Into The Dark

4.

The cock crowed in the early hours of the morning as Selassi's eyes fluttered open, looking at her new surroundings. Thinking of her parents, she blew out a long sigh as she laid comfortably on her bed. 

A sense of uneasiness seemed to circle the room as she recalled a fond memory that happened in this home.

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The sun beamed on little Selassi's face as she ran through the compound blissfully. She was so excited to be staying in Ghana for the first time, thinking of all the fun things her parents would let her do.

The 4-year old bumped into a figure and looking up, the sun seemed to create a strange shadow over the person's face until a familiar smile beamed through.

"Daddy, I like it here," she said excitedly as her dad chuckled softly. Swiftly picking her up, the young Kweku laid an array of soft kisses upon the sweet girl's face as she laughed raucously, her twists with baubles shook around.

" That's good, my sweetness. I have a surprise for you, want to see? Hmm," Richard whispered. Selassi wrapped her little arms around his neck, nodding with elation as he walked towards the front of the compound.

The family's gateman, Kwame Hansen brought the present out while Selassi shook around in her arms, anticipating her surprise. 

"Open your eyes, my love" her mother's voice softly called out as Selassi's little eyes opened, looking at the little purple bike adorned with glittery tassels.

Wriggling out of her dad's hold, she ran to her bike with such enthusiasm that she fell on her face but it didn't stop her. Getting up, she continued in her stride towards her present and proudly sat on the bike, pressing the bell with such vigour.

Her parents came towards her, crouching on either side of her as they both gave a sweet kiss on her cheeks and she smiled, in total bliss as the sun shone on her small face.

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Selassi swung her legs as she got up off the bed, the fond memory conjured feelings of warmth but the unmistakable sadness was becoming familiar emotion she felt when she thought of her parents.

She proceeded to take a bucket bath as the water wasn't working well enough for a shower but she didn't mind because it took back to a simpler time when the hot water wouldn't work at home in London and her mother would bathe her with a bucket of warm water as a child.

The simple intimate moments like that only filled her with more melancholy but she decided to think about something else because the grief was creeping up on her again.

The sponge was lathered with soap as Selassi continued to wash herself and the sounds of children playing nearby filled the silent bathroom.

A loud slam echoed in her room, her eyes averted towards the bathroom door which was wide open and she stared, waiting and watching for something but the nothing appeared at all.

Finishing her bath, she slowly tips toed towards the door and looked through the gap between the door and panel and if she was not mistaken, there was someone there but she couldn't make out who it was.

She edged closer with careful steps, putting her face close to the gap and what she saw horrified her to say the least. Theo's face was etched with a bloodied smile, carved with something sharp and his black eyes just stared at her with a unique venom that froze Selassi in her place.