Chapter One
Someone was stroking my hair, long cool fingers brushing the sides of my face. The warmth of the blankets and pillows around me only made me more comfortable, and I scooted closer to the kind hand. He laughed lowly, and the bed rippled with him.
“Irias,” I said giggling, my eyes still closed. “That tickles.”
His hand suddenly left my head, to go down to my belly. With a cry, I leapt up from the sheets, my nightgown swishing around my legs. He attacked, swooping me up like a princess, then dropping me back onto the bed. As Irias chased me around the room, our laughter echoed through the house, bringing our parents to my door. They watched with amusement as Irias tickled me, only stopping when I begged for mercy.
“Are you leaving now?” I asked, a little disappointed. My mother shot me a guilty look, and quickly walked over to the bed, giving me a big hug.
“Sorry sweetie,” she cooed. “I’ll be back a little after dinner, okay? We can play then.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.” She said smiling at my seriousness. “Don’t forget to do your schoolwork, eat breakfast, and brush your hair,” she called out as she left my room. “Love you!”
My father stepped into my mother’s place, ruffling Irias’s hair and straightening my nightgown. Bending down to look me in the eye, he gave me his customary grin.
“See you, later, alright?” he said, looking mischievous.
“Yep!” I answered cheerfully. “You’ll play with me too when you get back, won’t you?”
“Of course,” he replied. Standing back up after giving me a kiss on the cheek, he turned to Irias.
“Take care of her,” he said. Irias nodded, giving him a hug before he too, left the house.
I ran to the bay window, watching father’s car disappear into the winding road. As the trees hid him from view, I felt Irias take my hand. I smiled- the loneliness I had felt was gone with a single touch.
“Who’s hungry?” Irias announced.
“I am!” I cheered.
Racing down the hall, and turning into the kitchen, I set the table while Irias made breakfast.
“Irias?” I asked.
“Yes?” he answered, peering at me from the kitchen.
“Do you have to leave today?” I asked. Even though I asked this question every day, I always tried. Always wanted to see if there was a different answer. Even though he was gone for only a couple of hours, I missed him.
Irias walked over, setting pancakes and syrup in front of me. There was a sad look on his face, and guilt lined his eyes. Bending down, he scooped me up into a hug, my feet dangling in the air.
“Sorry,” he whispered. “I have to go. But I’ll be back. I always come back.”
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The Secrets of Arliss Landon
Mystery / ThrillerArliss Landon lived happily with her family in a small valley, in a mansion deep in the forest. Her life was utterly simple, filled with the love of her mother, father, and her older brother, Irias.That is, until her mother and father died in a horr...
