Death Whisper
-Mikaela
Special Thanks to Kelsea for the title and editor
Other thanks to Stephanie for help and creative ideas.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Move
Chapter 2: A New Life
Chapter 3: A DifferentPath
Chapter 4: The Dream
Chapter 5: Confronting the Fear
Chapter 6: Realizing the Truth
Chapter 1….the Move
I never really considered the fact that death is real…I never thought of the way it would come to me. But when walking inside the building where death stood there looking me in the eyes, with a gun by its side…I Finally understood what it meant to die…. I was a 15 year old girl, who lived in Ellsworth Kansas. Not the richest family; but not the most poor. In The Wickedest Cattle town in Kansas of course our family had cattle. We lived on a small farm. I never really enjoyed Kansas. I know it’s pretty peaceful. But I wanted a life in California. A life, where I could make something of myself. Instead of staying in Kansas being the farm girl. But I never had the opportunity of going to California. Like I said we weren’t the richest family. I waited for every opportunity I could get. I did many chores, to make some money. I watched the TV to see if there were any free ways there. But nothing… Finally an opportunity, blessed my soul. It was at my school and the teacher announced that there was a writing contest, and the winner would get to visit Sacramento. Finally a free way there! I just would have to write something amazing. But what would I have to write? I looked at the paper that was passed to me. It red that I would have to write about what kind of future would I want? My future, I pondered. What would I want in California? Well I would want a new fresh start. When I got home from school I ran inside and was stopped by my dad. He looked down at me and licked his lips, and then at that moment I knew something was wrong… He only did that when something tragic happened. He did that when my Mom died…He did it when the barn caught on fire. What could it be this time? He looked down at me and said in a cold whispering tone
“Anna, we’ve got to sell the farm,” I was shocked! I’ve been on this farm my whole life. It was my Dad’s life here. He loved the animals and the plants, and the fresh cool air. How could he sell it! I looked up at him and practically speechless I whispered the one and only word I could.
“Why?”
“We are finally the most poor of them all. We don’t have the money to keep it,” He replied, with a look so devastating, so tragic it wasn’t possible. We’ve gone through so much with this farm, we’ve had the loses, we’ve had the wins. It seemed like this farm could never be gone. But then there was the shot of reality coming to me. Our financial status wasn’t good; the economy was crashing, people all over homeless and jobless. The world wasn’t a good place now. I finally had the heart to say something besides why. I got out from my thoughts and looked at him again and said
“Dad, where will we go?”
That question there, the one question that brought fear to my veins. What if we had no where to go…What if? The question that many ask and they get no reply. The one question humanly impossible to answer. What if? My Dad stood there for what seemed like 30 minutes, but was only 3 minutes. He gazed down into my eyes, with almost what looked like tears and replied.
“How about, California?”The one place I always wanted to go, the one place where I could be free! This moment should have been the happiest moment of my life, but for some reason it wasn’t. It felt so devastating, to move California and leave behind everything that my childhood included. Now dreams may leave out the not so dreamy details such as leaving behind everything you love. The saying be careful what you wish for really comes into this statement. California…..I guess I’m finally going to see my dream. I forgot that my Dad was still there, he looked as though he were in deep thought as well. I looked down, then back up, I thought that I should break the silence…it was breaking me inside,
“Dad, California sounds good, I guess,” He looked up and finally the first smile came across his face. His eyes were sparkling with a glisten that I missed oh so much.
“Then it’s settled, California here we come,” He said with a tone of enthusiasm in his voice. We both smiled then a hug came up. This small family moment brought up the greatest happiness in my heart. Tragedy after Tragedy, our small family will still survive every occurrence coming our way. Because the important thing is we have each other.
For the next month we packed the things we could take. We said our goodbyes to the cattle and the horses, and we got ready to leave. This month had been very hard for us, let alone this year. But before we left Kansas we had some unfinished business to take care of. As we drove to the local Cemetery, we decided to visit Mom one more time. As we arrived a cold empty presence filled me. I felt so empty, so cold. As we walked over to Mom’s grave the cold grew even colder. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew I didn’t like it. After 10 minutes of walking around the cemetery we found mom’s grave. We placed down some flowers that we bought at a local store across town and sat down. My dad looked at me and gave me a nod, and I began
“Dear Mom, Ever since the day I was born, you we the most inspirational women I ever knew. You always taught me to be strong and chase after my dreams. You told me that anything is possible and if we set are minds to it we can achieve what we want. And so I took those moments we always had while feeding the chickens, and I applied them to my life. As it turns out, you were always right if you do set your mind to something you can achieve it. Mom every moment I ever had with you is a moment I’ll always cherish, and I’ll never forget you. I love you mom,”
Tears filled my eyes after reading the letter I wrote her, I looked at my dad and gave him a nod.
