That night, I ran the bath water steaming hot and stared at myself in the mirror as I pulled the sleeves of my dress down my shoulders. There were bags under my eyes, my hair draped over my shoulders like spiderweb. I pulled it around to my back and my fingers got stuck in it.

"Really...?" I sighed.

Deciding to just put it up, I didn't waste any more time and finished undressing, then stepped into the tub.

I placed a hot washcloth over my eyes and laid back, trying to relax at least a little bit. I breathed in and gradually let it out, letting myself sink more into the water. With my head underneath, I listened to my heartbeat eventually slowing. I focused on the soft thumping. Thump thump... thump thump... thump thump...

It managed to wipe out the bad thoughts running through my head. I enjoyed the comforting sound. It brought back memories of when I was little; how Mom would cuddle me in the living room at night and lull me to sleep with her gentle heartbeat and her voice when she spoke to Dad. There is no better place for a child. It's a place of security, where there is nothing to be feared or fretted over.

But then, my body ached with the need for air and just like that, anxiety struck yet again. I popped my head up out of the water and looked at the door.

What if Scott would be lurking on the other side and meet me when I had to get out? Would he do that?

Knock. Knock.

I jumped.

There was another knock.

"Jane?"

It was my father.

"Yes Dad?" I calmed myself.

"Hurry up in there, I need to talk to you."

I shut my eyes, "Ok."

He walked away and I held my hand just below my neck -- a habit that I have. I wondered what he wanted to tell me. Maybe it had to do with Scott. Some relieving news, I hoped.

I hurried up and finished in the tub, then put my gown and nightcap on as fast as I could.

Grabbing the small lamp on the sink, I left the bathroom and was greatly relieved to see the hall was empty. I heard my father gently cough in the living room.

Nervously, I scanned around for Scott but couldn't find him anywhere. I peered around the corner in Joel's room and saw him sitting in his chair with his head down. Was he asleep? I didn't know for sure, but I certainly hoped so.

Keeping my guard up, I went ahead down the hall to the living room.

"Dad?"

He was standing in front of the fireplace with his hands in his pockets. He took out his pocket watch on the chain, giving it a small glimpse, then he faced me and put it away. "Jane... All ready for bed, I see?"

"Yes." I replied, but I saw he was still in his day clothes. "Are you going somewhere?"

"No, I'm just up a little later than usual. I've been sitting here drinking apple cider and thinking about today. Reading up on the news, too." he waved toward the newspaper on the coffee table by his recliner chair.

"What about today...?" This felt suspicious all of the sudden.

He walked toward me and put his hand on my back, leading me farther into the room, "You and I have some things to discuss about Scott."

I looked up at him curiously.

We stopped in front of the fireplace and he took my lamp and put it on the mantle, then he grabbed my shoulders. "What did he do to you? What's this you said about him doing strange things?" He was dead serious. I've never seen him this concerned about anything, and I mean, anything. It was almost like he knew something terrifying might happen, or has happened, and he was holding this information back.

I wanted to ask him what he knew and why he appeared to be so anxious. Though, I second-guessed myself and shied away from the idea. Being a young lady and their daughter... I knew it wasn't exactly acceptable for me to pry. Maybe if I didn't say anything about Scott's shadow doing strange things, this conversation wouldn't have even started. Maybe things would be a little different.

I should not have spoken about it. I shouldn't have done it!

Feeling overwhelmingly uneasy but putting on my best facade, I said, "I only saw this shadow one time. I was exaggerating. I'm sorry, Dad. I think you were right and it was just my eyes playing tricks on me and my memory failing me. I was pretty tired that night." I made a guilty face, then I said, "Scott came to my door asking about something in the kitchen and I invited him into my room, then we started talking and he sat on my bed. He wanted to get to know me. We talked about Joel and their friendship... going way back to when he was little. It was strange for him to stay and talk to me... I guess he was lonely." Speaking of Joel like this -- the anger I felt earlier about that whole ordeal returned for a brief moment. I somehow kept the same expression even though I was becoming increasingly aggravated again.

Dad read my expression and soon let off my shoulders. "Hmh... 'lonely'. Why, of course. Of course he was 'lonely'. I don't like him doing that. Sounds like he and I need to have a little chat." he readjusted the neckline of his waistcoat and asked, "...Did he tell you how we met?"

"No." This would be interesting hearing his side of the story, I thought to myself. "He didn't get around to that." I said, "I told him I needed to sleep and then he respectfully went out."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully; "I see. Well, I was out fishing one day and our boats bumped into each other. He apologized for scaring away all the fish and offered to show me a better spot. I took him up on his offer and we fished there together -- pretty much for the rest of the day. That's how we met and became... 'friends'."

It sounded simple and normal.

I then pondered over the spare room again, and the 'special' bed. That was the biggest mystery. Would I dare ask him about this? Was it a bad time?

I chanced it.

"Why did you and Mom lie to me about the spare room? Why did you say it contained an evil presence when in truth, it was just that bed?" I asked, being brave.

His eyes darkened, annoyed again.

I wanted to keep being brave. "It seems a bit wrong to lie to your children like that for so long."

He really didn't like hearing that.

"Getting a bit brazen now, are we? I bet he put you up to asking so many questions, didn't he? You had better not be getting too close to that man. He is here for one purpose, and after this is finished, he is gone. And so is Joel! That will be enough for tonight. Go to bed young lady!" He was getting in my face and speaking to me in such a harsh way. I was so shocked my eyes watered with fright. Never, had I seen this side of him. Never, had he treated me this way.

I lashed out, "Dad, what's the big secret!" After this outburst, I clammed up immediately, worried that maybe I may have done something I'd regret. My nose wrinkled as I attempted keeping my emotions back.

No, I had to know. I had to know the answers I sought. I wouldn't let a second more go by and be defeated yet again.

I pushed myself to keep it up; "Why is he so different and why couldn't he just take Joel to the hospital?!" I tried so hard not to speak any louder than I was.

He pointed to the door, "Bed, Jane! Now!"

I was amazed. This conversation became so heated in such a short amount of time. How could he treat me like this? This wasn't the same Dad as the one I knew before. I'd grown so tired of these secrets. I had a right to know, since I was their daughter and lived under the same roof! I wasn't even of age yet! Were they going to wait until then? It was heartbreaking for me.

I gave him a hurt, disbelieving look and stormed out.

As soon as I entered my room, I whirled around and almost slammed the door shut. I stopped halfway, remembering Scott wasn't far. There was no doubt he heard me stomping by. Gritting my teeth in hatred of him, I shut it carefully anyway and then I threw my nightcap across the room. Being aware that some things about my own home were still hidden from me magnified all the bad emotions I currently harbored.

Moving toward my bed, I pushed my fingers over my forehead into my hair and squeezed the roots tightly. I stopped at the foot of the bed and stood still for a moment. Dad's hard footsteps vibrated the floorboards as he went out and to another part of the house. What was wrong with him?

He and Mom both weren't the same anymore. So quickly, they've changed.

Scott was breaking us apart. He entered our lives like a virus. I'm sure he took great pleasure in poisoning my parents' minds. That's sure what it seemed like to me.

I realized I was glowering at the nightcap on the floor. My hands and eyes twitched. I walked over and picked it up, dusting it off. The moonlight casting in was my only source of something nice to think about for the next few hours. Any books or writings of mine just annoyed me, reminding me of the better days.

At this time, I couldn't feel any happiness at all. Just pain, anger, and grief. I needed to find some way to stop this.

Was there a way...

or did I have to endure it until the damage was finally done...?