Schizophrenia

Here I am, sitting by the door of our new house in a rural area. I stayed here for about an hour because I hate the smell of this ancient house. I looked around and realized the ugly truth: there are no houses here, except ours. Why do we have to live here? Actually, I already know the answer. It’s because of dad. He promised that after his work, we will become rich but instead, it made us poorer. He has this ‘partner in work’ and he said that his partner will help us become rich. Time goes by my dad started going home late. On the month of September, my dad started to go home three days only in a week. On the month of November, my dad began to skip weeks in the house. My mom and my younger brother and sister began to worry. I did not worry at all. I trust my dad. I trusted my dad because he is my hero. He is the best father of all time. But all those trust and faith changed when I got the news that my dad left us for his partner. He’s having an affair with his partner. I should’ve noticed. I think I already have the feeling that they have a relationship but my dad is very good in convincing and so he convinced me. Well, my dad having an affair wouldn’t make us poor but the fact that he brought all the money that my mom saved. Another is selling the house where we live for his benefits. We are now officially out of money.

I am now sitting by the door, blaming myself for not noticing my dad’s bad side. “Daniel”, my mom called from our new kitchen inside our new three hundred year old house. “The dinner is ready, come in and make yourself comfortable with the house of your grandma’s grandma”.

I made my way inside and inhaled the scent of our new home. It smells like old book here. Everything inside the house look’s very old. The sofa, the stairs, the floor and even the faces in the picture frames hanging on the wall. I, a twelve year old boy, began to feel that the faces in the frames are watching me. The idea made me shiver. I cast the idea from my mind then I continued walking. I sat on the old chair by the old table in the old kitchen. Again, everything here is old. While eating, I realized that the house was quite big for the four of us only. After eating I stood up and wandered around the house. By twelve minutes I began to feel bored and thought of anything to make my boredom go away. I decided that I will play a game. I will count all the rooms, all the windows and all the doors in this house. I started at six-forty in the evening and ended at seven- thirty in the evening. The house is so big which is the reason why it took so long for me to count the rooms, doors and windows. Okay, so this house has ten rooms, fifteen doors and twenty-two small windows. The counting made me tired, but at least I enjoyed. I went down stairs to ask mom where to sleep. When I reached downstairs I did not see my mom or even my siblings. “MOM??!!”, I shouted then  waited for any replies but got nothing. I shouted again but still no one shouted back. I walked around and wandered. I looked for them but found no one. I can’t believe this. I am kind of lost in my own house. It might sound weird but I really am lost inside this big ancient and smelly house. I began to feel sick and at the same time afraid. I shouted again and paused to wait for any reply but still nothing. I moved around.

On the second floor, I heard laughter. I turned around and saw a door close slowly making a creepy sound. I am sure that the laughter is from a child and so I thought it was from my brother or sister. I opened the door and went inside the dark smelly room. I looked for the switch but I cannot see because of the darkness so I turned on my flashlight which I bought from the city. I moved my hands slowly to the left making the light move to the left part of the room. I saw nothing so I slowly turned my flashlight to the right then a boy ran through the light. I did not see him clearly because he was fast. I followed him outside the door but when I was out the room he disappeared. I do not know where he went. I think it’s just my brother Stanley, I told myself. I turned around to check the room and for my surprise the light was turned on. I entered the room then I felt something about the wind. The feeling gave me goose bumps. I continued walking. When I was completely inside I saw a girl on the bed facing back. I couldn’t see her face so I walked slowly unto her. Sweat from my head fell down which I can’t understand. Why am I sweating even the wind in this room is very cool? I continued walking towards her. I know she’s Sandra, my sister. When I was about to see her face she turned her head. I moved backwards because I was startled to see that it was not my sister. My eyes widened as she turn her head without turning her body. The light turned off then turned on again and all of a sudden I was alone in the room. I am still shocked. I did not see her face clearly but I know she is definitely not my sister. I turned around quickly intending to run. I ran outside the door. My heart is beating so fast. I reached the stairs and before I go down I looked back if the girl is following. I am very glad she didn’t. When I turned my head I saw a lady with a long hair, white face and a white dress. I shouted as I saw the lady then I realized that the lady was my mother. Her face was white because of her make up which she uses every night. I hugged her. I might be dead by now if I did not see her. “What happened? Why do you look so afraid and why did you shout? Why do you look so pale?”, my mom asked, very puzzled. I told her everything starting with my game until I saw her. Her face changed. I could see that she is worried and mad simultaneously. “Dan, I don’t want you making up stories. It is not good”, my mom told me. “But”, I answered but before I can continue, she stopped me. “Stop making up stories just because you hate this house and you miss your bastard dad”, she shouted at me. “Go now and sleep with your brother and sister. I will follow”, she said as she closed her eyes trying to be calm. Sandra and Stanley who were standing at the back of mom led me to one of the rooms on the third floor.