Out of the Darkness - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 1

Welcome! <3

DISCLAIMER: This story is not affiliated with the celebrities mentioned.

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"KATHRYN CHANDRIA BERNARDO! GET YOUR BUTT DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW!" A familiar voice bellowed and Kath looked up from her toys, standing up and she ran as fast as her little legs would carry her out onto the landing. She held onto the bars of the barrier on the landing that overlooked the hallway, seeing the familiar figure of her Mom stood with Kath's backpack in one hand and the letter that she'd found in the backpack in the other, the envelope open.

"Mommy, I'm sorry!" Kath instantly recited, but Min motioned for her to come down.

"You! Butt! Down here! Right now!" Min ordered and Kath held onto the banister as she made her way steadily down the stairs. Her eyes were on the bright pink backpack that she took to kindergarten with her every day.

"Mommy-" Kath started.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Min interrupted, setting the backpack down and she held onto Kath's hand as she came down the final few steps and she only let go of her daughter when they were stood in the middle of the hallway. Kath couldn't help but smile when she saw the playful look in Min's eye, giving away that she wasn't in trouble, and the little girl smiled wider at the sight of Min's large baby bump. "Kathryn, are you aware of what this letter is?" Min asked and Kath shook her head.

"Miss Clarke said I bring it home to give to you and Daddy." Kath recited and Min cleared her throat, looking at the letter she was still holding.

"It says: 'Dear Mister and Missus Bernardo, I am writing today to tell you about an incident that occurred at school this morning. There was a group of older children bullying a member of our kindergarten class and although Kathryn was playing with someone else, she left that game and rushed to stand up for her classmate against the older children and she yelled for help when she noticed her classmate had been hurt during the incident. I am extremely proud of Kathryn and commend her for her loyalty and friendship to all of those in her class.'" Min read aloud and Kath smiled shyly as her Mom looked down at her. "Did you stand up for your friend today, little miss?" Min asked, in complete awe. She knew Kath was small for her age, but she had always been an incredibly confident child - she made friends wherever she went, unafraid to play with children, she didn't know at the park or in restaurants that had dedicated play areas for kids.

"I went over because Mikey was being pushed around and that's not nice," Kath said and Min knelt down the best she could, kissing Kath all over her face, laughing as Kath squealed, but they pulled away from each other as the front door opened, revealing Teddy coming home from work."Daddy!" Kath exclaimed, running to him and she giggled as Teddy scooped her up.

"Oh, isn't this a nice welcome home!" Teddy exclaimed, kissing her cheek before pecking Min's lips. "How are you both doing today?" He asked with a smile, his free hand touching Min's bump gently, instantly making his wife smile.

"We're doing great, and your daughter was incredible at school today," Min said and Teddy raised an eyebrow at Kath who was playing with his collar.

"You were?!" He exclaimed excitedly and Kath giggled, nodding.

"She sure was!" Min said with just as much enthusiasm, handing Teddy the letter and he read it over before throwing Kath in the air, catching her as she practically screamed with laughter.

"I always knew my baby girl was a genius! You're gonna be a doctor someday, kiddo!" Teddy enthused. "I think this calls for a celebration! We're eating out tonight!" Teddy announced, Kath clapping her hands excitedly as Min laughed.

"Come on then, missy, let's get you changed for dinner!" Min encouraged, holding onto Kath's hand as they headed upstairs together and Teddy followed close behind to change out of his own work clothes.

Teddy was the one driving them towards the restaurant with Min in the passenger seat, Kath in her car seat in the back with her favorite stuffed toy in her lap to keep her company.

"Your little boy is waking up," Min said to Teddy, who grinned and reached over, letting Min guide his hand so that he could feel his unborn son.

"That's my boy! Only a couple more weeks, buddy." Teddy cooed and Kath giggled, looking over at the empty car seat beside her that was all set up for her baby brother's arrival, admiring it as her father cooed over the unborn baby boy. It was when she looked back that her smile dropped.

"DADDY!" Kath screamed and Teddy looked straight ahead, seeing a car coming speeding towards them - Teddy had no time to swerve.

The last thing Kath ever saw was a pair of headlights getting closer.

It was the last thing she ever saw before her world went dark forever.

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