The Taking

Note: Dec 14, 2021

Can't believe I wrote this book seven years ago. Gawd, I feel so old! Though I feel like nothing much has changed. For example: (1) I'm still in school; (2) my grammar still sucks; (3) and I'm still using creativity as an outlet for stress management. My writers block has magnified exponentially, as some of you may have observed. Thank you all for your patience and support. I'm super grateful to all of you who are still reading my work and periodically checking in on my wellbing. I started writing back in high school when life was just way too confusing and I was struggling with figuring out the complexities of becoming a grown-a$$ adult that my parents would approve of. Through Wattpad, I found a community from writing novels online and a safe space to express my creativity. Despite some road bumps online (plagiarism and unpleasant individuals), the Watty experience was a meaningful and served as my stepping stone to learning how to connect with others.

In the past 7 years, I've experienced challenges and forced myself out of my comfort zone. I learned how to expand my voice and be a positive impact on others. Either through leadership, my career in healthcare, or through my creative works. There were times were I felt stuck and nothing would happen--it was like living each day the same as the next. I often compared myself with others and felt not enough. But I've learned that when that happens, it's up to me to make the initiative and place myself in a better space (physically and mentally). Bad days always happen, but how you react makes a difference.

If I were to give advise to myself 7 years ago, I would tell myself:

"Life doesn't pause. You get stuck in a moment, but moments are not a lifetime. You will get too where you want as long as you stay resilient. AND YOU ARE RESILIENT."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

July 7, 2014: note from the first day published.

Hi readers!

I hope you will learn to love this story because I am quite enthusiastic about this one. What inspired me? Well...I had a brain fart the morning of July 7 after eating cereal and started writing. This is to cover up the major writer's block that's clotting my creative brain from working on my other books: His Dominion and When It Rains. "

Read on :)

OXOX,

LOVESCRIPTER <3

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Every half century in a small little town hidden in the woods, a beast comes out from the forest to claim his bride on the night of an eclipse. The people of call this phenomenon "the taking". This beast is said to be very dangerous. It roams door to door searching for the woman whose being calls to his animal instincts. He will kill, mutilate and destroy everything in his path until he finds his bride. In the past, the townsmen have tried to hunt the creature and kill him before they can steal one of their marriageable daughters, but the beast does not hunt alone. He has followers among the shadows to make sure his goal is accomplished. Once he finds his bride, he carries her back to the forest where she is never seen or heard from again.

"The End."

"That's the stupidest story I've ever heard."

Trent, my one and only annoying little brother grumbles form his seat at the front passenger side of our airport rented van. For the last 48 hours, he's been making his boredom apparent to everyone that crosses his path. Sadly his iPad was out of coverage range, so nothing at this point could keep his obnoxious self sedated.

Thankfully for the past hour our grandmother (whom we call Gran), was able to pacify him with her storytelling.

"Who are you calling stupid?" Gran snipped from behind him, the end of her cane dangerously close to his jugular. "Goodness, gracious Tracy. Your boy gets worse the longer I get to know him."

No joke, we literally just met our grandmother 45 min ago and I'm blown away by her interesting personality.

She's seething at my brother; eyes zeroed in at her target and the corner of her lip is twitching like a pissed-off Shih Tzu who just got their nose blooped for a TikTok video.

Trent let out another loud and frustrated groan, purposely making it known that he was utterly miserable.

Besides Gran sat Charlotte, my slightly less annoying sibling who was mirroring the same lip-twitch minus the bulging eyes beneath half inch bifocal lenses. There's no denying now that we are related to Gran.

"Can we throw him out of the car?" She asks our mom who was clutching her printed Google maps directions like it would take us to Eldorado: the lost City of Gold. No signal, means no GPS and our only hope of survival was this map that no one in this high-tech society uses anymore. Unless you were outdoorsy, but obviously none of us were.

"No, Charlotte. You can't throw your brother out the car."

