Fallen

Safe and Sound

Chapter 14

Ana

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"Where have you been, Ana?!" Mum paces up and down in front of the living room fire. The flames flicker bright orange and banishes the cold from the room. I can also smell the most delicious home baking coming from the kitchen. Dad sits in his normal spot on the flowery armchair. He holds the paper on his lap instead of up to his eyebrow so I know he's serious.

"You could have been dead for all we knew!" Mum continues to pace, throwing her arms in the air.

"You could've been kidnapped, raped or anything!" She trails off and dad creases his brow at her.

"I think we're going off target here Anne, at least we know she's safe and yes, she should've called." He glares at me with his disappointed expression.

Instantly I feel guilty, but it's not my fault I was attacked by some monster during work. I'm really not the kind of daughter that just up and disappears when she feels like it.

"Where were you?" Mum has come back to reality and I stammer on my words.

What do I say? That I was working when Rebecca grew twice the size and wanted to crush me in her hands. No, they'll think I'm crazy. They'll send me away to a nut house.

"I stayed round Abbie's." I blurt out. I'm sure Abbie will go along with the lie, that's if she's not too mad about me not texting her back after I lost my phone.

"You what?" Dad looks at me suspiciously.

"I stayed round Abbie's, I lost my phone on the way home and we stayed up late watching movies and fell asleep, I totally forgot to call. I'm sorry." I can't believe what a good liar I am. Wow. I should get an award for that. I mean I even convinced myself.

Ok, I shouldn't be proud about that performance, clearly I've upset my parents and lying to them makes me feel even more guilty but I can't tell them the truth. They'll lock me up and get me checked out for insanity.

"We were so worried Ana." Mum starts to break down. I really feel for her, I would've done the same in her shoes. I can't believe how selfish I've been. I should've realised my parents would be pacing until I came back home. Mum doesn't look as if she's slept at all. "Next time call!" She snaps as she pulls me into another embrace.

"I'm so sorry mum. I mean't to." I can feel her cold tears run down my shoulders as she takes a minute to regain control over herself.

"Ok, your punishment." Dad holds his chin as if thinking the worst.

Oh god. Mums punishments are the worst but she's not really in the right frame of mind to be dishing those out right now.

"Grounded for a month. No TV, no friends and no music." Dad smiles and I nod. That seems fair after what I've put them through.

"You also need to find a new job, poor Rebecca, the police found her body last night."

"What?" I turn around hastily.

"You must of seen it on the news Ana?" Mum asks.

"No, what happened?" Surely the police can't know about the Demon that took over her body.

"Yes, they think the shop was broken into because of all the chaos," mum goes on, "they found Rebecca on the sofa, not breathing." She looks away trying to fight back tears.

"I'm sorry honey, you two were getting along so well." She shakes her head.

"There hasn't been many updates about it either. It's as if the police are hiding something from the public. Here." Dad hands me the newspaper.

Rebecca Robinson, aged 69, found dead this morning. County Police sadly announce Rebecca was found dead at her home shortly after officials responded to an emergency call around noon local time. The local Sheriff's office said Rebecca was found unconscious and not breathing. At this time, the Sheriff's Office Coroner Division suspects the death to be murder due to forced entry and head wounds, but a comprehensive investigation must be completed before a final determination is made.

I look up to find mum and dad both looking at me. The police think it was murder? Do they know about the huge Demon?

"I'm sorry, honey." Mum takes the paper from me as my eyes start to water. I can't believe she's dead, what did she ever do to deserve that? My body starts to shake from anger as the small fire grows and flares with a much larger red flame. My parents look at each other strangely.

"Ana-" Dad starts.

"I think you should get some rest Ana, you're looking a little, pale." Mum buts in and puts a cool palm to my forehead.

I nod and start to head under the archway into the hall.

"Dinners in an hour." She calls behind me.

~*~ Short update! Another coming soon! What do you guys think will happen next? ;) Thank you for reading and I appreciate all of your support! Don't forget to vote and comment :) ~*~