Chelsea cancelled her plans with Stella and went straight home. She couldn't wait for Andrew to come. She was tensed and could still picture what she saw in the library. She was very much certain that she saw a hand coming out of the pile of books.

'Who says books can do you no harm?' She thought.

'I should've never gone there.' She said.

Throwing her bag on the couch, she went to the kitchen to get something to eat. Chelsea searched the fridge rigourously. All she could find was some leftover lasagna from last night's dinner. While Chelsea removed the foil from the plate and opened the microwave, she remembered how many times, Andrew had told her to get the timer fixed but she kept on making excuses. One thing he asked from her and she couldn't even do that. Chelsea knew how much Andrew was doing for her.

Their parents decided to separate when Chelsea was twelve. Andrew was just two years older at that time, still he took great care of his little sister. Their parents never got the official divorce but still live in different cities. Andrew didn't want Chelsea to suffer because of that. He fought with his parents and took her responsibility. Weekly calls from them and a small cheque as a token of love were the only things they were getting from them. They didn't hate their parents but it was the best for both of them to stay away from all the drama. They only had each other.

Sometimes they get along so well and sometimes they fight like crazies but that's how a siblings' relation is supposed to be.

Putting the food inside the microwave, Chelsea stood near the table, counting the seconds on her watch.

Chelsea heard her phone ring. It was her mom. She wondered why her mother was calling her on a Monday. She was supposed to call only on Thursdays. Then the thought of what Andrew said in the morning came to Chelsea's mind.

'Andrew!' Chelsea muttered angrily and  took the call. 'Hey, before you start yelling at me. Stella's got a new pool in her house'

'Good to hear your voice too Chelsea. But that's not why I called.' Her mother said calmly.

'I know Andrew told you. You don't have to lie, okay?'

'How are you, sweetheart? You were too busy to talk to me last Thursday.'

'Mom. Please. Don't do this.'

'Chelsea, parents are supposed to take care of their children.'

'I don't have time for this. Can I call you back, please? My head hurts.' Chelsea ended the call without bothering to hear what more her mother had to say.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later that night...

Andrew was going to be working late on his final science project with his classmate Jake. Chelsea ate her dinner and decided to finish reading her novel that she started a month ago. She had to make a book report on it and the deadline was in a week. She lay lazily on her bed, yawning and counting the number of pages left to read. Putting the bookmark inside, she kept the book beside her pillow and turned the lights off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chelsea and Stella roamed around an unknown place at night. As they moved forward, Chelsea could hear someone walking behind them. She stopped and tried to look behind from the corner of her eye but all she could see was the dense fog. She started walking again. Stella saw pink colour petals lying on dry leaves near a bench.

'Look Chels', she said and stepped towards it. She got on her knees and started picking the petals one by one.

'Don't touch them Stella. Come back.' Chelsea said.

'You don't have to be scared Chels.' Stella said looking up at her.

Chelsea was about to yell when she saw something moving behind Stella. The dry leaves made a rustling noise. 'Stel..' she tried to speak but couldn't. Her mouth went dry and her body stiffened.

'Stella look behind you', she tried to murmur.

A hand covered in mud, came from inside the ground, grabbed Stella's foot and took her with itself.

'Stella!' Chelsea yelled and woke up in her bed.

She held her pillow tighter. Her bed sheet was soaking wet.

'It was just a dream.' she said to herself.

'Chels, time to get ready.' Andrew's voice came from downstairs.

Getting up on her feet, she went to the bathroom. She splashed some cold water on her face and took a deep breath. 'It's fine. It's all fine.' She whispered to her reflection.

Chelsea took a quick shower as the hand print covered in mud washed away from her right foot.

~~~~~~~~~

SCHOOL...

Margaret decided she would walk to school today. She left home early and reached school twenty- five minutes before her first class to study for her test. Opening her locker, she took out her study material. She looked around and saw two police officers talking to Principal Ray. He looked very worried and tensed.

'Hey, what's up with Mr Ray?' She asked a boy standing next to her.

'You don't know? Didn't you read today's paper?', the boy asked in reply. She shook her head in response.

'It's the short girl with pink hair. She is missing. Didn't get home last night', he said.

'Stella!' Margaret exclaimed.