Crossing her hands, Charlotte lets out a humph. "Then can we tie him to the roof of the car?"

Gran points at Charlotte chuckling. "I like this one."

The praise makes Charlotte grin. These two are clearly hitting it off.

My siblings and I were warned last night before our trip that this trip would be to the town mom grew up in and it would be a place with little to no internet. Trent thought it was a joke, hence his irate attitude when he realized firsthand that mom wasn't trying to be funny.

I've learned through the years that if I keep my opinions to myself, my siblings will continue to bicker with one another and leave me in peace. Doing just that, I continue to rest my head against the window not minding how my head would tap the glass every time the car hits a bump on the road. I focus my attention on the long and windy road.

Since we exited the highway and turned into a local one-way street, all I can see are trees. Rows and rows of tall endless trees. Trent can't play games on his tablet and Charlotte has no way of reaching her numerous friends. They were on the brink of exploding. Any moment now, one of them was going to snap and attack each other.

"Maybe you should be on the roof of the car. Since you never stop talking on your phone, maybe you might catch enough flies to keep your mouth shut."

Charlotte and Gran both dramatically gasp.

"Trent...behave," Mom warns him. "Or I'm taking that," she darts her eyes at his tablet, "away from you."

"Go ahead...there's no Wi-Fi. It's useless." He offers it to her just to be snarky. When she didn't take it (because she was driving) he casually drops the $300 device and lets it slide to the car floor like it was worth a penny. It did have a protective hard case, which Trent knew would protect it from damage, but still, the drama queen wanted to be overdramatic.

"TRENT, pick that up! You do NOT treat your things like that!" Mom yells at him.

For a brief second, he looked slightly guilty before bending down to retrieve it, but as soon as he places it back onto his lap, he sighs and rolls his eyes.

As the youngest and the only son, mom tends to baby him way too much. Even more so because he looks just like our late father, who died from a car accident when he was just an infant. Trent knows fully well that he can get away with almost anything by just playing the "mama's boy" act. Moms always says how much Trent looks just like dad. Dad is a sensitive topic for us all, so we never really discussed his death. My siblings were too young to really remember him, but mom and I have fond memories of him.

He really was a great dad and it still saddens me that my siblings don't have a lot of memories with him.

"In my day, if kids were as rude as you, they would get a butt whooping," Gran says to Trent.

I attempt to tell Gran to ignore Trent's rude behavior. "Gran—

"That's child abuse." Trent counters.

"It ain't abuse if your kid learns respect! If you were my kid, I'd spank your behind until its red like a tomato. Be glad you ain't my kid."

"You're not a very nice grandma," Trent responds with slight hesitancy. "And I still think that story is lame and stupid."

Gran's Shih Tzu eyes bulge back out. "And I think YOU are lame and stupid little boy." Her head bobs as she says this. Attitude seeping from her aged pores. "I'll have you know, that story has been passed down thorugh our family for generations and you should be grateful I bothered to tell you. You better watch your tongue kid, or I'll scrub the toilet with your tooth brush while you're sleeping."

Trent's eyes connect with mine from the side view mirror and I see them wide like saucers. Charlotte, who's sitting on Gran's other side bursts out laughing.

"Gran, You are freaking amazing!" She snorts between laughs.

Mom's brazen hazel eyes reflected from the rearview mirror absorbing the situation.

"Mother, I don't think that was appropriate to say to your grandson."

"He started it first." Gran retorts. "What kind of kid talks like that? You need to work him to the bone and teach him some respect. If you want I can even make him message my crusty feet--maybe then he will learn not to disrespect little old woman."

At that Trent sinks in his seat and cowers in fear.

"I will deal with my son. You don't have the right to discipline my child, mother." Mom shakes her head.

Wanting to ease the tension, I finally sit up and clear my throat to grab everyones attention. I'm always the peacemaker of this family. I've always made it my job to easy my mom's stress and prevent my siblings from killing each other.

