An eternity of lightning

Chapter 11

Miles opens the door to his home before he lets Crystal step inside. She clutches the toy dog to her chest, her blond hair matted gently around her head. He hears his father’s snoring coming from the bedroom, and his mother’s deep sighing from the living room. 

“Miles?” his mother called, in a wavering tone. Drunk.. again? he asked himself, pissed that after only a few hours of his father being home, she would be intoxicated. 

“Yeah, Mom. It’s me.” Miles called back, slamming the door as Crystal took off her shoes. 

“Don’t slam that door!” She interjected, moaning afterword, as if he’d just stabbed her in the hand with a butcher knife. 

“Sorry.” he grumbled, taking Crystal’s hand as he led her up the stairs. 

“Where’s daddy?” Crystal whispered, sure that she had to talk quietly. 

“Dad’s sleeping. Come on.” Miles pulled her, one step at a time.

“Oh, Miles? Would you do me a favor?” his mother asked, and he sighed as Crystal reached the top of the stairs. 

“What’s the favor?” he groaned. 

“I would like you to take the trash out, after you put your sister to bed.” she says, gesturing at the clock, letting him know that it’s a half an hour past her bedtime. 

“Aw, but Momma, I’m not sleepy. Do I really have to go to bed?” Crystal asked, her eyes pleading like children’s often do. 

Their mother turned her head away, nodding slightly. “Of course you do.” she said, turning the television back on, and turning the volume up so she wouldn’t even be able to hear their footsteps as they disappeared into the hallway. 

 

“How come Momma won’t love me?” Crystal asked, yanking on her pajama shirt and eyeing her brother curiously. 

“Mom does love you.” Miles insisted, tugging her hair gently out of her shirt. 

“She never says so.” she says, stepping into her pants and sliding them up her legs. 

“Well I love you enough for the both of us.” He says kissing her cheek and hugging her before helping her into bed and tucking the covers around her. 

“Night, Miles.” she says as he leans down to kiss her forehead once more. 

“Goodnight, Crystal.” 

 

 

Astrild glares through the thin glass that is the only barrier between her and her prey. The child was lying alone; unprotected in the dark. Astrild could hear her heart beating; her shallow breaths as she began to sink deeper into a dream. 

She’s only a child, Astrild thought to herself, as she watched her dream, sleeping so beautifully. No. She’s a demon in a child’s body. She reminded herself, kicking herself in the side for even considering to drop her mission. 

I suffered for that... Child. She thought with hatred, a deep passion burning for her pain deep in her chest. 

Sleep tonight, child. For tomorrow, your training continues. 

 

 

Miles wakes up, realizing it as Sunday morning; and knowing he has school tomorrow. He sighs, looks at his alarm clock, and sees that it’s 9:24. Throwing his feet over the bed, yanking flannel pants over his long legs. He yawns as he heads to the bathroom, running a comb through his hair and checking himself out in the mirror. His brown fringe sweeping across his blue eyes. 

“Crystal?” Miles whispers, creaking her door open and looking around. Empty. Damn. Miles thinks frantically, having a faint idea where she is. Astrild. He thinks angrily, his eyes beginning to flare. 

Miles rushes out of Crystal’s room, calling her name as he does so. He checks the kitchen; of course; she’s not there. He looks in the living room, but it too is empty. His parents both worked on Sundays; since they were nonreligious and wanted the extra cash for one day of work. 

“Crystal!” he calls jumpily, hoping to hear an answer, but getting no response. “Damn it.” he mutters, kicking at the rug. He drags himself to the entryway as he shoves his shoes on and heads toward the forrest.