Home Sweet Home

"Honestly, what were you thinking?! Walking home in your condition, are you trying to kill yourself? While we're on the subject, the school should've notified me the moment you fell down the stairs!" Zenobia truly was blessed as she sat at the dinner table.

Not only did she make it home on time, coming up with a decent excuse but her mother, dare she say it—her mother actually looked concerned over her wellbeing? She never thought she'd see the day. Sure, she was still being lectured, but at least she wasn't being talked down to like she usually was.

Now…if only Zora could stop looking at her with tears in her eyes every five seconds, things would be peachy. For now, she had to endure the old hag's worry-filled rants while she ate her dinner. The teen forced the broccoli casserole into her mouth, turning a shade greener with every bite. Raw or cooked...broccoli tasted awful and she cursed whoever thought to discover it as edible.

"Well…no use fretting about it now. I'll be sure to call the school first thing in the morning." From the corner of her eye, Zenobia saw her mother quietly sigh. It seemed her mother finally decided to rest her weary voice. She stood up from the dining room table, giving her eldest a stern look.

"As soon as you finish eating, get ready for bed." For once Zenobia did as she was told. She took a few more bites of her meal then she gave up her dish before limping her way up the stairs. Even with the madness that went on earlier, the red-eyed girl felt relief following her nightly routine.

Quickly brushing her teeth the injured teen stepped into her bedroom so she could get changed. In a simple nightgown, she sat on her bed with a sigh. Reaching over towards her desk, she grabbed her phone, putting it on the charger with a mental note to text the principal.

The least she could do was warn the poor woman about her mother's future wrath. It wasn't going to be fun talk between the two if what she heard downstairs was anything to go by. She wished Ms. Mude the best of luck as she reached for her notebook. Digging through her drawer, she took out a pencil, itching to get some drawing in.

She would do homework, but it was still in her locker. A great shame she'll be sure to worry about tomorrow. Suddenly, as she was about to sketch a new potential mask design, she heard something tap on her window. At first she thought it was an acorn from one of the big oak trees outside her house.

"Hmm?" Not even a minute later she heard it again, now two taps. With furrowed brows she glanced up. "No way..." She found herself shocked.

It…it was the black fox from her childhood. Everything from the fur coloring to those beautiful, mystical eyes matched from what she remembered. It was pawing at her window, its nails gently scraping against the glass. Zenobia saw how it nudged it with its head, wanting to come in.

Immediately she went to stand, only to wince when she tried putting pressure on her leg. She didn't manage to even take a single step as her limb burned from the strain. She instead sat back down, bouncing slightly on the bed. She glanced at the window again.

The fox was still there, pawing for her attention. Zenobia stared into those deep eyes. Her room and the window separating them vanished, replaced with dark green flames. Images of people flashed in front of her within the flames, transparent images that disappeared as quickly as they came.

"What is this?" Each and every single one of them were maskless, staring at the teen with fierce, piercing eyes in all shapes and colors. It was hard for her to meet their intense gazes. An invisible weight stacked on her shoulders as time continued on. She stayed there, glued to what had to be the fox's illusions.

"That's—" She gasped when she saw red and black eyes. Unlike the others that kept forming and vanishing, the face of Ms. Mude's brother remained. He had his arms crossed; his mouth was tilted a tad up into a smirk. It didn't look like he aged a day, as if he just took the photo Ms. Mude had shown Zenobia earlier that morning.

She couldn't understand. Why was he there? Why was this happening at all? According to her principal, he ran away, disappearing without a trace to never be found. Zenobia glanced at the fox, wondering why it was showing her all these people.

What was the point of showing her one person she recognized in a sea of strangers? Then she heard screaming amongst the fire. Terrified shouts of surprise. Agonized screeches that seemed to echo longer than they should. Sharp gasps that cut off just as it began.

It was horrible to hear ears as Zenobia gripped her head. They created a chorus of horror-flick victims that showed no signs of stopping. The only one that had no sound or even reaction was Ms. Mude's brother, alongside one other that remained. One that made her cry out in dismay.

"Dad?" There was no way she could forget those warm, coal pained eyes. His hands were in his pockets while his body was somewhat slouched, making him look shorter than he actually was. A gentle loving smile was on his face, one she missed so, so much.

This wasn't some weird trick of the mind. It was him. Why, though? What was the point of doing this?

