4 CHAPTER 3: Ready

Soundtrack: "Storm" - https://youtu.be/PLfFWFZflQU

"We can't lock her in here for the rest of her life. She's a human, we should give her a chance to live like one". A light-auburn haired male by the name of Christopher spoke.

"I know Chris, I wish to let her explore the world outside as well. It's... It's just..." the mother couldn't seem to finish her sentence, having difficulties in finding the right words to express what she felt.

"I agree with Chris, we visit the Light Realm in disguises every now and then right? So all of us should have noticed how much human systems have changed over the years. From language, clothing, education, and so much more— oh I know! Let's send her to a human school! It will be healthy for her growth, and she could also make some friends". Almond-shaped hazel eyes with gray flecks sparkled at its owner's statement.

She suddenly imagined the thought of how little Vanessa will start waking up early in the DAY to prepare for school, then every afternoon the dark auburn-haired female will be there to pick her up. Just like a normal family. The arrangement she craved for so long. And she loved that idea.

"As much as we want to, there are various complications regarding this decision that I'm certain you are also aware of sister Evangeline" a feminine voice supported the mother's ineffable compunctions and argued back to her older sister.

She twirled some of her golden locks of hair before she carried on. "The issue of our family name deemed as a bundle of misfortunes. Imagine the students and teachers having to deal with that, it would be no surprise if the girl gets bullied on her first day. Henceforth, what if people start spying on us once they found out there's a living Dutchwell attending—"

"Yeah yeah Goldie, I get it okay? But there's nothing to worry about that! It's been decades. No one comes to our cemetery anymore. And they rely on science more than superstitious beliefs now, although there are still some who don't. But it doesn't matter cause they are declining! What I mean is... We're probably forgotten now so it should be fine" Evangeline insisted.

"Um... Actually about that, I don't think we'll be totally forgotten." An auburn-haired male matched with hazel eyes with green flecks interrupted the girls' bickering.

"Carry on with your opinion Benedict" the mother gave him permission tiredly, this meeting was surely a stressful one.

The male shrugged. "Eh, people post some urban legends about us on the internet. But it's been 15 years since it became trending, so we might have a chance... But I don't know though".

There was a brief moment of silence before another voice spoke. "Wesley? Do you have anything to say about this? You seem to be quiet this entire time". All eyes were now on Wesley.

The man in question sighed in annoyance. "F*ck this sh*t, so what if some get suspicious of her name? I'll make sure those sons and daughters of b*tches don't find peace in the afterlife. Besides, the kid is smart. William himself confirmed it. She can take care of herself. She must learn to take care of herself. She won't stay a child forever".

Another period of silence. But this time, it was as though everyone thought Wesley made a good point, and was left to each other's personal analytical adjustments to their opinions regarding this matter.

Momentarily, a dark auburn-haired female broke the silence once more. "Uhh... Yeah... While Wesley is right, I guess we'd really have to send her to school either way. Cause, you know... Dad".

That single world alone made everyone widen their eyes in shock and fear. But it was fear for the human girl's well-being, not theirs. "So uhh... Yeah... Just in case dad suddenly gets back without notice and Nesy's still at school by then, we have time to hide her...?" Evangeline finishes her suggestion with a nervous chuckle.

And so, the dark room was devoid of noise once more.

...

The lady of the house cleared her throat. "So... I suppose we all reached the final decision?" no one answered. "Any clarifications? Doubts?" again, she was answered with silence. And that could only mean one thing.

"Very well, it's still the month of May. We still have time to enroll her to a suitable primary school and shop for supplies. This meeting has officially ended." She declared. And just like that, immediately, they all disappeared.

~♥~

William smiled and nodded in approval. "Well done Ms. Vanessa, you have greatly improved since the last performance". "Thanks Mr. William, I've been practicing during my free time" the student remarked.

Suddenly there was an echoing sound of continuous applause. She turned around and there was a crowd of pale hands clapping at the girl's musical success. The rest of the bodies attached to those hands were barely visible, just shadows of figures that keep melting to no end.

"Wonderful"

"Splendid young miss"

"Very touching"

The peculiar audience showered the lass with praise. Despite their shadowy forms that doesn't show a specific gender, it was still clear that they possess oceanic feminine voices that sounded like mysterious whispers from the abyss, accompanied by giggles that resembled a pack of sirens.

"Thank you all!" Vanessa appreciated their compliments. Even if she never gets to have a proper conversation with them because they always disappear and come back out of nowhere again, she considers everyone in the estate as her friends and family. Especially when they are the ones in-charge of keeping the manor neat and tidy at all times.

