My secret neighbour

Chapter one - the storm

I laid on my back across my bed with my arms wrapped around a pillow as I held it to my chest.

The storm started at 7:37pm. It's now 9:00pm. I hate storms so much. The sound of thunder echoes through the valley. Bright flashes of lightning light up the sky as if it were day time but only for a split second. Once the dark returns I feel as if I've forgotten what daylight looks like. The sound of rain hammering against my bedroom windows and my ceiling are driving me mad.

I move my the pillow from my chest to my head and attempted to cover my ears. I can just about see the warm glow of my light until suddenly it switches of and I'm laying in complete darkness.

I sigh to myself but at the same time I'm grateful that now I can no longer hear the storm only the sound of my beating heart.

I scream and sit bolt up right as I feel something grab my foot. Before me stands my older brother laughing hilariously.

"Riley what the hell?" I shouted once I'd stopped screaming.

"Powers gone and dinners ready" he laughed before heading back out of my room just leaving my door wide open.

"Wait Riley, does that mean that dads home?" I asked leaning forward on my bed in an attempt to see him.

"Well duh, why do you think we're having dinner so late?, I thought you were supposed to be the clever one mad!" My brother shouted as he ran back down the stares.

I just rolled my eyes at his comment and swung my feet over the edge of the bed. My feet touched my wooden floor. Even though I had sox on I could still feel the cold floor through them.

I walked out of my room and headed downstairs. The stares creaked as I made my way down to the ground floor.

The second my feet hit the bottom step I could already hear my siblings arguing. I have three brothers and a sister... There was always an argument going on. Partly because the house we lived in wasn't massive meaning we were all living under each others feet. I felt like I was constantly in the was of someone. There's hardly any space to move.

"Riley!, did you tell Madison!" I heard my mother shout from the kitchen.

"Yeah!" I heard Riley shout back from the dining room as if he was being accused of not doing it.

"Well then sit down and shut up!" My mother shouted and my other siblings laughed at Riley," ALL OF YOU NOW!!!" My mother shouted at the top of her voice as I walked into the dining room which was attached to the kitchen. I flinched at her tone of voice and quick sat at the table which was lit with candles.

Riley sat opposite me with a board expression on his face. My father walked in and sat at the head of the table followed by my two other brothers and my sister. Everyone sat down at the table waiting for mother to bring dinner in.

No one spoke a word until mother walked in and placed the food on the table." Bon appetit" my mother smiled at us all. Getting confused and nerves looks from us all as we were all scared to be the first one because she'd shouted at us only moments ago.

My father lent forward and started to fill his plate. Mother sat in her chair at the opposite end to father. Everyone started to dig in to the food as we believe mother was now calm.

"Marry love, this is a beautiful meal thank you" my father complimented his wife.

"Thank you dear, I just hope the power comes back soon or we might have to have an indoors bbq tomorrow." My mother sighed

"Yesss, please can we have an indoor bbq?" My little brother Toby begged.

"I don't think so" my mother laughed before ruffling his hair.