“Dear Iris My loving daring wife. The moment we were in the church on the brisk Sunday Morning of May 17th 1989, was the best moment of my life. Making our vows to each other promising that we’ll be together forever. Well I’ll keep up to my half, together forever. When my time comes we will be reunited. And thus together forever will be reality, until then Iris Together Forever,” tears were streaming down my face in the thought of my dad’s letter, it made me think about mom and how much I miss her. Why did she have to go? As the breeze blew, I got even colder, and all I wanted at that moment was her warm comforting hug…but no it was gone….As my Dad got up from the ground, he looked at me and gave me a nod to the truck. He looked down at the grave as I red it. My mom’s favorite saying Iris Lillian Miller June 16th 1966- February 2nd 2008 Here lies Iris Lillian Miller a woman who lived without fear, as she once said “In order to play the game of life, you must make some sacrifices, including those Painful devastating sacrifices. But in the end it will be worth it.” The grave reminded me so much of my Mom. I could just imagine her strong willed self once again. Her deep brown eyes, and her ruby red lips that always sang goodnight, goodnight to me. As I got up from the ground, and walked away. I was turned around looking at her grave. It seemed as though she was there, right there watching over us. I could feel her. She was the Miller Guardian angel. A smile crossed my face thinking that my mom was our guardian angel. I walked up to my dad, and looked at him. He looked so devastated. With that face it just broke me. When ever my dad was sad, it always made me sad. I was always used to the redneck, Larry the cable guy kind of dad. But in the past year, I had seen a new interesting side to my dad, the sensitive, sweet loving dad. I decided to say something to cheer him up,
“Hey Dad, Mom will always be with us you know?” I caught his attention and he looked like he was about to say something, then I interrupted “Like the Miller Guardian angel, you know?”He smiled and looked happier, than he was.
“Yup, she sure is kiddo,” He put his arm around me. That family moment would last forever in my heart. We walked over the truck and we got in and drove to the house to get the final things.
Three days after we went to visit mom, we finally finished packing everything. We were ready to get on the plane and go to California. As Dad drove us to the airport, I decided to start on the writing prompt for the free trip to the State Capital. I mean I still wanted to go and see what it was like there. So I started writing about my future. My future…My dreams, my hopes…..Everything I could think of, everything I could ever dream of, I put down on the paper. Every thought, every dream that paper contained. After driving for 1 an hour, we finally got to the airport. My dad walked over to the truck, and patted it on the door. A strange man came over to us, and looked at my dad, and my dad nodded, and put the keys in the man’s hand.
“DAD WHAT ARE YOU DOING!” I shouted with anger. Why did he give this man the truck?
“Anna RELAX!” my dad replied sounding very restrained. He turned his head to the man with the keys.
“You have the money; Right?”
“Here you go,” said the man with the keys. He handed my dad a suitcase of cash. My dad tipped his hat at the man and he looked at me and said
“Hey kid we got to go,” We ran to the airport, we got rid of our suitcases and ran to the flight. We were 17 minutes early but we still made it.
“Ummmmm ok G16, where is that?” I looked around and finally I found it G16. Thank god no one else was sitting there.
“Anna I got to go find my seat ok, have a good flight! Also good luck with your writing,” he waved to me and looked for his seat. I looked around to see if anyone was coming to sit down next to me, but no one was. I put my legs on the chair and closed my eyes. 5 minutes later I felt something tapping on my shoulder. I took off the magazine on my eyes and saw a boy about the age of 13 or 14 looking at me “Hey move girl that’s my seat your kicking,” he said in a tempered kind of voice. Great a flight with this jerk, doesn’t even say sorry.
“Oh go right ahead,” he scooted in and took his seat. Then about a minute after he sat down the flight attendant gave the directions and safety maneuvers, and we were taking off. A life in California a new fresh start, a new day a new dawn, a new me.
As we began to fly, life as you know it was changing for me. I sat in my seat next to the boy, and pondered to myself. California…my dream…my …reality, was it really what I expected, or had it been something completely out of my imagination. Slowly I started to drift away from my thoughts, and to my dreams. I feel asleep and something strange and out of the ordinary occurred. I saw just these dazing, but fearsome pair of blue eyes. I didn’t know what to make of them. They looked so deadly, yet so beautiful so innocent. What was this supposed to mean? Why had I just been dreaming about blue eyes….Strange….was all I could think of? The next thing I knew I felt something tapping me on the hand I opened my eyes, and there had been the boy I had been sitting next to.
“Hey! Could you be a little bit quieter?” He said very angrily. I looked at him then began
“Excuse me but what do you mean a little quieter? I was asleep!” I said very irritably.
“I MEAN YOU TALK AND SNORE IN YOUR SLEEP IT’S VERY ANNOYING!” said the boy almost up to the top of his lungs.
“What….I never talked in my sleep before…?” I mumbled to myself.
“Excuse me but do you know what I was saying?” I asked very peculiarly. The boy’s face turned from bright red…..to pale as could be. He looked at me disappointed that he ever brought up the subject.
“You were…uhh….talking about someone trying to get you…..trying to kill you? You looked like you were about to cry…..” he said mumbling very quietly to himself. “Oh….then I understand then why you told me to wake up…sorry for you having to see that…” I said apologetically. He looked back up to me and smiled
“Oh! It’s ok, sorry about me being so rude about it….It’s just I’m being forced to move to California…and well I wanna stay in Kansas I love it there,” He said with mixed emotions about it.
