1

*CRACK!*

"Nngh!"

Came the tired grunt of Alice as she brought the axe down on yet another log, before tossing it aside.

She brushed a strand of her long blonde hair out of her face, before a pair of sapphire orbs roamed the area, landing on the pile of timber nearby. Satisfied, she let out a sigh before spinning around on one heel and plopping herself down on the stump, taking a few moments to catch her breath, taking in the serene surroundings of the open green fields and nearby forest. This, coupled with soft breeze and glow of the sun created a truly peaceful feel that-

"FINALLY!"

-died a vicious death at the interruption.

She huffed, turning to the source of the noise, to find the grinning form of her dear friend Zac, sitting crossed-legged, back against a tree, his short dqrk brown hair resting atop his head, a pair of deep brown eyes peering back at her, occasionally glancing at the the pile of lumber he had assembled ages ago.

"Any longer and we'd prob'ly have 'ta set up camp." He teasesd, smirk growing wider at the indignant look on her face.

She stuck her tongue out at her, but smiled nevertheless. She soon hopped off the stump she was resting on before moving over to her pile, where she started picking up the pieces.

"Yes, yes. I'm a slower worker than you, let's just get this inside already." She snapped, but with no real heat.

"Good idea, your parents might worry tha' you've gone missing by now."

"Alright already."

"Ya know, 'cause you're so sl-"

"I get it!"

And so, the two of them made their way over to the cottage where Alice and her parents lived. Although she couldn't carry it all in one go, so she made a mental note to go back for the rest... if she remembered that is, with how much Zac had been badgering her about her snail pace. Soon after, they bade each other farewell, making plans to meet up again the same time next week.

_______________________________________________

Exciteable chatter and laughter echoed throughout the dimly lit room as Alice and her parents sat at the table, eating the broth that mum had prepared for them. Night had fallen, and with it Zac had left for his home right before sundown. Shortly after, she and her parents had gathered for supper.

These were the sort of moments that she loved so. To gather around the table, coversing with her beloved mum, woman in her late thirties with long light brown hair and a pair of blue eyes, and father, who had short blonde hair, soft brown eyes, a stuble, and a well built frame that stood at six-foot-one, towering over her five-foot frame.

It was a simple pleasure, but one that she cherished.

After sometime, supper was finished , and they began to clear the table, when something caught father's eye. He glanced over at the corner, where the firewood was packed, noting that it was less than what it should be. He turned his gaze towards Alice, quirking an eyebrow.

"Alice, did you get ALL of the wood?"

She suddenly stiffened at the question, eyes widening slightly, giving him his answer. He let out an exasperated sigh.

"O-On it!" She stammered, shooting out of her seat, only to be stopped.

"Leave it, I'll fetch it." He stated, his tone leaving little room for argument, before softenining. "Just help your mother with the table."

She nodded, shuffling over to mum before flinching at the scolding look directed at her, but relaxed when said look melted into a soft smile.

"Honestly, you can be so forgetful sometimes." She said fondly, a note of amusement to her voice.

Alice gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry..."

She reached over and gave Alice one-armed hug, before gesturing towards the table, and then the sink.

"It's alright, now let's clean up."

She perked up, nodding eagerly. "Yes mum!"

Several minutes later, she and mum had finished cleaning up, although she couldn't help the feeling that something was amiss. Had she forgotten something... again? With hesitation, she brushed the thought aside for the time being. Afterwards, headed upstairs and changed into her sleepwear, the uneasy feeling plaguing. She came back downstairs to blow out the candles, when she spotted mum. worriedly looking through one of the windows. Then it hit.

...

'Where was father'.

It had been sometime since they had finished cleaning up, even longer since he had left to fetch the wood. It should NOT be taking him this long. Panic-and a pang of guilt, though she wasn't sure why-began to set in at the realization. She found herself staring at the door, unable to tear her gaze away. Unconsciously, she started towards the door, only to stop when the handle began to move, much to her relief. It clicked, before the door creaked open.

*THUD!*

Came the rough sound as the limp body of her father fell through the door, not moving a muscle as he laid there still, blood pooling where he landed.

Alice stood, uncomprehending for several moments, before a blood curling shriek, for better or for worse, brought her back to reality.

"HAROLD!"

Was her mother's response, as she ran to check on him.

"..."

Was hers.

She fell to her knees as she felt something warm and wet fall down her cheecks, staring at nothing in particular. Father... was gone? No, no, nononoNONONO! H=How could this happen? WHY would this happen? What did he... what did THEY do to deserve this?

*CREAK*

She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of the door opening all the way, revealing... something.

It was impossible to make out any sort of outline or shape on the mass of black while it stood against the inky darkness of the night, what she could make out was a pair of blood red eyes, resting about seven feet in the air, gleaming in the darkness. Upon sighting this unearthly, ungodly, entity, her sorrow, turned into white hot fury as began glaring bloody murder at the-the, the MONSTER, tears still streaming.

The monster was dead silent, staring intently at the two of them for a never ending moment, before raising a masive claw, inching it towards mum, who sat their, paralized with grief and fear.

The motion made her snap, as she shot up to her feet, lunging towards their aggressor, screaming bloody murder all the while.

Mum's head suddenly snapped towards her direction, eyes widening at the sight.

"No!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms out to push Alice out to the side with more force than intended, causing her to fly to the side, her head colliding with floor.

The sight of the clawed apendage coming down on mum being the last thing she saw, before everything went black.