𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥 , supernatural

[54] two sides to every story

CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR:
TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY
———

NINE YEARS AGO
ALISON; age five
Her dreams were warm and welcoming tonight, as they always were after her mom would tuck her in bed tightly. Kiss her forehead, read her Alice in Wonderland, and then leave her to sleep peacefully, although that slumber didn't last very long. It felt as if only minutes had past, when in reality it must've been hours, as Alison started to stir awake due to strange noises coming throughout the house.

Alison groaned as she felt herself growing conscious, sitting up she rubbed her eyes tiredly. Staring at her door, as she saw a set of footsteps pass by quickly. They sounded in a rush and moved swiftly, Alison called out, "Mommy?"

No reply.

Groaning once again, Alison pushed off her blankets and put on her bunny slippers to keep her feet warm. She stretched her arms out over her head, rubbing her eyes even more as she slowly stood up from the bed. With her eyes still half closed, Alison tiredly approached her bedroom door, reaching up to grab the handle—that's when a loud bang was heard.

Alison jumped in place, her body tensing up instantly as her heart seemed to stop beating. Both of her hands moved to hold her pink stuffed bunny that she kept in her grip, squeezing it against her chest as if to start up her heart. It didn't sound like something fell, it was louder, and scarier. Alison thinks maybe she heard it in a movie once, one of the ones Reese would let her watch but only with her.

"Mommy?" Alison called out once again, although her voice was much quieter this time, just above a whisper as she also called out, "Daddy?"

She didn't know when she started to shake, but it seemed as if she couldn't even think to move. Her feet frozen in place, staring at the closed door as if waiting for her mom or dad to come through. She wasn't even sure there was a reason to be so scared, but something just didn't feel right. Even little five year old Alison knew that.

"Reese?" Alison whispered, calling out for her big sister in such a small voice that it was impossible for anyone to hear it. But she was almost too scared for someone to hear it, as if she didn't want the wrong person to.

Suddenly, the door was open, nearly knocking Alison off her feet as she jumped backwards. A tall figure stood in front of her now, quickly closing the door behind them. Alison went to scream, unable to see much in the darkness of her room. But as she opened her mouth, a hand quickly covered it as they were now bent down to her level.

With her little night light plugged into the wall, she was able to see just enough of their face. That's how she was able to see her dad's face, his eyes glossy but cheeks dry of tears, his hands a little shaky against her face. Her dad whispered to her, "Shh, baby, it's okay. It's just me."

Alison nodded her head, and he pulled his hand away from her mouth. The second he released her, she clung to him, wrapping her arms around him because it's where she felt the safest. It's where she knew nothing could touch her.

"What's going on, daddy?" Alison questioned, her voice cracking. Unsure if she even wanted to know the answer, but even if she did—he wouldn't tell her. Not really.

Her dad grabbed her tiny shoulders, gently prying her off of him, even thought she could tell he didn't want to. Based on how tight his hands were, she knew he didn't want to let her go. She wanted to reach for him again, but she was worried she shouldn't.