1 Chapter 1

Mariah's POV

'Crys. Wait up'

'Stop!'

There was a series of laughter in the backyard that felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. There were children running around. There were 5 children running around. There were 3 boys that looked around 7 years, 11 years and 12 years. And there was a small girl who looked around 5 years. There was an unusual familiarity with her.

The boys were chasing the girl from the backyard towards the house. There was a woman in the kitchen that was baking happily.

'Kids, no playing in the house. Don't make me use the spoon again,' the woman said.

'CRYS! WATCH OUT! ' The small girl was near the road when suddenly out of nowhere, a black SUV appears. Men from the SUV came out carrying guns and then --

*BAAM*

I jolted up in my bed sweating and breathing heavily. Realizing it was only a nightmare- more like a memory that has been invading my mind occasionally since that awful night at the beginning of the school year. I would not like to go into detail but all will be revealed at the right time- hopefully, never.

I was taking deep breaths to calm myself when my mom burst into my room.

"Honey, are you okay?" she asked as she took a seat beside me and handing me a glass of water. She rubbed my back soothingly to calm me. I instantly put my arms around her, needing comfort.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just- it's the same stupid dream again. Ever since that night, I've been having it." I informed her.

"It's almost six. Are you up for school or do you want to stay in today?" she asked.

I assured her, "I'll be fine. Just two more days and it'll be Winter Break. I think I can manage."

She smiled warmly and gave me one last hug before going to get ready for work and I went to get ready for school. I am in my last year of school before having to go to college.

I chose a pair of black jeans and a grey hoodie and a white tank top to wear underneath the hoodie. I paired it up with my white converse.

I grabbed my bag from my study table and made my way downstairs. I live alone with my mom, who is a nurse, in Australia as my dad and her are going through a rough patch. My dad lives in the US as a businessman. Even though he's in another continent, I'm quite close to him. We were once a complete and happy family. We still are happy but broken.

Once my mom and I finished our breakfast, we went out and made our way towards my mom's car. Whenever she has morning shifts, she drops me on the way to work and when she has afternoon or night shifts, I drive myself to school.

As we sat in the car, I mumbled, " Another lovely day at Satan's torture chamber." I heard my mom snicker but didn't say anything.