Most of the night passed by and just a few hours left before sunrise. Vanessa already ate her delicious Stopado dinner, paired with a relaxing quick half-bath. She then changed into her powder blue pajamas. Afterwards, she rushed on to her bed and made herself comfortable beneath her thick blanket and fluffy pillows.

Every early dawn, someone reads her a bedtime story before she goes off to sleep. Which means that she looks forward to this event every single time. She loved how each of the family members have their own styles and genres in their stories. And she was excited to listen to more of them today.

After a few minutes of waiting for this morning's storyteller, the bedroom door finally opened. It creaked slowly, revealing a female figure basked in her glorious, ghostly beauty with her vintage Lolita fashion dress that made her look like an antique Victorian doll. Even while walking towards the younger female's direction, every moment was executed with poise and elegance, flaunting how much of a well-mannered woman she was.

When the little lass saw the children's book the graceful lady was holding, her eyes gleamed in excitement. "So it's your turn today Goldie? Oh I can't wait!" Vanessa giggled.

"Fix this mess first Vanessa. Your pillows are scattered everywhere and your blanket didn't even cover your body properly. The state your bed is in right now is utterly unpleasant for my sight. And I thought William and Matilda taught you etiquette?" Goldilocks scolded but with a calm yet firm voice.

"Oop okay" Vanessa pouted before following her sister's instructions. After arranging the contents of her bed chamber and covering herself with the fuzzy blanket properly this time, the golden haired female began the story at last.

"Once upon a pathetic time, there was a beautiful maiden named Goldilocks—"

"Aww the main character is you again?"

*glares*

"Oop okay continue please" Vanessa giggled again. The blonde sighed and returned her attention to the book to carry on with the unfinished story. "There was a maiden with golden locks of hair named Goldilocks. She ventured to the forest and got lost. Eventually, she found a house and went inside, hoping to find some food."

She flipped the page again. "Luckily, the house was empty of homeowners. The door wasn't locked. She found three bowls filled with soup on the table."

"But Goldilocks wasn't dumb. She saw the first soup emitted hot smoke, so obviously it would be too hot. The next soup didn't seem to vent out smoke, but she noticed some particles of the soup looked firm and the bowl sweated out some droplets of water under it, so obviously that meant that the second soup was too cold.

"However, when she observed the third soup, there was no hot air, neither solid contents. She touched the bowl, and it felt lukewarm. Meaning it was just right. She was tempted to taste it due to how hungry she was, but she knew better. She poured some of the soup over a nearby plant. And that plant gradually dissolved into a disgusting puddle."

"Umm sister Goldie? Are you sure that's what's written in the book?"

"Don't interrupt me child. I despise interruptions"

"Okay sorry"

"... Goldilocks felt a sharp gust of wind from outside. But she knew what that meant. Immediately she ducked down before the bullet pierced through the open window to shoot her dead."

"She turned around quickly when the door sprung open. Three bears marched inside with their guns pointed at the blonde. It would be stupid of her to think that this was all some sick joke. Goldilocks knew they meant business."

Vanessa noticed the blonde's angry expression as she carried on, so she thought that dollish female must've took the altered story to heart.

"Trespassers will not be tolerated, no hard feelings kid. The father bear said. Trespassers? Don't mess with me. We all know this house was mine to begin with. You just claimed it just because I was being too friendly, drugging me to sleep while using a spell to transport this house somewhere far where you thought I won't find it. All of you are the trespassers here. The golden, fair maiden replied with rage."

Goldilocks paused as if that was the end. The girl was confused for it sounded more like a cliffhanger than an ending. "Goldie? What happened next?". The woman in question grinned creepily. "She murdered the three bears like the scum they were then sent their souls to the deepest depths of hell. And Goldilocks lived happily ever after. The end."

Vanessa was getting used to their gory twists when sharing bedtime stories, it happens quite often, so she wasn't that surprised. The blonde looked very pleased with what she did though, like she could win in any storytelling contest in no time. But nevertheless, she loves her family's bedtime stories all the same.

"Vanessa... Are you sleepy yet?" the older female suddenly looked serious like she was about to warn a bad omen. "Well, not really. Why? What's wrong?" the brunette asked.

Goldilocks did not answer. Instead, her fuschia pink eyes glistened for a few seconds and crimson red roots from her eyes crawled horizontally to her epidermis skin, almost reaching her hair.

Not too long the lights in the room flickered on and off. Slowly, gooey yet misty dark shadows emerged from the walls, ceiling, and floor. The temperature leisurely dropped down that the human had to stack a lot of pillows on her for the thick blanket doesn't seem to be enough to keep her warm at the moment. The shadows imminently regained their substantiated, original forms.

"Mom... Everyone... You're all here?" the young lass was confused.

"Vanessa... There's something we need to talk about... Something very important"

...

"It's about time we approve that you're ready... To go out there"