The Oak

They said blood is thicker than water, but what if the water is deadly, vile, manipulative and consuming?

(City of Tusca)

The disco lights made her dizzy, or maybe, it was due to the amount of alcohol running in her blood stream. She staggered across the dance floor, unaware of the two sets of eyes that locked in on her wake.

Why did she even agree to attend such a ridiculous party? Avery Mendez is a straight A student. She comes from a prestigious family of neuro surgeons. She herself aims to be one, and had worked herself to the core in order to achieve her dream. Unfortunately, her constant studying murdered her social life.

So, she decided to agree for a night out, upon her room mate's request.

(Tusca General Hospital)

The speaker announced his name once more, Dr. Falco Mendez grunted and waltz towards the operating room. His shift has ended hours ago, but due to their hospital's lack of competent staff, he decided to extend his working hours-probono, to assist in any emergency concerning his field.

"Doctor, Thank God you're here!" screamed one of the nurses. Mendez acknowledged her greeting with a nod.

"What's the situation?" the doctor asked.

One of the nurses walked up to him and said "Rape victim, severe head trauma, and multiple lacerations to the muscles of her lower lumbar region. Her coccyx also has a stab wound."

"Alright, prep me up." Dr. Mendez murmured.

After a few minutes, the doctor, equipped with all the knowledge that gained him a huge and respected reputation throughout the city, entered the emergency room.

"Her head keeps bleeding doctor!" yelled a young man, wearing a doctor's robe-same as himself.

Dr Mendez can only shake his head. The young man lacks experience, and that is evident by the shaking of his hand along with the high pitched tone that glazed his words

"Calm yourself, before you drop that scalpel inside your patient's wound." Mendez murmured.

The veteran doctor walked up to the young one and motioned to take his place, but before he could, his heart hammered, his eyes almost fell out of their sockets, as his sight fell on the body of his daughter.

"Avery!" the doctor screamed, his heart shattering at the disheveled image of his precious girl

(Two years later)

He maneuvered the car slowly, allowing the vehicle to roll along the dirt road, slower than he usually would.

There is a stillness inside the car, one that is uncommon for a family who had agreed to start a new life. Aren't they supposed to be excited and full of hope? Aren't they supposed to be glancing around, taking in the scenery as the car drove past beautiful landscapes?

Weren't teenagers supposed to be bickering with their parents, asking if the place has any form of recreational spots where they can hang out in?

Well, that will work for a normal family, it would have been like that if the Mendez family retained who they were, two years ago.

"It's noon, let's stop at the first restaurant we see." Falco murmured.

He did not expect a reply, and just as he predicted, none of them said a word to him.

The car slowly went to a stop after they reached a town called Madisson. Falco turned off the engine, and without a word stepped out of the car.

His family members soon followed. His nineteen year old son, Marvin, was the first to descend from the car, followed by Samantha, his wife, then Carmina, his seventeen year old daughter.

The RV which was carrying some of their belongings that was following their car, parked just a few meters behind Falco's car. His other son Luke, stepped out, followed by their nanny-a middle aged woman named Cordellia, who had been working for their family for almost two decades. Falco never wanted her to come along, but his wife argued that she needs Cordellia to help her manage the new household. Falco, already having troubles with his wife, agreed to not further the argument.

The doctor has no issues with Cordellia, but the woman has been through a lot, he didn't want her to continue suffering with his family. But alast, he no longer have the voice to command when it comes to his family.

He lost that when he failed to save his daughter.

He entered the restaurant and asked for a family table, soon-the entire family is seated and eating in silence.

"Glass Lake seems like a nice place, what do you guys think?" Falco said, in an attempt to solicit any form of interaction with his now mute family.

No one said a word.

"I think it will serve its purpose." Cordellia finally answered, while throwing an understanding look towards Falco.

The man smiled, knowing she answered to pacify his need for conversation, or may be out of pity, Falco can live with both.