“Hey tell me about it 1st it was my dream to move to California, but now I’m not so sure….” I said pondering the subject.
“Well then I understand, by the way I’m Peter Cerrito,” He said extending a hand. I grabbed his hand and smiled
“I’m Anna Miller,” We both smiled at each other.
“Such a pretty name, for such a pretty girl,” He said winking.
“Why thank you, your names not that bad either,” I said smiling having my cheeks turn rosy red. He smiled and I smiled, then I turned my back to him and looked down at my lap and saw the essay that I had finished in the car. I looked at and thought to myself…Perfection. My excitement grew just thinking about it. A free trip to the State Capital building, such a perfect moment, a perfect day. All the dreams I could ever think of were coming true. As the time was passing by I was talking to Peter about everything, and he seemed like the kind of guy that I’d like to actually get to know better, you know like a boyfriend. But hopefully I’d get that opportunity. As the time passed by the flight got shorter and shorter. Before you knew it right there below me Sacramento. Peter and I were racing each other to look out the window, when my eyes set contact with Sacramento, everything seemed so perfect. My dream had come true California was right below me and well, I knew things were going to be good.
“You excited?” Peter asked me.
“Are you kidding me, is that even a question Peter?” I said sarcastically. He smiled at me. And looked like he was about to burst with some excitement
“Yes I think it is, and I’m even excited, so I’ll take it is that you’re going to die if this plane doesn’t land soon,” I stared blankly into his eyes and laughed
“You know me so well,” I said being flirty. Finally the Flight attendant, gave all the announcements, and said we’d be landed within a matter of minutes. Peter and I were jumping up and down with so much excitement. Peter turned so quickly from just thinking that California is torture, to almost loving it as much as I did. I thought that Peter was a strange guy, but whatever. He was officially my first friend in California, and I thought that, was awesome. When the plane landed Peter and I were shrieking our heads off like teenage girls about to see their favorite live band. We were actually getting really close. It’s funny that sometimes you can make something beautiful, out of nothing. When riding in a plane, you can make a best friend. I just thought that was interesting.
“Hey Peter, you and I have to hang out sometime. I have to move into a house in some town called Latrobe.” After I finished that sentence, Peter’s face started to light up even more.
“Anna, I’m moving to Folsom with my Grandparents, that is really close to Latrobe. We can see each other a lot,” He said with a wide smile, he came up and gave me a big hug. The Flight attendant interrupted our hug and said that all passengers may depart.
“Ok well here, I’ll give you my number and you can call me ok Peter?” I said grabbing my pen and writing down my number on his forearm. He started laughing at it.
“Give me your arm,” He grabbed the pen out of my hand and started writing down his number on mine.
“Ok Anna take care, and please call me ok,” He finished writing down the number. I saw his number then right next to it he put a cute little heart. He walked away and looked back at me and waved. I started walking off the plane. I started to search for my dad. There he was right over at the baggage claim. He had both our suitcases and came over to me.
“Hey Honey, how was your flight?” He asked curiously.
“It was great Dad, thanks for asking, how about you,”
“I’d rather not mention that,” He said laughing to himself.
“Hey honey we are going to have to go catch a ride with a taxi, or subway or whatever they have here so we can get to Latrobe. I bought our house online believe it or not,” He said smiling.
“Got it taken care that easy,” I smiled at him
“Ok…I guess...I’m excited,”
We started walking around, and finally we left the inside of the airport. We got outside and I felt the fresh, California breeze on my arms. I was smiling all around, I felt nothing could ruin this day. We looked around, for a taxi, or shuttle. Something that could get us to Latrobe. Then we saw a taxi and pulled them aside. We got inside, and started driving. The taxi driver and my Dad started talking about Politics, or the economy. I really wasn’t paying attention. All that was on my mind was Peter. Just the sound of the name Peter….I drifted away thinking about the teenage boy that was once so rude to me. Mrs. Anna Cerrito, It sounded so right to me. But then again I only got to know the boy for 7 hours. I wish I had longer with him, He was so cute. He had the cutest blonde hair, and the cutest brown eyes. But why did Peter have to come into mind, though? Focusing on boys was the least of my priorities. I had to enter the essay, I had to go to school, and I actually had to live my dream. But was living the dream really worth it, I mean it’s just California! It’s a state for crying out loud! But Peter was an actual, living breathing person. Peter was so sweet so caring so….ugh Peter. Why did he sort of ruin this day. Well whatever like I said he’s just a boy, forget about him Anna. That’s all I had to think. Was to forget him and move on.
As I started drifting away from my thoughts and more into my father’s conversation, I started actually paying attention for once in my life. I heard the men laughing about some television broadcast that my dad saw a long time ago. Some joke about a pop singer. When I listened to them I really wasn’t quite interested enough to interrupt them and ask what was going on. I looked out the window and gazed at a sign that said “Latrobe, Elevation 760” Excitement grew in my veins. I was just thinking about how my life would be here. In Latrobe with all my soon to be friends…..Like I said before a new life a new me….
Chapter 2: A new life
As the car drove into the new driveway, the excitement was growing intense. I felt an impulse and a rush that hadn’t been there in a while. As the taxi came to a stop I jumped out of the car as my dad paid the man. I looked at the two story yellow shabby chic house, and immediately jumped to my feet and ran inside the door.