"Gran, that story you made... Is there a sequel?"

Gran snaps her gaze towards me as if Trent just passed me the magic baton of stupidness. Gran's brows pull together forming a deep crease on her forehead and she doesn't respond right away. Like a block of ice, she's frozen and staring intently at me as if a math equation was written in my forehead.

"Umm. Is there something wrong?" Charlotte says softly and her eyes flicker to me in question.

"Uhh...mom, what are the signs of a stroke, cause I think Gran might be having one again." Charlotte pushes off her seat to lean over and grab moms shoulder lightly to get her attention away from the printed directions.

Like a switch was turned on, Gran raises her arms up and flaps it in the air like she's about to fly out the car and needed build up the force. "That was not some made up story. Why the hell would I give you kids false information? I'm a woman of science and UFOs are real too...I tell yah. I've read all those alien romance novels by that brilliant Dixon lady and I'm 100% certain that there's a device out there that can reverse my age and attract a stud-muffin alien hottie who will send me to places unknown! This beast in our town is real and so is my outer space hunk!"

Okay...Now, I think she's nuts.

I see mom mutter a curse, while Charlotte bites her lower lip as to prevent a response like "OMG".

"What the Fu--?" Trent was mid-curse before mom cuts him off.

--

A few days ago, we received a call from home. A social worker from a hospital out of state informed our mom that her mom had a mild stroke. According to the social worker that contacted us, post-stroke Gran was paralyzed on her left side and had to go through rehabilitation to regained the functioning of her affected side. She was not a great patient apparently, often noncompliant to doctor's orders and had fired her 24-hour stay-at-home nurse after two weeks of returning home.

This was the grandmother that my siblings and I never knew existed. So when mom told us to pack up for a week's long trip, we were nothing less than shocked. All of us had plans--plans that were now canceled. As much as we didn't want to go, my siblings and I were curious about our grandmother. Our dad was adopted, with no known relatives, and mom said her family was estranged.

We had no uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents growing up.

But now...we finally got the chance to see our grandmother.

And what a character she has.

We flew across the country to finally meet her.

Mom displayed no once of worry or sadness while hearing the news about her mother, which struck me as odd. She looked more upset over the fact that she'd have to see her again. Which made my siblings and I believe that mom had a bad relationship with her family and that's why she never talks about them.

When we arrived at the airport and the two saw each other for the first time in years, there were no tears. It was like WWIII was about to issue.

A little gray-haired woman with a can of Dr. Pepper and a pink straw pressed between her lips. She wore Velcro saddles and an XL Christmas sweater (it wasn't even December). She stood with a bunch of chaffers with signs, waiting for their clients. When she recognized our mom she pulled out a white sheet of paper that read, "Estranged Daughter and grandkids".

Our mouths dropped to the floor upon seeing that and mom looked like she was going to hop back on the plane and leave.

People stared at her and at us when we walked towards her. It took three hours instead of 1 for us to get out of the airport because Gran started yelling at Mom for not contacting her for years and not letting her see her grandchildren. When their arguing turned to yelling, a bulky security man and his bomb-sniffing dogs headed our direction and scored us out the airport.

After that I doubt we will be allowed to fly out of the state.

"Who knows, I could have stuff up my ass and you can't do anything about it", Gran had said to security when the German Shepard started to sniff too close to her butt.

The whole thing was chaotic. I didn't even have time to feel embarrassed.

Mom told them Gran was delusional and forgot to take her meds. We literally had to help mom haul her into the van to get her to leave. It wasn't easy considering she uses her cane like a hatchet.

Despite her odd personality, Gran is actually quite the entertainer. Every second with her was a crazy surprise. Mom may not enjoy her but I knew we would. During the drive, I've gathered a few insightful facts about Gran.

1. Gran is spontaneous.

For example, while mom was talking about our itinerary for the week, Gran let us all know she loves to eat red King Crabs. The crabs that grow up to 11 inches and 5 ft. pair of legs.

