AYLA'S POV
8 YEARS AGO
*gunshots*
"Run, Cheryl. Take your sister with you."
"Mom!!"
"Go!"
We ran…as fast as we could, out the door and down the hallway. Past the blood-stained halls and out of our mansion. The road was covered with dirt and I could see a black van parked on the other side of the street.
We hid in the trees, pricked by thorns, our clothes torn and pieces of our flesh hanging like cloths on the branches. My elder sister, Cheryl cried out in pain with tears in her eyes. Suddenly, tears dropped from mine as well.
Why? Why?? Why-
I woke up in a cold sweat. The sheets were soaked and my hair was wet, as if I'd just taken a bath. I let out loud labored breaths and tried to calm myself.
It's been eight years, Ay. I told myself.
After minutes of talking to myself, I got up from the bed and went to brush my teeth. Had a shower, got dressed and headed downstairs.
"Morning, Cheryl." I greeted my sister, whose blonde hair was sticking out of her bonnet.
"Hey, Ay." She smiled at me with soft eyes while using her hands to flip the pancakes she was making.
I loved her, that was for sure. I had always admired her, her kind words, her soft smile and her forgiving heart. But that was gonna get her killed…like my dad.
I shook my head to get my mind off the thought that just crossed my mind. I already had a nightmare, I wasn't gonna worsen my day with my own hands.
"I heard you screaming in your sleep." Cheryl said as she turned to look at me.
I froze. I didn't realize that I screamed in my sleep.
"It was nothing." I said. A very obvious lie.
"I know you had a nightmare again, Ay. It's okay, you don't have to lie to me."
I sighed deeply. I really didn't want to have this conversation this morning.
"It's fine. I have to go to school and you're making me late."
"Alright, have your breakfast."
Thank goodness she didn't push the topic. As I chewed on my pancakes, thoughts flooded my mind. I remembered..
"Is there something on your mind, Ay?" Cheryl asked with a concerned look on her face. "You know you could always talk to me when something's wrong."
"I know. I know and there's nothing wrong."
She didn't believe me, I knew by the look on her face. But again, I was planning on avoiding talking about it.
There was no way I was gonna talk to Cheryl about my nightmare. I didn't want her to treat me like a baby like my mom did. So I swallowed my remaining pancakes hurriedly and gulped down my juice.
After putting the plates in the sink, I went upstairs to get my bag and went out the door.
I usually take the bus, but today, I decided to walk to clear my head. I let out a huge sigh and strolled down the street
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