When I entered the house I felt very, cold inside there. I first assumed it was just the heating system. But I had other assumptions also. But I put that in the back of my mind, and walked up the stairs and saw many rooms up there. But there was one room that really grabbed my attention. I walked inside it. And the cold air that was once in the house, turned into a nice warm delightful feeling. I felt very attached to this room the minute I walked into it. I felt a feeling I hadn’t remembered in a while. I felt like the room even smelled like my mother. The sweet, sweet smell of pumpkin pie just taken out of the oven. I started heading for the door, and took a quick last look at the room before I went downstairs. I looked around, and then went back to the cold empty house.
“Dad!” I shouted across the house.
“Dad” I repeated anxiously. My Dad came into the house with a smile and said “The moving Trucks will be here tomorrow, but until then we just have to sit around here,” I ran down the stairs until I finally met up with my dad.
“Dad, I wanted to ask you about a room I really, really like,” My dad smiled and said
“Show me the way kiddo,” I grabbed my Dad’s hand and I rushed upstairs to show him the room, of pumpkin pie.
Finally Dad walked in the room and a smile crossed his face, even wider than before. He smelled the inside of the room and I noticed a sparkle in his eye. A sparkle which I hadn’t seen since we were in the graveyard. He looked back at me and said
“Of course you can have this room; I thought you were going to do some joke like the bathroom. But this is good as well,” My dad replied chuckling to himself while leaving the room, to go downstairs. I was practically jumping up and down with excitement. I walked to the center of the room and just gazed around the room. I saw the top of the room that had a couple windows. Light shined into the room, almost as though I had my own little mini sun right above my room. The room was painted a sort of beige and yellow mixture. The flooring was an old fashion wooden floor. It was practically fading away. I thought the room was absolutely perfect for me. No pink, no purple, no green…no real fun jumpy preppy colors in it. It just had a perfect regular neutral color status. It brought such a warm feeling to your heart, it felt like when you walked into the room all problems all troubles or worries just seemed to evaporate right before your eyes.
“ANNA!” Screamed my dad, I looked away from the walls, and ran downstairs. There was my dad talking with some neighbors. There was a mother and a daughter side by side.
“We baked you a cake,” said the girl handing my dad a fresh smelling cake. “Why thank you,” said my dad smiling.
“Welcome to The neighborhood, well I would say it’s a neighborhood but we are all pretty spread out,” Said the women smiling at my dad, with a flirtatious look in her eyes. I looked at the women, glaring at her, with an angry hatred for her in my blood. I knew this woman may be trouble for us in our future so thank god she doesn’t live directly next door.
“Thank you, so wait how spread out is everything here?” asked my dad.
“Oh umm well you have a small elementary school right near here, and then a middle school that enrolls 4-8. Then we have a little coffee shop right over there,” Said the lady pointing to all the little schools/buildings. “And that’s pretty much the main buildings for Latrobe except we have a little fire station over there,” My Dad looked down at me a frowned.
“Darn we missed our chance,” said my dad chuckling.
“She’s a soft more,” I frowned at him, thinking about what he is doing? I was pretty confused was he just trying to make a family friend, or was this lady after my Dad? Either way this lady was really getting on my nerves. The lady looked down at her watch and said looking at her daughter
“Oh we got to get you to soccer come on Darcy, Well it was nice meeting you Jack and you too Anna.” The women walked off with her daughter sort of a rush to their car.
“Nice family don’t you think?” my dad said asking me.
“Uh yeah, wait hey dad do you know where a mail box might be by any chance?” I asked my dad trying to put off the subject.
“Yeah there was one a little past the house, but if your going down there bring your cell phone,” he said being a little more parental than the usual.
“Ok Dad,” I said rushing down the driveway. By the time I got to the end of the driveway I looked around searching for a mailbox but none site. Suddenly there was an unexpected vibrate in my pant pocket. I grabbed my phone out of my pocket and saw the caller ID as Peter. My emotions started jumping up and down, like the emotional rollercoaster teenage hormones crazy! I opened the phone and reacted normally.
“Hello?” I said walking down the walkway.
“Oh my gosh Anna? It’s Peter I just needed to hear your lunatic crazy voice again,” said Peter jokingly.
“Gosh Peter, I have caller ID,” I said joking back.
“Then why didn’t I get greeted properly with a hello peter how are you on this fine California day,” He replied.
“Because I just didn’t feel like it that’s all,”
“You didn’t feel like it, well it’s still polite to greet your fellow Californian with a proper hello,” He said with more sarcasm and more emphasis on it.
“Peter did you just call me to harass me?” I asked trying to get to the point of why he called.
“Gosh can’t poor little Peter miss his best friend?”
“Well that’s something to consider, look why don’t you come over some time or we see a movie together and catch up, when we’ve been apart for more that just a couple hours,”
“Ok I’ll call back some time when we’ve been apart longer geez Anna,” he said laughing
“Bye Anna”
“By Peter,” After I hung up with Peter and put the phone in my pocket, and continued with my search for the mail box. Another Vibrate disrupted my search. I opened my phone. This time unfortunately it was a text, from Peter? I opened the text and it red
“Just because we r off the plane doesn’t mean I’m not going to bother you ^_^,” I smiled at the text thinking about Peter and ignored replying back. I felt that Peter was the perfect friend to always bother you when you need that extra push. Somehow he did it at the perfect moment unexpected and needed.
