The Vessel

Chapter 2

(unedited)

Chapter 2

"Abby, Abby, come on, let's play!" Elizabeth Ross screamed as she jumped up and down the bed, her light brown hair bounced up and down. The groaning wooden bed frame shook and creek destroying the little peace Abby has experienced since they moved into the house.

"Go away," she responded sleepily pulling the thick blanket over her head, in deep concentration to ignore her sister. But the little tyke just kept bouncing, up and down like a basketball. Finally, with a loud groan, the young brunette rolled out of bed, muttering inaudibly how tired she was.

The gleaming light shown through the the small crack between the curtain, and on the floor. The clock read 8:00, a time too early for her. She could only guess that Ashton was out earlier than yesterday, as he usually kept Elizabeth company before Abby wakes up. By the time she's ready to take over, the tyke was ready for her short mid morning nap.

To Abby, these times were pleasant arrangements.

"All right Eli, just stop stirring the whole house," Abby spat in an irked tone. As much as she loved her little sister, Abigail didn't tolerate hyperactive children as well, even her own sister is not an exception.

She had the dream again, but this time, she was completely alone. Despite that, she felt that something is horribly wrong, making her blood run cold. A chill ran down her spine, remembering her nightmare.

Elizabeth immediately halted her quirky morning greeting, and jumped off the bed landing with only but a soft thud on the floor. The lower portion of her plumped red lips stuck out in irritation but still the child grabbed Abby's hand and dragged her towards the kitchen.

It is eerily silent-at least more than usual-that prevailed inside the house. It was Ashton who wakes her up every morning, and has not missed a single day for as long as she can remember. However today, he was nowhere in sight.

But perhaps what surprised her more are the moving boxes cluttered all over the floor. She supposed their move has been decided sooner than she had thought.

A rush of relief flooded her mind realizing that she wouldn't have to stay in this house any longer. From all the homes they've moved into, she liked the creepy old Victorian home the least, maybe because of the dreams she's been having since they moved there.

Abby glances around, her mood lifted in anticipation to the move.

"Where is Ashton?" She asked, scooping up the little girl in her arm as they make their way down the stairs. She's gotten bigger, Abby thought; a lot more heavier than she remembers but not heavy enough that she would strain herself.

"Uh, dunno, he said something about bee's nest." She shrugged innocently, fidgitting with Abby's messy brown hair.

"You mean business?" Abby giggled in delight. As much as she dislikes Eli's silliness, she adored her sister.

This is not something unusual for Ashton. Around the same time the Ross children moved in the house, Ashton was often away. He would disappear for hours, and come back for a few hours and then go out again; always covered with dirt, and on some occassion bearing a foul scent.

Whenever Abigail asked, Ashton would become fidgety and say that he is taking care of some business. One of the theories she consider was that Ashton has been hunting inside the forest. The other theory that she has gotten a girlfriend who loved rolling around mud with him.

"Not sure, but it sounded like that." She continued to drag Abby towards the dinning room.

Again, Abby notes the unusual quietness in the house. There was always at least one helper at every corner of the house to help them, but no one seemed to be around as they pass each hall.