Blood Rose

Chapter Two: The Stranger

The first day after Evian and father left for the war: normal. My mother and I would write, cook, clean, read, and talk to the other ladies in the neighborhood. Everything was right as it should have been.

The second day: normal. We followed our daily routine, however I could see my mother slowly missing father more every hour.

The third day: slightly less normal. I felt like I was being followed when I walked to the church that night, but no one was there as I turned around. Mother was slightly more emotional, but at that point it was nothing to be concerned about.

The fourth day: still a little normal. The feeling of being followed was with me throughout the day, but I still saw no one when I turned around. My mother was no longer cleaning, only cooking, which left me to clean up after her.

The fifth day: definitely not normal. I felt insecure about what I did. I heard and saw things along with the feeling of being followed. As I went to sleep, I could very well have seen someone at the foot of my bed. And as for mother, she barely came out of her room anymore except for meals.

The sixth day: slightly scary. I felt like I could be imagining all of this. Perhaps I was I was so used to having Evian with me that my mind got used to having someone follow me... I barely saw my mother anymore. She wouldn't speak anymore or pretend she was okay. I had to learn how to cook all by myself.

The seventh day: no longer safe. I thought I was going insane. I could have sworn someone was following me all day, even in my own home. I had two minds inside my head, fighting what I knew to be true with a pure suspicion. I was left to fend for myself. I provided for myself and I was always alone(aside from the feeling of being watched and followed). I was sure I was going insane since Evian and father were no longer around to make me feel comforted. That is, until I saw it.