The chilling breeze seemed to carry whispers that scattered my thoughts to the darkest parts of my mind. I took a deep breath attempting to process the events that were soon to follow.
I still held the letter firm in my hands as I looked it over again and again in hopes maybe I had misread. Though that was sadly not the case. The clean white paper was littered with blood red lettering in the most precise penmanship. It was almost beautiful if you could over look the way it had sealed my fait.
'This is it' I thought to myself. I may only have a few hours left before they would arrive to take me away. I looked up at the moon with a small fragment of hope that maybe it was all a dream, a horrible dream. That maybe I would wake up soon in the arms of the love of my life and I would know our little girl was sleeping peacefully in her room across the hall.
Just as all my other hopes this was false as well. I looked back to the letter and let out a heavy sigh. I started my careful walk back to the house. The sun would be rising soon but that brought me no peace of mind. They didn't like the day light but I knew all too well that even that wouldn't stop them.
I opened the front door with care so not to make a noise. I started quietly gathering my things. I took a small framed photo from the coffee table beside the recliner.
A small sad smile made its way to my face as I looked at the photo. He always had the most beautiful smile and such warm eyes. His dark brown curls framed his face perfectly and he wore a winning smile as I hugged tightly to his side. We were both so young then. I still was heavily pregnant with Alice at the time. Such a beautiful happy family. Or so it seemed.
I climbed the stairs with tears in my eyes and dread in my stomach. I knew that no matter what they put me through next that no amount of torture would equal up to the pain of leaving my loved ones.
I opened the door to my little Alice's room. The walls were a light yellow color that matched her bedding. I remember her father complaining that it was such an odd color but the way she lit up when it was finished made his heart melt. He'd do right by her I knew that as much.
I brushed a few stray curls from her sleepy face and kissed her forehead. I whispered I quiet 'I love you' and tried to hold it together. I finally managed the strength to get up and make my way out of the room. I didn't look back, I knew I couldn't. I closed the door without a sound and hesitated before the door of the room I once shared with the man I love.
I could hear his soft snores from the outside and I couldn't help but feel a smile play at my lips as the tears threatened to spill over. This was my home, a place I never wanted to have to run from. They are my family, people I never wanted to leave.
I placed my hand on the door of our room and felt a single tear betray me and trail down my cheek. I turned away quickly and went back down stairs. I took a final look at my home and closed my eyes. I inhaled the sent and felt the memories in the very foundation.
With a heavy heart I opened the front door and started on my way without a single glance back. I made my way over to the lamp post where the letter was found and waited there. I felt the heartache rack through my body as I shook. I hugged tightly to my waist trying to hold myself together.
All at once my body froze. The icy feeling of being watched sent shivers down my spine. I knew it was time. I glanced around and was quickly met with a pair of ruby red eyes peering out from the treeline. I nodded and watched as three tall, pale, skeleton thin figures appeared.
"Ms. Lotus?" One spoke out in such a faint voice that made you question if he had really said anything at all.
"Amanda." I corrected in a clipped tone. They gave one another and questioning glace before turning back to me and each bowing their head in respect.
"Follow us." They whispered in unison as we moved forward into the darkness. I watched as the ground parted and the rusted, burning gates of hell rose up from the ground. The gates opened as I stepped foreword. The figures turned back to me and each had a sickeningly wicked grin.
"Your father has been waiting."
