Prologue

Lost moments and memories pass behind my eyes. I am here again, as if I am always waiting to find the answers to what has happened to my life in this place.

“This is the reason I'm always tired,” I think to myself.

Twenty-four years of coming here and still not a single clue, but every time I close my eyes, I return to this place. I know my surroundings perfectly. Oddly the place is beautiful to the eyes. The old house sat among flowers growing around all sides. The aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine fill my lungs filling me with a moment's peace. The blue and white paint was only a little worn around the porch railings. Chipping enough to know the house has stood there for a while.

I’m sitting in my usual spot. Gripping the ropes of a swing in the front yard held by a large oak tree. Waiting I begin pushing my legs back and forth sending me in motion. I know something is about to happen. It happens every night. The house moves in front of my eyes. I see the shadows coming, but I don’t stop swinging. They are black as night but I can see smiles within the shadow grinning bright.

“What is this place!” I cry, fed up with this nightly repetition, but no sound emerges.

A noise can be heard from the back of the house. One of the shadows turns toward it. I jump down to follow only to have the other shadow hold me back.

“Don’t go. Not yet. Listen to me!” I beg the shadow moving away from me.

The scene continues before my eyes. Evil starts to permit the air. The scent of it clogs my lungs and stops me from fighting for release. I try and pin point the direction it is coming from. I watch the shadow I had been trying to stop turn back to look at me. A loud bang rang out into the area. I felt pain as if was my own as I watch the shadow fall. The other letting go of me runs to catch the other. The next shot rings out.

Control snapped as always sending heat coursing through my blood. The pain always feels so real. Flames leap across my vision. The ground below me turning to ash. The tree turned to char as the flames dance across the branches. Swallowing it whole. The swing falls and crumbles. Seeing the house begin to burn, the flowers long gone, the fire blazes around me, and my world goes black.

Pain is the strongest reminder I was there. I open my eyes and look at my surroundings. Ashe covers the metal in black smudges. Yeah, I’m home. Letting my breathing return to normal I reach out and unlock the handle and push on the iron door.

“Just another night of wonderful sleep for me. I’m beginning to think it's useless Melody. If it weren’t for you though I’d have no one to wake up too, so thank you. Here’s some breakfast for you, baby.”

The black cat rubbed against my ankles as I poured the kitty food in her dish and refilled her water. Purring her appreciation to me she tilted her head as if trying to talk back. Yeah, I know I’m really home when I climb out of a metal box for a bed only to have a conversation with an animal.

“Now let’s get me ready for work Melody, my favorite fashion consultant, so I can at least pretend to be somewhat normal.” Yep, totally somewhat normal.