As I was walking around the Latrobe road I finally found a mail box by the fire station. I stuck the envelope containing my essay, hopefully one of the winning essays to the state Capital writing contest and prayed that I was the winner and walked away. Walking home I pondered things on my mind. What is my new school going to be like? Would Peter be there, and if so what would become of Peter and I. Would I win the State Capital writing contest? Would Dad start possibly dating that woman? Problems and excitements were awaiting me I felt nervous about most of them. I mean was I developing feelings for Peter? I mean I can tell he obviously wants to get to know me better. Should I want to get to know him better? Or should I just ignore him? Either way it’s my decision and I can’t go back on either of them. I arrived in my driveway after thinking for around 10 minutes. I ran up the driveway and went up to go talk to my dad. As my dad was sitting on the steps awaiting my arrival having a bit of a peculiar expression on his face, I sprinted up the driveway to see what was up. He looked a bit different. He was still the same person but it felt as though he had a different…aura. A different vibe I couldn’t feel. I looked at him for a bit, and just realized it was just me. So wait was I imagining things. But everything seemed so fine, was something wrong with me?“Anna!?” yelled my dad in a hesitant yet excited tone.“Yeah Dad!,” I hollered back. As I my dad he seemed so excited so happy. “Anna, Katherine’s, is coming!” Suddenly everything went up. The sky turned bluer. The birds began to sing everything was perfect now. Katherine was coming and she was going to make everything better. Now I know your probably wondering who is Katherine and what did she do to make our small family love her so much. Well she was sorta the women who pulled our family through when Mom died, she made everything better. She was like the aunt I never had. She was always there when we needed her and now she is coming to California to make everything better. Katherine was always there for our family, even when mom was around. If there was any women I would want my dad to marry it would have been Katherine. “Dad, are you serious?!?!” I shouted with excitement “When, where, why?!?!” I was literally jumping up and down with excitement. I felt like I could run a 5k right then and there. “Calm down kid,” said my dad in calm, and soothing voice. “Ok well it is kind of exciting because…Katherine is moving in the house with us!” said my dad. Suddenly Nothing seemed real…California, Katherine, Peter…This wasn’t reality was it? Nothing was real it seemed to much of a dream to be reality something was going to come up I couldn’t explain it but I could feel it….but unfortunately I had no idea…what was on the road.I started hyperventilating, breathing incredibly fast and out of my control, it seemed as though I was having a panic attack? But yet I wasn’t…it was almost like I was collapsing with joy… “Whoa, Anna slow down,” My Dad said patting me on the back “There’s no reason to get over excited, she was already planning to move to California anyways, I mean she’s just moving in with us, that’s all,” said my Dad trying to calm me down, but there was no calming me down at this point…I realized that I was living the dreams that I knew would never come true…
Chapter 3: A Different Path
Have you ever pondered the fact that, you may just be dreaming nothing that is happening is true? But it is? As the so called panic attack calmed down, I decided to go up to my room and relax. I wanted to calmly and rationally figure things out. I mean is this possible, California, a boy actually liking me, and Katherine finally moving in?? What was going on? Everything wasn’t making sense anymore. I calmly pinched myself
“Ow,” I said to myself rubbing my arm. “That hurt….I can feel pain,” I looked down at my red forearm. So I wasn’t dreaming, this was happening. I thought to myself.
“I guess dreams are possible,” I muttered to myself.
But none of this makes any sense .I calmly sat down on the floor and relaxed.
For about 20 minutes of trying to figuring out why my dreams were actually coming true…I just gave up. Ignored everything and moved past it.
“Anna!” hollered my dad. “Katherine’s here!”
Suddenly I jumped to my feet and practically jumped down the stairs, and saw Katherine. She looked the exact same as she did when I saw here a year ago. Same long brown hair, same chocolate eyes, and even the same smile. I ran up to Katherine and gave her the biggest hug I could squeeze in.
“Ugh…I missed you,” “But I can’t believe you’re here so soon,” I said with a bit of grief in my voice. Last time I saw Katherine was at my Mom’s Funeral…and it wasn’t really a time to catch up with her. But anyways we had now and that’s all that mattered.
“Wow Have you grown Anna, you’re like what a foot taller,” said Katherine joking around. Of course when you naturally see someone you haven’t seen in a long time, they usually comment about your height, or your hair, or even how you look all in all.
“Yeah I grew like what an inch and a ½ But that’s all,” I said and stopped hugging her. My Dad went up to Katherine and gave her a hug also.
“Jack I missed you too,” Katherine said while hugging my Dad. “Lots of love from Katherine huh?” everybody laughed.
After the greetings at the door we decided to go into the empty kitchen and have a bag of Ruffles we still had left over from the plane ride. It wasn’t much for 3 people, but it was satisfactory.
“How was your flight?” my dad asked curiously.