Like all old people, they like talking about the days of their youth.

Gran talked on and on about her dirty dancing years, much to mom and Trent's horror. Charlotte and I thought it was hilarious. Gran said a few things that would have made a delinquent teen run back to church.

At one point mom had to stop her from talking.

"Mother! Can you please stop talking? Oh, my gawd." Mom said clutching the steering wheel hard enough to whiten her knuckles. "You are corrupting my children."

"They'll be corrupted eventually. Heck, they could already be! With all the TV they watch! You kids watch fifty shades behind your mothers back, didn't you?" She flicked her finger at Trent sitting on the front passenger seat who had his tablet inches away from his face.

At an elderly age, she had the energy of a five-year-old. If it wasn't for the limp she has because of her arthritis, I bet she still had the strength to run a marathon. Another unique fact about her is that she curses like a sailor. Anything can come out of her mouth both figuratively and literally.

--

Two hours into our ride I finally see something other than a tree.

We slowly come across a sign that reads:

WELCOME TO CRESCENT VALLEY -Population: 500 + 1

Why was "+1" on their welcome sign like someone had  used a knife to carve it?

As mom continued driving, we pass what looked to be the town's downtown area with some small boutiques. Upon seeing it, Charlotte squeals and exclaims how excited she was to go shopping later. The homes in this town weren't small tiny cottages. They were extremely extravagant and the people who owned them must be really rich. We passed a fenced mansion with a fountain encircled by four luxury cars. The people walking on the side walks wore stylish clothes and none of them looked out of shape.

This place was like something out of a movie were each character was chosen form perfection.

Another thing that caught my attention was that each house had a white flag hung on their gates.

"Gran, why do all the houses have those white flags?" I ask.

The look on her face transformed to that awkward expression again. It took all I had not to stare at her rudely the way Trent did to earn her smite.

"It's that time of the year." She mumbled.

"It's not Christmas yet," Trent said.

She reached for her cane and jabbed the foot behind Trent's chair.

"Mother!" Mom yelled at her.

"Yes, present! I'm here." Gran raises her hand jokingly.

"Time for what exactly?" I asked her trying to defuse another argument.

"Don't brainwash my kids with nonsense, I don't want them to get wrong ideas." Mom cut her off before Gran got the chance to say anything.

Gran scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest like a frustrated child then glanced at me. "Sorry sweetie, your mom doesn't want me to talk. She's the boss, now that I'm a disabled old woman my opinion no longer matters cause I'm crazy." She said sarcastically while glaring at mom from the rearview mirror.

"I did not say you are disabled or crazy, mother. You are just too much sometimes and that's why I--"

Gran doesn't let mom finish. "Let me tell you kids this itty-bitty detail..." She leaned closer so that only Charlotte and I can hear.

"Wait, I can't hear!" Trent complains but I didn't realize he was ever interest in whatever Gran says out of her mouth.

Gran continues anyways. "In these parts...the flags--they are a symbol of truce or ceasefire."

Trent's brows raise up in interest. "Are we in the middle of a war? Like in Call of Duty?"

Gran frowns "You made a tooty? Boy, open a window! No one wants to smell your gas! Tracey, open the windows."

Mom doesn't do it at first until Gran starts to poke her with the end of her cain for emphasis.

"I didn't fart!" Trent exclaims as Charlotte chuckles at his expense.

"Of course you do! Or else you'd be dead. Fart is life." Gran said.

Charlotte's boisterous laugh masks mom's angry words.Gran's eyes twinkle between me and Charlotte.

"How old are you girls?"

"I'm nineteen. Charlotte is seventeen. Trent's fifteen."

"Oh," was all she said, then looks out the window and at the trees. Gran doesn't talk much after that. She starts to doze off and snore through the last 30 min of the ride. The van struggled a little going op the mountain. The numerous turns made Trent car sick and we had to stop once to let him cool off.

