CHAPTER: 2

have to tell her sooner or later -

For now at least let her know normalcy. She's been through so much already.

But lying to her for so long hasn't solved anything has it. The prophecy -

That can be avoided, even if it is for now she can't know anything yet.

But you do realize the best thing for her is to tell her the truth. It's for our own good. Don't be so selfish.

*Grrrrr - Fine I concede but I won't tell her anything yet. Just give me enough time.

Time is if essence Steve.

I'll take her home if I may request so.

You may but under the supervision of The Grove.

And her flinché?

It shouldn't be long before it finds her.

*sigh* - Then I guess I better get going. So much to do but too little time to do it.

****

Phara jerked up at the crack of thunder. Her gaze quickly fell on the window that was at her right as a flash of lightening brightened the evening sky. Raindrops assaulted her window with unrelenting force.

Where am I?

She took in her surroundings and began to see recognition. Just opposite the bed she lay on was a black vernier closet that was stood next to a standing mirror. Beside the closet was a shoe rack that held mostly sneakers and a few flats. Beside her bed was a little bedside drawer with a lamp that was stood on it. On the wall beyond those were hung artworks of varying concepts and beautiful design and colouring. Above the bed hung the largest piece. It depicted a battle of a sort between angels and beasts and humans, its theme was that of fire, blood and a dark sky. Fallen warriors graced the scene as well as unrelenting knights and beasts men, the angels stood above them driving back a horde of demons that were trying to escape from a pit. In the center of the entire gore sat a child, a little girl with gentle golden hair, her back facing the battle as if not bothered by the fierceness of the battle around her.

I'm home? I could have sworn to being at the principal's office?

She took a glance at the clock on the drawer beside her but her eyes fixed themselves in disbelief as they took in the time and date displayed.

What on earth happened to the rest of yesterday?

She gathered her thoughts and decided to head out of her room and meet whoever was around for better explanation.

Her feet were greeted warmly by the purple rug that covered her floor. It was good to be home but not when school was still in session. She hazily made her way out of her room to the oak floor boars that lined the hallway floors. A crack of lightening flashed as she closed the door behind her accompanied by a raging clap of thunder.

Phara kept on supporting her weight with the balustrade as she ventured down the stairs. Hunger was being totally unfair to her as she felt hollow and fragile with each step.

So tired. I feel like i hit my head or something.

Finally she reached the landing that continued its down the stairs opening to the kitchen. After coming down a few steps and trying not to barf  on the floors, she saw the two other occupants of the seemingly empty building.

A small but fashionable marble island was sat in the middle of the kitchen. Her mom Lucy Carlucas sat there sipping on a mug of probably coffee, her attention was spread almost across everything and nothing seemed to align itself to her. Beyond her was her little sister Laurel who was busying herself on an iPad.

It was Lucy who caught sight of Phara as she stood over there with most if her weight  supported by the railing. She gave her a warm smile as she set down the coffee mug, "How are you doing dear?" The British in her words wasn't so pungent, it was more or less because they had been living in the states for so long already.

"Terrible, I guess -" Phara made keen observation of the room and continued her descent. "Where is dad?"

"Um - he had work to deal with." Her mom said calmly as she continued to sip the black liquid." Are you hungry dear because you the nurse said that you haven't been feeding well lately."

Phara let the words sink in before she then furrowed her brow, "Nurse!?"

"Oh, sorry I didn't mention it earlier but when you were coming to the office you kind of like blacked out before you made the door. So the nurse said that we take you home and deal with your feeding squarely." Her mother said as she got off the stool she sat on and went to the cooker to prepare some food.

"Oh, Phara you're awake," the little girl asked from the other side of the room. A weird smile creased her face almost Cheshire like in looks.

Phara slowly made her descent to the the table before settling down on a stool. Her eyes fixed in the tiny barbarian, "Yes I am if aren't blind."

"Ah, you see Phara that one there just cost you your good night rest, savvy now?" Laurel enjoyed this sort if thing with her sister especially when it came to annoying her.

"I don't follow, is the fact that I asked whether you were blind or that you still have turd in your bloody diaper."

"Oh, so from calling me a bat to calling me a wee baby now," her voice had a weirdly heavy tinge of Scottish. Laurel began to walk towards the table, "Phara you know I love you, right?"

Phara squinted and furrowed at her, "I sincerely doubt that." Suddenly the tension around her changed drastically as Laurel closed the proximity between them. Phara didn't budge as she tried to even the tension as well.

"Look Phara, as I love you I just want to let you know that you should prepare for the worst time of your stay." Laurel's smile became menacing and converted itself to an evil laugh. You could literally feel the darkness encroaching around you.

"Laurel, leave your sister alone." The  tension spiked as their mother said the last line. Their hearts already beating at thirty miles a second as a sudden chill continuously ran along their spine.

Laurel quickly left the dining area and continued her business with the iPad. Phara just sat there wondering in awe of how her mom was still so good at doing that.

And here I was thinking by now I would have developed a sort of resistance to that fear she spread.

"Oh, and Laurel get Phara a glass of water without trying to poison it."