“Ugh…Don’t ask me,” moaned Katherine.
“Really, that bad?” I interrupted.
“Yes, surprisingly as it always happens some kid kicks on the back of my chair,” Katherine complained.
“No kidding,” Commented my Dad.
“Your flight bad?” asked Katherine.
“Noooo,” replied my Dad sarcastically “It was perfect. No little kids there Noooo psh what you talking about?” My dad spat with so much sarcasm in his voice. Katherine laughed at my Dad’s sarcasm. Of course Katherine never takes anything seriously, always the one to cheer us up when the day we had was very un-pleasant.
“So I can see you relate to my pain, OH GOD THE PAIN!” Katherine laughed jokingly.
“Yes the pain!” I added.
“The Pain!” added my Dad! We all laughed at each other. Joking about the most random things we could think of. Kids kicking on our seats, People we saw on the airplane, people with fast food these days. We laughed at everything we could imagine.
As we waited through the day, rambling about things that annoy us. Night came quicker than we could imagine. It was around 10:30 PM when we got out the sleeping bags and camped out in the soon to be kitchen. My Dad and Katherine practically passed out after a long tired day. But I stayed up. After 15 minutes of hearing my Dad snore and Katherine mumble about tax deductions, I decided to go wonder around in the house. I got out of my sleeping bag very quietly and snuck off. I climbed up the stairs and went into my room. It still smelled like pumpkin pie. I wasn’t really surprised that the scent hadn’t changed. I gazed through the window and just blankly stared at the full moon. The light that came in through my window was just astonishing. I gazed at it and thought about how small I was compared to the rest of society. Millions of people gaze at this moon and wish for some of the same things I do. I thought to myself. What a small world we live in huh? I took my attention away from the moon, and gazed at the stars. What beauty they contained.
“Mom...” I murmured to myself “If you’re out there…I want you to know I miss you,” tears were streaming down my cheeks. I always remember watching the stars and gazing at the moon with my mother. She was always there to talk to. She understood any problem you had. Whether it was boy trouble or just problems all in all, she knew what to say. I missed her hug oh so much. Her warm smile and her beautiful long hair. She was the most amazing women I ever knew…. A smile came across my face. Remembering the good times with my Mom made it all the better.
Chapter 4: The Dream.
I headed downstairs after I blew my nose with some Kleenexes. I was feeling a lot better. I started actually getting tired. I looked around for the clock we had been sharing and it was 11:26 PM. I was pretty shocked that I was up there that long. I got back into my sleeping bag next to Katherine, and decided just to go to sleep. I closed my eyes, and the nightmare began.
It was black for a long period of time. Finally things started to clear up. It looked like I was at a beach. But the weird thing was…the beach was completely deserted. No person seen within miles of it. I looked up and saw that there was a storm coming. I tried walking away but, I couldn’t.
Out of the storm a strange man appeared in the dream. He was dressed completely in black. All you could see about him were his blue eyes. It was a blue so deep you could get lost in them. It was almost as though I was being lured into his eyes. They were so hypnotizing it was scary. He looked up, and tilted his head. Out of nothing Peter appeared in the dream.
Things came and went. Peter came in, Mom came in, Dad, and Katherine came in. I was getting pretty curious as to what was going on. The masked man stood there without moving a muscle. He just stared me down. I tried waking up from this dream, but I couldn’t. It was almost as though this was reality…but it wasn’t was it. There was some familiarity in the eyes though. I couldn’t think of where I saw them. Where had I saw them?
“ANNA?!” someone screamed. Suddenly I had a blast of reality. My eyes opened and I was back in my house. I looked around and Katherine was leaning over me.
“Have a bad dream?” asked Katherine.
“What? Huh? Wait I was asleep?” I mumbled to myself thinking on what was going on.
“Uh yes you were,” said Katherine looking at me like I was insane.
“Really?” I said shocked. “Did I dream well?” I joked.
“Not according to your mumbling,” said Katherine upset. “You kept saying On the Plane on the Plane? I didn’t quite get what you were dreaming about,”
I thought about it for a moment, but nothing came to me.
“Why was I mumbling on the Plane?” I asked Katherine curiously. Wait on the plane I thought. What on the plane had I been dreaming about? I couldn’t remember any part of my dream. It was almost as though I had never dreamed in the first place.
“Don’t know,” replied Katherine shrugging. “Hey let’s ignore the dream for now, take a look around,”
I looked up and got out of my thoughts, and looked around and noticed that there was furniture.
“Hey there’s furniture,” I said astounded.
“Yeah you’re a pretty heavy sleeper; we didn’t wake you up at all. We’ve been lifting furniture since 8. You didn’t even move,” said Katherine laughing. I jumped up thinking if they were lifting furniture at 8; what time was it currently?
I glanced over at the clock, and it read 10:37 Am. It was pretty shocking to find out that had been sleeping that late. But I found it peculiar that I couldn’t remember my dream.
“Hey Kiddo I’m going to go find your Dad so stay put ok?” said Katherine Getting up. I nodded and she walked away.
On the plane I thought…What could that possibly mean? Was I dreaming about Peter? What had I been thinking?
