Who is She?

My eyes flutter open and I look around frantically, only to realize that I'm in my bedroom. My gaze finds the alarm clock on my bedside table that shows it is 07.13 a.m. I lift my body into a sitting position and try to calm myself and control my breathing. Is this all just a dream? But it feels so real, so vivid. I can still remember the party, the music, the sound, the image of my lifeless mother. I squeeze my eyes close at the memory.

“Shit,” I curse under my breath. Rubbing my face with my shaking hand, I can feel the wetness on my cheeks, I didn't even realize I was crying.

“What the hell is wrong with me,” I whisper shakily.

Taking a long deep breath, I let it out slowly before processing to drag my trembling body to my bathroom. I splash cold water on my face and wince when I see my reflection. My normally sparkling blue eyes look so dull and empty, they look red and puffy as if I've been crying for hours, even my face looks paler than usual. I close my eyes and even out my breath to calm myself down.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Leah?”

It's not the first time I have a nightmare. Ever since we moved into this house a few months ago, I've been haunted by weird dreams, but I usually forget about it as soon as I wake up, but this time is different.

Finishing my morning routine, I make my way down and to the kitchen. A smile forms on my lips as I hear mom's soft voice humming a random tune, it relaxes me to hear her voice after such a horrific dream.

As I got closer to the kitchen I was greeted by the sweet smell of pancake, making my stomach rumble in demand for food.

As if she can sense me coming, mom turns around just as I walk into the kitchen, her angelic face brighten ups as she sees me, her full pink lips stretch into a soft warm smile.

“Pancake?” she asks, gesturing to the stove.

“Sure,” I say, as I take a seat on the barstool.

Mom starts to serve our plates before she takes a seat beside me, and we eat in silence.

"Where's everyone else?" I ask.

"Oh... You know your brother and father and their obsession to the river." Mom rolls her eyes as she mention the river. I giggle, I know dad and Jared love fishing and will go to the river every chance they got.

“I'll do the dish,” I offer as we finish our meal. I take our plates and start to wash them.

“Do you have any plan for the day?” She asks with her usual excitement.

“Yeah, lazing around all day,” I say nonchalantly while walking out of the kitchen, I can hear her sighs disappointed.

Mom has been nagging me to get out more, it's not like I'm antisocial or something. I have friends but it doesn't mean I have to get out all the time, I just want some alone time sometimes.

Finishing the dishes, I dry my hands and make my way out to the backyard. I really hate it here, everything is so dull, everything in this house makes me feel uncomfortable.

This is my mother's childhood home, we used to live here when I was a kid. Grandma was still living with us at the time, Grandma... I shake the memories away and carry on my way out only to stop when my eyes catch something or rather someone.

A girl is standing beside the swing, her dark brown hair flowing over her back. Her eyes are a pool of black ink, contrast with her pale face, she wears a pale green dress that goes over her knees.

She looks at me with that dark expression, with eyes that look so dead. But that's not what scares me the most, it's her face. A face that looks exactly like mine. Her lips pull into a smile that chills down my spine, I take a step back in fear.

“Do you want to go with me? I need to go grocery shopping.” I jump at my mom's voice from behind me and turn around to look at her.

I look back to the girl beside the swing just to find her already gone. When I look back at my mom, she is still looking at me and I remember that I haven't answered her.

“No, I'll stay,” I say slowly.

“Are you okay, Honey? You look a bit pale.” She looks at me with concern, I smile at her.

“Yeah, Mom, I'm fine,” I reassure her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Mom, I'm fine."

“Alright, call me if you need anything,” she says smiling, she still has that concerned look in her eyes but decides to leave it alone. I look at my mom as she goes, my mind wanders to the girl in the backyard.