Shadows

Introduction

"Alex lets get to the party before we are late!" I screamed up the stairs at my older brother. Taking his precious time as always. Wearing a Lana Del Rey crop, a fringe kimono, high waisted shorts, and combat boots with cute socks, I look in the mirror at my outfit one more time before deciding to not change. Finally, Alex comes downstairs trying to quiff his hair. "Here let me help you, you idiot," I say chuckling a bit. I fix his hair for him and he looks at me and says sarcastically, "Oh Hun, I can't believe it! You always know how to doll me up." I roll my eyes while turning around to go talk to our mom before we leave. "Honey, please drive save and be cautious, you know how people are on the road" ; "Yes mom I know.." ; "Okay just making sure bye, oh, and go say goodbye to your father." ; "Will do." I walk up to my dad while he's watching baseball trying not to disturb him. "Bye dad, love you," I say quickly while kissing his cheek. "Uh huh. have fun." ; "Thanks." Alex and I sped walked to the car before our parents changed their minds about the party. "Let's get rockin' and rollin' Mandi" ; "You got it bro!" I say speeding onto the highway towards Los Angeles.
- 3 hours later -
Driving up to the house, I know immediately that there is something wrong. Alex and I exchange quick glances before cautiously getting out of the car. We start walking up the drive to see that our front door is wide open. "I'm going in first and I'll motion to you when it's clear," he whispers to me. "Okay." As he heads inside, I see something dart into the shadowed trees to the side of the house. So, instinctively, I run into the "safety" of our house and run into my brother. "Jesus Christ Mandi. You scared the living shit out of me," he scream whispers. "I'm sorry! Something was outside and I was not going to stay out there." ; "Okay, well, the coast is clear. Just got try to find mom and I'll try to find dad." ; "Alrighty." I slowly approach the top of the stairs when I hear a rustling noise from my parents bedroom. I run in and see my mom laying naked and bloody on the floor. "OH MY GOD MOM," I scream at the top of my lungs. I rush to her side to see where the source of the bleeding is and to also cover her shivering body. "I'm okay, just a cut on my head," she explains trying to calm me down. It's not a small cut though, it looks like she hit her head on something. Alex obviously heard me scream and rushed up the stairs and into the room. "Mom! What happened?!" ; "Your father...."