Blood Secrets

CHAPTER 4

NOW

"No..." I stutter, my lips dry and confusion mixed with fear etched on my face. It's not real, I tell myself. You're dreaming... or hallucinating. This can't be happening. She's dead... Isn't she?

"Well, aren't you going to say hello to your mother?" A malicious grin is planted on her face and her cold eyes stare right through me. She's enjoying this, I know she is. I try to speak say something, what are you doing?! . My subconscious is screaming at me to flee but of course, the chains make it impossible. The cold, lifeless metal scrapes on my wrists. How did I get here? Where is here? How is my mother here? Just thinking about it all is giving me a headache.

I look around the room anxiously, trying to find some sort of answers but my eyes are always drawn to the imposter in front of me. That's what she is, right? An imposter? She must be...

I look away as she chuckles and instantly blush. God, I hadn't realised I'd been staring at her.

"I know there are a lot of unanswered questions... so shoot!" She smiles, indicating for me to start. I think back to pictures of her with my Dad and that same picture-perfect smile she plants on her face. So fake yet so deceivingly genuine.

I quickly snap back to reality, a harsh reality. "..." I clear my throat.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" She reaches for a glass of water. "Here you go. You must be so thirsty". I almost choke on the water amazed and shocked at her nonchalance of the situation. I lean forward for another sip but she pulls away. I swear I see her smirk at my desperation as she turns away to place the glass down.

She looks at me expectantly. "Wh... Where's Uncle Andy?" The amused expression on her face falters only to return with more confidence.

"He.. Is of none of your concern. After all, he is the one who kept you from me, isn't he?" She pouts and tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I enlarge my eyes in alarm and her face mirrors mine. "What? You mean you didn't know?"I shake my head, "Oh, Emma..." She looks at me with... What is that? Pity? I frown and look at her, begging her to explain.

She doesn't. She sighs and stands up. I let out a whimper. God, please don't leave me here alone. She just gives me her award-winning smile and turns to leave. She stops before the door and tells me everything will be OK.

I let a tear drop as she shuts the door, sinking me into a blinding darkness.