Haunted Beasts

CHAPTER 20

Fortunately for me my dad isn't home yet when I get there, it's just Ronnie and Alice in the apartment.

"Are you alright?" Ronnie asks as she approaches me.

"I'm making your favourite tonight dear, please join us for dinner." Alice's voice is full of so much hope but I don't reply her, I just smile then proceed to go to my room.

It doesn't take me long to clean up. I don't know how I'm feeling but it's different from the uneasy feelings I had earlier.

I have done it again, my personality has shifted and right now who's in control wants to dress up for a simple dinner with the family.

Some time ago Alice bought me a cute white summer dress but I never wore it, well tonight I shall wear it.

I grab my hairbrush and start to brush my hair, my gaze not leaving my reflection on the mirror. I can't stop looking at myself, it's like I'm seeing myself for the first time.

I never really take time in make up or looking in the mirror in general but right now it's like I'm hypnotized and I can't look away.

"Evie?"

Ronnie's voice startles me so much that I drop my brush and am forced to look away from the mirror, from her. "Ronnie, you scared me."

She moves further into my room. "Didn't mean to." She says distractedly. "Are you wearing a dress?"

"I believe I am. What's the matter, don't you like it?" My tone is so different from how I would usually answer such an obvious question.

"Um no no it's pretty. I have the same one, I think." I can tell she's astounded with my appearance but then again so am I.

"Thank you." I tell her sincerely.

"Sure. Mum is done with dinner and she sent me to get you."

"Ok, let's go." I hold out my hand for her, a gesture which puzzles her. "Won't you hold my hand?"

Ronnie takes my hand. "Are you feeling okay?"

I smile at her. "Never better, I'm just really hungry."

"Okay." She's alarmed with my behavior but doesn't question it.

Both Alice and my father are surprised to see Ronnie and I holding hands, Alice is even more surprised that I'm wearing a dress she bought a long time ago but she's also pleased with it.

As usual my father is the first one to break the silence. "You look nice, what's the occasion?" He asks and there's a hint of joy in his voice.

"Nothing. I just wanted to look nice. Do you like my hair?" I give it a twirl and everyone seems speechless for a moment. If I had known dressing up pleased them this much I might have done it ages ago.

"Yes darling. You look pretty." Alice says kindly, this woman's sweetness never ceases to amaze me. "Let's eat, made your favourite Heaven." She gives me that kind smile again.

Dinner is going well and I can tell my dad is impressed with my new attitude. I have come to the conclusion that the way into his good books is by being kind to his wife and stepdaughter. Well I have been exceptionally gracious to everyone tonight. If I wasn't so messed up maybe I could be like this all the time, the thought bothers me a lot because I know this isn't me.

After dinner I offer to help with the dishes but it doesn't go too well because I 'accidentally' cut my hand with a butter knife or at least I think it's by accident. Alice panics when she sees how much blood is coming from the cut but I'm not the least panicked or hurt. There is so much blood and for some reason it makes me think of James.

"Don't move, I will get the first aid kit." She sounds very worried, one would think I was in a serious accident.

"Is the cut too deep? Does she need to go to a doctor?" My father asks, mirroring the same worry of his wife.

"There's so much blood." Ronnie cries out.

Their reaction to a mere cut is amazing. If only they knew that I have been in worse situations. Like that time when I almost died in James's arms, yeah that was definitely worse than this.

"It's not as bad as it looks." I have been lost in my thoughts of James but I need to ease their minds. They all look so worried that I almost feel sorry for them.

"Are you sure honey, we can call a doctor." My dad says and I want to laugh because just yesterday he was yelling and grounding me.

"Yes. I will just go to bed." Alice's done a good job of bandaging me, it's almost too good because I feel like the bandage is squeezing my hand.

As soon as I'm back in my room I immediately remove it. I examine my hand and I see blood flowing from the cut but I don't mind.

My heart is pounding but it's not from fear of an infection or anything. It's from excitement. This is why I wasn't bothered when I 'accidentally' cut myself because I knew it would make him come, he always does. I close my eyes and lie on top of the sheets and wait for him. And he doesn't wait me wait for too long.