And I let Brad haunt me.
Forever.
Epilogue
Austin
THE MEMORY
I
mages of Tatiana's mother came over and over again in my head like I was missing something important. I could've sworn I'd seen her before, if only I knew where she was from. She didn't look anything like Tatiana; I shook my head trying to clear it. I shifted in my bed causing the bed to creak as I turned over. My eyes felt heavy all of a sudden and a wave of tiredness flooded over me. I yawned and closed my eyes, no longer resisting it, and I fell into sleep.
I wasn't in bed anymore, I was in Serena's room. She was giggling as she played with the toys hanging above her. She looked so happy lying there in her cot. I watched her play for a while, mesmerised by her, envying her. The window curtains were closed and I couldn't see any light coming through them. It must be dark outside.
Something felt wrong in that instant, voices echoed in the house, coming all the way up the stairs.
"No!" I heard over and over again; it was my mother's voice. She sounded scared; terrified even.
I felt the need to run and hide, but I just stayed with Serena, scared they would hurt her. I heard rushing footsteps and my father cried out for help, glass smashed in the distance making me jump a little. My heart beat faster and faster and before I knew it I was picking up Serena. I made it to the wardrobe and sat her down on the floor. She was giggling, thinking that we were playing a game as I opened the sliding door.
I saw shadows pass my door and I hoped Serena wouldn't blow our cover. I dragged her inside the wardrobe and I came in after her, closing the door. It was pitch black and I could feel Serena starting to get nervous so I sat her beside me; holding her and reassuring her that it was okay.
My heart jumped out of my chest when I heard the door creak open. Footsteps echoed in the room like it was the only sound you could hear for miles. I had to control my breathing otherwise I felt like I would pass out any second.
"Where is she?" a woman demanded rudely.
"Look thoroughly, her parents won't be out much longer," a man hissed.
I heard toys being thrown across the room, occasionally hearing a toy laugh or squeak. I held my breath and hoped that Serena wouldn't laugh or panic as I put a hand over her mouth, making sure not to cover her nose so she could still breathe. I heard someone sigh with frustration and then they walked closer and closer towards us.
It all happened as if in slow motion, I heard the door slide open softly making a whooshing sound and I found a pair of golden, yellow eyes staring down at me with hunger. My breath caught when she reached out her hands and grabbed Serena around the waist. I pulled, tugging her back to me, but that only earned me a cold stare from the woman. Her hair was black and knotted, her eyes were wide, but not with shock or fear, it was with hunger; horrifying me.
The woman pulled again, but not gently this time. I wanted to pull her back to me, but I felt cruel, like I would hurt her. Serena yelped when the woman tugged again and I found myself letting go. Tears that had been threatening to fall escaped now, blurring my vision.
I screamed making Serena cry, but I didn't care anymore. I wanted someone to help Serena, to help me. I wanted her. She was my sister, no one else's; I loved her too much to let go. The woman hissed at me and I cried out again. Serena was leaning down towards where I sat, reaching out her arms to me trying to get to me, but the woman wouldn't let her. The woman stood up and left without ever looking back.
Serena stared back at me, afraid, her hazel eyes wide. I remembered those hazel eyes, I could never forget them.
I awoke with a gasp, sweat was all over my chest and back. I felt uncomfortable and my heart was racing. I breathed in and out slowly, trying to calm down, and suddenly all of those images flashed in my head.
That dream wasn't a dream. It was a memory. Those hazel eyes …
Tatiana was my sister.
Tatiana was Serena.
About the Author
Isabella de Horta has spent her life working with teenagers. She has an abiding interest in adolescent mental health. She considers herself very fortunate to be able to use her teaching and youth work skills to assist these damaged young people with their struggle to develop into functioning adults.
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