Tainted

prologue

Prologue

I was in my room, my chest resting on my bed while my small legs were up in the air cuddling each other. I sketch things in my notebook, ignoring the world around me as I found myself drawing an outline of my mother and father with colorful crayons. I heard noises but choose to ignore them. The Spongebob on tv caught my attention, Patrick was my favorite. Butterflies and unicorns were the only thing that echoed through his mind. I wish life was like that. Concern and with no worries.

The noises grew louder, I felt my heart bumping harder but still didn't bother myself to worry, it was just my parents arguing again. I tried countless times to stop them but who am I to do anything? I was just a six years old little girl, staying in her room and drawing in her notebook.

The noises stopped, just like my wrist that was working on a paper. My breathing slows down, trying so hard not to make any sound in case I hear something. A couple of seconds passed and the silence was still there. Furrowing my eyebrows, I stood up from the bed and tip toed towards the door, opening them softly. Cringing at the sound of doors cracking, I mentally slapped my forehead, I walked gently down the hallway and still heard nothing.

''Mom?'' my voice came out as a nervous murmur. I continued walking to the kitchen, seeing no one but my parrot Pelly in its cage moving around. ''Dad?!'' I said a little louder, earning a shriek from Pelly. Shut up Pelly! I though as I glared at him.

All of sudden, a pair of hands wrapped around my mouth, causing me to scream but it came like a screech. The person turned me around and once it did, a relief passed through my body when I saw it was just my mom. She removed her hand only to put her point finger against her lips, indicating me to be quiet, I nodded.

She took my arm and started walking to the door that leaded in basement. Once we were in, she locked the doors and we headed down the stairs, our movements not changing. We stopped before she kneeled in front of me and took my hands in hers.

She shook her head, her eyes sad ''I'm so sorry, honey.'' She whispered, afraid if she spoke any louder she will crack. ''This wasn't supposed to happen.'' Biting her upper lip, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

I was beyond confused right now, what is she talking about? ''What are you talking about, mom? Where's dad?'' I furrowed my eyebrows, suddenly feeling very insecure.

''He's-'' She was interrupted by Pelly's shreak.

''Danger,'' shreak ''Danger.''

She gasped and stood up on her legs, once again grabbing my arm and pacing away. Danger? What is that supposed to mean? As far as I'm concerned, the only thing Pelly knew to say was its own name. My thoughs were cutted when we stopped walking again, we were by the window that leaded outside. My mom opened it warily, making sure not to make any noises, once she did, she kneeled again, taking both of my cheeks in her hands this time.

''I need you to listen to me carefully baby, okay?'' She said quietly and I nodded ''When I pick you up to climb on the window, I need you to run to the bus station, you know where that is?'' I though for a moment to remember the way to the station, when it clicked in my head I nodded again ''When you reach the station, you will see a grey van waiting for you outside, the van just like dad used to have, can you remember honey?''

''Yes, mom.'' I mumbled nervously, my stomach churned unpleasantly. Just the though of going outside alone right now makes me scared to death.

''Good, you will go in that car, the aunt Lily and cousin Peter are waiting for you inside. Can you do me one more favour, baby?'' She asked as she breathed heavily. I couldn't do anything but nod.

''You have to promise me to be careful and not to turn around no matter what you hear or happens.'' I felt her thumbs stroking my cheeks that were becoming salted from a tears that were streaming down my face.

I sniffed ''What about you? What about daddy?

She sighed and pressed her wounded lips against my forehead, she was breathing steady against it, making me wonder what's going on even more.

''Promise me.''

It took me a couple of seconds to collect my thoughts before I gave up and do what I've done past twenty minutes. ''I promise.'' I whispered.

She sighed one more time and smiled weakly at me, I returned with same, fake gesture. ''I promise to explain everything when we get home.'' She gave me her word.

Picking me up around my armpit, she managed to sit me on the window. The loud noises were coming closer and closer, I'm sure Pelly was no longer around anymore. Before I decided to leave and run for my life, I looked at my mom one -hopefully not- last time.

''I-I love you, mom.'' My voice cracked, meaning these words more than ever. ''And tell daddy that I love him, too.'' I smiled sheepishly.

She bite her bottom lip and nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as her eyes watered ''We love you too baby, more than you could ever imagine, never forget that.'' She replied back, her voice strong yet soft. ''Go.''

I nodded and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the time of my life, not really. I said a goodbye to my mom once again before I disappeared in the woods. I mentally thanked God I at least had a pair of slippers on so I didn't have to walk bare feet, I was still in my pajamas though.

Tears were streaming down more than ever, I was scared for mine and my parent's life. I was very careful not to be noticed by anyone, constantly looking around me every second. Just like out of the blue, the sound of guns and shooting echoed through the whole street making me scream and turn to look around immediately.

I was sobbing incessantly now, the blood in my veins stopped and I'm sure I stopped breathing for a few seconds. I put a hand on my mouth to stop me from screaming my brains out, I took a few steps forward, ready to head back to my parents until I remembered my mother's voice.

''You have to promise me to be careful and not to turn around no matter what you hear or happens.''

I gave her my word, and I wasn't in state to betray her, not now. I was miserable.

I shook my head and closed my eyes as I turned around and ran like there was a wolf trying to catch me.

Since that night, I've never seen my parents ever again.

And the day today, I still don't know why.