Episode 1 Kate

The sweet taste of freedom was upon me as I walked to the front door; nothing was going to spoil the next little while. Sweeter then when I had my sweet sixteenth, five months ago. Yes, tears would be shed. Mine in happiness. My parents well in sadness, soon they would leave, and I would have the house to myself. All to myself for a month. I was giddy with excitement. I could have the girls over for as long as I wanted. No rules to tie me down.

“Bye Mom, Bye Dad have a safe flight to Antarctica,” I smiled, my mom turned on her heels, her face a tight-lipped frown and wrapped me within another hug, so tight I swear my ribs were popping, on the point of breaking.

“It’s not Antarctica, Kate!” she squealed in my ears, “it’s New Zealand, we have a very important business meeting over the next few weeks,” she released me enough to breathe. She ran a hand down my cheek, taking me in as if I was going to disappear, she gently pushed a hair out of the way so she could plant two kisses on each cheek. “We left you plenty of cash, but call us we’re 16 hours ahead of time.” She smiled sadly she never did like business trips that lasted longer than a week, but I was 16 now, plenty old to look after myself without worry.

My mother had red hair like mine only hers was up in a bun her suit was blue with a white shirt underneath the blazer, her eyes were brown, but I swore they were golden when she was angry. She took a deep breath studying my face as I looked at her wishing I could leave school to follow them on their adventures. Her

oval-shaped face different than my own thanks to dad’s genes creating my sharp jaw and heart top, I also inherited his eyes, but my slightly turned-up nose was from her, and her dimple that sat in her cheeks and the middle of her chin was mine as well.

“I’ll be fine mom, and if anything, I will call you or email you if I need more funds, but I should be good.” I laughed, giving her one last hug my father stood behind her looking down at his watch. Clearly, he was detached and would be, but he cared for me. His blue eyes with the hint of yellow around the pupil pierced me telling me to hurry up, his thin upper lip and fuller bottom lips were like mine set in a straight line showing no anger or happiness just indifference.

“We have to go Mag,” he said softly his brown hair cropped short and slicked back his suit was black with a red tie, I had given him that tie three years ago, at least he felt he should take it. “Kate is old enough and smart; she won’t get into trouble while we're gone.” The threat clear, no parties, no drinking, just studying. As if.

“I will be good  and promise the house will be standing when you get home in a month.” I smiled, waving as they walked towards the car to whisk them to the airport.

“Wait!” Mom huffed and turned as if hearing my words and processing the meaning. “No, and I mean No parties, young lady.” She wagged a figure, but her smile screamed, ‘have fun.’ “Mrs. Mark will be over every week to check on you.” Now that was a threat, Mrs. Mark was old, and she was mean if she caught anyone acting out of the proper behaviour.

“Promise!” I called back they hopped in the car and closed the doors, “not too,” I whispered and giggled then went in and closed the door.

I had the house to myself for a month, maybe longer, depending on how it went. I was definitely going to have the girls over, perhaps not a raring party but a small get together. Well, I was sixteen might as well try to get into some trouble while I could. I walked slowly to the living room where I had, left my phone andflopped down on the white leather couch. I thumbed through the contacts until I found the two names that had gotten me into more trouble then I cared to admit to my parents. Rose and Mandy my two best friends in the whole world.

I quickly keyed out a message to both.

Meet up? Parents MIA for next month.

I got two quick responses both, Yes!

I smiled and keyed out, how about in 3 days keep it normal for a little, so they don’t expect it.

Rose: I got the beer,

Mandy: I got the food.

My plan was coming together for a nice little party.

Me: Perfect,

I liked how easy things were to get done.

Rose: Guys, I need your help!

This wasn’t a surprise. We all knew this was coming. Rose had been on needles the last few days with club activities.

Mandy: With what?

Rose: We need to meet to plan prom please, Mall tomorrow, and we can plan for the party.

I sighed and replied the same as Mandy Yes.

Thank goodness it was a Sunday tomorrow. I would have to probably pick out a dress for the dance and the party maybe I could swing a dress that could work for both. As I sat in the living room, a chill ran up my spine as if someone was watching me. The sun was setting, and the street lights had come on. I got up and closed the curtains, but the feeling was still nagging at the back of my neck. I rubbed my arms. Maybe there was a window left open the fall air was fresh and crisp nice to have on a warm day, but with the setting sun, the temperature was dropping. I moved around the house looking for the open window and found none.

I got the urge to run to the door and lock it. As the bolt slid home, I felt some relief, but still, the chill ran down my back, I checked the back door and side both locked I could still feel the eyes on me. For a second, I saw a flash, so quick I wasn’t sure it was a person or an animal.