The little girl didn't dare to say a word as she went over to the sink to retrieve a glass and fill it with water from the dispenser.

"Now put it on the table."

"Sure mommy," Laurel said trying to hide the dread that her mom had already instilled in her.

After laying the glass on the table she ran upstairs to her room with the iPad in hand. Phara took the water and sipped it a little.

Mmmm- This feels so good, but isn't it just water.

Without wasting any time she began gulping down the glass to the last drop. "That was nice."

"And I guess that means you are hungry, aren't you dear?" Her mom got off her stool and went over to the cooker and began to work on a meal.

A lightening bolt flashed its light which caused the room a little illumination followed by a violent rumble in the sky. It shook the ground around Phara, almost unnatural.

"The storms a very heavy one today, don't you think?" Her mom said over the frying noises that were coming from the pan in front of her.

"It's more preternatural than than heavy," Phara simply while observing the window as another flash brightened the grey skies.

"Well, it is possible that it is a weird storm but there stranger things than this anyways."

"Hmmm- True - " Phara faced her attention back to the table in front of her. A plate of sushi was laid before her.

When did she?

"Eat up dear you need your strength." Lucy said with a warm smile.

"You know I could have done all that. The cooking I mean."

"What nonsense. I doubt you can lift a pin in your state let alone cook. Besides I get to cook for my daughter or is my cooking that terrible?" Her mom's smile made the tension go awry. It was uncomfortable.

"Uh-No, not at all. In fact it's the best," Phara shoved a fork full of fish into her mouth and slowly chewed as the sweetness began to envelope her tongue. " Mmmm - It is the best," she said this time in pure conviction.

"Oh stop it, you're flattering me," Lucy put her hands on her cheek as if trying to feel herself blush. "Anyway, you better eat up, I don't want you falling of the table out of malnutrition."

"Hehe - " Phara laughed nervously. She put another piece of the sweet fish in her mouth savouring it until she thought her tongue would explode with love.

Her mom sat down at the table and began to hum. Phara knew that tune because Lucy always sung it to her when she was younger. Even Karen sang the same song.

Karen -

"Mom, who is Karen?" The words just flew out of Phara's lips.

Lucy's demeanor changed as her lips drooped into a serious frown. "Where did you hear that name?" She spoke almost whispering. Her voice was void off any form of emotion.

"Mom?" Phara felt a different kind of fear arouse from her mother. It had so much hate and anguish accompanying it. Almost as if that name caused Lucy to pray for brimstone and hail to end that person.

"Phara do me a favour by never mentioning that name again." A weak smile replaced her menacing face.

"O-Okay." Phara just faced her meal not wishing to return to that conversation.

Mom knows Karen? It seems like they weren't in good terms with each other.

An awkward silence passed between them as they sat there save for the clangs of the fork and plate that Phara was using.

Lucy's eyes were fixed o the clock and worry began to develop on her face. "Your dad should have been back thirty minutes ago, I'm worried."

Phara was about to speak when a loud thud met the front door that was stood just at the end of the hallway leading to the living room. Both of them stared at it as another thud met the door this time it was weaker.

Phara quickly got up from her stool and ran over to see what that was. On opening it she was faced with a tall silhouetted man who wore a dripping over coat. A flash of lightening illuminated his weak face.

"Dad?"

"Oh, Phara - You're awake -" He was about to slump when Phara caught him.

Phara tried to lift him properly when she noticed the warm liquid her hands made contact with. She lifted it up to observe.

BLOOD?

Then her eyes caught the deep slash that ran from his right shoulder down to his hip. "What the - "

"HONEY - " Lucy screamed as she made her way to them. Her eyes caught sight of the wound, dread washed over her as she assisted Phara. "No-no-no-no-no -" she muttered as she led them to the couch in the living room.

Phara stood there taking a long look at the blood that stained her hands. "What happ-"

"LAUREL, GET ME A PAIL OF WATER - " Lucy yelled as she focused all her attention on the bleeding man. "Steve, stay with me, stay with me - "

Phara left the room and ran upstairs almost bumping into a rushing Laurel to get a first-aid kit and a couple of meds. On her way down she met her mom hurriedly collecting some kitchen tools from a cabinet. Phara trusted that she knew what she was doing since she used to be nurse.

"Thank you so much dear," Lucy said as she took the things from Phara not minding the blood that stained the box.

Phara came into the room with her  and took a closer look at the scar. It was long, deep, scary and unworldly. As if some kind of wide long talon or blade fished its way through his back.

Lucy then stopped all she was doing and spoke slowly to the girls, "Phara, Laurel thank you for all your help but please go upstairs now - please."

Both girls didn't waste any time as they went in the direction of their rooms. They could feel the fear that accompanied their mother's voice.

Phara entered her room shutting the door behind her letting out a simple prayer, " Oh God, let him live please - " She slid down her door as tears began to stream down her face.

Then the strangest feeling overwhelmed her. It was like the atmosphere had gone electric but in a warm soothing kind of way. It was accompanied by a loud yell from her mother.

Phara cuddled her self and shut her eyes tightly. She couldn't bear to listen anything right now.

I just pray he makes it. Please make it dad - make -