Plagued

ONE

<Image is what iId imagine her jacket to look like>

Eva

"Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive, through thy bounty through Christ our Lord we pray. Amen."

I rolled my eyes and muttered low amen as we unlatched hands around our small table.

It was a nightly tradition I suppose, we thank the Lord for all our luxuries and the meals we eat...or something like that.

I took a scoop of mashed potato and ate.

"So, Eva..."

"Oh please, not this again."

I thought.

"A place in the church has opened up, the kids need a class helper in Sunday school. It would get you some volunteer hours. I can talk to Father Miles if you're nervous about it."

I shook my head to the question for the hundredth time.

"No thanks."

I said as I scooped up some peas with my spoon.

My mother had rested a hand on my father's, and whispers,

"See? I told you she wouldn't want to."

I felt a little agitated at this point. 

We ate in silence.

"Thank you for the meal. May I be excused?"

My father frowned but said nothing. I took this as my confirmation.

I turned to rinse my plate and place it in the dishwasher before I went up the stairs- and straight to my room. I pulled my phone from my back pocket to check for messages.

Nothing.

I turned the screen off and threw it onto my bed.

I looked around to see my room is messy.

I began to pick up the various articles of clothing scattered on the pink carpet. Shirts, pants, socks, all got thrown into the hamper.

After noticing a few candy wrappers, I picked them up and toss them into my small desk bin.

"That's a little bit better."

Zzzzz

"What was that?"

I turned around and saw my phone buzzing with its screen lit up with a new message displayed.

"Hey Eva, me and Sam are heading to the spooky abandoned building not far from home, want to join?"

I considered Michael's offer; looking out the window it wasn't too dark- since the days were longer in the summer. But I didn't think Mom and Dad would be too impressed with this idea... 

"Maybe I can tell him I'm just going to hang out with my friends and not where I'm going? Besides, curfew isn't until four hours from now, plenty of time to go, explore, and come back in time." 

I took my phone, and left a response.

"Sure, on my way. Meet me at the tree"

I grabbed my light pink bomber jacket, a hat, and my phone. I threw on my white converse shoes and went down the stairs.

"Hey Mom, can I go hang out with Michael and Samantha?"

She turned around from dusting the mantle to face me,

"Yes, you can go. Just be home before curfew."

I smile to myself.

"Yes ma'am, thank you!"

I ran out the door into the warm, humid air of early September.

I took a deep breath and began to walk along the pavement towards my destination.

Our meeting place was generally a big, old, oak tree far down the road from my house. We've been meeting here for years and was something important to me. Sometimes, on a nice day, I'd bring my supplies and do some painting by the tree, in the relaxing shade from the sun.

Sometimes, though, we'd meet at our final destination depending on how far it is from my home.

I lived far from my friends' houses, so they usually drive to the tree and pick me up there.

As I saw the tree far in the distance, I took note that the sun is setting behind it, the sky had a beautiful orange and pink hue; the clouds look like cotton candy.

It smelt like rain.

"Hopefully, the sky doesn't pour until after I'm back home, I don't feel like getting my favourite jacket soaked."

I had never been to the abandoned mansion in the woods; sure, I'd heard a lot about it, but that was it.

Just the regular speel I suppose, everyone thinks its haunted, but I for one, didn't believe in ghosts or spirits. Even so, it's always fun to see the everyone all jumpy while walking through an old house.

I guess, with age, I just grew out of all those superstitions.

My parents thought I'd believe whatever they tell me. Which is why I refused to go to the church anymore. Sure, I respect the religion and I believe that everyone has the right to think what they want if it doesn't harm anyone. But, I didn't believe in god. I haven't told my parents though, mainly because they'd have my head on a stake thinking that Satan corrupted my mind or something, or that I've 'lost my way'. Which would have resulted in more church time, something I didn't enjoy in the slightest. Truth is, I really needed those volunteer hours mentioned earlier for school, but I would rather I swallow a dirty sock than come close to helping in Sunday School.

It just really ticked me off is all.

Oh well, not much I could do about it I guess.

As I finally approached the tree I laid my hand on its trunk. Feeling the groove of the bark; Something I had done every time I went there.

I placed my back against the tree and slid down to a squat, and sat down.

Looking out, the clouds seemed to be darker than before, I couldn't tell if it was because of the coming rain, or just because of the time.

Either way, I hoped that my friends would get there soon.