Chapter 5: Confronting the fear
I sat on the ground, continuing to ponder; what on the plane had I been dreaming about? It frustrated me. Thinking and thinking but not coming up with a conclusion. Lately I’ve felt like haven’t been remembering much of my dreams. It just seems as though I remember going to bed; and then waking up. What was on the plane? All I remembered was Peter…but nothing else.
“Anna,” Hollered my Dad. I jumped up from my thoughts and walked outside to my Dad.
“Yeah Dad,” I replied.
“I need you to change into some new clothes and go over to the Fulton’s and ask them if they’d like to stay for dinner tonight.” Said Dad Preoccupied.
“Who are the Fulton’s?”I asked curiously.
“Ugh Anna do you ever pay attention!” shouted Dad angrily.
“I guess not. Who are they?” I asked again.
“Do you remember the nice woman we met yesterday with her daughter?” asked Dad.
“Yes, don’t remind me…” I replied Shuttering.
“Well they are the Fulton’s Darcy and Marissa Fulton,” said Dad smiling.
“What daddy! Don’t invite them over! They they!!! They aren’t nice!” I said stammering with anger and frustration. My Dad rolled his eyes
“Anna get changed and go…Now!” yelled my dad. I walked into the house and went up to my room and got changed. I was getting quite upset with my Dad so frustrated and taking his anger out on me. It just seemed wrong. I brushed the quarrel off my shoulders, changed and headed downstairs to see Katherine. I noticed that Katherine was talking to my Dad in a hushed tone. I decided to eavesdrop.
“Jack just calm down…and give Anna some credit for not remembering this stupid uhh Marissa or whatever,” said Katherine irritated.
“Well excuse me but if you haven’t noticed I’ve been up since 5 Am trying to enhance this stupid house!” replied Dad in an infuriated tone.
“Stupid house?!?! Stupid House! Jack did you forget your WIFE!?!?!” cried Katherine. I looked over at Dad and his expression turned from a fuming red…to an insipid white.
“Katherine….I just miss Ellsworth….” Said Dad saddened.
“It’s ok to Miss Ellsworth Jack…I miss living in Ellsworth too…But we did what was necessary to keep this house. Remember what Iris used to say In order to play the game of life; you must make some sacrifices, including those Painful devastating sacrifices. But in the end it will be worth it,” Said Katherine beaming.
“Yes I remember; but Katherine…. I’m lonely…. I want a wife possibly more kids...” replied Dad sighing.
“Jack I’m sure Iris wouldn’t mind if you remarried….In fact I think she would like that,” smiled Katherine.
“Thanks Katherine you always know what to say.” said Dad smiling again. My Dad went up to give Katherine a long welcoming hug. It lasted for about 20 seconds, and they stopped.
“ANNA!!” hollered my Dad again. I quickly panicked and snuck away from the conversation and went in the kitchen to make it look believable. My Dad walked in the house looking around.
“ANNA,” he paused and glanced in the living room.“ANNA,”
Finally he walked into the kitchen.
“Hey Dad!” I said acting enthusiastic.
“Anna you need to go over to Marissa’s now!” he said getting impatient.
“Ok sorry…I went to get a snack,” I said walking towards the door. While walking through the door I ran into Katherine.
“Hey kiddo where you headed off too?” asked Katherine curiously.
“The Devils house,” I mumbled, under my breath. Katherine gave me an unconventional glance.
“What did you just say?” asked Katherine with a sort of ring to her voice. I ignored what Katherine said and just kept walking.
“Anna,” called Katherine. “Anna,” she repeated again. As I walked out of the house, I made a run for it.
I sprinted down the driveway with tears in my eyes. It was devastating to hear my Dad talk like that; to me; to Katherine; and more importantly to Mom. How could he possibly think of remarrying? It felt as though he was forgetting all the staggering moments with her. How could he possibly think of even dating? It hurt me even contemplating the topic.
As I was walking to the she-witches house….thoughts came and went….Would my Dad remarrying possibly increase his happiness? I knew that if there was any woman in the world I would want my Dad to marry it would be Katherine…but he doesn’t love Katherine like that. Katherine on the other hand, I wasn’t quite sure on her. I had been considering this for a while though but I never really actually thought it was true. But thinking about it maybe Katherine loves my Dad…..
When walking up the driveway to my Dad’s possible future. My heart was beating at an incredible pace. Sweat was rolling down my face, and I knew that this woman was going to be a dilemma. I also knew that other things were going to go wrong in the future and that I had to be prepared.
There the door stood; right in front of my face. I knocked on the door with much apprehension in myself. When waiting for the nuisance herself to arrive. I started humming a song to distract myself. Finally she opened the door.
“Hey, your Jack’s daughter right?” said Marissa.
“Yeah…” I said quietly under my breath.
“Well come in,” she said welcoming. As I was walking into the cheery home, I knew that there was something...Off about this house. I couldn’t quite explain it but there was something different about it. It seemed as though I was stepping in my house all over again. I still remembered the feeling I had when I first walked in my new house. It was a different feeling; a cold feeling. It made you feel so empty…
“Well what brings you here?” asked Marissa with curiosity. I was still looking at the house and ignored what Marissa said. The house seemed to be sending me a message; or a sign. There was definitely something off about this woman and this house.
