Chapter 7

I was studying in our dining area since I couldn’t study in my room due to Elle disturbing me and I really don’t want to flip her off, so I had to stay down here to study.

It was 11:43 pm the last time I checked and I yawned, feeling the tiredness going through my body.

Maybe I should retire for the night but I was determined to finish chapter twelve of our English textbook before retiring to my room so I flipped to the next page and yawned when I heard a faint sound… more like footsteps.

I looked up at the stairs that lead up from our rooms to the living room while adjusting my reading glasses on my nose but I saw nothing.

It was a tad bit dark, just the light from the dining room that was illuminating the living room. I brushed it off, just so I don't get scared or anything.

The wind blew a bit making one of the curtains in the living room sway.

‘I thought it was locked?’

Mum always said to lock up when it was already getting dark and I didn't want her to get angry when she woke up to see it open.

With that thought in mind, I stood up and walked towards the window that was opened then put the curtain behind me as I shut the window, locked it, and turned to walk back to the dining room when I saw a shadow pass under the staircase.

I blinked and rubbed my eyes properly then opened them to see nothing.

Okay, I really need to go to bed now, I might be hallucinating who knows.

Gradually I walked up to the dining room and packed my books and other materials I used for my study, just as I turned towards the stairs the light suddenly went off and I froze.

It wasn't just because the light went off suddenly. I felt… a presence.

I swallowed the bile I feel rise up my throat and closed my eyes counting 1… 2… 3 to calm my raging heart.

I don’t want to get a heart attack because of this, when I felt my heart wasn’t beating at an unusual rhythm I turned around slowly and opened my eyes to see who was standing behind me.

Please don't let it be that man I plead to GOD in my mind, please don't let it be him...I could feel a tear slipping out of my eyes and streaming down my cheeks.

I couldn't see much because it was dark in here. 

I hate darkness.

I hate that I can't see what is around me and when there is no one around to help me out of that dark place.

I turned back around and took a step, hoping it was the stairs I was heading for but I felt the presence come closer to me so I froze and didn’t know why I didn’t just sprint in the direction I was heading without any care or whatsoever.

I squinted my eyes to see if I was going in the right direction so I could sprint my way up the stairs.

When my free hand touched the railings of the stairs I sighed in relief and just as I stepped on the first step I felt something more like someone grab me from behind and I let out a scream letting all the books fall to the floor as I tried to struggle out of the person's grip.

More tears came as I screamed again but it was muffled by the person holding me. I saw that he caught me the last time and now he has caught me for real if only I took precaution and alerted my Mum when I saw it.

GOD, please help me I kept pleading and heard shuffling then my Mum’s voice

Help!

I tried to scream but it was muffled as he kept shaking me. I tried my best to wriggle out of his grip but to no avail.

Mum, help, please

I plead within myself.

“Daniella'' I heard my Mum voice call me and I tried answering but this man kept holding me.

“Daniella, wake up, it's a dream '' I heard her say and I stopped struggling before opening my eyes to see four figures around me.

The light was on but it was blurry, so I cleaned my eyes with the end of my pajama shirt and looked back up to see my family surrounding me.

Mum was beside me holding my shoulder with a concerned look on her face, Dad was sitting on a chair a bit far away from me as he threw me a strange look and I looked away from him.

Daniel was standing beside Mum with his hands folded and a worried look on his face likewise Danielle who was crouched in front of me rubbing circles on my thigh.

“Are you okay?” she asked and I nodded since I couldn't get anything out of my mouth.

“Here baby, you must be thirsty” Mum handed me a glass of water I didn't realize she was carrying.

“Thank you” I let out when the water went through my throat to clear it.

My Dad let out a sigh and got up from his seat, making his way upstairs muttering something under his breath and I didn't miss what he said. More like he wanted me to hear what he said.

“Weird child seeing strange things,” he said with irritation.

I put the cup down and bowed my head sobs after sobs erupted from my mouth and I felt a hand rubbing my back in a comforting circle which I knew to be Mum’s.

“Daniel, Danielle go back to your rooms… she will be fine, okay?” Mum said to them

“Okay ma” they chorused.

Daniel hugged me and left, while Danielle rested her head on my lap before standing to go upstairs.

Mum took one of the dining chairs and brought it in front of me, sitting down and looking at me. She stroked my hair lightly and kissed my forehead. Another tear slipped out of my eyes as I hugged her tight, letting the tears fall, while she hugged me back and kept saying soothing words to me.

“Don’t mind your Dad, just ignore whatever he says okay. You are not strange, weird or any of those names you were labeled. You are special. Remember that.” she told me as she kept rocking me back and forth.

As much as she tells me to ignore what Dad says, I can't, I just can’t. Whose father calls them weird, because they see what no one sees? Who? This was getting too much and it is totally draining me.

“Tell me if you want to,” she said and I nodded.

This is so weird and it's like this person is close to me since he is always around me most of the time. I am just assuming that...

Could it be… I shook my head. It possibly couldn’t be him. I just hope whoever is it should let me go.