Chapter Two-Over Her Dead Body

Reina spent hours explaining to the police what happened that night but no one seemed to believe the word she said. Instead, they all felt pity for her, thinking she's suffering from trauma or developing some mental problems due to what happened to her parents.

After realizing all her efforts to convincing them was totally useless, Reina finally gave up.

Exhausted and emotionally drained, the police took her to the hospital. The doctor administered sedatives to help calm her frayed nerves. As the medications took effect, Reina drifted off to sleep, her mind still reeling from the horrors she had witnessed.

During the late afternoons, Bob, Reina's uncle paid her a visit in the hospital.

He banged the door open, jolting Reina from the bed. She rubbed her eyes and adjusted to the bright room.

When she saw the angry look on her uncle's face, she swallowed hard, "U-uncle Bob?".

"I see you're not too pleased to see me". Bob took a seat on the chair next to Reina and crossed his legs. "Well as long as I'll get to keep all the insurance money, I don't really give a shit".

Reina knew his true motive from the moment he walked through that door so she wasn't surprised after hearing that. She has always known her uncle to be a liar, a thief and a bloody snake. He never cared for her or her dad, his own younger brother and now that he's dead, he wants to take away everything her dad has worked hard for, over her dead body.

Bob stood up saying, "I was told I'll be in charge of you from now on, what a nuisance". He walked towards the door and paused midway, "You'll come live with me and my family in Bayside cove. Your house was much bigger than mine, but too bad it got destroyed during the earthquake if not we would've moved here instead".

Reina's expression turned puzzled. "What earthquake?" she asked.

Bob's response was flat and unapologetic. "The same one that took your parents' lives last night kid."

Reina's eyes widened in denial. "But there was no earthquake," she said, slowly sitting up in bed.

Her voice trembled as she continued, "It was the monster... that monster killed my parents." She clenched the sheets tightly, and tears streamed down her face.

Bob's expression twisted in disgust. "You've gone mad," he muttered. "Great, just what I needed. A double fucking nuisance." With that, he slammed the door shut and stormed out of the room.

Later that evening, Bob returned to finalize the paperwork to take Reina away. The prospect of living with her greedy uncle filled Reina with dread, but she had no choice. With a heavy heart, she followed him out of the hospital and into his old, battered truck.

The drive to Bayside was long and silent. Reina and her uncle exchanged no words, the tension thick in the air. After hours of travel, they finally arrived at a modest white bungalow.

A woman with blonde hair and a young girl seemingly Reina's age, stood outside waiting for them. The lady wasn't really thrilled to see Reina while the girl looked rather curious.

Reina assumed that the woman and girl were Bob's wife and daughter, though she had never met them before. Her uncle had a history of failed marriages, and this was, as far as she knew, his fourth. He had always been vocal about not wanting any kids, claiming they were expensive burdens. Guess he has to deal with two premium burdens now.

"I can't believe you still brought her here after I clearly told you I'm against it". The lady glared at Bob while shoving the little girl inside.

Bob rolled his eyes and just walked inside.

Immediately they got into the house, the lady dragged him to a corner and by the looks of it, they were getting into a heated argument.

The little girl stared at Reina with a huge grin and her wide blue eyes sparked with admiration, "I like your hair. You look like pwincess Cindewella".

The girl started touching and stroking Reina's long platinum hair, studying it like it was a microscopic specimen. "What color is it?". She asked, her curiosity piqued.

When she saw Reina's confused expression, she clarified, softly running her fingers through her hair "Your hair, what color is it?".

Reina was beginning to get uncomfortable and once the girl saw this, she stopped and straightened herself.

"I'm Camille. Whats your name?". Camille introduced.

The way she switched from a curious, hair obsessed weirdo to a poised and polished princess made Lyka giggle. "My name's Reina".

"Nice to meet you, Reina," Camille replied enthusiastically. She grabbed Reina's arm and pulled her towards the stairs. "Come on, let's get you settled in your room."

They stopped in front of a small, wooden door. Camille opened it and gestured for Reina to enter. The room was cramped and musty, with a small bed pushed against the wall and a broken window letting in a cold draft.

A sense of unease washed over Reina as she took in the room's dreary atmosphere.

"Alright, I'll come get you when it's time for dinner. Mom's making spaghetti meatbaaalls!" Camille sang as she ran back to the living room to watch cartoons.

Reina plumped onto the dusty bed and began sobbing. Everything just changed in the blink of an eye. She misses her parents so dearly and would give anything to see them again. It all seemed like a dream, a nightmare she desperately want to escape.

"You know what, Camille?" Reina muttered to herself, tears streaming down her face. "I wish I was really Cinderella. I'd have my fairy godmother bring my parents back to me and make this nightmare disappear for good." With that, she curled up on the bed, her sobs gradually subsiding as she drifted off into an uneasy sleep.