Gran's house was literally at the top peak of the mountain over looking the whole town. If you've watched the film Edward Scissor Hands starring Johnny Depp, the view we had of Crescent Valley was the same exact view as what was seen on the movie.

The more I inspected the homes visible from where I stood, I noticed that all the homes had a white flag except for Gran's. I thought she believed in her story, so why didn't she put a flag up?

"I can't believe you own this house and you didn't mention it." Charlotte confronted mom instead of helping her unload all our tings from the back of the trunk.

"Your Grandmother owns it, not me." Mom answers without an ounce of emotion in her face. It seemed to me that mom wanted nothing to do with her mother. Growing up, mom always struggled with making money to feed three children all on her own. Not once did she ask for help, nor have I seen her receive help since dad passed away. But she could have, through Gran. I was really confused by this and planned to ask her when the time was right and my siblings weren't around.

After taking all our luggage out of the car, mom heads over to grans side to wake her up. "Mom, I get you like being independent, but I think it's time for you to live in a smaller home. Living in a big house all by yourself is too much for you. You should have moved to an older adult community. Didn't I mail a brochure to you? You can live closer to the kids, if you want. There is a place that's near our apartment."

Gran was not happy with waking up to mom saying those words. She slapped mom's hand away when she tried to help her remove the seatbelt.

"This house has been in our family for centuries and I'm going to die in it." She grabs her cane, then slides down from the edge of the seat to plant her feet on the ground. The van was slightly high and I was surprised she was able to get out on her own.

Heading straight to her front entrance, she turns around and says."You'll have to carry me kicking and screaming if you want me to leave!"

Mom runs a hand down her shirt hair in frustration. "Kids, take your things out of the van. I'm going to make sure Gran gets to the house in one piece."

"Don't worry Tracey, I'll keep all my assets tucked in!" Gran says and starts walking on her own.

"She's so cool." Charlotte bites back her smile.

"I think she's rude and nasty," Trent whispers.

"Are you referring to yourself?" Charlotte says.

Trent sends her a pointed glare.

We got the bags out of the car and as soon as we reach the front door an old man with a nice goatee, wearing a fancy suit, ran out of the house looking kind of deranged. My siblings and I pause in front of the stranger.

"Madam, I was worried sick about you! Why did you escape the house!" He looked Gran up and down as if scanning for any bloody gashes or foreign objects impaled into her skin. When he saw us, his eyes widened and he straightened his posture. His demur completely changed to a highly esteemed butler.

"Hello, my name is Wyatt. I'll take your bags to your rooms." He reached for my bag first because I was closest. "Welcome yourselves inside." He bowed. When he looked up he saw mom and his eyes grew with familiarity.

"Wyatt." Mom acknowledged him.

"Young Miss--I mean...Tracey." He bowed again.

"She has a butler! Gran has a butler...Our freaking grandma is loaded!" I could practically see the dollar signs in Charlotte's eyes when she squealed this.

She didn't hesitate once the front door was opened. She literally went ballistic as she absorbed every aspect of the luxurious house. Not that I wasn't amazed too, but I needed to keep my level of maturity intact.

There was an infinity pool outside and a deck area with a beautiful view of the forest. The house had a total of six bedrooms, eight full baths, and two partial baths. There was a dining room that had a stunning crystal chandelier, a living area with foreign artifacts, a library with a billion books and a media room complete with its own movie projector, which completely won over Trent's heart.

"I don't think he's leaving this room," I smirked at mom.

Trent rolled around the carpet and began making carpet angels.

"You grew up here and you left? Are you crazy?" Charlotte flew past us heading to god knows where. This house was like a maze.

"This was a small town and I wanted to get out and explore my opportunities. People around here...they inherit their fortune. I wanted to work for it." Mom said between clenched teeth, but it was only me who heard her.

"Tracy, get over here!" Gran yelled from another room.