I dashed up the stairs, almost slipped and crashing once I hit the top but managed to scramble to my room and closed the door before hopping into bed and wrapping my comforter around my small frame. I was safe, it wasn’t the first time they had left, but something was bothering me more then I cared to admit. Something or someone was watching me. I could feel it, but no one was around; the house was locked down. I pulled my phone out and sighed it was 7:30 pm to early to go to bed, but at the same time, I didn’t feel like wandering around the empty house while this feeling tickled the back on my neck and ran down my arms raising the hairs in a wake behind the sensation. Wrapped in the comforter, I soon found myself falling asleep and decided I would have an early day in the morning.

My dreams consisted of a woman I couldn’t place her name, but she seemed familiar, I could see her, but at the same time, I couldn’t. She was standing in front of me, but I couldn’t see what colour her hair was her eyes, but I could see them. She seemed upset, and I wanted to help. But her voice was distant, but she was so close. “Help!” the one word I could make out. But nothing else. I groaned, in frustration, this was the most frustrating thing in the world suddenly she screamed and flew back away from me.

I reached out, and when I opened my eyes, the comforter was wrapped around my middle, my legs tangled in the folds. My right hand, the same one in the dream, was still raised straight out fingers reaching for the girl to try to help. I took a shaky breath and let my right arm fold and fall over my eyes.

“What was that about?” My voice was thick from sleep and in a whisper, even though no one was home to hear me even if I screamed.  I opened my phone and saw the time 6:57 am I had slept the entire night away at least. The darkness was a blanket still pulled tight over the city, but the unmistakable car doors opening and closing outside as the working few made their way to the city.

I slipped from the bed and tiptoed to the washroom listening to the houses soft creaks and cracks as I moved quietly once inside the bright light of the fluorescent bulbs snapped my sleepy brain awake. Why was I staying so quiet when I was home alone. I shook my head that dream still wrapped around me, calling to me to remember, but as I turned the tap and splashed the cold water on my face, the dream started to fade into the background. I walked back to my bedroom and noticed that I was still wearing the light purple tank top and underwear. I must have peeled off the t-shirt over top of my tank that helps conceal my cleavage, and my jeans were as I discovered tangled within the covers of my bed.

I grabbed a fresh pair of jeans and peeled off my top, finding my favourite black t-shirt with bright coloured flowers and a butterfly in pink blue and yellow neon. I gave my hair a run through with my brush and looked longingly back at my bed. Maybe a few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.

“No, Kate, the last time you went back to bed after an early wake-up, you slept till 4 pm, and I thought you died.” I mimicked mom's stern voice and laughed quietly to myself I was never allowed to go back once I was up, or I might sleep the day away.

I thumped down the stairs but paused, thinking I caught movement in the living room. I paused and listened to the house was silent. I was just paranoid that dream and the being watch feeling was getting to me.

I shook my hair out and tried to clear my head. I was safe, and I was alone in the house. I hurried to the kitchen, flicking on every light on my way. Trying to chase the feeling away. I rummaged through the fridge and grabbed the milk and a bowl before placing them on the counter. I searched the cupboard and found my favourite cereal Shreddies. I squealed as I saw mom got me the honey ones. I loved this flavoured one.

I poured them into the bowl and then added the milk before returning it to the fridge. I did not want to have to waste money on more milk when they had just bought a new carton for me. I had left the last few on the counter allowing the milk to spoil, and my parents had gotten angry well, mom threw a fit and dad, well dad let her and didn’t put in his two cents.

I sighed and flicked through my photo over pictures of my friends and the over my favourite site Pinterest and Instagram before sighing it was only 8 am. I still had to wait until at least 10 am before the mall opened and then probably and other two hours waiting for the girls to wake up. I rinsed my bowl in the sink after I finished off the last tasty drop of milk infused with honey. Then went to the office where my parents set up my desktop, I have a laptop too, but that’s for school even though I skype with Mandy and Rose every day going over answers to our homework.

I skimmed through my email and then surfed around the internet I glanced at the stores and what was happening right now. Fashion was one thing I liked but never seemed to get quite right, not the right top, jeans or shoes. Always a season behind. I gave up looking and decided to get some new clothes when mom and dad got back. They would be so happy that I followed through with their rules, course after the party I would have five days to clean up and put the house back together so Mrs. Mark wouldn’t tell my parents that I had, had a party.

I skimmed party ideas I mused over what ideas to bring up with the girls at the mall while we planned prom or a dance that Rose had her eye on. By 9:30 am I had an idea about the dance to tell Rose and a dress in a store, I really hoped they had in stock. I quickly grabbed my jacket as I headed for the door and then waited for the bus to arrive. I would catch a ride back with Mandy or Rose if they drove.

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