The Killing Hour

Chapter One ~ January 1st, 2013

Mabis woke up that morning just as she did every other morning. Her fan a few feet from her bed continued to blow on her half clothed body, which caused a chill to roll down her spine and a shiver to escape her throat. As she wrapped her arms around her body to protect from the blowing breeze, she stood from her bed and looked around her room. Nothing seemed to be off, or changed at all. The messy painting of her parents she did months before was still slanted on the wall her bed was pressed against. Their slanted grins made her feel uneasy when she first got used to it on the wall, but now it brought her a sort of comfort she had never felt before. 

With an even breath in, she waddled her way toward her bedroom door and pulled it open, letting it screech as the old wood moved. She hoped, just as every morning, that it didn't wake any of her family; especially her brother who was just a door down from her bedroom. When the coast was clear, she proceeded to go into the bathroom and stare at her own pale face, which resembled the light creamy peach colored paint that she used for the portrait of her parents. In the sun, however, she was had a glow as white as snow did in the winter time. It suited her, considering she was always cold to the touch, as an ice cube would be. 

She walked out of the bathroom after she finished staring at her face. Morning after morning, she always wished that she wouldn't have to deal with the amount of acne she had on her forehead. It would be red and bumpy every time she got close to her time of the month, which frustrated her because so many other girls didn't have to deal with it like she did. They always had fare skin, and looked as delicate and beautiful as a doll. But then there was Mabis, the complete opposite. She had acne, crystal blue eyes while everyone around her had a hazel brown. Her dad had the blue eye mutation when he was born, and her mom had the offspring of that said mutation: green. Steven had more of the green eyes, while Mabis held the blue. Sometimes she just wished that she could look normal, at least for once. 'Just like the other girls', she'd whisper to herself when she stared into the mirror at her reflection. She was unfortunately not the definition of beautiful, as said by the girls that walk by her in the school's hallways. It had only gotten to her when she turned fourteen, when she began her first year in High School.

Mabis rubbed her eyes hard with the back of her hands as she walked her way toward her brother's room, whose walls were painted a light yellow to resemble happiness. That's what he always said, 'Happiness is worth being reminded of every morning.' And every morning, Mabis would smile because every morning, he would say that to her, even when he would be still half asleep. Sometimes she wished she too had that innocence still, but High School took a toll on her, and it was hard to stay in that mindset when people tear you down. 

When she walked in, she walked up to his bed and knelt by the side of it and brought her right hand toward his head. Though he was fast asleep, she worried he wouldn't wake up, so she would be as delicate with him as she could. With a gentle movement, she ran the tip of her fingers through his feather-like hair, feeling each strand part a path for her finger tips as she moved them down his scalp. Though she was touching him, he didn't even stir, and she didn't mind because what she did next was what got him to open his eyes. 

"Hey buhbuh, it's time to wake up," she brought her lips to the top of his head and gently pressed them against it before pulling them away, as well as her hand. He twisted around under his comforter and groaned tiredly before he stretched and glanced toward Mabis. 

"Morning already?" He whimpered before a large yawn found its escape through his mouth. 

"Yep, and mom wants us to get some of our chores done because we have some business men coming by tomorrow. They want to talk to the family, so we have to dress for them too I think." Mabis sighed quietly as she flicked on the light switch. "Whoops, sorry for the surprise, buhbuh," she apologized when Steven groaned and threw his blanket over his head. "Don't take too long, though. I let you sleep in an extra twenty minutes." He nodded in response, too tired for real words.

Mabis made her way back to the door, but before she could get through the doorway, Steven spoke the same line he did every morning: "Happiness is worth being reminded of every morning, sis. Don't forget to look at happiness." She nodded with a faint smile on her lips, though her brother couldn't see it as he was still under the covers. 

"Thanks buhbuh, I love you," she whispered as she glanced back at him. 

"I love you too, M." 

And with that, Mabis smiled a little wider and walked out of the room to put on a pair of baggy sweats and a tank top. She didn't need to dress for any occasion today, as she was going to be scrubbing the floors of the entire house, and walls for that matter as well. With a swift movement, she pulled all of her hair into an elastic and put it into a bun, letting few strands escape from the strong hold. 

Now it was time for work.