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"Sorry, my love," she whispered, giving him a reassuring smile and kissing the top of his head. "Mommy is a little on edge lately."
"You're silly," her son laughed. "It's just lightning and thunder."
"You're right," she said with a light chuckle. It really was silly to be so worried about a thunderstorm. It wasn't so much the storm itself that worried her; it was the risk of tornadoes being born inside it. The mobile home they lived in would not be able to withstand a tornado should one be created, as they were from time to time in Florida. She wished she could afford a real house for her and her son, but being a single mom, she didn't have the money for it.
It will be okay. At least you're safe.
As she finished the story and kissed her son goodnight, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up, and she scanned the room, but nothing was out of place.
She was being silly again.
"Good night, my love,” she said and turned off the lights. She left, leaving the door slightly open as Charlie preferred it. She sighed as she headed to the living room, her head filled with worries about the future. She sat on the couch just as another thunderclap rumbled through, startling her again. She turned on the TV for some distraction. But she could still hear the strong gusts of wind as they howled outside, and she shivered. She pulled her blanket tighter around her. As she began to watch her show, a sudden bolt of lightning illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Elyse jumped again, her heart racing with fear. She turned to look out the window, hoping that the storm would blow over quickly.
As she reached the end of the newest episode ofBelow Deck, there was a sudden knock at the door. She jumped, startled by the sudden noise. She hesitantly made her way to the door, peering through the peephole to see who was there.
But there was no one there.
"It's just your imagination," she whispered to herself. "Just you being silly mommy again, Elyse."
She looked once more to be sure, but no one was out there—just the palm trees swaying in the strong winds. Anxiety grew inside her, but she decided it was just the wind playing tricks on her. It had to be. Then she decided to go to bed. Maybe she would be able to sleep through the storm. She made her way back toward her bedroom, but as she walked down the dark hallway, she heard a noise behind her. It was faint at first, but it grew louder with each step she took. Her heart pounding, she tried to convince herself it was just the wind, but she knew deep down it wasn't.
She reached her bedroom door, her hand shaking as she reached for the doorknob. Then she heard the noise again. Turning around, she saw a figure in the shadows. It was too late for her to react. She gasped and tried to scream, but a hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her cries.
“You think you can leave?” the voice behind the dark shadow said. “Only death can part us.”
Chapter34
Isat at the dinner table, the chair screeching across the tiles. I felt happy, really happy. For once, we were all gathered—all my four children and Matt and Elijah—the entire family.
My family.
Outside, the clouds had turned dark as another thunderstorm approached. As we sat around the dinner table, the smell of freshly baked lasagna was wafting through the air. I looked around and smiled at my beautiful children, who threw themselves at the food.
"So, how was everyone's day today?" I asked.
Angel threw a handful of lasagna on the floor, her chubby hands covered in tomato sauce, while Alex was frowning at his plate, pushing his food around with his fork.
No one answered. The teenagers grumbled and shoved food down their throats like they hadn't been fed in weeks, and then they asked to be excused and rushed upstairs to their rooms before I could even answer.
It was okay. I was used to it. They were so busy with their lives. Only Angel and Alex remained.
"So, how was your day?" I asked, trying to engage them in conversation.
Angel responded by giggling and kicking her feet under the table while Alex looked up at me with his big brown eyes. I sensed something was coming, and it did.
"Mom, is it true that Thomas's mom is dead?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
I felt a lump form in my throat. I hesitated momentarily, unsure if I should tell him the truth. But I decided to be honest. He would hear it somehow anyway. It was bound to be something they'd talk about in school.
"Yes, Alex, that's true," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Alex's face fell as he looked down at his plate. I could see the sadness in his eyes, and I wished I could shield him from the world's harsh realities. Alex's face darkened.
"But why, Mom?" he asked, his voice shaking.
I sighed, wondering how much to tell him. I didn't want to burden my son with the horrible things that could happen in life, not when he was so young. But I knew that I had to be truthful with him.
"I'm sorry, Alex," I said, reaching out to touch his hand.