“What brings you here?” Marissa repeated irritably. I looked up at her and got out of my thoughts. I laughed and began
“Oh sorry about that,” Her frown became a smile
“It’s alright. So again what brings you here?” she said chuckling.
“Oh I wanted to know if you and Donna would like to come and stay for dinner at our place,” I said smiling the fakest smile possible. She raised her eyebrows
“It’s Darcy; and we would love to come for dinner. Might I ask what we are eating?” She replied more irritated.
“We are having my Dad’s special meatloaf,” I smiled hoping that she would change her mind. Marissa frowned and sighed
“What time?” she asked quietly.
“Anytime possible,” I said smiling even more, thinking about Marissa rejecting the offer.
“I guess I could work with that,” said Marissa walking towards another room. “Here come with me,” She said signaling me.
We started walking around. I glanced around looking at the house. It seemed as though the longer I was in that house; the more it captivated me. It was like I was a fish and the house was the bait. We entered the kitchen.
“Take a seat,” said Marissa gesturing to a table and chairs. I walked over to a chair opposite of Marissa. Marissa sighed her eyes were sparkling and her smile was radiant. At that moment she didn’t seem a threat. She seemed more of a friendly neighbor. “Anna, I need to ask you some personal questions if you don’t mind,”
“I don’t mind at all,” I said actually having a genuine smile. She sighed once again
“Could you tell me what it was like for you when you lost your mother?” After the words left her my smile faded to a frown. I thought for a moment…She may really be after my dad. I sighed and said
“Not to sound impolite; but May I ask why you are asking that?”
“Darcy recently lost her father…” said Marissa almost in the point of tears.
Finally it struck me. No wonder this house was so different…A spirit was watching over the house…just like my house…
Chapter 6: Realizing the Truth
“Anna?” asked Marissa calmly. “Anna?” she repeated. I looked at her; and put my hand on hers.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” It seemed for the first time she smiled
“Thank you. I appreciate you being here.
For 2 hours I stayed at the Fulton’s house talking to Marissa Fulton; about losses and the pain it has of losing a loved one. I told her about all the small experiences I’ve had with actually feeling my mother; and feeling other spirits. I even told her about when I walked into the house I could feel her husband.
“So your telling me you can “Feel” spirits,” said Marissa fascinated.
“That is correct,” I said taking a sip of the hot chocolate she got me.
“That is amazing,” Marissa said dumbfounded. “It’s so unbelievable and incredible. Have you ever told anyone?”
“Not a soul in my life,” I said chuckling.
“Incredible; just incredible,” said Marissa still in shock from what I told her. There was a deep silence. Marissa turned her head and glanced at the clock.
“Oh dear it’s 1:30 we should get you home,” said Marissa in a panicked tone.
“OH MY GOD!” I said jumping. “I got to get home!” I said rushing towards the door. Marissa walked with me.
“I’ll drive you,” Said Marissa grabbing her keys. “I have to go pick up Darcy from soccer also,”
“Thank you,” I said walking up to give her a hug. We hugged for about 10 seconds; then ran out the door. We went in the car and drove to my house.
Marissa had dropped me off at my driveway. I ran into the house to go tell my dad that she was coming. I walked into the house, and poked around.
“Dad?” I called “Katherine?” I looked in the kitchen, No one was there. I walked upstairs and looked around there. No one had been there either. It seemed as though the house had been completely deserted. I went looking around our property for about 20 minutes but there was still no sign of anyone there.
“I guess they went into town,” I said mumbling to myself. I walked back inside the house. I walked up the stairs and went into my newly decorated room. I grabbed my cell-phone to see if anyone had called. But to my surprise I actually found 2missed calls from Peter. I checked to see if anyone else called, but it was only Peter. I decided to give Peter a call. I bit my lip and was blushing now more than ever. Just the thought of Peter made me turn pink. While the phone rang; my heart dropped. Finally there was an answer
“Hello?” asked Peter. I started giggling.
“Hey! Hypocrite you didn’t greet me with a proper introduction either!” I shouted. Peter laughed
“I don’t have caller ID Anna,” said Peter grouchy.
“Hey Peter what’s wrong with you?” I asked curiously.
“Ugh I’m starting stupid school…” groaned Peter.
“Yeah I start pretty soon too,” I said contemplating the thought of Epson high school.
“Where does your doom take place?” asked Peter.
“It starts at Epson High School. Gosh what a weird name for a high school,” I said laughing.
“Anna…I’m going to Epson too,” Peter said with a dramatic change in his voice. “Holy crud; this is like amazing; I can’t believe it!” said peter excitedly.
“Oh my gosh Peter your going to Epson I can’t believe it,” I said happily. I couldn’t believe it Peter was going to my high school! I’ll actually get to see him again. I haven’t seen Peter since the plane ride and well I missed Peter.
“Anna this is fate; Fate brought us together at the wonderful school of Epson high school!” Peter said with much energy in his voice. I sat in my chair talking to Peter about how excited I was to be a soft more; and the stop having the torcher of being a freshman.
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