Ephemeral

Chapter 1: A Regular Day

I climbed down the stairs and went outside of our house. I felt that mild, calming breeze blowing around me which made me feel comfortable and relaxed.

I deeply inhaled a lot of air until my lungs were full, "I'm really gonna miss this place", I said and then, I started walking towards the library. The road was very quiet and calming, I could also hear the birds chirping along the way.

After a walk around twenty minutes, I finally reached the library. I went inside and greeted the librarian who was an old lady in her sixty's, reading a newspaper. She just nodded and started reading once again.

I've been a member of this library for almost five years and I've never seen this old lady grinning or smiling, not even ones. Would her face just crack if she does? Well.... whatever.
"Umm... Excuse me, ma'am? Here's the book I borrowed the last time."
"Keep it here Mr. Fredrickson."
She said and pointed towards her table.

Then I kept it in her table and started walking towards the door. And when I reached for the doorknob, she suddenly called me and said,
"Mr. Fredrickson, would you like to extend your membership in our library for five more years?"

I just then realized that my membership is gonna end the coming Saturday.
"Well...no, we're actually moving out within two days... I guess, So....."
"You mean this Tuesday?"
"Umm...yes."
"Okay then", she said and started reading the newspaper.

I then went back home where my mum was waiting for me, standing near the entrance with an angry face... But what did I do? I went near her and said,
"What happened, mom? Why are you looking like a volcano which is about to erupt? I guess I'm not late cause I'm back within two hours..."
"Come, I'll show you why I'm angry", she said and she took me to my room which was a total mess.

"Now, explain me, Mr. Jake. WHY IS YOUR ROOM LIKE THIS!?" She asked me in a terrifying voice.
"Well..... I was searching for a book and....... I'm sorry mom, I'll clean it."
"Do it! Or else, I'll let you starve this night."
She sounded really very scary while saying that.
"O...k mom, I will," I said and started cleaning my room.

After a solid two hours, I finally managed to clean my room. I know it was a big... I mean, a very big process but somehow, I did it. Then I rushed down for dinner cause I was really very hungry. I saw my sister and my mum eating in the dining room so... I went and stood near them. And then my mom asked,
"Did you clean your room, Jake?"
"Yes mom! I did! Wanna check it out?"

"Mm... Nope, I know you would've done it. Now, come and eat with us." She called me while pulling a chair for me to sit.
"Sure mom!" I said and sat beside her. She made some Steak and salad for the dinner which was really very delicious.

"Mm... where's dad, Mom? I didn't see him from the morning." Jennifer said. And then I realized that I didn't see him the whole day either!
"Yes Mom, where did he go?" I asked.
"It's good that you didn't forget your dad completely", was her reply. She said that in a sarcastic way, smirking at me.
"Well, he has some work to be done in his office so... He went there." She said.

"Also on Sundays? But why?"
"Jenny, your dad has a lot more work than you think. As we're moving out, he has got some more work to do which is to be done before the deadline."
"I feel bad for dad, mommy."
She sighed and said, "yes, me too Jenny."
Even I felt bad for my dad. As he is a businessman, he actually has a lot of work to do. I wish if I could help my dad at work...

"I'm done! I'm going to my room."
"Well Jake?"
"Yes, Mom? Oh yeah! The food was delicious." I said, cause I thought she'd ask about it.
"Thanks! But I was not gonna ask about that. Did you do your homework, Jake?" She asked.

"Yes mom, I did. Mrs. Blacksmith told you that I didn't complete it the last time, isn't it?" I asked with an annoyed face.
"Yes, but why didn't you complete your homework in the first place?"
"Mom! Did you just forget? I was busy with my science project!" I replied her in a furious tone.
"Okay, but you have to submit it on time!"
"Okay Mom, I will! You don't have to worry about that."

"Okay then, good night Jake."
"Good night Mom."
"Good night big brother." She said that as a three-year-old child and that was damn cute!
"Good night my dear Lil sister," I said and climbed upstairs, went straight to my bed and when I was about to sleep, I heard my mom's voice.
"Brush your teeth before going to bed Jake!"

I sighed and replied,
"Okay mom! I will!"
Then, I went to the restroom, brushed my teeth for about twenty minutes and came back to my bed. And I went into a deep sleep...

Suddenly, around midnight, I guess... I heard a strange knock on my door, I got up and asked, "Mom? Is that you?"
But... I got no reply and then I asked, "Jenny? Dad? Is that you? Please tell me if it is you!"
For a second, there was complete silence but not for long, that unknown person behind the door started to knock once again. Okay...... Now, it was a bit scary but I went near the door and asked who was that but I got no response or a reply.

I then... reached for the doorknob to open the door and...

To Be Continued...

Thank you for choosing this book! Hope you'd like it!

Ephemeral