Chapter 2

~Twelve Years Later~

Halloween, the 31st of October 2020. That was the date. I opened my eyes - which were perpetually framed by dark circles from my lack of sleep. My stomach was throbbing as something large and heavy shifted atop me. I blinked up at the white plaster ceiling of my room, white sunlight filtering into my bedroom.

I groggily propped myself up by my elbows, looking down at the furry lump atop my tangled sheets. My dog Marv was stretched across my bed, paws dangling off one side, as he shifted his ribs over my stomach. I didn't want to get up just yet, and I reached over to my bedside table, grabbing one of the small orange prescription bottles and twisting the lid off - setting a little white pill to slide into my hand.

I didn't need water to swallow it down, I had adapted since my primitive years as a five-year-old girl. I sat up; propping myself against my headboard and ran a hand through my strawberry blonde hair. I stretched my slender arms above my head and stretched. Marv stirred and lifted his head as I groaned with exhaustion.

Marv was a brown and white Parti Goldendoodle. Mom and dad had gotten him for me when I was eleven years old. I had some major anxiety issues, along with a couple other complications, but I wasn't too stressed when I had Marv - named for the character Marv in the home alone movies - We had, at first, considered the name Kevin, but It didn't seem to fit him.

"Hey, bub." I smiled a little, giving him a loving scratch behind his left ear. He yawned loudly, tongue curling as he stretched out. There was a moment where I debated going back to bed and enjoying his offered snuggle, but fate had other plans. There was a crinkle of a foil bag from the kitchen and Marv vaulted off the bed, nearly slamming into the open door before he scurried down the hallway, nails clicking.

I took this as a sign that I needed to get my butt out of bed, despite the fact that I had only gotten to sleep at 4 am. It wasn't even 6:30 yet, but I got out of bed all the same. I dragged myself across the room and opened my dresser, plunking a pair of clothes from the drawers. I ran a hand through my hair, and decided I'd shower tonight.

I pulled my pants on - a pair of high waisted, ankle length black pants with white pinstripes printed vertically over the black fabric - and adorned my favorite shirt - a mustard yellow T with a pocket on the left side - I tucked the front hem of my shirt into my pants and pulled an elastic off my door handle.

I walked past the bathroom and stepped into the kitchen. It was a pretty shade of ocher yellow with a white shiplap wall beside the sliding glass door. The white kitchen counters contrasted with the brick backsplash and created a rustic feel to the kitchen. Mom was at the counter, putting a pot of cinnamon and orange potpourri on the stove.

"Morning." I said walking up behind her and hugging her as he peeled an orange over the pot.

"Hey baby." Mom said and jutted her chin towards the fridge. "Can you get the almond milk out for me?" She asked. I walked over to the big black fridge and opened the door on the right, reaching in and picking up the carton of eggs.

It had been twelve years since the monster had visited me, and nine years since it had stopped. I didn't know why I had dreamed of the creature last night, and I most certainly didn't want to think of it again. I absentmindedly cracked a couple eggs and scrambled them with milk.

"Any plans for tonight?" Mom asked and I shrugged as I whisked the eggs and poured them into a pan on the stove.

"I'm just panning on taking a walk or something." At the word 'walk' Marv's head shot up out of his food bowl and he stared at me, eyes flicking between the leash on the coat rack back to me.

"Well, that'll be nice." Mom said and smiled over at me. I offered a smile in return and turned to tend to the eggs. I added salt and pepper, taking the liberty of adding minced bell peppers and cheese. My mom was a nutritionist, taking classes at a nearby university, teaching me everything she knew.

"Mrs. Zellman asked me if you'd come over and make dinner for Jacob tonight." Mom said and gave me an inquiring look. My mother was good friends with Mrs. Zellman, who had incredibly strict rules for her son Jacob.

"That'd be something to do." I smiled and mom relaxed visibly. She had probably offered my name up already and was relieved to hear that I thought it was a good idea. "Did she have anything in mind?" I asked and mom shook her head, giving me a sly grin. She knew I loved improvising - I only loved improvising because I hated planning - but a dozen different recipes were running through my head.

"What about Chicken bruschetta? With baked brussels sprouts." I was only able to remember this particular recipe because it was my favorite.

"Perfect." Mom smiled kissing her fingers in a grand gesture.

Marv walked over to me, sitting on my foot as I dished out the eggs for mom and me. Dad was at work today, from five until seven tonight. Mom had dad had planned a date and would also be attending Mrs. Zellman's Halloween party. He would retire in three years, having served almost nineteen years in the military as a green beret.

I sat and ate with mom before she left for school and I was left alone with Marv. I put the dishes in the sink and vowed to wash them when I got back. I walked down the hall and into my room, scooping up my medicine and putting it in my bag. Before I address the leash situation. Marv was practically dancing when I picked up the leash and clipped it to his black collar.

I opened the door shortly after I adorned my canvas jacket and matching cap. The air outside was warm enough that I didn't need better shoes than the ones I had on - red high tops with black laces - and I began to walk down the street with Marv at my side, eagerly sniffing trees, and fire hydrants.

My walk carried on for fifteen minuets as I walked to the store with Marv on my heals. Technically Marv was a Service dog, and he was popular among the shops I visited so often. Dad would always say that Marv was such a heartthrob that he'd get a drink named after him at Starbucks by the end of the month. This, of course, never happened, but I did get 30% of the take when Marv helped one of the barista's dogs have a litter. I got a hundred dollars from that, and I had it in a glass jar at the bottom of my delicate drawer.

Walking into the nearest grocery store I waved to the door greeter and let him pet Marv before we moved through the store to the meat isle. I browsed the shelves looking for non-GMO chicken breasts and found them in the back behind drumsticks. I picked up a packet of soy mozzarella cheese and headed to the produce isle where I picked up a bag of organic brussels sprouts.

I checked out and used the cash I had in my purse to pay for it. Everything was going smoothly... that is until I stepped out of the store where someone crashed into me. I fell back, tripping over Marv's leash and landed on my back with grunt. Someone looked down at me with wide eyes.

"I am so sorry!" The girl explained. She was sable skinned with black hair twisted into several braids down her back. Her brown eyes were wide, and she extended a hand towards me. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and took her offered hand. Marv was circling her, sniffing at her backpack.

"Oh, no problem, really." I assured her, helping Marv settle down. "My fault, I wasn't aware." I said with a warm smile. The girl looked red in the cheeks but slightly relieved.

"Oh, your groceries." She knelt as picked up my two plastic bags. I took them from her with a smile.

"Thank you. Again, I am so sorry." I added, and held out my hand, whist restraining Marv and holding the two bags with my other. "Letti Browning." I smiled and shook her hand.

"Kelly Ferguson." She smiled and shook back...