The Fate of the Unknown

Chapter 4: Strange and stranger

After Caitlyn skipped off, and left me with my racing thoughts. I decided I should figure out what to make for supper. Mom should be home in about an hour or two. She’s usually home around 4/5pm. Thankfully tonight she doesn’t work overnight at the hospital, so we can enjoy our meal together. My mom is such a hard worker, and lately she’s been looking really tired. I have tried to get jobs to help out, but she outright refuses. She made an agreement with us that we are not allowed to get jobs until we graduate high school. If we go to college, she would still prefer we didn’t work until we graduate. She always says it’s her job as a mom to provide for us, and our priority should be school. I get that, but at the same time 3 jobs is just so much for one person.

Looking at the ingredients we have, I decided to make some spaghetti and meatballs with cheesy garlic bread and green beans. Mom loves spaghetti, so this works out perfectly. I turn on some music and get started.

Eventually food is almost done. I’m dancing around and singing when I get this strange eerie feeling that someone is watching me.. I begin to feel uncomfortable and start looking around. However, there is no one to be found…

I haven’t told anyone, not even Caitlyn or my mom, but I have been feeling someone watch me for the past few months. I’ve wanted to tell someone, but when I have never actually seen anyone I would look crazy.

“Oh my gosh, Lex that smells so heavenly!”, Caitlyn says as she comes out of the bathroom showered and in her bright pink pajamas. She heads to the cabinet and grabs 3 plates, 3 sets of silverware, and heads to our table. She finishes setting it and getting our drinks ready when we hear the front door unlock.

As the door opens we both glance at our mom. She looks exhausted and just worn out. She must have noticed us looking at her, as she quickly changed her facial expression to look happy. She quickly hangs up her coat and sets her bags on the counters. She walks up and gives me a hug and a kiss on the forehead. Grabs the bowl of spaghetti I just finished and walks to the table, sets it down. Walks to Caitlyn and gives her a hug and kiss on the forehead next. I walk over with the cheesy garlic bread and green beans. Caitlyn follows suit with the 2 liter of Pepsi. We all love Pepsi. As we sit around the table, I can’t stop worrying about rough my mom is looking tonight..

“Alexis, please stop worrying. I am fine. It has just been a really long day. I am already feeling better just being home with my two beautiful daughters, about to enjoy this delicious looking meal. So please stop stressing, and let’s enjoy our meal together. Ok?”, my mom said with a very worried tone.

I quickly replied, “as long as you say you are ok. I just worry about you, that’s all. And I still will never understand how you and Caitlyn can do that.” I said shrugging.

Caitlyn replies, “do what?”

“The two of you are like mind readers or something. I can never keep anything from either of you, or get anything past you. I am always amazed with both of you.” I say amused.

Mom quickly replies, “mind readers? Oh Lex you have such a sense of humor! We just know you, and can see your wheels turning. Caitlyn, how was the last practice before break? What are you guys’ plans for this weekend?” My mom quickly switched the subject.

“Practice was great! The girls are really starting to get the routines down. I’m really excited for when we go back after break..” she paused to take a bite. “Tomorrow we are going shopping with the girls. We need to get something for Alexis’ party. I have found a few stores with really great deals, and I have some coupons for those same stores! I can’t wait!”, replied Caitlyn very excitedly.

“Just make sure to stay together and be safe, ok? There have been reports of strange occurrences lately. I just want you both to stay safe.” Mom replied. She was back to looking exhausted and now worried on top of it.

“Mom we will be safe. We always are. We promise we will stay together. Buddy system. We will stay 2 or 3 in each buddy group at all times, when the 5 of us aren’t all together. Ok?” I tried to reassure her. She gave me a partial smile, and finished her food. We cleared the table, Caitlyn washed the dishes while I swept and mopped. Mom got the couch pulled out into her bed, and got it all ready for us to cuddle and watch a movie together on.

She turned on a romantic comedy. Mom and Caitlyn love romantic movies, I don’t though. I don’t believe in love at first sight or how the plain girl gets the super hot or wealthy guy. I don’t believe in happily ever after. I do however love comedies. So we always compromise for romantic comedies. This one was about two people meeting, being opposites, and falling in love, but with lots of awkward and funny bits.

Watching this movie made me start to think about Sam. Is it really possible for someone like Sam to even like me? Could we end up like the couples in these movies? As I lay there thinking about the possibilities of us, I drifted to sleep.

In my dream I was walking in the woods behind our home. There was this giant dog near me. Like huge. Not the typical size. I don’t know why I wasn’t scared, but I wasn’t. I felt strangely calm in its presence. This dog was huge. As it got closer I realized it looked more like a giant wolf. It was like a chocolate brown with these dark brown eyes. Just staring at me. I’m not sure what happened but I was jolted awake. I then began to feel like I was being watched again. This was starting to make me feel super uneasy. I ended up going into my room and sleeping under the blankets.

A few hours later my mom woke me up. She noticed I was gone and got worried. Also noticed the bed was drenched in sweat.

“I didn’t mean to scare you. I had a bad dream and then just decided to sleep in my own bed.” I replied. Once I saw her starting to doubt me I quickly asked, “are you headed to work? My phone died so I can’t check the time. I need to buy a new charger today.”

“Yes. I left Caitlyn on my bed. I have to head into the ER for my shift. It’s almost 5. I started a second pot of coffee for you girls. Promise me that you will get a new charger. Also please make sure you guys keep me informed of your whereabouts and that you are safe. Ok?” She then quickly kisses my forehead as I nodded at her.

She was still acting really weird. I wish I could read minds. Then maybe I could find out what is going on. She is hiding something, but won’t say a word.. Hopefully everything is ok.

After she left I decided to get up. I threw a jacket on, grabbed some coffee, and quietly went outside. I didn’t want to wake Caitlyn. It was still dark, and I don’t like the porch light being on. Making it so everyone else can see you, but you can’t see them. It feels like I am on display. So I didn’t bring my book out. I just wanted to sit on our bench with my coffee and a blanket. I just want to enjoy the quiet and darkness before the day begins. Also where our porch is, the sunrise is beyond beautiful.

Just as I was starting to relax and enjoy the quiet and dark. I started to get that eerie feeling yet again. Someone is watching me. But who? Where are they? Or am I just going crazy?

“Lex, what’s wrong?” Caitlyn asks. Making me jump so bad I drop my coffee and burn myself.

“I’m just tired. s**t. Ouch. This hurts. Let’s go in so I can get cleaned up. I didn’t hear you come out and you really startled me.” I quickly try to dodge any confrontation from her, and hopefully we will be out of sight inside.

Something weird is going on, and I’m not sure I want to find out what it is.. All I know is that someone, or something is watching me. But why? Who?? What do they want??