CHAPTER TEN:
HOME ALONE

“That was so beautiful, Fayy!” Ashley said with her cute baby voice.

We were in the music room and I was playing her a melody on the piano. Just like me, my little sister had a love for music instruments and melodies. She even made me promise to teach her.

“I know sweetheart, how about we go get some food now? You promised me that you would eat if I would play,” I raised my eyebrows knowingly at her.

She had always been like that. She knew everyone loved her to death, which made her a master in blackmailing. She was as devious as she was cute.

“Okay!” she beamed. I giggled and ruffled her hair a bit, earning a giggle from her. I picked her up and placed her on my hip.

I walked to the kitchen and placed her on top of the counter,  kissing her forehead. I can't wait until I'll have my own family. I sighed, knowing that I will never have a family, because my mate doesn't want me. I'm just sixteen and already having these kinds of hopeless problems.

I pulled out the bread and peanut butter and made Ashley's sandwich, handing it over to her afterwards, which she gladly accepted after cheerfully smiling a bit.

“Hey, pigface,” Mark came into the kitchen and kissed my forehead.

My lips curled into a thin smile as I looked up at him. Mark seemed a bit too tired lately, since he had to do so much patrolling. When Mark arrived home last night, he had bags under his eyes, which still seem to be there.

“Hi, why are you up? You need some rest, Mark,” I rested the palm of my hand on his cheek.

Mark is the only one, except for Skylar who cares for me with all his heart. Mom and Dad are never home. Not that they don't care about me, because they do. They're just not around enough to show it or make me feel like it.

“I can't rest, I have to go patrolling after three hours. Those rogues don't move from their spots. They're not on our territory, but they seem to keep an eye on it. I really don't know what they want,” he released an exhausted sigh.

My heart felt a little heavy. I couldn't see my brother like that. I've never seen him this stressed before and I don't think I ever will again. Those rogues... What do they want? They are here, keeping an eye on us for nearly two months?

“What? Do you think they want to take over the territory?” I asked. Because that seems to be the only thing to take away from us. We have nothing else for them. “And can't you just arrest them or something?”

“I don't think so, because if they would want to take over the territory, they would have attacked a long time ago,” he clarified. “As for your second question, no, we cannot. They're not on our territory and neither do we have any concrete reason to take any action.”

I nodded my head in understanding. The rogues are there for almost two months, keeping an eye on us like bloody creeps and they ain't doing anything. There's definitely something fishy here.

“What do you think they're after then? If it's not the territory, then it's something bigger than that.” I said slightly frustrated.

Those damn rogues have made my brother's life miserable. He really needs some rest, if he doesn't, then he's going to get sick. And that's the one thing I don't want.

“I think you need some rest. You told me that you'll be patrolling after three hours, you can get enough rest by then.”

“Fine.” he muttered and walked back to his room, after giving Ashley and I a quick peck on the cheek.

I turned back to Ashley and saw she had finished her sandwich already. I smiled at her, which she happily returned, and placed her on my hip again. I twirled around, with her cute giggles echoing through the whole house. I kissed her cheek and brought her to my room.

I put her down on my bed and closed the door. I sat down next to her and placed her on my lap, playing with her for a long time.

“Faayy, you're soo prettyyy,” she dragged every word between soft laughs, while tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

I kissed her cheek and rested the palm of my hand on her chubby cheek, “You are too, honey.” she blushed and kissed my cheek.

“I have a surprise for you,” I said.

Her eyes grew wide and so did her smile. Ashley loves surprises. She always got them from me or Mark. I can't remember when my parents surprise her the last time.

“Really? For me?” she asked showing her perfect white teeth and dimples.

“Yes, all for you. Now close your eyes and count till three, and your surprise will be in front of you,” I instructed.

She did as told and counted to three. Before she could reach three, I got up quickly and took out the large teddy I bought her last night.

“One... Two... Thweee!” she opened her eyes and yelped in happiness.

She always loved teddy bears. She already has twelve of them and never gets tired of them.

Ashley's room is decorated with teddy bears, which you already know, with pink curtains, a purple bed, a black closet, and a pink desk. The walls of her room are painted white.

Ashley hugged my neck, making me hug her back automatically. “Thaaannnkkk yooouu, Faayyy.” she exclaimed, grinning.

“Anytime sweetheart. So, what do you want to do now?” I asked her.

She shrugged as jumped onto my lap. “I don't know. Maybe watch a movie.”

“Okay, then what movie you want to watch?” I asked. She loves the Disney movies, so I always let her pick her movie and we watch it together, eating popcorn and marshmallows.

“Oh, I know, lets watch this one.” she beamed handing me the disk.

