1- Hidden

Running to the other side of the room, I pause. "Where to hide," I hit my forehead, "where to hide?"  I whisper to myself, looking for the best spot. "Ah." I dive under the toddler bed, holding my breath. Run and hide is our favorite game to play when we want to pass time, it was fun, and healthy. I was the best at this game, especially the escaping part; I was usually never caught.

Nate runs by me, trying not to make a sound, but he was loud. His tiny feet slammed against the hard wood as he ran, everyone could hear him. Because he was so young, we usually just let him slip right by.

He's only seven, the youngest of the Duncan clan. There are five of us, Nate, Lilly, Dane, Sophia and I. I'm Nicole, the oldest girl of the family. Dane is the oldest, almost four years older than me. Although I'm still a teenager, I have some weight on my shoulders. Our parents work full time, and we're home schooled. I help around the house, making sure my siblings don't fight and everyone is taken care of.

"Okay Nicole, you win again. Come on out, I'm tired of looking." I walk out of the bedroom with a huge smile across my face, I knew I had won, again. Everyone was on the couch, watching a movie. I wondered how long was I hidden for? I look up at the grandfather clock in the hallway, it was already four o'clock.

"Four, mom should be home!" We all pile upstairs to see mom cooking dinner. "Hey, sweethearts! How was class, did you all do your best?" We all nodded our heads, she knew I kept everyone in line. I was like their second mother.

"I have some wonderful news," mom says, everyone's eyes meet her. She smiles, "you know how we all share rooms right now?" Everyone sighs, tired of sharing bedrooms with each other. "Well," She smiles, "We're moving! We found a house on the market, and everyone will have their own rooms." Wow. A house big enough for eight? That's impossible, I wouldn't believe it until I saw it.

"What are you waiting for, we're beginning our move tonight. Go, pack your things until dinner's ready." Taking off downstairs, I grab the crates out of the storage, and hand one to each sibling. "Dane, you're gonna help me pack with the little ones, Right?" Dane rolls his eyes at me, he knew I would ask that question."Of course I'm gonna help, who's gonna carry all this into the truck?" He was the muscles of the house while dad was out of town, he had a point.

Dane was built, muscular. He spent most of his time working out, which is why he's so buff. Sometimes, we joke about him being on steroids.

Finally finishing the last bedroom, Dane carries everything up, while the little ones grab their favorite toys. "I think that's everything, besides the old grandfather clock." I say, letting him know I needed help. Dane and I run back down and carry it upward together, setting it gently in the truck. After dinner, we all make a group effort and clean up.

"Looks like everything's packed, Who's ready to see the new house?" Mom cheered as we pile into the van. Two hours pass by, all we see is uncut grass and tree stumps. "Look!" Sophia points to a small cottage in the distance, it was older, and covered in vines. Nate stares in awe, "Sissy, we could make a playhouse!" I giggle, "we'll have to see."

We pull into the next driveway, I couldn't believe my tired eyes. Three storeys tall, a wrap around balcony, that was our new home.

"Let's not worry about putting everything away tonight. Just your mattresses, go pick out your rooms." I hop out of the van first, "I call first pick." I push open the heavy metal door and walk in quietly. Hard wood floors, marble countertops, gold trim, and fur rugs laid out in the living room. I make my way to the first room I see, turn on the light and yell in excitement. Everything I've ever wanted in a bedroom was there. Baby blue walls, canvas paintings, and a fancy desk with a chair attached. I was in love instantly.

Dane moves my bed in first, "looks like we're neighbors," he grins. I roll my eyes, leaving the room to gather up the little ones. "Alright squirts, how about some sleep? We'll explore tomorrow." Nate gave me a pouty face, I cupped his chin. "You're tired, buddy. I promise we'll go look around if you go to sleep." He nods his head and runs to his room.

Laying the last child in bed, I make it to my room, crawling under the blankets. Thankfully we all had small fireplaces, it was cozy and welcoming. It was like a night light, just enough glow to see and still be able to sleep.

A few hours later Nate comes into my bedroom. "Nicole, I had a nightmare." I rub his shoulders, "new house shutters huh? Bud, there's nothing to worry about. Where's Wally?" He points, "back in bed waiting for me, I have him watching the room while I'm away." I guide him to his room, "Wally the giraffe probably wants you with him, here." I tuck him in and start a small fire, "this will keep you safe, night kiddo." He smiles at me and rolls over, I quietly close the door and walk back to bed. Crawling back under the blankets, I get comfortable and fall back to sleep.

