Thicker than Water

Chapter Ten

It's back to normal now!

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Small children's laughter filled the house as they played indoors because of the rain.  The oldest sat with her younger brother and was reading a pop-up book about a elephant rolling down a hill.  The other boy was playing an imagination game with his father Daniel.  One of the girls, Margo, was braiding my hair as I sat in the floor with Maggie playing in my lap.  Marissa sat across from me as she watched her children like a loving mother.  Big Brother sat in a chair next to me as Margo asked questions about the 'world outside the forest' and the people that lived there.

The heavy rain ticked away at the windows giving a soft beat to the ruckus in the house.  It's gentle rhythm keeping me calm and rather happy.  The rain always had a way to soothe me.  And as Maggie played with my hands and giggled about my sudden move to tickle her, I actually felt at peace.

Then, it just fell apart.  I was now outside of the house and heard their screaming.  The house was on fire and I couldn't make a move.  My body was frozen like a statue.  My brother laid unmoving in front of it, his vacant and lifeless eyes staring at me.  Marissa and Daniel were rushing their children out of the house as fast as they could.  They retreated into the cover of the trees.  And yet, I still couldn't move.

I have to be dreaming, I told myself as I finally collapsed to the ground and pulled on my hair.  "Wake up," I screamed over and over again.  When I finally fell to the ground on my belly, I stared across to my brother who lied there still watching me.  It pained my heart and I began to cry as I tried to crawled to him.

When I reached him, Big Brother was definitely gone.  I held him close and screamed.  When my fit was done, I pressed my forehead against his and whispered, "I can't let this happen to you."  I brushed his hair from his face and kissed him lightly on his nose.

"You seen most upset," a voice said above me.  My body filled with rage and I glared up at the demon of my nightmares.  "You see?  I can take the things you love most dearly."  He kneeled and went to grab my brother's throat.  I knocked his hand away and pulled my brother against me.  He stared at us both in shock and amusement.  "You are a foolish girl, not admitting the truth."  He stood and glared down at us.  "You've never once told him what happened to your family.  You're never told him about my intrusions on your dreams.  And you refuse to tell him you truly love him.

"How long do I have to torture you?  How long until you finally break, Miss Sage?  How long until you've finally had enough and try to find me?  I've wandered in your dreams, toyed with your mind.  Yet you have done nothing to try to stop me.  I've waited long enough and I believe it's about time you try.  This whole thing would be worth while if I finally rid myself of your father's curse.  I can finally be free from this damned existence.  Once you're dead, I can be free.  And if I can't kill you physically, I'll kill you mentally.  I will drive you to insanity then you can finish yourself off with suicide."

I glanced down at my brother before standing up and stepping over him.  The monster backed away from me and took out his sword.  "You're just a god damn dream," I shouted before pushing myself into his sword.  He stared at me in horror before pulling it out and backing away from me.  I coughed blood and felt dizzy.  Collapsing to my knees again, I glared up at him.  "I'll be the one ridding myself of you."

★☆★☆

"You look pretty bad," Marissa said as I walked into the kitchen.  The children paid us no mind as they sat at the table chatting up a storm.  Daniel and my brother casted us a strange look.  Marissa left the counter and took my face in her hands, rubbing get thumbs beneath my eyes.  "You look exhausted.  Did you not sleep well in the guest room?"