Finding Minnie (A Two-Bit Love Story)

Light

Light.

It was just a dream. It was just a-

I opened my eyes, and for a moment I was completely shocked, even though I shouldn't have been.

My bedroom. The light blue walls greeted me warmly, and the sunlight streamed through the window as it would in a painting. I could smell bacon frying downstairs.

Marie loves bacon too much.

I got dressed slowly, taking in the morning. A late summer breeze stirred the curtains at the window gently, and I could smell grass clippings.

It was beautiful. I loved the summer.

I nearly skipped down the stairs. What a perfect morning. The summer, the bacon, spending time with Charlie and Fox and Marie-

"Good morning, Emily," my mother said from the stove, stirring eggs to scramble them. My dad loved scrambled eggs.

Wait, why is she here?

"Mom?"

"Yes, dear?" she said absently.

"Aren't you supposed to be on a mission trip...?"

I noticed her shoulders stiffen as she froze. Finally, she said, "Emily, I don't know what you're talking about."

"Where's Dad?" I asked warily.

"Right here, darling."

I turned to the sound of his voice and began to ask about the trip, but my words caught in my throat on a stifled scream.

My father wasn't...whole. I couldn't erase my look of horror - for his facial features were all sewn shut, and he carried his left arm over his shoulder. I don't even know how he spoke - a thick length of black thread laced his lips together.

His eyelids were decorated with the same black thread.

I stumbled back, away from that monster, only to feel a cold set of spindly arms circle around me in what was supposed to be a loving hug, but was much more obviously a restraining deadlock.

I twisted to look at my mother, and I saw her face for the first time since I entered this kitchen.

Instead of her frigid blue eyes, I was greeted by the warm chocolate brown of my father's. My mother had his eyes. His eyes were covered in blood.

She put a hand over my mouth before I could scream.

"Be quiet, Emily," she cooed. "I just wanted to see you how your father saw you. With the grace he spoke of you."

I could feel every nerve in my body short circuit.

"But I don't." She grinned wickedly. "So I guess I'll have to kill you."

I watched her hands caress my jaw before I looked into my father's eyes - to watch my mother snap my neck.