Cold icy wind is cutting through Iris' skin as she runs in a snow-engulfed forest. Beads of snow decorate her red hair as she keeps on running. Blood is dripping on the snowy land from her hand. She is dashing aimlessly but her tear brimming eyes are searching someone. Suddenly she stops running and her eyes get stuck on a dried, snow-laden tree. Behind the tree, wriggles a frightened Ciana under the hold of a black-haired woman.

"Leave her!" She shouts and runs towards the tree. But more she tries, more the distance increases.

"I said leave her!"

Thud! She trips on something and falls down.

"Leave... leave her." Her conscious is slowly betraying her as her voice cracks with tears.

"Iris!" She feels as if an earthquake is shaking her.

"Iris, wake up. Iris!" She opens her eyes in haste. Fear and tears are oozing out from her wide eyes.

She jerks up and looks at the person who is gripping her shoulders.

"El!" She crashes her head on Elroy's chest as she keeps on trembling. Elroy hugs her back and tries to comfort her.

"Shh... everything is okay Ri. It was just a dream. I'm here with you. Shh... Stop crying." Elroy's soft voice is trying hard to calm her.

She wipes her tears and pulls herself back.

"But, sometimes dreams are...", she sobs as she murmurs,"premonitions." Fear is no more lurking within her. In the waking rays of the sun, her fear is dancing both in her voice and eyes.

"Who told you? You watch horror films most of the time, that's why these weird dreams are popping in your little head. From today, there'll be no horror in this house." Elroy tries to show a fake anger by pouting his lips and frowning. But Iris continues sobbing.

"No. These dreams, I'm sure is trying to say something." She rubs her head with her fingers as she sighs heavily.

"Yes, you need to sleep. This is what they are saying." Elroy lies her down carefully. "You take a nap now. I'm bringing Ciana here from her room. You two both will sleep and in the meantime, I'll decorate the house for tonight's Christmas party." He stands, giving a kiss on her forehead and leaves the room to bring a sleepy Ciana.

☆☆☆

Bright rays of morning sun are glorifying the white living room. The white-painted brick fireplace is adorning the leftover ashes of the previous night's fire. Little Christmas trees and colourful small balls are dazzling the top of the mantelshelf. Four socks of red and peach colour are hanging from the mantel top. Aside the fireplace, a bright green Christmas tree is standing proudly and is glistening in the sun rays. Elroy is hanging the golden glittery star on the top of the tree when footsteps are heard with a creak of the door. He turns his head back only to find a tensed Shelley entering the house. She keeps on looking at the phone screen and walks inside the kitchen. 

Surprised, he stops his work and mumbles, "Strange. Usually she says good morning every day and asks about the girls. But today...". He goes towards the kitchen.

"Shelley." With a clink the utensil falls on the floor. She hurries to pick it up mumbling, "Ye... yes Elroy." She is trying hard to not look at him.

"What happened? Are you fine? And where's your son?" Hearing this, Shelley's whole body stiffens in tension and somehow wiping the smiling sweats from her forehead, she replies with a fake smile.

"Everything is o... okay. I'll bring Shawn during the party. Now he is playing with his friends." But her voice cracks while saying the last sentence and water glistens in her eyes. She quickly covers them with a big smile and asks about Ciana and Iris.

"They are upstairs, in my room." Elroy replies but the doubt is clear in his voice.

"Okay. I'm going to wake them up." She walks towards the stairs in quick steps and reaches upstairs. She is now standing in front of a rose white painted wooden door but is repeatedly looking at the downstairs where Elroy is busy hanging mistletoe. She moves her trembling hand towards the handle of the door. But something forces her to pull her hand back. With trembling hand, she wipes the sweat forming on her face.

Beep!

She gets startled hearing the beep of her phone. She opens the message with her sweaty palm.

DO. IT. NOW.

She gulps down her dry throat and puts the phone in her pocket. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep breath and twists the handle opening the door.

☆☆☆

In a dimly lit room, Shelley enters, making no sound. Timid cracklings of fire and sweet vanilla fragrance are roaming in the room. She walks tip toed and in the shadow of light and dark she is looking like a tall furry off-white coloured cat. She stands in front of the bed and a feeble smile creeps up on her face. She is looking with her teary gaze at Ciana who is sleeping, embracing the baby bump of Iris with her head on Iris' chest. A tear trickles down from her eyes as she mumbles, "I'm sorry." She wipes the tears and walks inside the attached washroom.

One... two... three... gush!

After three seconds a gushing sound of water screams from the washroom. Hearing the sound, Ciana wakes up and rubs her eyes. She yawns and smiles looking at Iris. She kisses her cheeks and Iris wakes up with a smile on her face.

"Today you woke up before me!" Iris looks at her with surprising eyes.

"Yeah ! I can't remember, but I think I woke up hearing a sound." Ciana scratches her head digging her little fingers in her long black hair.

Click!

Hearing the sound, both looks towards the washroom's door and sees Shelley coming out of the washroom. And as soon as Shelley finds herself under their interrogating look, her grey eyes widen with shock.

☆☆☆

Words: 1012

Hello readers! I hope you're liking the story. So, Shelley is obviously hiding something. What is it? Will she get caught? Wanna know what happens? Wait for some days and the next chapter will be up. Till then bye with loads of love. ❤❤❤ And please vote, comment and share.