🎧 Music Recommendation: Titanium by Sia 🎶

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  School ended in a blink of an eye, and my friends and I walked together, each of us heading to our houses. They laughed and discussed about everything and anything. However, I could not share their good mood as mine had already disappeared after remembering my late mother. I stared at the backs of my three friends, feeling strangely alone, as they walked briskly in front of me.

  It seemed Silas was the only one who noticed my darkened mood, and he began following my slow pace. I forced a smile and asked, "Why did you stop talking with them?"

  He frowned. "How can I continue talking with them when you're in such a bad mood?"

  My smile grew genuine, and I said nothing in reply. When he noticed I was not going to respond, he questioned, "What's wrong?"

  I pursed my lips and stared at my muddy Converse as I walked. "It's just... just this strange phenomenon happening tomorrow night. It reminds me of my mum."

  Silas wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer to him. With eyes fixated ahead, he said, "I know how it feels to lose a loved one to the cold hands of death. But, you know, sometimes, thinking about them brings us sadness when they clearly wanted us to be happy."

  I remembered it was as though my mother lived to make me happy and content. She was my first best friend, my carer, and the first woman who stood by side and supported me. She was amazing, and I believed Silas was right; she would want me to be happy.

  As I looked up at him, I whispered, "Thanks, you're right."

  Silas turned to me and smiled back, looking absolutely stunning with his gentle smile that seemed to light up his whole face. I realised we had stopped walking and were staring into each other's eyes, drowning in each other's orbs.

God, I sound cheesy.

  His face came closer to mine, and I could feel his breath fan my face. But before any other thing could happen, Mason turned around and caught sight of us in an intimate position.

  "Yo, lovebirds, you're slowing us down." Mason smirked, making Melissa turn around to stare at us. Suddenly, as if my body was on fire, Silas released me and created a certain distance between us. I could not help but giggle as I caught the tips of his ears rosy.

  Perhaps it was my terrible eyesight or a hallucination, but I thought I caught Melissa staring at Silas with a strange expression. But after I blinked, her face was expressionless, and she began walking faster without waiting for us. I turned to the twins, and then, we followed her, matching her speed.

  My friends walked me to my house and waved at me in farewell. I waved back at them before pulling out my house key. I inserted it into the keyhole, hearing a click as I swung open the door

  I saw my dad standing, his arms akimbo and his head low in thought. When he noticed me, his eyes lit up. His white sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and the first two buttons of his shirt were unfastened, revealing a little of his bare chest.

  "Green, you're home already?" he asked with an embarrassed smile I was so familiar with.

  I rushed to hug him, feeling his oddly wet shirt. With a chuckle, he asked, "You've never hugged me after you come back from school. Did anything happen?"

  "Nope, everything is fine," I muttered before pulling away with a small smile. "But why is your shirt wet, dad?"

  "Oh, yes. Uh, things got a bit out of hand," he replied as he tried smoothening his wrinkled shirt.

  "Let me guess, you were trying to fix something. A broken water pipe?" I asked, to which my father sighed in defeat and nodded.

  I shook my head, giggling. Dad always wanted to fix things around the house himself; he never liked strangers—whether paid to work or not—enter our home. Mild distrust? No. Paranoia? Yes, siree.

  I stepped into my house, inhaling the sweet air that smelt like home. As I walked to my room, I stated, "You'd better take a shower or change into some dry clean clothes, dad."

  "You're the boss," I heard him reply.

  I entered my room, leaving my door ajar, and slumped onto my bed. "Ah, I am so freakin' tired."

  Somehow, school had the amazing ability to suck the life energy out of me; it was crazy.

Thank goodness I'm home.

  "Green?" I heard my father softly call out. Sitting up from my bed, I saw my father at the door, staring at me in concern.

  "Be honest with me; is anything wrong?" he questioned as he entered my room.

  "No, dad. Everything is fi—"

  "Don't give me that crap. I know when my daughter is upset," he stated.

  "Dad, seriously, I'm fine. I'm not hurt." I got up from my bed and walked towards him. "But I was thinking of mum earlier, and I... miss her a lot. Yes, I know I need to be happy because mum would want that, but I can't stay happy for too long. No matter how hard I try, I still miss her so much."

  "Oh, Green," he muttered, pulling me in for a hug. I pressed my cheek onto his shirt, ignoring how wet it was. He stroked my head gently as he said, "Missing your mum is alright. I miss her too... so much. I won't tell you to forget her though; you can cry and wipe your snot on my shirt for as long as you want."

  "I think your shirt is wet enough," I replied with a small smile.

  "C'mon, can't your old man bear a little snot on his shirt? I don't actually mind as long as you're gonna wash it," he said with a grin. He broke the hug and gently tugged my cheeks, saying, "Cheer up, Green, because that's what your mum would want."

  Then, he smirked. "You know what? I'll even make your favourite food: burnt toast with spicy milk."

  "Ew, dad. No, please. You know that's disgusting," I said, snickering.

  "Of course. I know you as much as you know me. Anyway, I won't take any more of your time. I'll be downstairs if you need me," he said before he tousled my hair and left my room, gently shutting the door.

