he was doing isn't good.

"Liasha, go to bed." He stopped me from finishing my sentence. He doesn't want me to see whatever he is doing. 

"NOW LIASHA!!" He walked up to the door and slammed it 'BAM' right in-front of my face. I stood frozen, staring at the door in disbelief. What had he been hiding? And what was that glowing symbol? With my heart pounding, I backed away from the study, returning to my room with a mix of fear and anger. I wanted answers, but I knew pushing for them would only lead to more doors slammed in my face. Tomorrow, I'll find out what's really going on here. But as I lay in bed, sleep was nowhere to be found. A chill settled in the room, making me feel like something far bigger was unfolding just outside my reach.

Something horrible.

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ord count- 1436

Tysm for reading this far, please vote, follow, and leave any advice/recommendations in the comments or my message board❤️

OH AND I'M SORRY FOR NOT POSTING A NEW CHAPTER FOR THIS STORY SOONER. I had to focus on school because I went from a B+ to a C- in math so I wanted to get it back up before doing anything. And I got sidetracked on my story Dance of the Field.