They were here.

The Beginning.

It was the 2nd of March 2022, a day that started exactly the same as any other in Ravens Cove, but that quickly changed.

I woke at 5am that day with a terrible feeling, my gut ached like something bad was going to happen. The kind of feeling that makes your head spin and you feel so nauseous as if you may through up at any slight movement. I lay in bed thinking about what could of or would happen to make me feel like this. I hadn't had this feeling since the morning we lost mother. My thoughts instantly went to my dad, is he okay? I grabbed my phone off the night stand next to me and quickly dialed his number.

"Bloom, is everything okay my child?" he said his voice groggy and full of sleep. At the sound of his voice the nausea left but still something didn't sit quite right inside.

"Yes dad I'm fine. Sorry for the early call I just wanted to see how you were doing." I said trying not to worry him with my feeling of dread.

"Bloom, I love you, you can call me anytime you need, I will forever make time for you. " I can still hear the love and adoration that laced his voice.

We talked for an hour about our week and what are plans were for the day. We planned to have coffee at a local cafe on my lunch break. Before I knew it it was time to say our goodbyes and get on with our mornings.

That morning was as repetitive as all the others. I showered like every morning. Had breakfast like every morning. Brushed my teeth like every morning. Rode my bike to the school to teach the same subject with the same students. Nothing exciting happened at the school but I was looking forward to seeing my father that afternoon. The morning came and went pretty quickly then it was time to see father.

I walked to the cafe and went inside, I thought my dad would already be in there waiting for me but to my surprise he wasn’t. I thought to myself that maybe he got sidetracked and lost track off time. I ordered two coffees one black no sugar for my father and one with 2 sugars and lots of milk for me. I payed for the coffees and sat down at a table by a window looking out at the docks. I must have been lost in thought as when I looked down at my phone it had already been 30 minutes, where could my father have gone?

My phone rang and without checking the caller ID I answered presuming it was my father, he was the only person that ever called.

"Bloom, is that you?" a gruff voice sounded at the other end.

"Yes it is, who may I ask is calling?" I replied hesitantly, that wasn't my father.

"Hi Bloom, I'm Gerald I work with Luka on the boats, we've met a few times."

A face coming to the name I remembered Gerald from when I was young, he used to come home with father sometimes for tea.

"Ahh yes Gerald, I remember how may I help you?" i replied.

"Bloom, I dont mean to worry you but your dad, Luka, he didn't show up to the boat this morning. I was wondering if you heard from him at all?" he said his voice wavering.

"I did speak to him this morning, he must have fallen ill but not to worry I'll pop round to his house after I've finished teaching. I'll tell him to give you a call." I replied and hung up the phone.

The truth is i was worried very worried and I knew Gerald was too but I didn't want to worry him further. I'd always been good at reading peoples emotions ever since I was young, i didn't need to see their faces i just needed to hear their voices. Gerald was worried and I could sense a little sadness too.

I went to the school and got on with the teaching, I worried that much that the day seemed to pass by in a blur before I knew it it was 4 o'clock and I was making my way to my fathers. I had seemed to have forgotten the nauseous feeling and on the ride to my fathers it came back with a vengeance. The ride which used to only take 10 minutes seemed to stretch on for hours, it was almost never ending. Maybe that’s because I didn’t want it to end, like subconsciously I knew what was waiting for me.

I knocked on his door, expecting him to open the door and tell me he was just ill, no one answered. I knocked again because maybe he didn't hear me, still to no avail he did not answer. I knocked again third times a charm they say, expecting him to open the door and tell me he was just in the shower. There was still no answer. I searched my brain asking myself what do I do? Then i remember dad always kept a key under flower pot.