Fear

It's funny how fast days fly by when something is lingering in your mind.

I hadn't gotten everything figured out. I liked the book I found about the town of Everwood. Somehow it had disappeared from my room, and when I asked about it, no one seemed to know it's whereabouts.

As the days passed in Everwood, things got stranger. I was getting along with Diane, Amelia, and Abby. Dylan and Marcell were always kind of distant. It's like they had their eyes on me, quietly watching me and sharing strange glances. I don't think they'd notice if I told them; I was watching them too. Jimmy was always off somewhere, running errands or whatever. Everything seemed pretty stable.

But there was something weird in the air. It felt like the town had a lot of secrets, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something big was going to happen on the 12th of April. It was like waiting for a storm to hit. People went about their business, but you could see it in their faces—something was off.

I spent a lot of time thinking about everything, trying to figure out what was going on. The people in town acted normally, but there was something in their eyes—a hidden story they weren't telling. Every time I tried to get close to the truth, it slipped away, like trying to catch a fish with your bare hands.

My dreams didn't help either. Every night, I would have dreams about this strange stone with a thorn-encircled eye as its symbol. It felt important, like a guide through the mess of secrets Everwood was hiding. But when I tried to understand, it was like the dream was teasing me, showing something, and then taking it away.

My relationships with everyone were different. Everyone treated me differently. Diane was like a warm embrace. Every smile from her felt like a reassurance that I belonged. Her eyes held a motherly glow, and her laughter was the melody that resonated through the house. She'd sometimes cook meals that tasted like home, or the maids would, and she'd share stories that painted pictures of a life filled with love.

Amelia, the girl with the captivating eyes, was my guide. She'd hold my hand through the unfamiliar streets of Everwood, introducing me to its secrets. Her kindness was like a gentle breeze, and her presence felt like a comforting lullaby. Sometimes, I'd catch her looking at me with a mix of curiosity and understanding, like she could see the missing pieces I was trying to find.

Lily, the mischief-maker, brought laughter to every corner of the house. Her jokes were like fireworks, lighting up the dull moments. She'd tease and joke, making me forget the weight of the mysteries that surrounded Everwood. Lily was like the sun, brightening everything with her infectious energy.

Abby, the one with boundless enthusiasm, was the planner. She'd turn ordinary days into adventures. Shopping sprees, mall trips, hiking trips, touring, camping, and even plans for a night at the club—Abby made life feel like a series of exciting events. Her friendship was like a rollercoaster, filled with twists and turns that kept me on the edge of excitement.

And then there was Dylan, the enigma. His cold exterior hid layers of something deeper. Sometimes, I'd catch a glimpse of a softer side, like he cared about unraveling the mysteries of Everwood as much as I did. Dylan was like a book with pages I couldn't fully read, and I was determined to understand the story between the lines.

I observed Marcell's routines, his nods of approval, and the occasional glimmers of concern in his eyes. Marcell's eyes held a knowing glint, as if he could see beyond the surface. Sometimes, when the others were engrossed in laughter and chatter, Marcell and I would exchange fleeting glances. His silence spoke volumes, and it felt like he carried the weight of secrets within him. I couldn't help but wonder what stories his eyes held and what mysteries he had witnessed.

Jimmy, on the other hand, was the elusive figure who existed on the periphery of our daily lives. His absence left a void that was felt even in the crowded spaces of our home.

I couldn't help but wonder about the stories hidden in his absence and the reasons behind the hushed conversations and exchanged glances. There was an unspoken understanding among the others that involved Jimmy, a connection that seemed to stretch beyond the boundaries of our shared spaces.

As I slowly turned my body, the sun's rays hit my eyes, casting a golden light across the room. The realization struck me like a gentle wave.Even though I usually get out of bed earlier, I stayed in bed for much longer than normal, and the house was noticeably quieter than usual. The silence draped around me, leaving a sense of unease lingering in the air.

I swung my legs over the side of the bed, the cool floor meeting my bare feet. I glanced at the clock because the silence was unsettling. It was far past the typical breakfast time, and the room that had become my temporary haven felt empty without the sound of familiar voices.

The house was dead silent as I walked to the restroom. The usual sounds of people talking, laughing, and walking were replaced by a haunting silence. Something seemed off, and I could not put my finger on it.

I thought that a hot bath would help ease the pain in my muscles and the anxiety in my thoughts. For a brief moment, the feeling of dread was temporarily subdued as the water encircled me like a warm blanket of comfort. Droplets cascaded from my hair as I immersed myself in the water, the soothing rhythm offering a brief respite from the unspoken tension that lingered in the air.

After the bath, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and made my way downstairs. The stairs creaked beneath my weight, their groans echoing in the quietude. As I descended, the aroma of breakfast that usually greets me was conspicuously absent.

The living room came into view, its emptiness striking. A sense of isolation gripped me, and the silence became almost palpable. I entered the kitchen, expecting to find the remnants of a shared morning meal, but the room was pristine—untouched by the usual signs of a bustling family.

"Amelia?" I called out, the sound of my own voice cutting through the silence. The echoes lingered, unanswered.

I found her sitting alone at the dining table, a cup of untouched tea in front of her. Her gaze was fixed on the window, lost in the world beyond the glass. I approached quietly, the sound of my footsteps muffled by the thick tension in the air.

"Amelia," I said softly, my words a tentative breach of the silence. She looked up, her eyes reflecting a mixture of emotions—a storm of thoughts that she struggled to articulate.

"Serene," she murmured, offering a faint smile that couldn't quite mask the worry etched on her features.

"Where is everyone?" I asked the quiet question hanging in the air. Amelia's gaze dropped, and a heavy sigh escaped her lips.

"They went out," she replied, her words measured. "There's something they needed to check, a place they needed to go."

I furrowed my brow, a ripple of concern coursing through me. "Why didn't they wake me up? I've been in bed for so long."

Amelia's eyes held a vulnerability that mirrored my own uncertainties. "They thought you needed the rest. There's something about you, Serene, something they're worried about."

I took a seat beside her, the wooden chair cool against my damp skin. The room seemed to close in on us, the silence pressing down like an unspoken weight.

"What's happening, Amelia? Why does it feel like everyone is keeping something from me?" My voice wavered with a mix of frustration and fear.

Amelia hesitated, her gaze searching mine. "There are things, Serene. Things about us and about you. It's complicated, and they're trying to protect you."

"What do you mean? Protect me from what?" I asked, feeling a cold sweat trickle down my forehead.The gravity of her words hung in the air, and a knot tightened in my stomach. The threads of mystery that had woven themselves into my life seemed to tighten, binding me to a destiny I couldn't quite fathom.

"I don't know everything; they never tell me anything," she said, shrugging.

"Do you think you can help me find out?" I asked, hoping she would be able to get any information for me.

She just looked at me dead in the eyes and took a sip of the cup of tea.

"I'm not scared of you," she said quietly.

"Is there a reason to be?"

"I think they're all just scared," Amelia said, not answering my question.

I frowned. I didn't understand Amelia one bit.

"But why Amelia?" I was starting to get frustrated. She just shrugged and looked away from me. Clearly ending the conversation.

And we sat there in the kitchen. Quietly