The End

The Visits

This is a school homework task that I'll be graded on. I know it isn't horror but I would really like to broaden the genres of my works. Please give constructive criticism and please comment; it really helps knowing that people actually read this.

I hated this.

Tree after tree rushed past my vision as I stared out of the window of the car, my boots continuously tapping on the worn out carpet. Dad shared a look of pity with me as he grasped my hands. They stopped their constant movement and he let them return onto my lap once more.

"Stop wringing your hands, sweetheart; you're making me feel nervous!"

The terrible attempt at cracking a joke made a painful smile spread across my face.

"Sorry, Pops."

"It's okay. I know you're feeling a little bit edgy. I'll turn on the radio – we need to get rid of this awful aura."

The beat of the music distracted me from my confusing thoughts and I returned to observing the scenery. My eyes were trained to the fields on the side of the motorway. The usual clash of greens, yellows and browns caught my eye as it did during the previous trips. Pushed to the side by the chilling breeze, the grains fought harshly to keep standing tall and proud. Unfortunately, they were losing the battle drastically. Bundles of hay, cocooned by black blankets rolled down the steep harvested slopes, racing to an unknown destination.

Soon I would be able to see the cattle that lived near the wind turbines. As the vehicle passed by, I barely managed to catch the horses donned in warm, plaid jackets being led to the nearby stables and the intelligent sheepdogs directing the frightened sheep to shelter. The thud of small pieces of ice stoning our vulnerable jeep alerted me to the dark clouds increasing in number as they blocked the warm sun. A blanket of grey smothered any colour on the ceiling of the world. Thankfully, the signs notified us that our exit after the run down McDonalds was only a few miles away.

Sure enough, we left the motorway yet the trees still kept us company. It wasn't the good kind; they swung their branches fighting against the harsh winds. However, as much as they grew and reached out their wooden hands, they also couldn't touch their beloved, the sweet sun. I watched them, feeling pity and understanding the constant ache they felt. No matter what, we both would not give up.

"Darling, we're around five minutes away."

"Okay, Dad."

Not long after his announcement, the crunch of gravel could be heard under the tyres. They weren't affected by the change of road; they had travelled this path many times and had adapted to the material. We pulled up outside the large house and parked in the appropriate area. I took a deep breath and escaped the warmth of the metal sanctuary. Along with my father, I rushed to the entrance so I could escape the hits of the hailstones.

We were greeted at the front desk by a woman dressed in a pale blue dress, her hair clasped in a loose ponytail. She looked up as we embraced the heat of the building and she gifted us with a warm smile.

"It is really nice to see you two again. Here's the forms and stickers; just sign in the usual boxes and I'll call Emma to take you up."

Whilst Dad began to fill out the papers, I began to fiddle with my outfit in the large mirror opposite the couch in the office. I wanted to look presentable yet normal but I was beginning to regret my casual attire. I donned myself in a white top, black skinny jeans and my usual green army jacket this morning as I thought it would be appropriate for the lengthy journey. My mid length, light brown hair was falling out of its high ponytail so I began to fix it.

My dad walked up to me and stuck my visitor tag slightly above my heart. He held me close to him and gave me a reassuring smile;

"Liz, you don't have to fuss. She won't judge you. It is just like every other time, okay? Everything will be fine munchkin, don't worry."

"It is just like every other time." Why was I worrying so much? I did this every time. "I'm sorry Dad."

He dismissed my apology and led the way with Emma, who had been waiting near the corridor in a matching blue dress to the receptionist, to the room that she was in. I lagged a few steps behind rehearsing my conversation starters.

'It's as easy as pie, you just enter the room, walk up to her and greet her. The conversation will just flow after that.' I thought as we came closer to one of the sitting rooms. It seems that she wanted to have the company of the other people here. This wasn't very common as she would normally sit in her room for majority of the day.

"She's feeling a little bit down so we decided that if she met the others, her mood might brighten up. She's made a few friends since your last visit but you know how it is..."

Emma awkwardly coughed to conceal her mistake; the workers were taught to not bring it up in conversations as much as possible. She opened the door to the room and walked straight to the person we were visiting.

"Hello, Maura. Look who's come to visit." She turned Maura's chair to face us. "It's Michael and Elizabeth."

Maura cocked her head to the side as she put down her book and studied dad's face. Emma quietly excused herself as Maura turned her attention to me.

"Do I know you?"

I'm almost certain that the sound of my cracked heart shattering once again could be heard by the people in China. I suppose I should have gotten used to it by now but the pain that sentence delivered was too much for me to cope with. In addition to that, I knew that Dad and I weren't the only ones hurt; the hesitation in Maura's eyes as she muttered that question revealed her need to make her mental agony come to a standstill.

"Yes, angel. I'm Michael..." Dad's explanation was drowned out as I tried my best to swallow the rock in my throat. My tear filled eyes explored the room as I attempted to distract myself. The common peach colour scheme extended to this large area too. It was complimented by pale cushioned sofas and wooden rocking chairs that surrounded the secured fireplace. A large piano stood proudly near the bay window. An old man and a boy, who I assumed was his grandson, sat at the bench playing a beautiful melodious tune. Once they had finished, the elderly man looked down at the young boy with pride and love flooding his eyes.

"Darling, talk to Maura. You haven't said a word yet."

Dad soon brought me back to his conversation with Maura as he nudged me forward slightly and gently sat me down on a chair closer to her. She looked at me, confusion showing on her face. I remembered my rehearsal and held out my hand.

"Hello," I said gently, "my name is Elizabeth but you normally call me Lizzy."

She grasped my hand with a laugh and shook it gently.

"Well, hello to you too, Lizzy. I'm afraid I don't know who you are." Tears gleamed in her doe eyes.

It was then that I realised something that had been pushed right to the back of my head: This wasn't about me. I had to be strong for her. I had to be strong for Dad. I needed to stop crying and try to help out. All the running away from the issue and this rotten denial had to end now. I had to face reality and come to terms with what was going on. Dad already had enough on his plate; I was not going to add to it.

She had Dementia. There was not we could do to change that. However, we could do our upmost best to make Maura as comfortable as possible.

The ache in my chest decreased slightly and my tensed shoulders let out a sigh of relief as they moved free from their former tense posture. My feet stopped wearing a hole into the fluffy rug and my muscles rejoiced as they were finally able to take a rest. My head turned to my loving father, who had noticed my change and gleamed whilst nodding encouragingly. I turned once more to Maura and a real smile graced my face for the first time in quite a while. My deep dimples began to show as I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it, mum. We have all the time in the world to help you remember us again."