• The Calling •

•Dreams• | 4

After a while, my mother finally looks up from her spot, "I can imagine that you're tired, you should go to your room. We'll talk tomorrow."
I back away in awe.
"But-"
"You're not complaining, are you?"
"I-no!"
"Then go to your room. It's the last door on the third floor. Make sure you lock it well. Like I said, we'll talk tomorrow."

I tear my eyes from mom's, angrily climbing up the creaky L-shaped stairs. I look one more time at my mom, and she is already gone. I shake my head, climbing up the stairs.

As I reach the second floor, I curiously look into the hallway, which is vibrant with green wallpaper and flower decal. A door opens down the hallway and a little boy, probably around the age of seven, with light blonde hair and blue eyes peeks his head from behind. He squints his eyes at me as if he almost can't see me, and shakes his head, disappearing into his room.

Who is that? I shake my head, not really wanting to know.

•••

On the third floor, there are no lamps to light my way. There is only one door to the left, besides the door at the end of the hall.

On the right, large windows allow the moon's light inside. I slowly walk to my room, hesitantly opening the door.

My room is bigger than I expected. It's a lot bigger than my room back home. Noticeably, my room seems to be already decorated - most likely by an old lady. Leaning on the right wall are three dusty bookcases. Along with books, little plushies and porcelain angels only a grandma would collect clutter the bookcases.

Up against the bay window is my bed, draped with pastel crochet blankets and a very ugly quilt. On the left side of the room is a small door that looks like it leads to outside. But it's not like I could use it - the door is locked up with chains.

I sigh and enter another door in my room, realizing it's my bathroom. It's pretty, painted white with rose-colored tiles crawling halfway up the wall and cream-colored marbled flooring. A tub sits under a window and across from it, a Jack-and-Jill sink. Happy about having my own bathroom, my spirits finally lift. When I get tired of looking around, I flop on my bed, drifting into sleep under the weight of the snug, ugly quilt.

•laughter•

"Daisy!"

"Wait for me!"

"Catch me if you can!"

"Daisy!" Your mom calls out
"Get away from him!"

I ignore her, running with the boy, who's back is faced from me.

"Daisy!"

My mom's voice fades in the distance.

I fall to the ground besides the boy, both of us are out of breath.

"Daisy," the boy looks up at me. I smile at the sight of his yellow eyes, lifting up his pinky, "promise..."

•••

I wake up in a sweat and put a hand to my forehead.
"Ah..."

"Daisy, get out of there. We need to talk," my mother pounds on the door.

I look around, confused.

Where am I? Is this my room?

As my vision clears, I realize that I am in a bathroom, but not my own.

I cough and try to get up. My limbs feels so...sore.

"Coming," I open the door frantically, wiping sweat from my face. I wonder if that dream I had was the one I've been dreaming for the past few weeks.

"What were you doing in there?"
My mom narrows her dark eyes in suspicion.

"I-I just needed to use the bathroom real quick" I lie.

I look behind my mother and realize that we are on the first floor. I must be in some guest bathroom. But how did I get here?

Looking around, I notice that I must have left my phone in my room and I groan, hitting my head with my palm.

Ah! My father probably called me a million times!

My mother looks at me strangely before frowning and walking away.

Leaving the bathroom, I think carefully. Did I sleepwalk? But I have never done that before. At least, not that I remember...

I follow my mother into the dark, farm-styled kitchen and I take a seat at the marbled island counter. As my mom busies herself with looking for something, I take the time to look out the window and at the neighbors houses. I'm curious to see what kind of people they are.

The two neighboring Victorian houses both strangely seem like no one lives there. There are no cars on the streets or in the neighbor's driveway. No lights are coming from the windows, and both houses are noticeably quiet. I shudder. Why does that freak me out so much?

Everything is quiet. Even the house before me seems uninhabited. Then something catches my eyes on the neighbors porch. I lean my head closer to the glass, squinting my eyes. Is that...?

Slamming a book down on the counter in front of me, I'm shocked into looking at my mother, who's arms are crossed in annoyance. I read the book's title.

Everette's Rulebook

"Like I said, we need to talk."

Well, Well, Well

Things are about to get real exciting.

Why is Daisy's mom acting this way?
Who is the little boy?
What was that dream?
Was she really sleepwalking?
And what was on that neighbor's porch?

Next chapter will be updated on Friday!😽🎃

As always, thanks for reading!