"Sis?" Zenobia blinked; her hand was outstretched towards the window, the fox-less window. Lowering her arm, she turned towards her sister. The five-year-old was at the door, frowning at her.

Clearing her throat, Zenobia got comfortable. She acted like she wasn't going insane or having wild hallucinations. Because whatever she saw wasn't there. It couldn't be.

"What were you doing?"

"I thought there was a…spider's web in front of me. I was going after it. What's up kiddo?" Zora hesitated, fidgeting in place.

Her hand was still on the knob, clenching it one final time before releasing it. She was already dressed for bed, a hairbrush in her free hand. Immediately Zenobia knew what she wanted, so she patted the space next to her. The younger girl wasted no time in rushing over, but instead of jumping on the mattress like she usually did, she stopped in place.

Her yellow orbs cast a worried glance at Zenobia before she carefully climbed up. Her leg slipped, causing her to nearly fall if her sister didn't catch her. Both stayed there for a moment, each trying to catch their breath. Then Zora felt herself flying.

"Oof! Getting heavy." Despite her dramatics, the injured teen was easily able to lift her little sister up onto the bed. Zenobia wasted no time grabbing the brush, eyeing the little purple hairpieces on each of Zora's wrists.

With one little circular motion of her hand, the somber child silently turned around. Her bunny buns were somehow still in place, but floppy. They were barely hanging in there. For a few moments there was silence.

Each bunny bun was undone, the long hair falling down her back. The brush carefully went through the strands, occasionally tugging at a small tangle. Her hair wasn't so bad, all things considered. Zenobia tried to be gentle all the same.

"How about a braid?"

"..."

"What's wrong, Zora? If you don't like the braid, I can put it up into a loose pony? Either way, your hair will be much easier to maintain if it's up."

"...Does your leg hurt?" Zenobia paused mid-stroke. She couldn't see her sister's expression, but she heard her voice. How quiet it was.

She could imagine Zora pinching her face with those hunched shoulders of her. She could hear the way the little girl played with her fingers. It was so strange seeing the usually excited, hyperactive girl so reserved. No, not reserved, she was nervous.

"A little, but it's fine. I'm fine."

"You lied to mommy…didn't you?"

"What?"

"You didn't fall down the stairs, you can't get hurt from them!"

"Yes you can, Zora. I just got unlucky at school."

"You still lied." It astounded Zenobia with how confident she was. She had hoped that Zora would simply believe her like her mother did. She didn't want to worry her, so she hadn't intended to say anything about what happened.

It wasn't an enjoyable experience per say, nor was it horrible. But as far as she was concerned, the fight, the dog, the old doctor and the boy that connected every other incident that occurred during this afternoon was not worth worrying or remembering. She had no intention of ever seeing those people again. Zenobia had her little adventure, that was it.

Tomorrow would be a normal day; with the typical nonsense she had been dealing with and all would be well. Still, she caved under the guilt. She put down the brush, allowing her sister to turn around and face her. She let those bright orbs stare.

"How'd you know?"

"You got all dirty and your mask has rocks in it." She had to give it to Zora. The kid was way more observant than she gave her credit for. Which really meant something since mother dearest didn't notice at all.

Said observant punk looked so smug when she admitted that. Her smile was the widest it had been all night. A spike of nervousness shot through the older sibling. She gave a smile, knowing Zora wouldn't smile like that unless there was a reason for it.

"Don't tell mom?"

"I won't…for two things." Zenobia could only shake her head. She knew it. Of course Zora wanted something out of it.

For a moment the teen stared at the ceiling, praying the two things weren't overly ridiculous. As much as she didn't want to admit it, her hands were tied. If Zora decided to squeal, she was screwed. And no amount of excuses would save her from her mother's wrath.

"Alright, let's hear it."

"I want two braids in my hair tonight."

"Sounds doable. What's the other thing?"

"I wanna hear what really happened. How'd you get your boo boos?" With a sigh, she agreed. It wasn't bad. 

In fact, neither of them were a problem. But that concern of Zora learning what really happened worried her. The risk of her still blurting something out to their mom was still high. On the other hand, she knew Zora kept her promises, especially if she raised her itty bitty pinky like she was doing now.

The two locked their pinkies together, sealing their promise. They shared a small smile before Zora twisted back into her comfortable position, waiting for those twin braids. With another sigh Zenobia parted it into separate strands, ready to tell the glorious tale that was her afternoon. There was not a doubt in her mind she'd at least cheer when Rosette was introduced.