She wanted to watch Monsters inc.

“Okay, then you stay here and I'll get the popcorn,” she nodded and jumped on the bed. I shook my head and walked into the kitchen, to get the snacks.

I entered the room again with all the snacks in my hand and placed them on my bed, in front of Ashley. She smiled happily and grabbed a popcorn. I chuckled and turned on the TV. After that I played the movie and plopped down next to Ashley.

During the movie, I kept stealing glaces at Ashley, to make sure that she hadn't fallen asleep. To my surprise she hadn't. She squeezed the teddy I gave her closer and giggled while watching the TV.

I looked at my little sister and remembered that it had been a while since I had taken the time to enjoy moments with her. To be grateful for her cheerful smiles and meaningful compliments.

Her beautiful brunette hair, with her green eyes, her cute dimples, the way she frowns when she's angry, the way she giggles when she watches something amusing. I'm so twisted with all the shit going through my life, that I didn't even realize the things that mean so much to me.

When I'm in trouble or when I'm sad, Mark, my parents and Skylar are always the first ones to stand by my side and help me out. I don't know what I would do without those people. Especially Skylar and Mark.

I still remember that night when that horrible event occurred and I came terrified at home. My whole body was numb. It felt like I was paralyzed. The only thing I wanted to do now, is to kill myself. But then again, Mark and Skylar talked me out of it. They made me realize that it was okay to be broken, because there were always people who would love to help you fix yourself.

I was never alone.

"Faayy, why are you cwying?" Ashley asked, the concern clearly heard in her voice.

I didn't even realize that I was crying. Ashley never saw me crying before. I quickly wiped the tears off of my cheek and looked at Ashley's innocent face.

“I wasn't crying, silly. Its just a bit dust that went into my eye,” I quickly made up something.

“Okay,” she smiled cheekily and focused back on the TV. I shook my head and watched the movie again.

-------

After the movie, I turned my head at Ashley and saw her already looking at me with a mouth filled with popcorn. I chuckled lowly and grabbed the empty bowls that were loaded snack earlier.

I walked into the kitchen, with Ashley following me and placed the bowls into the sink. I was about to ask her what she wanted to do now, but then a fresh Mark walked over to us.

He looked so much better now. His eyes didn't have bags under them anymore and I assumed he already took his shower, because his hair was wet. He was wearing his jeans and a button up shirt.

He kissed mine and Ashley's forehead and looked back at me. “I'm going patrolling. Mom and Dad won't be here till next Friday and I'll be home late. Maybe next morning. So, you have to take care of yourself and of course, of our dear Ashley,” he said ruffling her hair a bit.

Ashley grabbed Mark's head and planted a big kiss on his cheek, “I love you, Marky.”

I smiled and looked at Mark, who was grinning like an idiot that just won a jackpot. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

Everyone who knows Ashley seem to have a soft spot for her. Mark and Skylar say that she's like me, she makes everyone go soft. And of course, I don't believe that.

“Marky, look what Fayy bought me!” she showed Mark the teddy I bought her. Mark looked at me and smiled softly.

“Its beautiful.”

Mark gave us a last kiss and walked out of the house. I looked at the clock and to my surprise it was six o'clock already.

I turned around to find a yawning Ashley in front of me. I smiled at her and picked her up, placing her on my hip.

“You sleepy?” I asked. She shook her head saying no. I sighed and walked into the living room. I plopped down with Ashley on my lap.

“So, what do you want to do now?” I asked her. She looked at me and replied after a few minutes of thinking.

“How about eating?” she beamed. Now this girl is talking my language. We walked to the kitchen again.

I placed her on top of the counter and leaned against it, resting all my weight on my elbows.

“Lasagna!” this kid can kill someone for lasagna.

“Very well then,” I shrugged. “Anything for the Queen,” I said, taking a bow.

I took the time to prepare the lasagna and after that, we made our way to the living room with our food. I turned on the TV, and luckily there were some cartoons on.

We were watching the cartoons, when the doorbell rang. I sighed and walked to the door, leaving Ashley behind. Not like she would join me either. Who would walk to the door when they could watch Scooby-Doo?

I opened the door and to my surprise, there was no one there, except for a cute teddy bear holding a heart.

And a note.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise, my heart beating faster. I picked up the teddy bear and took out the note that stuck between the bear and the heart. I unfolded the piece of paper and what I read left me stunned.

Hi princess,

I'm glad you liked the teddy bear. You laugh now, but soon you'll forget what it means... I'll be there soon, and I swear to god, you'll be doomed... Laugh all you want to,

Faith Simmer.

From: your mortal enemy.