After three more hours of driving, the car finally reached the bridge that separated Glass Lake County from the rest of its neighboring town.

The place got its name due to the magnificent lake that cradled the town. Glass Lake County can almost be considered as an island, due to its geographic structure.

The bridge was erected recently which greatly helped the town. The number of its residents increased and the economic status of the town slowly rose in those five years.

You can Almost say that the place has become a tourist spot, because of the virgin forest that it fostered. The air too, is quite fresh, because it is free of modernization.

It's not that Glass Lake was totally untouched with modern technology, it does have all the modern features that one would expect in this day and age, but the low population of the town slowed its progress and the residents didn't see the need for high class malls or buildings.

It is a peaceful place, that's why Falco decided to move his family there. He is aware that the wound left after his failure to save Avery will never fully heal if they are constantly reminded of her. He has no intention of erasing Avery from their memory, but it will be difficult to move-on, if every turn they make will remind them of her.

At first, his wife was hesitant to agree, but after their first born began to show signs of depression, his wife finally relented.

As Falco's car entered the town proper, he rolled down his window and took a deep breath. He is aware that it will take a long time, before his family can forgive him, but he is willing to wait. He will do everything he can to mend their hearts and forget the pain of losing Avery.

Falco, despite fully intent on keeping his thoughts and attention on the road began to reminisce.

When he saw his daughter laying on the operating table, he began to shake and hysterically cried. The young doctor who was with him tried to give him comfort and suggested that he takes over and call another doctor on duty to replace Falco. But Falco refused, despite knowing that his hands was shaking, he proceeded to operate on his daughter, unfortunately, his troubled mind and shaking hands made him commit a mistake.

Instead of cutting through one particular portion of her daughter's brain to remove the shard of glass imbeded on it, he mistakenly pushed the scalpel two inches to the left of where it was need, which caused additional bleeding to his daughter's brain. In that moment, he froze and instead of moving away from his kid's body to allow the other doctor to take over, he stayed and remained unmoving. By the time they managed to remove him from his spot, it was too late.

His wife was immediately notified and was told of what transpired inside the operating room, needless to say, she began blaming him.

When his other children found out, they too blamed him. They didn't leave him, but decided to communicate with him less and less, which led to the slow deterioration of the family bond that used to thrive so well within their family.

Out of guilt, Falco refused to attend his daughter's funeral. His wife saw it as an insult, but Falco didn't have the heart to attend the service. No one even bothered to stop and understand, that what transpired inside that operating room was not something he intended. Yes, he should have allowed another doctor to conduct the procedure-but knowing how incompetent his co-workers were, he refused, thinking he can handle it himself. But he was proven wrong, maybe, if he allowed one of the other doctor's to take over-as his wife stated, his daughter would still be alive.

No one noticed, but Falco does regret, but even if he voiced out his own grief, he doubt if it's enough to appeas the pain of his family.

He thought things will eventually return to normal, but as the years went by, he realised that his family did not only need time, they needed a change of environment-one that will help them heal. A peaceful place that can serve as a cushion for his family's heart.

As he reached a long and narrow dirt road, east of the town, Falco brought his attention back to the road. A few minutes later, they arrived in front of a newly painted house. If one will look at it, they might think it was recently built. But if one will look closely, the style is vintage, but that is exactly why Falco chose the house. The over-all look is easy on the eye and created a comfortable and family oriented atmosphere.

As his car hit a full stop, just in front of the high tising gate of the house, the RV driven by his first born also arrived.

"We're here." Falco murmured, while glancing at his wife.

Before any of them could step inside the house, the realtor, Mr. Andrews Garland emerged from the front door. He smiled and walked up to Falco-handed him the key, paid his respect to the entire family and said "Its an old house, but I hope it brings you the new beginning you're looking for."

Falco nodded his head and bid him him goodbye.

