I ran down the dimly lit pathway, tripping on loose debris, there was nothing but darkness around me. All I could hear was the pounding of my heart with fear. He was getting closer, I could feel it...
~~~

Beep..Beep..Beep
I slammed my hand down on the alarm to stop the dreadful noise from spoiling my morning.

To be honest, I'm not really a morning person, but I feel safer when it's morning. Mornings are much better than-
The sound of my mother's captivating voice woke me up from my trance.

"Brook, breakfast is ready", my mom called from downstairs.

"OK, Mom", I said, as I sighed.

I got out of bed, jumping on the carpeted floor. I casually walked over to my mirror to inspect my hideous reflection.

"Yep, I'm not surprised", I say to myself, as I inspect my features. My wavy brown hair was matted and rough to the touch; let's not mention the fact that I still had yesterday's makeup on, streaks of black maskara stained my pale face.

I then grabbed my brush and I attempted to brush my monstrosity of hair. Once finished, I picked out a simple black jumper with a white floral pattern, accompanied by dark grey leggings and a pair of black flats.

It was just something casual; I really wasn't in a 'dressy' mood.
Once I was done with my ablutions, I ran downstairs to be greeted by the smell of freshly cooked pancakes.

"Yum", I thought to myself, the smell of pancakes intoxicating me, but that sense of happiness will be short lived, everything must come to an end, right?

I walk down the hallway to be met by my brother Alexander, but something seems off, but I just didn't know what.

"Hey, sis" my brother said in a brittle voice, biting his lip, his eyes darting around the room.

"Hey..." I replied in a questionable tone.

"Mom and Dad would like to speak with you about something", Alex said, while avoiding eye contact with me, his face paling with every word he spoke.

"Oh, OK" I reply, as I began to worry

After hearing what my brother had to say, I began to worry. Usually my brother is a morning person, but something seemed off today, but I didn't know what.

I walked down the plain beige hallway, upon entering the sitting room, I noticed my mother and father sorting out boxes!

"Oh, hey, Brook" my mother said while giving me a closed eye smile

"Oh, hey, Mom! Is there something wrong? Why are there so many boxes?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Well, you see...after everything that happened in the past few years, your father and I decided it would be a good idea to move...you know, maybe we can start over and live in peace" my mothers smile had disappeared and was replaced with a frown, her eyes full of hopelessness

...
There was an awkward silence in the room after hearing what my Mom said. I was shocked! But...it was a good idea.
To be honest, I've not gotten over what happened. To make matters worse, I have scars that remind me every day that my life has truly changed, and not in a good way.
When I close my eyes, I see him. I still feel the warm substance run down my pale skin. I hear the gurgling sounds. I still feel sick to my stomach when I think about it. And I still feel the urge to regurgitate everything I've eaten.

"Mom"

"Yes, Brook?" My mother looked up at me with, anticipating my reaction.

" I think it's best to move...I'll help you pack. But there is one thing I want to do first"

"No, that's OK, take your time".

5 minutes later

I walked outside and grabbed my phone. My plan was to ring Logan and break the news to him.
We've been friends for as long as I can remember, so breaking the news to him is going to be difficult.
I dialled his number and waited.
My heart is racing, as I began to bite my lip in anticipation. I have never wanted to leave Logan, but I'm moving. I know he won't take well to the news, but I hope he will understand. I hope...
My phone dials a bit longer and Logan picks up.
I hear his perky full of joy voice say

"Oh, hey, Brook, how's my gal doing?"
Well, here goes nothing!

"Logan...I have to tell you something"

"Hmm, you know you can tell me anything"

"Logan, I'm really sorry, but I just found out that I'm moving"
....
....

"Logan?"

"Why" is all I could hear Logan say in a muffled voice.

"I'm sorry, Logan, I can't really hear you"

"WHY" he shouts in rage
My heart drops down to the pit of my stomach.

"Logan I'm sor-"

"Why are you only telling me now?! Do you know how angry she will be..no this will work, it has to..."

" Logan, I only found out today. Who will be angry?"I reply, holding back the tears.

"I'm sorry that I lashed out at you, Brook...it's just a shock to the system"

"N-no, it's OK"

"Look, Brook, I know you have been through a lot these past few years and I know how much it probably hurts you so... I don't mind, I know it's for the best..."

"Thank you for understanding, Logan" I say with a *sigh* of relief

"It's no problem, Brook...I've gotta finish doing something." After Logan said that, he hung up abruptly.

I was happy that Logan understood, but something seemed off about him, just like my brother. Logan's perky voice had changed into a much more harsh tone and that was my first time hearing him like that.

But I still don't know why he lashed out like that. Maybe I was just over reacting. After all, I did just discover I'm moving away.
I walk inside and decide to finish helping mother pack.

"Brook?"

"Yes, Mom"

"Is it OK if I get you to go and start packing stuff down in the basement?" My mother asked me.

"Sure thing"

I grab a box and start to make my way to the basement. Once I got there, I opened the timber wood door. A gust of cold air hits me in the face and caused me to get goosebumps all over. I have never really liked it down in the basement. Who would!
I start to make my way down the stairs as the voices of my brother and parents become distant. All I could hear was the creaking of the old oak wood stairs as I desended deeper into the pit of darkness. I decided to use the light on my phone as a source of light.

Once I got to the bottom of the stairs, I fumbled to turn the light switch on, but I eventually did. I decided to start packing.
I was placing and sorting objects into boxes when I came across a certain box that said *Aunt Dahlia*.

Aunt Dahlia was a bit different from everyone else. Mother never talked about her and for some reason avoided talking about her.

I opened the box and saw a jewellery box, which was breathtaking to look at! It was a platinum silver, with midnight blue pearls, It had the letter W carved into the centre of the jewellery box. I cautiously opened it - I didn't want to damage it. Inside there was as crimson red pendant with a Lionet gold hydrangea symbol in the middle. It had a gold chain and carved in the back of it was the initials D.W.
I decided to keep it as it was absolutely breathtaking! I then decided to pack away everything else.
Once finished packing, I went upstairs and started packing my belongings.
"It's time for a new start!" I said to myself, attempting to cheer myself up.

Little did I know, in the shadows of my bedroom, something was there, something unpleasant...

Something watching me...

End of chapter 1
becky711