Fate

2. So many questions.

On her way home Isabelle had picked up baby supplies from the store. She had made up her mind, she was going to keep that sweet baby and raise her as her own.

Isabelle felt like her heart melted every time the baby smiled at her. And the baby smiled a lot. It was a very sweet and happy baby. Unusually happy, Isabelle thought. The baby had not yet cried even once since Isabelle had taken her home.

Weeks, months and years had gone by in an instant it felt like. The baby was now a child. She had just turned 6 years old. Isabelle had chosen the date she had found her as her birthday.

Penelope was a curious child. “Why do we have to walk to school?” It was just one of many questions she had already asked this morning.

Isabelle just chuckled “because it’s great exercise” she answered. They were walking, hand in hand, through a park.

“Why does flowers have so many different colors?” She wondered out loud. “Why are there so many bees?” She asked many questions but left no time for Isabelle to answer them.

“Why do birds sing? And why do squirrels chirp? And why do bees buzz?”

Isabelle always tried her best to answer the many questions. Penelope asked so many questions promptly this morning, that Isabelle could not keep up.

Then suddenly it was all quiet. Penelope had not only went quiet, she also went still at once. When Isabelle haltered to a stop, she noticed the look on Penelope’s face. She looked terrified, as if she’d seen a ghost. She had went so pale that she almost looked like one herself. Isabelle had never seen her daughter like this before. She felt a knot form in her stomach.

“What’s wrong sweetheart?” Isabelle asked softly and caressed her shoulder.

“They’re real” she exclaimed.

“What’s real?” Isabelle felt the concern for her daughter grow. “Monsters” Penelope whispered, her eyes wide open.

As quick as it had appeared, it disappeared. Penelope felt the hairs on her neck rise as a chill rolled over her entire body.

For weeks after that day, Penelope would have nightmares. Filled with all different kinds of monsters.