The Shawdow's Child

Chapter One: Where it all began

Hi, my name is Alice Aprils. This is the story of how my life turned into a nightmare... and fast. It all began last summer when my mom announced to my siblings and I that we were moving to Miami. Of course like most kids, some of us were unhappy. Take my little brother and older sister for an example, Alexander, my little brother, threw a HUGE tantrum and I didn't even know he understood what the word "move" meant. Katie, my older sister, was so mad she didn't talk to my parents, not even for money to go shopping. On the other hand, my older brother, Christopher, and I were pretty calm about the situation, mostly because if we moved we could probably get our own rooms. Which is the only thing I have ever wanted. In all honesty any house would be better than the junky house we had in Texas.

About two weeks later it was our big day! "Kids get up! We don't want to be late for our flight" my mom exclaimed from the hallway, right outside our rooms. Not a sound from neither of the bedrooms were heard. So our dad decided to literally drag us out of our beds and put us into the car.

After a very long and boring flight we finally landed in Miami. Everyone was pushing and shoving I was surprised Christopher didn't punch or kick anyone. Once we got to our new home and saw how huge it was my siblings and I just stood on the drive way looking at it. "We don't have all day you know" our dad said as he took out a few boxes and took it inside. We all took a few boxes at a time and soon there were no boxes left in the van.

"Kids why don't you guys go pick your rooms?" my mother said, and as soon as the words "pick" and "rooms" were heard we all went racing to pick a room. "Dibs on the biggest room" exclaimed Katie, from the second floor. "Dibs on the second biggest room" exclaimed Christopher, from the second floor also. "Ugh... I guess I'll get the smallest room" I murmured. "That room's in the attic" Katie said, before she began laughing.

I sighed as I walked up the stairs all the way to the attic. It was a dark room, all dusty and cold. The only thing that was there was a box in the corner. As I went to go and open the box I heard something "Guys dinners ready!" my mother said from the first floor. "Going!" we all exclaimed to her. I stood by the door to my room staring at the strange dusty box in the corner of the room. "Alice, what's taking you so long?" my dad asked. "I will be right down dad" I responded as I slowly closed the door to my room.

Once I got to the table, I began to eat so that I could finish fast and find out what was in the mysterious box in the attic. As soon as I finished eating I put my dishes in the sink and went upstairs at a rapid paste. To my surprise the box was no longer there. Where could it have gone? I wondered to myself. I got onto my bed and looked at the ceiling. I turned on my lamp that was on the shelf next to my bed. When I closed my eyes, I felt an arm touch my shoulder. "Alexander? Katie? Christopher?" I asked, and not a word did I hear in response. "It's all in my head" I said to myself, as I turned to face the corner of my wall there it was again... the dusty old box.

I got up from my bed and in a blink of an eye it was gone. But where did it go? Then there was a knock on my door, I slowly went to the door and opened it. There was nobody on the other side of the door. "This isn't funny anymore" I said and then the strangest thing happened. I saw a little girl a few steps down from the stairs leading to my room. "H-hello?" I said to her, but she did nothing but tilt her head. Once I turned on the light to the stairs I saw the dusty box in her hand. "Where did you get that" I asked her, "my mommy gave it to me" she answered. "Where is your mommy now" I asked, I'd hear murmuring on the other end of the stairs "she is next to me" the little girl answered in a low voice.

"How come I can't see her" I asked the little girl, "the lights are on" she said looking at the light bulb that soon began to flicker. As the lights flickered I'd see a shadow getting closer and closer. I saw a large, dark, mysterious lady reaching out her hand to me.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! My alarm started ringing and I quickly awoke. It was just a dream. But it felt so real... I sat on my bed and looked around the room "why did I have to get the attic" I'd say looking over at the door. I got out of bed to open my door but I saw something in the corner of my eye, "A-A-Alexander?" I quickly turned around, all I saw was a shadow. "I am losing my mind" I say sighing, maybe moving wasn't the best idea after all. "Are you talking to yourself?" Christopher said standing at the door. I turn to face him, "I don't know what you're talking about" I would say in a low voice, "Whatever weirdo, mom is calling you" he'd say exiting the room and closing the door behind him. I walked to the door and glanced at the room before going downstairs.