"Okay, so the plan is, we just go in and tell them they have to go out on Monday and that you will be there with me in the house." I run over the plan for the hundredth time.

Jay nods, "Yes, now calm down. You're so over-anxious. It's going to be fine."

"You're right," I agree, "I'm being stupid. Let's go." Taking a deep breath, I open the door and walk through into the main room, where Aunt and Uncle are sitting and chatting idly. Jay and I sit down opposite them.

"Oh, hello!" Aunt says, when she sees Jay. Jay smiles and nods, and then nods at Uncle. Uncle nods back politely.

"Aunt, I know it's your anniversary on Monday and I want to say congrats early. I didn't want you to stay at home because of me. I don't want to spoil your anniversary. So Jay and I thought that you could out, both of you and Jay would stay here with me so I won't be alone in the house. What do you think?"

"You'd be here?" Aunt says, looking nervous already.

"Yes, but I won't be alone." I remind her, "Jay will be here with me." Aunt looks at Uncle anxiously, who then turns to me and bites his lip.

"And Jay would stay here until we came back?"

"Heck, maybe longer." I say. "The point is, he won't leave the premises until he's seen your face back here. I promise you that, Uncle." I look at Jay. When he returns the stare back, with a blank look and nudge him, gesturing to Aunt and Uncle with my eyes. He nods, "Yeah, I won't leave the house no matter what until you're both back home. I swear, I won't. Trust me."

"Okay. But only because I want Nikki to redeem herself. Thank you for this, Nikki. I appreciate it, believe it or not. I know we don't have the best relationship, but this is the nicest thing you've ever done for me. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Aunt. And I'm sorry... for not being a good niece to you when I should have been. I understand where I went wrong and I'm going to try and set it right now." I say, nodding. Aunt looks tearful. She gets up and envelopes me in a giant hug. When she pulls back, tears are streaming from her eyes, "It's okay. We all make mistakes. The first step forward is to admit it. You're a beautiful girl."

"Thanks, Aunt." I say, smiling. And I mean it. Now I know why she's so hell-bent after security and why she doesn't want to go into the attic. I understand why she was so caring to me even when I was really mean to her and Uncle. I feel so bad, so bad about every spiteful thing I've said to them because all they were trying to do was experience having their own child when they lost theirs. Before I do anything, I swear to God, I am not going to question her motives again. Tears gather in my eyes but I push them back, "Dad would have been so proud of you if he were here. He loved you way, way more than you know."

Tears roll down Aunt's cheeks, "Oh, Nikki. If my brother was here, he'd be the proudest father in the world to have raised such a beautiful daughter. You know that, right?"

"I do now." I nod, smiling and then look at Jay, "Thank you, Jay, for helping me realise my mistake. Perhaps if I hadn't met you, I would still be blundering around lost with life. Thanks."

"You're welcome." Jay shuffles uncomfortably, "I'd better go. Mom probably has tea ready and my sisters will be waiting."

"Okay, Jay. Thank you for everything. Good bye. We'll see you on Monday." Aunt smiles warmly at Jay, her watery eyes lighting up. This is the first time I have seen her so genuinely happy. I'm glad I could at least do this much for her.

She lost a child, I lost my parents.

Maybe we do have something in common after all.

I show Jay to the door. He smiles, "Good luck. Be careful tonight, I have a feeling that it won't be smooth."

"I'll be on guard. Trevor won't go down without a fight. I honestly meant what I said. If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't have found out about Trevor and that he was the one causing me harm and my aunt is a pretty innocent character in all of this. I know you're not used to all of this lovey-dovey gooey stuff, but neither am I."

"Good, because I don't want to have to do that again." Jay sighs and shakes hsi head. I giggle, "Yeah, I understand. Okay. Bring the notes on Monday, I haven't memorised the chant."

"I'll remember." Jay assures me and then looks up at ceiling, "I want you to take extra care. I'll see you later, Nikki."

"Bye." I go back inside. I look at Aunt's elegant features and then a bright idea bubbles into my mind. I grin, "Aunt, I want to sketch you."

"What?" Aunt chuckles, breaking out in a grin.

I sigh and take out my sketchbook, "I want to sketch you. I want to make a portrait of you. Can I? Please? It'll be the biggest honour."

"Okay, then." Aunt says, smiling, "I'll hang it up in the hallway when you're done." I blush, bashful from the praise and then grab a pencil, telling her to keep her head at an angle and then begin to sketch lightly.

