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chapter 2 -Harriet Myers

At exactly 12pm there was an abrupt 3 knocks at the door.
"I'll get it!" Brian shouts as he runs for the front door.
I hear it swing open and there before us stood Harriet Myers carrying a small leather suitcase. She steps in quietly, her face lost in her long, ashy black hair.
"Oh Harriet you are here!"
In a blur of movement, Mum donning an apron and gloves flew over to Harriet, sweeping her into a big hug.
"Nice to meet you Mrs Woods" Harriet beamed up at my mother exposing her unusual face.

Her large, ash grey eyes were sunken, cheekbones prominent and deeply shadowed against her pale complexion.
I saw a look of surprise in my mother's expression, that quickly changed to a warm smile.
"Oh dear, I accidentally put some flour on your black dress, i'll get you a napkin."
And with that, she flew back into the kitchen leaving me with Harriet.
"Um hey, I'm Tasmin" I awkwardly introduce myself, telling her I'll take her bags to our room.
"I'm sharing a room with you?" Harriet asks with distaste, leaving me even more uncomfortable.
"we don't have a spare bedroom sorry" I meekly reply.
Mum marches in holding a batch of cookies.
"Here girls they are chocolate chip. Tasmin, I hope you are making Harriet feel right at home" she eyes me as she passes Harriet a cookie and a napkin.
"Yeah sure Mum, I'm just about to show Harriet our room."
I grab Harriet's suitcase that feels strangely light. Isn't she staying here a month?
Harriet follows close behind me as I make my way to my room.
"Here's where you are sleeping" I dump her suitcase down on the single bed on the other side of the room, far away from my bed.
"Nice room" Harriet remarks, carefully sitting next to her suitcase. She glances out the window to the lake.

"So where are you from?" I ask curiously.
"Queenstown." She simply replied.
I smile awkwardly
"Oh so you are familiar with lakes then. I've lived at rotoiti all my life."
"You don't look the type." Harriet stiffly remarked, never taking her eyes off the lake.
I narrow my eyes.
"Excuse me?"
She turns to face me, hair shielding her expression. 
"You with the long sandy hair and sea green eyes. You belong at the beach."
Baffled by her reply, I just agreed.
"Yeah I guess I would take a beach over a lake."
Harriet just smirked, tucking a lock of black hair behind her ear,
"School tomorrow right? I look forward to it." She grinned widely.
And with that, she promptly got up and left the room; Leaving me unsettled with whatever she was hiding behind that unnerving smile.
..................................................................
Dad came back late tonight, eyes hooded and voice slurring as he stumbles through the door.
"Tazzzzy coul-d youuu bring me some *hiccup* water?"
I can't look Harriet in the eye as she sits wide eyed, clearly horrified at my father.
Dad slumping against the cabinet, suddenly notices her sitting on the couch, pointing at her with his empty beer can.
"Who's ya friend tazzy?
"let's get you bed dad" grab his arm, steering him towards the hall.
Dad trips on the mat, while waving me off.
"Yep yep bed."
Throwing up in the pot plant, he stumbles around then shakily slams the door in his room.
"Dad?"
Brian had woken up to dad's ruckus.
"Shush Brian, dad's asleep, go back to bed."

He hates seeing dad like that. So do I.
I had forgotten Harriet was in the room with me too until she quietly spoke up.
"Maybe it's time we went to bed as well."
I lower my head, trying to hide my shame as we trail up the staircase, avoiding the elephant in the room.
........................................................
I wake up sharply to soft breath on on the back of my neck and the sound of claws clicking on the wooden floor. I whimper as I turn my head to see a pair of silver eyes and a black lipped grin with a long, forked tongue only inches from my face. It's cold eyes bore into my own,resembling something inhuman....or dead. A single drop of saliva lands on my face, it's mouth is open wide. I started screaming and thrashing, it's hot breath and slimy tongue stung my cheeks. Squeezing my eyes shut, I hear a familiar voice shout my name.
"Tasmin. Tasmin WAKE UP"
I open my eyes, chest heaving and face wet with tears. Harriet hovers over me, a concerned expression on her face.
"Are you ok Tazmin? You were having a nightmare or something. Should I get your Mum?"
I sit up, still shaking as reality sinks in.
Grabbing a tissue usually reserved for my bleeding fingers, I dab at my face. My voice wavering as I speak
"No no I'm fine Harriet, honestly. I just haven't slept in a long time."
Harriet cocks her head on one side and frowns.
"You don't really seem ok. But I'll be right here if you need me."
I nod, rolling over, clutching my pillow as I try to fall asleep.