The Summer Anthology ✔

Story #15- Dancing In The Shadows

Written by user DarkParadise321

I watched as the shadows danced, the world oblivious to their presence. I felt the urge to open my eyes to escape the land of dreams. Except I didn't, for the fear that I'd miss something important, something that would be irrelevant to the ordinary mind. For just a single action can tell the story of a lifetime.

The homeless crept into the alleyway, unmoved by my presence. They darted their eyes back and forth, an unsettling feeling in the air. One of them, a teenage boy, gripped the hand of a blonde haired girl beside him. His lips were moving frantically, a worried expression on his face. She just stared at him, trying to hold back her tears.

Suddenly, a woman crept towards them, her large cat like eyes looking at the girl sympathetically. She laid her hand on the girl's shoulder. Suddenly, they froze, watching as the alleyway began to glow a startling red, blue and white. Police sirens filled the air and the girl took one last look at the woman and boy, before taking off towards the ear piercing sound.

" Miss Pepper?" Edmund's voice called.

I sat up in my bed and looked around my room. The light streamed in through my white lace curtains, blinding me for a quick moment.

"Yes?" I answered, watching as the door to my bedroom opened.

Edmund stood in the doorway, wearing his best suit and grasping a dampened handkerchief. His dark chestnut hair stood rigid in a perfect comb-over, gelled in place. He seemed to be holding back tears, and may I say that he didn't do it very well. He had been our butler ever since I'd been born, but to say the least, he was more like a second father.

"There's been... An accident." he whispered, trying his best to look me in the eye.

"Accident?" I cried, staring at him in disbelief. He approached me slowly, trying to find the courage to speak.

"I received a call this morning from the police. It appears that your parents got into a car accident. I'm sorry to tell you this, but by the time they arrived at the scene, it was too late. Your parents... They're dead."

I sat in my bed, my mouth wide open in disbelief. My lips began to quiver and without warning, tears began to stream down my face.

"No. No, this can't be happening. This is all a joke!" I cried, retracting into a fetal position on my bed. Edmund came over to me and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Pepper, please look at me." he whispered. I peaked my head out and looked at him, breathing heavily. I was in control of my tears, trying to stay strong. They weren't dead, no way.

"Please tell me this is a joke." I wailed, clenching my fist together. He stood there silently for a moment, before looking at me with sadness.

"Miss Pepper. They're not coming back. This is no joke." he said quietly.

My breath came in short ragged gasps and tears dared to fall down my cheeks. I let out a soft wail, not having the strength to take it anymore. Then and there, I let the tears fall. Edmund wrapped his arms around me, trying to console me.

"Shhh... It's going to be alright." he attempted to console me, but I didn't bother to listen. Nothing would be alright. Ever again.

The knock of a door echoed throughout the house, causing me to jolt upright. Edmund hesitantly unwrapped his arms from around me. I stare at him, my lip quivering, shakes taking hold of my body.

"I'll get it." he whispered and slowly made his way to my door. He looked over at me for a moment longer before stepping into the hallway, his footsteps echoing through the empty house.