Like a Moth on Flames

It all happened so quickly

After a very long day of having to deal with my annoying professors’ assignments and the various lectures at university, I’m finally heading back home. God, there’s nothing better than coming home, knowing that your mom cooked your favourite meal for you. I hum a melody along the way, excited to eat and rest. Yes, I am lazy, but who cares? I work hard early so I can be lazy late in the day. I open the door to my parents’ house, saying in a sing-songy voice.
“Mom, dad, I’m home!”
I take off my jacket and hang it on the coat rack, taking off my shoes. I almost stumble forward from tiredness. I peak through the half-opened kitchen door to find no one. I walk towards the living room, also empty. Where are my parents? I roll my eyes and sigh, not being able to hold back from smiling.
“Okay, I get it. I scared you both last time, and now you want to get back at me. But I won’t fall for it!” I say with a quiet snicker, tiptoeing my way to the bathroom where I think they’re hiding. I suddenly open the door, expecting to find them there, but there’s no one. Only pure silence.
“...Mom? Dad? This isn’t funny anymore..” I glance around nervously. Something doesn’t feel right. If my parents left the house, they would’ve texted or called me or even left me a note. But this? This is too weird. I do a round across the first floor again, just to make sure I didn’t miss a hint that might lead me to their hiding place, but there’s nothing. I stop at the beginning of the staircase, looking up at the second floor. Maybe they’re asleep? But they would’ve heard me. It doesn’t make sense that they’re still asleep after hearing my loud voice. I take a deep breath and step on the staircase. Suddenly, I feel strong arms grabbing me from behind and holding me in a tight grip as a hand covers my mouth. I struggle against the grip, trying to free myself. A laugh echoes in the room, followed by a whisper.
“You shouldn’t have come home today, baby.”
My eyes widen. I know this voice. I could recognise it anywhere if I heard it. I try to stay calm, but who can really stay calm in such a situation.. I bite his hand, causing him to flinch and let go of me as he screams of pain. I take the chance and hurry upstairs to my parents’ room, locking the door behind me. My heart is beating fast, and my eyes are closed shut. Am I safe? What just happened?? More importantly, what is my crazy ex doing at my house?!
I panic, trying to think of a way to get out of this situation. He’s always been a crazy, abusive man. I can’t believe he’s out of jail so fast. I push myself off the door I am leaning on, letting out a breath to calm myself down. I finally open my eyes, only for them to land on my parents as they lay down on the bed. Unmoving. My hand shakes as I slowly reach out to my father’s shoulder, swallowing to keep my overthinking from getting the best of me.
“...Dad? Are you-“ My hand freezes in its place before it reaches its destination. Blood drips down onto the wooden floor from the blood-soaked bedsheets. My eyes widen in fear. This can’t be real. It simply can’t. I fall to my knees, my trembling hands covering my mouth as I stare at my parents’ dead bodies with pure horror.
“Dad..Mom..” I whisper, my breath coming in short gasps as tears fill my eyes, making my vision blurry. A loud bang on the door makes me gasp and reminds me of the situation I’m in. I quickly back away from the door, scrambling to find a phone to call 911.
“Open the fucking door, Essara. I know you’re in there.”
The bangs get louder and louder. The door seems like it’s about to break at any moment. I finally find the phone under the bed, but before I can celebrate it, the door is already down with a loud thud. And there he stands, with a twisted smile splattered on his lips as he stares at me with his uncanny black eyes.
“You really thought you’d run away, huh?”