Chapter 1-First Encounter.

A Chapter by Anne van der Heijden

First chapter of a story i'm writing.

‘’Serah!!, hello earth to Serah!’’ I heard a faint noise coming from far, what was it?

‘’SERAH WINTERS!!’’ The loud voice startled me.

‘’Huh..what?’’

‘’Jeez, Serah you do that way to much you know?’’

It was Claire, she´s been my best friend since we were little.

‘’Ohh, I´m sorry Claire! I was daydreaming again.’’

‘’I know you did, I guess you didn’t hear what i asked you then?’’Said Claire

‘’No i didn’t i’m sorry, what was it?’’

‘’I asked if you got an invitation from Bella’’

‘’What, Bella? No ofcourse not why would she?’’ i said

‘’Well, i did but i’m not going to go now.’’ Claire said.

‘’Huh? Why shouldn’t you? You should go, it will be fun!’’

‘’No, not without you.’’ Claire said

I turned my head to the window.

‘’You know Claire, just because i have problems with Bella doesn’t mean you are involved.’’

‘’Pff..thats mean Serah.’’

‘’You know what i mean, I don’t want to be the reason you miss an awesome party like that.’’

I looked back at Claire, her face still lingered with the same confidence.

‘’Hmmpff, Well I don’t care what you say i still refuse to go.’’ Claire said.

I laughed, ‘’Jeez you are so stubborn Claire.’’

‘’I know i am!’’ Claire gave me a hug.

‘’Now let’s go home, maybe you can come over to my place for a bit?’’

‘’Aww sorry i can’t today, I still have to wait for Miss.Johnson she forgot to give me the printout from last week.’’ I said.

‘’Ohh, that’s right you were sick, well take care then! See you later!.’’

I smiled as i waved her goodbye, I turned my head to the window again, blinked my eyes and turned my head back, but this time the scenery went dark. Is that a person standing infront of me? A girl?

’’Excuse me do you need something?’’ I asked her.

When i took a better look, i didn’t see a face, just a mask that covered her eyes and nose. The girl grinned at me, and then pointed her finger towards me.

‘’You…’’She said.

‘’You?’’I answered back.

‘’It was you…you witch!’’

She drew a knive, and flew with immense speed towards me. I screamed and closed my eyes.

‘’Serah?’’ asked Miss.Johnson.

I opened my eyes carefully, I saw Miss.Johnson standing infront of me. Her wide round glasses, her short curly hair and her friendly expression made me feel at ease again.

‘’Yes Miss?’’ I answered

‘’Are you feeling alright dear? You look pale white.’’

She must not have heard my screaming, or did i even scream?

‘’Oh yes I am, don’t worry.’’

‘’Oh fine then, here is the printout.’’

I took the paper from Miss.Johnson’s hands and looked at it.

‘’Dont forget to hand it in soon, and decide together with your parents.’’

I held the Information letter about next year in my hands tightly.

‘’I will Miss, thank you very much.’’ I put the paper in my bag and walked out of the classroom. What was that all about? Who was that girl? I must have slipped into a daydream again, But this time it seemed so real. While still feeling a little bit uneasy walking alone in the hall i hurried home, It would be fine.

‘’Mom, I’m home!’’ I yelled. I threw my bag in the hall and went upstairs.

I proudly opened the door to my just renovated room. The fresh smell of paint went through my nose. My room had a massive make-over last weekend, The walls that were purple with stripes first changed into pure white, The black floor didn’t change though. I got new curtains, And old Furniture was replaced by new ones.

“Should i make homework first…nahh it can wait till after dinner.” I thougth to myself. I took a quik glance at my guitar in the corner of the room, I think i’ll play a bit. Just when i was preparing for my first song mom came in.

‘’Hello dear, how was school today?’’ She asked me

‘’It was fine, I got the printout from miss.Johnson.’’ I said.

‘’Oh you did? Where is it?’’

‘’It’s in my school bag, when do you want to look at it?’’

‘’Do you mind after dinner? I still need to get the groceries, and pick up your little sister from daycare.’’

‘’I can pick her up if you want?’’ I said

‘’Oh you could?! Diana asked me to come over for a bit, but i said i couldn’t make it.’’

‘’It’s fine, you go i’ll pick Sam up.’’

‘’Thank you honey, what do you want to eat for dinner?’’

‘’Can we eat pasta?’’

‘’Ofcourse!’’ ‘’ See you in a bit then, thank you very much dear!’’

Mom left my room, i looked at the clock on the wall. “Hmm, i still got one hour left enough to play a bit.” And i started playing a few songs i’d learned. A couple of songs later i looked at the clock, it’s still 15 minutes too early…Well it doesn’t matter. I put my guitar back in the case and layed it on my bed. As i went downstairs i heard a noise but ignored it, it was very faint. When i walked into the living room i saw my mother had left already, I saw a note on the table.

‘’Hello dear, I called you a few times but i guess you didn’t hear me because of the guitar. I wanted to tell you that i’m putting the groceries in the kitchen, Could you put them in the right places? I have gone to Diana and will be back before dinner. Take care Dear.

Love Mom.

I smiled when i read the caring words. I put the note back on the table, Then I heard the noice again, this time slightly louder. “What is that? It seems like…breathing?’’

I could hear the sound louder now, it really was breathing. Was mom still here? I went to the kitchen, the sound grew louder and louder. Until i stood infront of the basement door. It really came from here, Should i go and have a look?

I opened the door slowly and looked down.

‘’Mom? Are you still here?’’ I asked

There came no answer for a few seconds, i called again.

‘’Hello? Mom is that you?’’

‘’Oh, Serah! I thought you were still upstairs.’’ Mom answered.

‘’I thought you went grocery shopping?’’

‘’Yes, yes i know. But there was just this little thing i forgot to do, could you help me….dear?’’

‘’Yes ofcourse.’’

I walked down the stairs the room was dark.

‘’Why didn’t you turn the lights on mom?’’

‘’Don’t worry about the lights darling…Just come closer.’’

‘’Yes I understand but i can’t see you, let me put on the lights.’’

I walked to the lightswitch, when i put my hand on it my mom screamed.

‘’DON’T YOU DARE PUT THE LIGHTS ON.’’

I felt a cold hand grabbing my arm tightly, I was so startled that i pressed the switch accidently. The lights went on. I blinked my eyes and looked around me with a pale face. There was no one there.

‘’M..M..Mom?, are you there?’’ i stumbled and said with a squeaky voice.

I must have imagined it again, stupid daydreams. But when i looked at the place where i thought someone grabbed me, there was a hand mark. I felt a shiver running down my spine. With my eyes wide open I ran up the stairs as fast i could, i closed the basement door and locked all of the three locks it had. I grabbed my jacket from the chair in the living room and ran out of the front door, with tears of fear in my eyes i jumped on my bike and cycled as fast as i could to the daycare center.

I didn’t dare looking back…