5 ALONE

*SOPHIA'S POV*

As soon as I saw my sister's eyes widen, I immediately ran away outside. Everyone did not say a thing and I know whatever will come out from their mouth will just fuel a fight... and I'm not good at that, or perhaps, have stayed away from any possibilities.

I walked for a couple of minutes, surviving from the cold night breeze until I found myself looking for a ride. I just want to lay in my bed and do nothing for the rest of the weekend. Coincidentally, a cab car approached me in a few minutes. I slid myself at the backseat of the vehicle, enjoying the space by myself. I noticed that the driver kept  glancing at me but I just ignored it. The ride home was quite, just how I wanted it to be.

"Thank you." I say as I hand the money to the guy as soon as we arrived in front of my house. I waited for him to reach out and take the payment but he's just there staring at me from the rear view mirror - downright creepy.

"Excuse me sir?.. Here's the fee."

I say after clearing my throat.

The driver flinched then swallows.

"Oh. Yeah. Sorry. Thanks." Was his reply. He sounded robotic but I did not think anything of it, so I just opened the door of the cab and got out.

My tummy grumble which made me remember that I haven't eaten dinner yet, thanks to my twin.

I walked to the kitchen as soon as I closed the door behind me to grab something light.

I was drinking some water when I heard a loud knocking from the main entrance.

I'm not sure why but I got really anxious. That can't be my sister, nor my mom - they have keys... So who is it??

I panicked and decided to run to the back door to make sure it's locked -

and thank God it is.

I returned to the kitchen and pulled out a big knife from one of the drawers.

As what I was taught, I immediately dialed 911 from my phone, while holding my only weapon in my left hand.

Ringing...still waiting for someone to answer..

The banging on the door became more violent.

Ringing...."Pick up! Please pick up!"

"Hello, 911, what's your emergency?" A guy was heard from the other line at last.

"Uhmmm.. some.. somebody is at the front door... Help me!" My voice sounded brittle. I am already shaking from fear. I'm still too young to die.

"Ofcourse Sophia. Let me in and I'll help you to the best of my abilities." He answered in a low, deep, quiet voice. Shiver ran up my spine. This can't be happening.

To my surprise, I have thrown away my phone and the knife at the same time. All I could think of was to run upstairs and hide. I panted my way to my room. In my fright, I was not able to think straight anymore. I instantly jumped on to my bed and hid under the covers, wishing I could sleep through the night.

*****

"WELCOME SOPHIA"

A dead, disembodied sound bounced with the whistling air.

"Who are you?.."

"Where am I?.."

"Why do you know my name?.."

My series of questions echoed. It seems like I'm inside a cave but I can't define it clearly.

"I have been looking for you my child..

For hundreds and hundreds of years." was his reply, ignoring my inquiries. Emotionless.

"You Sophia, have become the perfect daughter I have hoped for. Join me and take your rightful place." Now, a gruff, orotund, penetrating voice reverberated.

Like a rain, I started to see droplets of fire fall everywhere. I shrieked in agony when it hit my clothes and burned my skin.

Why is this happening? I ask to myself, still not understanding the event unfolding in front of me.

The ground cracks from all different places. The snake-like lines are coming towards my direction. Like an impulse I started running. I don't know where to go, but I just did- stumbling and falling in my attempt to breakaway. My body is moving faster than my mind can even process. I panted. My chest ached so much I can hardly breathe.

*A few similar references from Prologue*

Every step was a struggle. My movement was slowing by the second as I sweat, trying to fight away my exhaustion. The excruciating, tingling sensation caused by my open wounds sucked the strength I had moments ago. Then my vision starts to blurry.

"Mom?.. Dad?.. Elizabeth?... Anyone! just anybody!" I repeatedly whispered in between my breaths. I waited for someone to answer. For that somebody to call my name, to show and lead me the way, but no one replied to my plea. No one is there to save me.

"COME TO ME and you won't need to suffer anymore" he proudly announces...and almost instantly, I collapsed and fell on my knees. I feel the gravity pulling me more than ever. Decayed arms emerges from the ground and grabbed my feet. All I could do was scream.

"Noooo!!.. Stooop!!.. I exclaimed as if it will listen and show mercy. Blood mixed with sweat trickle down my face. My body now slowly descending inside the cracks that has been formed. I know I am dying slowly. I raised my head facing the sky and started to see flashbacks of my childhood. I saw them all, it was painful and it made me weep.

In the moment of sadness and despair, I heard his menacing laugh. Enjoying and feeling satisfied with my defeat. The dreadful sound danced through the walls of this unthinkable place. Death is inevitable.

"I will see you in hell!" I say out loud then laughed like a mad man.

The drops of fire poured nonstop and covered the whole area. I gasped for air before I fell to the deepest and darkest pit - where nobody could ever find me.

*****

" Aaaahhhh!!!!" I squeal at the top of my lungs as I sit up and adjust my eyes to my surroundings. "Why do I have to relive that?"

I bawled and wailed when I realized that I'm in my bedroom. Hiccups escaped my mouth but

after sometime, I managed to calm down and my breathing was slowly going back to normal.

I looked at the clock and it's already 35 minutes past four in the morning. A bit dizzy, but I tried to study my surroundings. Dino is fast asleep at the corner. "Where were you last night buddy?" I ask. Was all of those happened in reality anyways?... or was it some kind of a nightmare as well?

Right then, a sudden gush of wind touched my skin - it was coming from my open window. "Why is that open?" I murmured.

DON'T STEP OUT FROM YOUR BED DARLING.

BELIEVE ME. YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW.