Chapter One
Sara was in bed. Like most three year olds. Her small body tucked into her Barbie covers. Long dark hair covered the sheets. Her olive complexion darkened her face. She turned as the voice called her. She often heard the voices. She didn’t used to listen. Lately she was understanding, them more and more. She wasn’t sure what it meant. Maybe mommy was right. She was a big girl now, and big girls got to do lots of things. She sat up, one tiny fist rubbing her eye. Her hand cupped her mouth, parted in a large kitten yawn. Her eyes blinking hard and slipping from the covers as the voice called to her. She let her tiny legs swing out and touch the ground. Her dainty feet snug in ballerina slippers. Her night slip was one of Cinderella and she walked to the voice. She knew that voice.
“Nena, come here…I have to tell you something. “
“I’m coming grammar. “ Sara yawned out as she made her way out of the room. She left it open. And saw her reflection directly in front of her. The small hallway had a hexagon shape and the side of the wall was her alcove to the dining room. She made a right and then another as she stood at the doorway for the kitchen. Sara narrowed her eyes, lifting her hand to let her eyes adjust. The woman standing in a gown she knew she didn’t own was staring at her. It was as if her sickness hadn’t been. She had forgotten Gramma was beautiful. She had been in so much pain, and so thin and hairless. She didn’t recognize her, save for the voice. She looked at her and blinked.
“Abuela? “
“Si Nena. Now pay attention for Abuela okay? I want you to take care of daddy. I want you to look out and listen to your heart. There will be spirits who come to you. Like me, and you will know if they are nice or bad. I want you to listen to your heart. I want you to be careful. You have a long hard road ahead of you mi Amor, and I worry for you. I wish I could be there to protect you. Pero, this is your journey to take. This is your heartbreak to overcome. And we choose our battles. I’ve lost mine, Pero you will have me with you always. “She paused and her heart broke for her grandchild. She couldn’t be there for her, and a part of her knew she would be fine. She hoped she didn’t fail the test she had set for herself. She lifted her chin high, and smiled. “Te queiro mucho Nena. Take care. “She stepped back and blew Sara a kiss. Which Sara lifted her tiny hand and caught smiling. Not understanding all Abuela had told her, but grasping the dire of the situation. She stepped back and yawned again. Her lids growing heavy as she was shaken awake. Her heavy lidded eyes, barely seeing her mother. Weariness taking its toll, the message sent and sleep needed. “I’m tired momma...” Falling fast asleep as her mother lifted her into safe arms.
Clara had woken, to the sound of her daughter speaking. Her sleep had been filled with darkness and eyes watching her. Fear trying to consume her. False safety lurking in every fabric and cell of the room. Fear making her heart rate speed and pulse quicken. She felt something waiting in the darkness. A clawed hand had manifested from the shadows. Reaching out, with blood red nails...No ….blood covered hands came and reached for her. She screamed, and nothing came out. Just when she felt the monster grip her throat, the sound of her baby talking, made her wake. As the last vestiges of sleep drifted to the darkness, scattering laughter and menacing car lights on ceilings, the dream hand misted as if smoke. She was gasping as she awoke her throat tender and rubbing it as she heard voices. Sitting up, gasping and tears fell. Tears she hadn’t know that skirted her lower lashes. She lifted her hand wiping them away. She was being silly, crying over a dream. But it felt real, and the menacing touch she had feared in the dream. Demons seemed to emanate from the shadows watching her, making her clutch her dress tightly to her bosom. She slowly stood, and walked to the sounds of the voices. Her eldest daughter was staying the night at her friend’s house. Saying she needed a break from the tears. Cancer in a home was hard enough. But, to watch a loved one die slowly… painfully was hard on her husband. She worried; it might be harder on the children. She made her way to her youngest child and tilted her head.
