It was eight years ago, I remembered.
The cold wind frolicked the grass and stirred up the leaves. The only sound was the patter of rain dropping like pebbles on the roof. I must've woken up by a nightmare.
Then there was a sudden flash of light. For a moment I was confounded and blinded. It seemed something big and heavy was rolling and tearing the sky open. Thunders roared and lightnings gleamed on the horizon.
Shadows crept on the walls and my mind started to imagine things. "Psssst," a faint voice called out. I turned my head around but only two black buttons-for-an-eye stared back at me. No one was there aside from Melia, my doll. "Pssst," it called out again.
"Who's there?" I asked, my voice quavery. But no one answered. I slid my feet off the bed and and put on my slippers. I picked up Melia and opened the door. The hallway was dark and only the faint light from the lamppost outside illuminated it.
The wooden floor creaked at my first step. "Pssst," it called out again and I froze. I turned towards the curtains. Another lightning striked and it revealed a silhouette of a person.
"I know you're hiding there. Come out," I said and gripped Melia close to me.
Suddenly, a hand clamped on my mouth. I tried to scream but the only thing that I could think of at that time was the smell of earth on his hand. It was warm and small. Kev.
"Owww!" the boy said. I backed away. The boy with lemon-colored hair nestled his bitten hand. I could see my teeth marks on the skin of his hand. He looked at me with piercing glares that could put holes straight through my bone. And in return, I pressed his forehead with my pointing finger.
"Your hand is disgusting," I said, spitting in the air.
"There's drool on my hand, ew. I could get get diseases. Have you brushed your teeth?" he said while wiping it on his pajamas before putting it in front of his nose.
"Gosh! Did you ate poop for dinner?" he added.
I rolled my eyes and stroked Melia's hair. "You're so annoying," I said.
"I will not be surprised if tomorrow I've caught the rabies," he said.
"What were you doing? Do you know that it's way past bedtime? Huh! Mom should--," I said and his other hand flew to cover my mouth again.
I slapped away his filthy hand and said, "Yuck! Spare me your hand."
"Shhh! Just follow me. And don't talk," he said quietly. I glanced at the curtains again but Kev tugged at my hand before I could check on it.
I followed him downstairs and we went to the kitchen. There, in an old wooden table, sat a glittering white rock. Kev likes to collect different types of rocks. He has this fascination for solid mineral matters. He's gone mad but he wouldn't admit it though.
"I've never seen anything like it! Isn't it something?" he said while lifting it between his thumb and pointing finger. He placed it against the light and I could see tiny crystals near the edges. "Where did you found it?" I asked and crossed my arms.
"I found it when I was passing by the stables, buried in some kind of hay," he said.
"What kind of rock is that?" I asked.
"I don't know but I'll ask Mr. Simson tomorrow. I bet he knows what's this," he said.
"That's quite a rock you've got, the best one in your collection so far," I said.
"Oh yeah, I remembered. I left my magnifying glass on dad's table. Could you please get it for me," he said.
I left him, still in awe with his discovery. Typical Kev, bossy as ever even though I'm two years older than him. I climbed the stairs and walked towards dad's office. Melia was tucked under my arm.
When I passed by the library, I heard a crash. There was a commotion inside. I stopped in my tracks and approached the door. I tried to open it but it was locked so I put my ear on it.
"I was only trying to be the better father. I want what's best for my children. This is the only way," father spoke.
"Why do you make all this decision without me knowing it. Do you think I would be so stupid to not know it!" my mother said.
"It was for their best. There's a lot of opportunities there than here. Look at the bright side," said my father.
"What are you thinking? You should've consulted me first about this," she said.
"I thought you'd understand that this was for the better. They can go to a better school there. Everything will be fine," he said.
"They're too young, Henry. I want to be with their side. I'm their mother and I will not let this happen!" she said her voice shaking.
"My decision is final. They will go whether they like it or not. My sister, Margaret, will arrive next week to take them," he said. His voice stern.
"You're taking my children away from me. How could you!" mom said hysterically.
There was a loud bang on the table and I flinched.
"They're my children, too! Don't you dare speak up to me like that," my father fired back.
"She is not your child, Henry!" she quickly added. Then there was a long pause. "And you know that," she added.
I dropped Melia.
There was a time when I climbed an old fig tree in the yard. One wrong footing and my foot slipped. I fell six feet to the ground, landing on my back. It was as if the impact had knocked every wisp of air from my lungs, and I lay there struggling to inhale, to exhale, and to do anything. That's how I felt, trying to remember how to breathe, unable to speak, totally stunned as the truth bounced inside my head.
Now this night would haunt me for as long as I live.
And right there infront of the old mahogany double doors, I knew I wasn't whom I used to be...
