3- Christmas Jitters

It was Christmas morning, the kids were up before the sun could make it's appearance. They wanted to see what Santa brought them this year. The smiles on their faces made me grin, they were excited to open gifts.

"I was so good this year, I hope I get the skateboard I wanted; "Lilly smiles. "Maybe Wally will get another friend?" Nate hugs his toys tightly. I hoped he did too, he always takes care of them. "A new Barbie would be nice, Ken needs a girlfriend." Sophia giggles, holding Ken in her hands. Walking back from the kitchen, I hand each sibling a cup of coca.

"Sissy, can I have magic in mine?" Nate asked, wide eyed. "Of course, close your eyes." I said, Nate closed his eyes until I came back with his cup. "Here you go, kiddo!" I sung in happiness, I couldn't believe he still asks for it. It was just a sprinkle of powdered sugar, but perfect in any cup of coca. Looking at Nate made me realize how lucky I am, he the best little brother anyone could ever want. He loves me for who I am, and I love him so much.

Mom and dad heard us from upstairs, I could see the smiles on their faces as we gather for presents. "Looks like everyone was good this year, look at all the presents under the tree." Dad smiles at mom, she winked. Tossing a present to each of us, mom pulls out her phone. "Merry Christmas!" She says, snapping another memory.

Lilly tears the wrapping paper off the rectangular box, it was the skateboard she's been hinting at for months now. "See, dad. I told you Santa put me on the nice list." Nate was having a hard time ripping the paper off his box, I tore a corner off. "Here, Bud, that should be much easier." Finishing off the wrapping paper, Nate screams under his breath. "A dinosaur, RAWR!" I smile with happiness, seeing Nate so happy.

From the shape of the present, Dane was already excited. As he unwrapped it, tears fell from his eyes. "You really shouldn't have, I've been wanting a new guitar for years!" Dad nodded his head quickly, Dane knew he made a mistake. "Santa, thank you so much." He prays out loud, making it seem like he still believed. "Nicole, your turn." Mom says, I pull the ribbon to find the pair of jeans I was wanting. I wink at mom, I knew it was her.

Dad handed us our stockings, they were completely stuffed. Right away, we all found a toothbrush. The kids got a bunch of toys and games, Dane and I got things that we needed. "Children, can you all meet me in the garden?" Mom asked, leaving the room. Giving each other confusing looks, we follow mom.

"Each of you are special, and so are flowers. I have a unique flower for each of you, I hope you care for it as much as your prized possessions." I carefully selected the flower I wanted, it was a Tiger Lily. I take it to my room and set it on the desk next to the window. The sun set just right on it, making the flower more vibrant than it was. I smile, knowing this Christmas was the best yet.

From the bedroom, I heard Nate screaming in fear. Running down the hall, I push open the door. "What's wrong, Nate?" I ask, confused. "She's staring at me, I can see her in the mirror." Goosebumps cover every inch of my body, I was afraid to see. "Who is it?" I whisper, he puts his hand on my shoulder, lowering me to his height. "Nina." He says, tears running down his face. "I'm scared, Nicole." I hug him tightly, "there's nothing to be scared of." Although, I was terrified, I couldn't let him see it. I built up the courage to ask him to let me see her, find out why she's haunting him. "She doesn't want to talk to you." He said, trying to block my view.

"Why not?" I ask, standing up, looking at the mirror. "You look like the bad person to her, that's why she says she doesn't like you." Nate was pale in the face, Sweat dripped down his forehead. My heart starts to beat rapidly, "I'm not a bad person. I may not see you, but I want to know something. What happened to you?"

Feeling dizzy, I sit down. I close my eyes, falling into her horror.

    "Daddy don't." She screamed as he hit her. Tears fall from her face, she wasn't sure what she did this time. He begins shouting, yelling horrible things at her. "Don't you see? Mommy doesn't want me anymore, because of you. You're a disgrace." Her mom stands in the doorway, watching her daughter's abuse. Nina could see the pain in her mothers eyes, but she didn't stop it. She couldn't do anything but cry. Nina understood why she wasn't helping, she would've ended up the same.

In a rage, her dad grips her shoulder. "We're going to the attic, you need to learn a lesson." Nina was in fear, "it's scary up there. Mommy, don't make me go." Her mom played along with him, "don't disrespect your daddy like that, do as you're told." Nina was only ten at the time, she didn't understand exactly why her dad treats her this way, locks her away.

She was there, all alone, again. Two days without any nutrients, she begins to feel cold and weak. Nina hears the knob Twist, she throws the blanket over her head. "Get up." Her dad demands, kicking her leg. "I can't move, daddy, I feel a little sick." She says, hoping he'd get her something to help. Her dad picks her up by her shoulder, "did you want a bath?" He asks, smiling at her.

"A bath would be nice," she says, thanking him. Her mom caressed Nina in her arms, setting her in the bathtub. "Let's wash your pretty hair," she says, laying her back in the water. Nina smiles, holding her moms hand made her feel safe. "You know I love you, right?" Her mom questions, rubbing her fingers through Ninas hair. "Yes, of course you do. I feel safe with you." She smiles, tears begin to flood out of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, baby. I wish this could stop, that I didn't have to do this." Nina stops smiling, looking at her mom. "Do what?" She studders, watching her moms smile fade away. "Do me a favor and close your eyes, close them as tightly as you can." Nina obeys, letting out a deep breath.

Pushing Ninas head under the water, she starts crying, yelling out in pain. "It'll all be over soon, Angel." Nina tried to fight, but it was useless; she was too weak. A few minutes later, bubbles come to the surface, Nina was no longer breathing. Her mom screams in agony, regretting putting her baby in the water.

Coming out of the flashback, tears run down my face. "Nina, I am so sorry this happened to you." I say, holding Nate in my arms. Her parents murdered her, neglected her.

All I could think was..

Why would they kill their own daughter?