"Are there any malls around here?" Carmina asked her older brother as they prepared to take out their belongings from the RV. Luke sighed in response to her query. He used to love researching about places and things, but after his twin's death-everything began to change. He feels like a part of him died too. Maybe, the rumors about twins having a deep connection with each other holds some truth after all.

"Quit yapping about things Mina," Samantha scoffed. Her words was enough to shut her daughter's mouth. Silently, the kids continued to remove their belongings from the RV.

Samantha may have agreed to move to Glass Lake, but the reason behind it stings. She threw a scornful look at her husband, she can barely recognize him. She can't believe how easy it was for the man to give up his job in the city. She is not a genius like Falco, but she can tell he is deeply hurt by Avery's death, but she can't find the will to console him, specially because he-she couldn't think of any words to compare what he did actually. How could he have used his pride at such a time?

"Would you like me to help with that ma'am?" Their nanny asked.

Samantha smiled at her and handed the box she recently pulled out of the vehicle.

Samantha couldn't thank the woman hard enough. She is aware of the sufferings the old house maid experienced during the first months of Avery's death, but, she stuck with them, even went as far as joining their family in this crazy quest for self healing.

Falco was the first to enter the house. It smelt of disinfectant. When he first laid eyes on the edifice, he fell in love with it. But the realtor made a couple of changes, just as he asked-and Falco can only smile at the effort the man had given. The walls are newly painted. The carpet on the floor had also been changed. The furniture which came with the house are free of dirt. Even the chandelier is shimmering.

"Well, this looks better than expected." Marvin, his other son whispered. Despite the positive comment though, Falco didn't hear excitement or happiness in his tone.

One after another, his family members stepped inside the house. They commented on the furniture, the stairs and the peaceful atmosphere, but never was their appreciation given to merit him. He didn't voice any complaints and kept his thoughts busy with the words "They need time."

The family took had been bringing their belongings inside the how use for nearly four hours now, but they barely touched half of their things inside the RV.

"Let's continue this tomorrow," Samantha said to her children. The night has fallen and she can see the exhaustion in their faces. Cordellia prepared a light dinner, mainly-mashed potatoes and string beans with a few slices of fried meat.

They ate in silence, then retired for the night.

The second floor of the house held six rooms. Three rooms occupied either side of the wide hallway. The master's and two medium sized room are positioned on the left, while the right, housed one small room and two medium sized room as well.

Carmina took the one closest to her parents room-which is on the right, while Luke and Marvin took the two on the left. Cordellia settled herself in the smallest one.

Tired from the trip, the family fell under a deep slumber, unaware of the changing temperature that suddenly enveloped the entire house. Even the flickering of lights, accompanied by the creaking of the stairs was missed by them.

The once peaceful atmosphere took a menacing aura. The furniture began to move on their own. The curtains danced without aid from the wind.

Mendez... Mendez... Mendez..

Their family name was uttered, over and over, yet the family remained under the spell of their exhausted bodies.

If they had heard it the first time, things could have taken a better turn. But destiny decided to throw them towards a sinister path.

Mendez-they never should have entered the gateway with such fragile hearts and soul, for within the walls of the mansion lay something else. Something that feeds, breeds, and eager to find freedom.

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

The entity is dormant, as long as peace reigns inside the house. But the new family that entered its den is full of hate. The heaviness of their grief and loathe is like fire, licking and teasing.

It walked around the house, stopping before each room, feeding on their energy. It smiled and rejoiced.

No family had ever wandered to its territory with the same amount of evil and weakness such as the Mendez. They are the perfect prey to bridge its world to the living.

It will finally live, breathe and take shape. The Mendez will lead it to its long awaited creation.

Pain, hate, grief, revenge and weakness. How perfect they are, the entity thought.

But first, it must test the waters. It will slowly break them. A new beginning-well, it will happen, but not for the Mendez family.

Icicles formed over the door knobs of each room as the entity laid its essence upon it. It shall come to life, it will win this time around-because finally, a bunch of weakened souls fell prey to its claws.