  When he left, I felt goosebumps develop on my skin. I recognised that pleasant feeling as contentment and joy, emotions my mum always wanted for me.

  I quickly slipped out of my clothes and took a shower, enjoying the new, replenished life energy home gave me. After stepping out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me, I glanced at my school bag on my bed and remembered the form Ms. Kate gave me.

  I rushed to wear my clothes—comfy, black trousers and a baggy black top on which, 'BLACKS' was written in bold white colour. Taking out the form from my bag, I walked to my father's study, knowing he spent most of his time there. I knocked on the door and entered when I heard him say, "Come in."

  As I silently handed him the form, I waited as he read it. To my surprise, a worried expression replaced his normal one. He turned to me with concern in his eyes and said, "Says here you have to go to school tomorrow night for the Blood Sky."

  "Blood Sky?"

  "Yes, the Blood Sky is the name of that strange phenomenon happening tomorrow night," he stated.

  "Oh, yeah, that's true. So, what about it?" I asked.

  "I don't wish to remind you more of your mother's death. Will you be comfortable watching the Blood Sky?"

  It was then I understood what he was talking about. Unfortunately, she died three years ago when I was just thirteen. Her last sight was not of me nor my dad, but it was of the Blood Sky. I remembered her staring in awe at the red sky before closing her eyes forever and taking her last breath. To be honest, I was not sure if I would be comfortable with watching the Blood Sky.

  "I don't know," I responded.

  "My decision will be based on your answer. Whenever you have made up your mind, tell your old man," he said softly.

  I forced a smile and nodded before leaving his study. I was walking back to my room until I felt my phone vibrate from inside my pocket. I picked it up and saw it was my best friend calling. I accepted the call and placed it on speaker.

  "Mel, what's up?"

  "Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to ask if you're going to watch the Blood Sky tomorrow night."

  "Oh, I'm not sure if I'll be—"

  "It'd be so nice if you would go with me. I can't stay with the twins by myself; it would be awkward without you," she said, interrupting me.

  Melissa was not aware of my mother's death. As a matter of fact, none of my schoolmates were aware except for Silas. They thought my mother was a regular traveller who journeyed to different countries and never had time to bond with her only child. I never bothered to correct them, so I let them think whatever they wanted to. Silas never told them either for some reason.

  I sighed, "Fine, I'll go with you. I wouldn't want to make you feel awkward."

  "Hold on, are you saying you wouldn't have come if I hadn't called? Why? Are you okay?" she queried.

  "I don't know, it seemed going to watch the Blood Sky was like a waste of time. But if you want me to go, I'll definitely go."

  "No, no. Don't go just because I want you to. Just do what your heart tells you," she said.

  "Okay, Mel."

  With that, I ended the call. I still wasn't sure if I wanted to go, but I did not want Melissa to feel uncomfortable. Making up my mind, I walked to my room and shut the door. As I laid on my bed, I began thinking about my decision. A small part of me wanted to accompany Melissa; however, a large part of me wanted to stay at home and spend the whole night reading novels.

  "Mum, what should I do?" I muttered as I fiddled with the spiral pendant of the necklace on my neck. My mother had given me this necklace when I was just newly born. Whenever I held the pendant, it was as though I was speaking with her.

  "I don't know what to do."

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  Night came faster than I expected, and I got ready to bury myself in my blanket and sleep like a log. But, only when I lay on my bed did I remember what usually happened when I slept these days: nightmares.

  I tried my best to resist the urge to close my eyes, but it seemed the more I resisted the more the urge intensified. Finally, I succumbed to it, allowing its momentary peace wash over me.

  I regretted it instantly as I found myself in a familiar forest. I could not see the sky because of the countless trees blocking the view, and the air was thick with apprehension. Suddenly, I heard a groan beneath me, and to my horror, teeth as sharp as blades chomped on my feet.

  My pained cry only served as a call to the rest of the monsters. More groans came from behind me, and I tried to run, but the monster beneath my feet held them in place. Each of its teeth sank into my flesh without mercy, and I did what any desperate, irrational person would do. I forcefully ripped out my feet from the monster one by one and held back my screams.

  I began to run, my pace slow because of my injured feet but my spirit determined to get away from the creatures. However, I knew there was no escape; there never was, and there never would be.

  However, to my shock, I caught sight of a lone cabin sitting in the middle of the forest. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I started to feel claws scratching my back, trying to tear me to shreds and creating piercing pain for me. It felt like the monsters behind me were trying to deprive me of freedom. When it seemed I was nearing so close to the cabin, a familiar creature appeared before me.

  Although its long hair covered its face, I could still recognise it. The monster's back heaved as it spoke in clear English, "You can never escape them, Aurelia."

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Here is the second chapter! Hope you liked it! Oh, and feel free to give constructive criticism, suggestions, corrections, or advice.

Anyway, if you like this chapter, slam your finger onto that little star right there. Wait, seriously, don't hit it so hard. You might break a finger... 🙂

So, I have a few questions for you, and I'd love to hear your opinions and answers.

Q1: Why do you think Eve's father always called her 'Green'?

Q2: What is the worst food combination you can think of? Apart from burnt toast and spicy milk as mentioned in the story. 🤢

Q3: What do you think of Melissa Turner?