"Up Nicole." Nate jumps on the bed, "It's eleven." I roll off my bed and flop on the carpet, "give me a second." He steps out of the room, waiting next to the door for me. I was happy to have him wake me up, he was my little alarm.

When he was adopted, I was the first one he got used to. Once I got to know him fully, I knew I loved him so much. Nate is a special kid, needs a different type of attention that nobody understands. He's the black sheep of the family, but I didn't care. As long as I can keep him happy, that's all that mattered to me.

"Ready?" I hop up, opening the door. "I'm coming bud, what do you want for breakfast?" I ask Nate, he shoots a big grin. "Waffles?" I pinch his cheek, "waffles huh? Well, waffles it is." Everyone slowly makes it to the table. Tired eyes and grumbling tummies make me smile, I was ready to make a good meal for the family.

After finishing breakfast, Nate helps with the dishes. After the kitchen was cleaned up, I send him off to play. He comes back, tugging at my sweater. "Explore with me?" I grin at him, "of course. You brought Wally?" Holding him up high, he nods his head, "yup."I walk with him down the first hallway we saw, look around and pick a room. The first room was a library filled with hundreds of books, papers, and games. "What's this game?" He picks it up and hands it to me, I look it over, setting it down immediately. "I don't know pipsqueak, let's go explore some more." I shut the door behind us, not wanting to think about the board game.

Looking around,  I guide him outside to the garden."Look how pretty it is, don't you think so?" Smelling the hydrangeas, I gently touch the petals, it was like silk between my fingers. "It's super pretty, but who is that, Sissy?" We both look to our right, a lady smiles and waves at us. She was watering the plants, whispering to them. "I'm sorry, who are you?" I raise an eyebrow, wondering who she was. "Oh, how rude of me, I'm Lilac, your nurturer. I take care of the plants so they don't wilt." She continues watering the plants, "gorgeous aren't they?" I nod, shooting a gentle smile. "Yes, they are beautiful." I grin, "does mom know you're here?"

"She will soon enough. I don't want to put stress on the darling.  I'm done for the morning, but I'll be back around four." She was older, curly gray hair and green eyes. She was skinny and fragile, She seemed sweet. I glance back to thank her, but she was gone before I could. "Okay mouse, it's almost time to go to class, let's get our backpacks." We grab our things and head into Ms. Libby's new classroom. It was set up the same exact way as before, it was as if we never left.

As we finish our notes, Ms. Libby had an announcement to make. "You have been the best students I've ever taught, and I thank you for that. Here's something for your patience and friendliness." She hands us all a new pencil and sketch pad. "I want you all to draw something to remember me by, I love you all so much." I didn't think to much about what she said, Ms. Libby always says the oddest things.

"Have a good day children." She smiles, waving her arms at us. At four mom walks through the door, she looked exhausted. "Hi mom," I smile at her and give her a warm hug. "I'm going to make dinner tonight. Go relax." She smiles at me, nodding her head. "Well, thank you sweetheart. I'll be in the living room if you need me, come on Nathan." Nate hurries off to watch T.v with mom, he loved being able to cuddle on the couch with her.

Sitting at the table together was always the best time, everyone could talk about their days and what's to come. As everyone finished their plates, mom and I clean up. Getting baths out of the way, the kids go and play for a while; giving me a chance to cool off. Playing together, I could see how tired they were getting.

"Come on kiddos, off you go. Sleep tight, I'll be up in the morning." Kissing them all on top of their foreheads, I crawl into my bed, smile to myself, and fall fast asleep. I woke out of a deep sleep, I look around, not seeing anything.

I sit straight up in bed, I heard an odd noise. A scratching thud, and a razor sharp pain in my ears, I walk out into the hallway to find out what it was. Turning my head toward the staircase, my eyes widen.

"Nate? Nate, what are you doing on the stairs?" I rub my eyes, making sure it was Nate. His eyes were closed, he had to be sleep walking. I grab his arm and lead him to his bed, "Wally's waiting for you in bed squirt." He turns around and starts whispering in a high pitched sound. His eyes opened, showing black pupils. He laughed in my face, almost as if he was enjoying it.

"What's so funny, squirt?" I shoot a smile at him. "You don't get it do you? Nate isn't here anymore, I am." She throws me across the room, I hit the wall. Regaining my vision, I look up.

"Nate, what is this? I know you'd never hurt me." His blue puppy dog eyes look up at me, "I wouldn't. I can't stop this, she's in me." His eyes darken again, her smile was devilish. "Who's going to stop this? Mommy? Daddy? Nobody." Tears start to stream down my face, I knew he wasn't my little man anymore. I cover my ears and pray, screaming my prayers out loud, hoping this would all end.