Chapter 2

When I found out that they died the next morning after the night of their death, I broke into a million pieces.

Me, my mom, my aunt,and my uncle lived in the same house.

My aunt was like a second mother to me and my uncle was like my father.

My dad died after I was born so, I never knew him.

So my uncle was the one who took his place and kept me company.

Owen was turning five back then and I was twelve.

During the crime scene, with the police and detectives, I noticed something dry and red on Owen's face.

It... wasn't blood was it? I'd thought.

No.

It must be lipstick.

Since Aunt Carla always wore red lipstick.

"We still can't find out how they died." The police sighed. "But, we must take these bodies and continue this investigation some other time."

After the police were gone, Mom abruptly sat on the couch with a tired sigh.

"Everything will be alright, sweetie." She'd said to Owen.

He nodded quietly, his big, light, brown eyes glistening with tears.

Mom gave him a tight hug.

She gave me a quick, tight, smile.

I'd notice that he was very quiet after his parent's death.

So quiet that I considered him mute.

He wouldn't say a word or wouldn't eat at all.

No matter how much we forced him, he refused.

I wondered why.

I didn't talk to him nor did he.

Once, when he was out of earshot, I talked to Mom.

"I just don't know what's up with him. He doesn't eat. And if he doesn't eat, he won't gain any strength." I'd said.

Mom sighed.

"I know, honey. But, we can't do anything about it. No one, not even the doctors can help us with what's wrong with him." Mom said, hopelessly.

I bit back a sigh.

"He is going to school next week. I'm worried how's he going to interact with other kids." Mom wondered.

I shrugged.

"Ashley, can you go to the garage to get me some cooking oil?" Mom asked me.

"Sure." I'd nodded.

When I walked into my garage, I heard a weird sound.

Probably rats. I'd thought.

But the sound was closer.

Like growling.

I turned left and right to see what was that sound and where it was coming from.

I flinched when I'd saw Owen staring at me.

"Do you need something, Owen?" I'd asked, looking at him.

He'd didn't answer he'd just stared.

I'd stared back.

His eyes looked like their were going to swallow me whole.

I'd felt my self tremble for a moment.

His staring was getting too intense that I'd had to look away.

"Owen... If there is something you need to tell me then-"

I'd stopped talking when he walked towards me.

"Owen?..."

My ears were ringing, and that was the only thing I'd was hearing.

It was getting loud.

What was happening?

Then it stopped.

"There you are." I heard Mom's voice. "I was calling your name didn't you hear me?" She'd asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Um." I'd said, stunned. "No...?" It seemed more like a question.

Mom just sighed.

"Okay, well come on then." She'd said as she'd walked away.

I'd looked at Owen.

He'd looked at me again.

But his eyes were innocent this time.

I'd ignored him and just walked outside of the garage, in the cold, and silent night.