I'm Human

Sweet Lullaby

Later that night

Marcy had been silent ever since she and Rowan had returned home. She had been silent through her bath and while her mother dressed her in her pajamas. Now she sat at the dinner table staring absentmindedly at her food while Rowan and their mother ate. Neither Rowan nor their mom could help themselves from stealing occasional worried glances at Marcy.

“Marcy, sweetie, are you feeling okay?” Her mother asked, finally breaking the silence. “Would you like something else?”

Marcy, without answering, picked up her fork and stabbed a piece of chicken. She slowly lifted her fork up to her mouth and bit down on the cut meat.

Rowan and their mom exchanged another concerned glance. Rowan had explained the situation to his mom earlier, but what Marcy had seen remained a mystery to both of them. The little girl still wouldn’t tell anyone what she had seen.

“So what are your plans for tomorrow? I believe the radio said it was going to be raining for most of the day tomorrow.”

Rowan shrugged. “We don’t know yet. We all went back home after the picnic, but I think we’ll decide once we get to Aaron’s place. You’ll be joining us, right, Marcy?”

The little girl didn’t reply. Instead, she placed her fork down on the table and stared at the remaining amounts of food on her plate.

Their mother placed a hand on Marcy’s forehead. “You don’t feel like you’re coming down with a fever or anything. Are you just not hungry? Would you like to head to bed now?”

Marcy shook her head. That was the first response either Rowan or their mother had gotten out of the young girl all evening. Marcy slid off of her chair and climbed up onto her mother’s lap. Rowan could hear her mumble something into her mother’s shoulder, but he couldn’t quite make out the muffled words.

Their mother hugged her and rubbed her back. “I love you too, honey. I love both of you.” She replied with a soft smile as she hugged both of her children. “Now, who wants to do the dishes tonight? Rowan?”

Rowan flinched. “What?! Mom, no! Not fair!”

“Shall we make Rowan do all of the dishes?” Their mother teased as she gave Marcy a loving squeeze.

Marcy released a small giggle as her mother accidentally tickled her. “M-Mommy! Haha! Stop it! HAHAHA! You’re tickling me!”

“I’m tickling you? No, I’m not. I’m just hugging my sweet baby girl.” She laughed as she tickled Marcy even more.

Rowan snickered with delight as he watched his little sister laugh and squirm in his mother’s arms. He just needed to keep his guard up just in case his mother suddenly turned on him.

His mother blew a loud raspberry into Marcy’s neck, sending the young girl into a fit of laughter before directing her gaze on Rowan. The boy tensed up in his chair as both hands flew to his wheels. He knew that sinister look anywhere. “How about a hug for my little man?”

“Nooo. I don’t need any hugs.” Rowan replied cautiously as he gradually began backing himself away from the table.

“Rowan.” His mother sang as she placed a giggling Marcy down on the floor. She slowly stood from her chair and grinned down at him with open arms. “Come to mama!”

“NEVER!” He shrieked as he launched himself backwards.

Both Marcy and their mother took off after him. It was two against one as Rowan attempted to evade both his mother and sister. Even though he was faster than both of them on wheels, he had very little to go. Much to his displeasure, the young boy was quickly trapped behind the kitchen’s island with Marcy and his mom cornering him.