It's two hours, a lot of complaining and millions of hand cramps later when I finally put my pencil down, satisfied with my portrait of my dad's sister. "Let's have a look!" Aunt rushes over excitably. I turn the sketch around for her to see. She grins, speechless. I grin right back, thrilled she likes it. Aunt and I talk for what seems like hours, deciding what we will do on the weekend. I have the idea of a spa day for the two of us. We could get our hair done, mani-pedi, facials, make-up, a real girly treat.

Aunt liked the idea and we agreed it was what we would do. At precisely midnight, I was sent up to bed to rest up.

I was putting my sketchpad and pencils down when I hear something. Someone. At first I can't make out what the person was saying but then it becomes clearer.

"Niikkiii..." The voice hisses, "Niikii..." I stand up straight and look towards my bedroom door. With a shaking breath, I walk over silently and slowly open the door. The hallway is empty. My heart is thudding in my ears. I look toward the attic entrance. The door is swinging on it's hinges. Clenching my fists, I walk towards it and look up the staircase. The door to the attic room is also open.

The whispers are getting louder... and more urgent.

Shaking, I start up the staircase, keeping my eyes fixed on the doorway. I step up on to the last step and stand in front of the doorway, fear smothering my senses. Beads of sweat break out on my forehead and I take deep breaths of stale and musty air. Biting my lip cautiously, I step into the attic room, my eyes closed. The whispers have stopped, much to my relief but I dare not open my eyes, for fear of what I might see.

Steeling myself, I slowly open my eyes. Fear twists my heart and my mouth opens in a silent scream. I try to move, but my feet are glued to the ground. Tears of fright roll down my cheeks. Inches away from my face, staring into my eyes, is Trevor. But not the Trevor I know. His eyes are milky white --- no pupils --- fringed by dark red lashes, his pasty face is slashes with cuts and his mouth is set in one colourless grim line.

I take a step back and Trevor follows his eyes never leaving mine. I continue backing up until my back hits the wall with a dull thud. I look at Trevor, the loss of emotion, the empty of what used to be. My eyes close as I accept defeat. I can't beat him.

This is it. The end of life. I wonder what it will feel like... to die. Will it be painful or will I not feel a thing? Maybe I will finally be with Mom and Dad once again. Will that be so bad?

I open my eyes and then gasp. He's gone. Trevor's gone. I look around the room, my lower lip trembling with shock. The attic room is empty. I sigh in relief, pushing my hair back with a shaky hand. I take a step forward and glance towards the window cautiously. Taking tiny, cowardice-filled steps, I go over to the window and look out into the lawn.

What I see next is an image that will chill my heart for all eternity to come.

Trevor, advancing upon my mother with a glinting knife, his eyes milky pools of the direst evil. My heart clenches as I see her face, tainted with pure terror, her eyes never leaving the knife prepared to bring her to her doom. I press my palms against the window, "Mom! No, Mom! Trevor, please!" Tears roll down my cheeks as I bang on it, despairingly banging against the window in a desperate attempt to rip Trevor's attention away from my mom, "Leave her! Trevor, kill me, kill me! Please, Trevor!! What did I do to you?"

My mind flickers back to the website.

"Lacita vierto, lacita vierto!" I chant hysterically. Then both my mom and Trevor are gone. I turn around, my heart bouncing in my ears. Trevor is standing there, looking menacingly at me, the knife glistening in the light. I look at him, all of the fight drained out of me, "Trevor. What did I do wrong? What happened to make you hate me so much that you would show me my mother? That you would give me hope that she's here? Why?"

Trevor just looks at me. Silence can be a deafening language, my mom used to say. I never understood that until now. The silence between the two of us now is almost too much for me, like a heavy weight on my chest, pressing down until I can't breathe. Trevor glares at me stonily, "You do not belong here. This is their house and I have seen you with them. You are trying to replace me in their hearts! I will not allow it!"

I gasp, my eyebrows drawing together, "Trevor! Why do you think that? You're their son; your place in their heart is entirely off-limits and I do not wish to access it either! Oh, Trevor. Why didn't you talk to me?" I step forward, tears glistening in my eyes.

Trevor steps back, "Do not touch me. You are a traitor!" A huge weight plummets into me and I am thrown into the wall, the air whooshing out of me. I slump to the ground, breathless, a hot liquid running down the side of my cheek. I look up. Trevor is looming over me. He crouches down until his face is inches from mine, "Look and feel the pain."

His eyes meet mine and then I'm falling...

the picture is Nikki's sketch of her aunt