Chapter 6: The Visitors

Taxis were expensive in the city. Hayley had no other choice than to take the bus home. She felt unsafe, surrounded by so many people. She kept looking around, checking for danger. Her eyes landed on the two men who had stared at her in the cake shop.

Cold sweat dripped down her face as she stood paralyzed, staring at them. Their eyes met across the short distance. The men did not move; they just observed her. At first, she thought they were just random creeps. Now, she doubted her judgment.

Someone bumped into her.

"Are you okay?" the man asked, noticing her pale, wide-eyed face.

Hayley snapped out of her trance, "I'm okay. Sorry."

"Good," the man replied before walking away.

When she looked back, the two men were gone. She searched around, feeling scared, but saw no trace of them. It even felt like she had imagined their presence. On the short walk to her house, she checked her surroundings constantly, clutching her bag to her chest and walking quickly. It felt like an eternity before she finally reached her driveway.

Drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, her face reddened with exhaustion and anger as she saw the car missing from the driveway. Aurora told her she would be home, but it was another promise she had forgotten.

It was bound to happen. Aurora often imposed constraints on others that she forgot to follow herself. Before their trip to the Magic Box, Aurora insisted on the dangers they faced and the need to stay vigilant and together. Nevertheless, she abandoned Hayley in the city alone, as if all the dangers she had warned about had disappeared.

Inside the house, Hayley put her things in the living room. She debated calling her sister. But, after reflection, fighting was useless. She sighed, feeling tired. Maybe a nap could help her clear her mind and relax. She moved toward the stairs.

Before she reached the landing, a knock sounded at the door. She paused, feeling even more exhausted. It might be the two men from earlier. Caring needed energy, which she lacked. So many things happened, and she felt overwhelmed. She glanced at the door, pretended not to hear anything, and went to her room.

She was relieved she hadn't got the doorbell fixed yet, as it gave her a perfect excuse to ignore unwanted visitors. She quickly fell asleep, just wanting to rest.

Three hours later, she woke up feeling better. After a shower, she decided to make something to eat. Aurora was still missing. Hayley shook her head and tried not to think about her sister. She loved Aurora and wanted to be closer to her, but Hayley was tired of constantly excusing her behavior. Bad feelings were piling up, and she was unable to release them.

As she headed to the kitchen, someone knocked on the front door. Suspicious, Hayley went to check who it was. If it were the two men, the door would remain closed. Thankfully, a young woman stood on her porch.

"Hello, excuse me. My car broke down. Can I use your phone?" the young woman asked as soon as Hayley opened the door.

Hayley looked around for the two men who followed her from the cake shop. She felt relieved not to see them there. She dreaded seeing the men as she doubted their motives.

Feeling somewhat safe, she observed the woman. She had a pleasant smile and clear eyes. She appeared harmless. Hayley chose to help.

"Wait a minute," she said, rushing to the living room to get her cell phone. She handed it to the woman, who refused to take it.

Instead, she asked, "Can I use it in your house? I feel a little cold outside."

Hayley glanced at the shining sun and clear sky, then stared back at the woman with a deadpan expression. "No. Take the phone. You can call here."

Speaking rudely to someone for the first time made her feel uneasy. However, recent events taught her she needed to change. She remembered the attack. Even though it happened only a few days ago, the marks it left on her were profound.

If she had been firmer and more courageous, Hayley would have fewer regrets. Change was the best way she found to erase it.

At Hayley's words, the young woman sneered, turned around, and drove away in the car she had claimed was malfunctioning. Hayley frowned, not comprehending what just happened.

'Was she offended by what I said?' she wondered. Soon, she chose to put the encounter behind her. She closed the door with a small smile and went to the kitchen. She made some food and was about to put it on a plate when another knock interrupted her.

She went to the door again. Two little girls in Girl Scout uniforms stood on the threshold.

'They look like they came straight out of a TV show,' she thought.

"Hello, do you want to buy cookies?" one of them asked sweetly.

"Sorry, I have no cash at home. Maybe some other day."

"Can we use your bathroom?" they asked, fidgeting with their legs crossed and hands in front of them.

"Sorry, the bathroom is clogged. You can try next door," Hayley said, sticking to her newfound assertiveness.

"Please, we need the bathroom!" they pleaded, fidgeting more. Hayley was unimpressed. Since the attack, she hated strangers mentioning the bathroom in her house.

"No," she replied firmly. Her pride swelled even more. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so decisive in refusing someone. She felt good, though she secretly hoped the girls would be understanding.

Things took a strange turn. The girls straightened up, their limbs relaxing, and stared at Hayley up and down. Without another word, they left. Even though Hayley was not the sharpest tool in the box, she finally noticed something was wrong.

She walked onto the porch to see where the girls had gone and saw them disappear behind a tree. She looked around, but no trace of them was left. She bit her lip deep in thought. Not finding a solution, she closed the door once again.

Before she reached the kitchen, another knock came at the door. This time, it was a man with a toolbox.

"Hello, I was in the neighborhood and heard your bathroom is clogged. Do you need help?"

Hayley snorted and closed the door in his face. Even though it took time, she got it. All these people were demons wanting to get into her house. The fear she had felt since the attack vanished as she realized she was safe.

As long as she refused, no one could enter the house, and they could do anything to her. Rejecting people was scary yet empowering. This change was the best choice she had made. Experiencing it firsthand was more practical than being told. Those encounters took a weight off her shoulders.

Reassured, she went to eat, singing a happy little tune. Her joyful state faded when Aurora came home a few hours later. Next to her, a girl dressed entirely in black, with black hair and dark makeup, made her way toward the house.

'What the hell?' Hayley stared, dumbfounded, as they walked up the driveway.

Taking a deep breath, Hayley ran to the door before they reached it, closing it behind her and standing guard.

"Rory, who is that? And what is she doing here?" she asked, trying to stay calm and firm.

"My friend is going to stay with us for a couple of days," Aurora replied, waiting for Hayley to move aside.

"No, she will not," Hayley refused, contradicting Aurora head-on. Although her hands shook with stress, her eyes remained steady.

"She came here to help us..."

"Help us do what? Put us in danger? I don't want her inside the house. If she wants to help, she can do it anywhere but here."

"You are ridiculous," Rory said, trying to pull Hayley away from the door;

Hayley resisted. She swatted Aurora away, leaving both of them shocked by her move.

"I don't want her in my house!" Hayley insisted, raising her voice. The past few hours assured her she would be safe if she allowed no one in.

"Rory," the girl called, feeling uneasy. The sisters stared at her—Aurora, apologetic; Hayley, suspicious.