Chapter 4 First Day

Dawn was barely peaking over the horizon, and the spring air was crisp with a bitter chill that alluded to the fact that it wasn't summer quite yet.

Cordillia was the first to rose among the sleeping souls inside the mansion, and the first thing she noticed-was the cold feel of the door knob within her grasp. The house maid frowned, but eventually brushed off the oddity.

She silently descended the wooden planks of the stairs which emitted a weird creaking sound. Cordillia shook her head, thinking, it is an old house after all. Despite the newly painted walls and grand furniture, some things amidst the household failed to mask its true age.

She started the day by making breakfast for the family. She decided on bacons and eggs because it is the only available dish she can whip up-given the lack of available supplies in the kitchen.

Soon, the entire mansion is engulfed with the aroma of freshly fried bacon, turning the sweet smell of country air into a mouth watering tease for the now awake-Mendez family.

Carmina descended the stairs followed by her brother Luke, Marvin fell to a step behind them, accompanied by their mother.

Cordillia welcomed the family with a spread of lovingly prepared breakfast and a warm smile.

"Take a seat everyone, I'm sure you're all famished," she said as she laid the last of the cutlery on the table.

"I'm so glad you're here Cordillia," Samantha answered before taking a seat.

"Is Mr. Falco coming down for breakfast ma'am?"

Cordillia's question hang in the air, obviously-never to receive a reply. The house maid laid rest her curiosity and went on to start unpacking the boxes they brought out of the RV the day before

"I'll continue taking the boxes inside." Luke murmured after eating a few bites of bacon. Samantha followed his son with her eyes, full of sympathy.

It was Luke's depression that made her agree with Falco's crazy decision to relocate. Out of everyone in their family, it is probably him who took Avery's death harder. Everyone did, but Luke showed the biggest change after Avery's funeral. Her son was a promising student, just like Avery-he too was a straight A student. But after his twin's death, his grades began to suffer. He was already an introvert before and after the incident, he became a zombie.

"Mom, can go I around town today, just to get my self familiar with everything?" Carmina asked.

Samantha immediately said no to her daughter. After Avery's death, she has become an overly protective mother, specifically to Carmina. What happened to Avery was-tears immediately welled her eyes. Her two kids sitting in front of her instantly got to their feet and ran to her side.

"Mom, I don't have to go if you don't want me to, I just asked, and if it's a no, then I won't push." Carmina said worriedly.

Samantha immediately shook her head and regretted what she had she had done. They are here to start anew and here she is, doing thesame things she had done in the past two years.

" I...I'm sorry honey. Its okay, you can go around town and explore." She answered while rubbing her daughter's hand.

"I will accompany her mom." Marvin suggested, hoping it will ease some of the tension that built inside their mother.

Samantha smiled and answered okay.

The entire day, Samantha and Cordellia along with Luke finished unpacking their belongings. Falco on the other hand remained inside the master's bedroom. He was about to descend the stairs that morning, when he heard the talk his wife and kids had over breakfast. It broke his heart further. Samantha used to be strong and carried a huge trust in her kids ability to protect themselves. She thrived in the knowledge that they are blessed with intelligent children who are capable of knowing right from wrong. But Avery's death took all her courage and trust away. Shoved in a far away place, covered by a dark blanket of terror and uncertainty.

Instead of gracing them with his presence, the doctor resorted to spending his first day inside his room. In just a few weeks he will be busy again, he landed a job in the public hospital of Glass Lake, it is an hour drive from their home. He initially wanted to spend more time with his family upon their arrival, but the breakfast scene forced him to change his plan. He called the public hospital and asked if he could start tomorrow instead. The answer was as he expected-they will be happy to him. Because despite the incident of his daughter, his reputation as a surgeon was not tarnished. The medical community believed, it was his emotions that got in the way of his performance-which made things even worst for his family. It only made his wife angrier, he should have allowed another doctor to operate on his kid.

The night has fallen, once again-the entire household fell silent and the cold breeze from the walls began to seep through the doors of every room.

It is eleven in the evening but Luke remained awake. He kept his eyes on the cream colored ceiling of his room. He can't take Avery out of his mind. She haunts his every sleeping hour and even when he is awake, he can feel her beside him. He can hear her calling out his name, begging for him to save her.

"Luke... Luke..Luke.." Over and over he can hear her. With her voice in mind, he drifted off to sleep.

(2:00 A.M)

"Luke..Luke..Luke" The whisper was soft but mournful, and it brought him back to consciousness.

"Luke?"

At first, he smiled, thinking to himself-she will probably remain in his head forever. But then he hard her again.

"Luke, help. I...I can't breathe."

The nineteen year old stumbled out of his bed and began to crane his neck hysterically. "Avery is that you?" he answered.

"Luke, help. I can't breathe." His sister called out again.

He ran towards the window, where the voice was coming from.

He drew open the curtain and there, standing outside is his twin, Avery, her dress torn with blood oozing from her injured head. Her foot is bare and hair disheveled. She gazed up at him and yelled, "Luke, help me!"

Whitout another thought, he jumped off the window, but instead of landing on the ground-Luke found himself under the covers of his blanket, staring at his ceiling, inside his room.

Another nightmare, a nightmare while he's awake. He closed his eyes, and despite the erratic beating of his heart, he managed to drift of to sleep.

***********************************

If he had kept himself awake for a minute longer, he could have felt it-the cold and menacing wind that swirled beneath his bed.

The entity found it's perfect facade. The knife he needed to pry open their already bleeding wounds found a form.

If it had a mouth, it would have smiled. If it had a voice, it would have laughed. But soon, It will.