"I'm coming!" Mom shot back, again sounding upset. "Celeste, can you please make sure your siblings situate themselves in their rooms before they forget? Go ask Wyatt were he put your things. He most likely assigned your rooms. If you have questions, he can help you."

"You can count on me." I smiled.

"Thanks, sweetheart."

Deep down I knew mom cared for Gran. If she didn't we wouldn't be here in the first place. I think they needed some time to bond again.

By evening, everyone had unpacked and ogled every stunning room, except for mom of course. Gran thought it would be funny to place mom's luggage in her old room. The room she grew up in still had posters and pictures during mom's youth. Rock bands, trophies, detailed sketches of wolves on her wall. I never knew mom drew so well.

Mom has always been exceptionally smart. I can see that she was just the same as a child.

She's also very strong.

Our dad died in a car accident when Trent was only three months old. It surprises me now that mom didn't lift a finger to call Gran for her help, considering how much we needed it during that time. Mom struggled financially raising three kids on her own. She is prideful and doesn't except charity--as she calls it. She doesn't ask for help and she never complained about her hardship--not in front of us, that is.

Every day, as a kid I wait for her to at least give me some of the weight she carried on her shoulders, but she never has. When I became a teenager, I expected her to depend on me a little. She eventually gave me some responsibilities around the house that she thought I could handle.

"The sky is really beautiful out here." Charlotte sighed.

We stood on the balcony in the bedroom she chose drinking a cup of hot chocolate brewed by Wyatt.

"You can't find stars like these in the city." We looked behind us and saw Mom walk into the room. She hugged us from behind and bumped our heads together. "My beautiful girls, make sure you don't stay out here long. There are mosquitoes here and there are plenty more during the rainy season."

"Okay." Charlotte and I said in unison.

"I'm going to attempt ripping your brother out of that room. Wish me luck, Good night girls and be sure to lock your windows." She told us.

"Night mom." We each give her a hug and kiss before she left.

"Don't you think the moon is really big." Charlotte pointed at it.

I looked up and was astonished by the size. Now that I noticed it, it was more than I would have imagined. It was so large that I could practically see every detail of its ginormous surface.

"It's really bright too," I said.

"There will be an eclipse in three days."

We both gasp at the person limping into the room. Gran sits down on one of the empty chairs.

"Gran, are you trying to scare us with that story of yours again?" Charlotte said not amused this time.

"It's the truth!" She repeats again, this time louder.

I elbow Charlotte lightly on her side, telling her not to egg Gran on, or we won't hear the end of it.

"So is that beast going to come to this house?" I try to sound as serious as possible and Charlotte bites her lip to hold her smile.

"Yes." There was a little hype to her voice. "The last time he came here was when I was sixteen. In fact, it was on this very balcony I meet him. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 12:45 am when the moon was eclipsed by the sun. My mother and father were sound asleep in the master's bedroom on the opposite side of the house. I had decided to lay awake hoping to catch a glimpse of the beast. As the legends say, he goes door to door, looking for his bride by visiting the girls at their window. I heard a noise, like nails on a glass and so I flicked my light on. And there he was...such a magnificent creature."

Gran's eyes sparkled wide against the moonlight.

Charlotte and I stared at each other smiling because Gran sounded completely crazy. I fear maybe she was starting to get dementia and was demonstrating signs of becoming delusional.

"What did he look like Gran?" The best way to talk to someone with a memory problem was to go with their story. That's what my mom said--she's a nurse.

"Majestic. Large. Fur the color of midnight and he stood proud and domineering. Eyes, bright like glowing topaz."

"Are you sure you didn't see a wild bear?" Charlotte stuttered. "Those things can kill people."

My sister wasn't laughing anymore. She is petrified of large animals with big teeth. She was almost harmed by a tiger when she stuck her hand into the cage at the zoo when she was five years old.

"No, a bear couldn't jump the way I saw that thing jump. It was graceful. It looked like a wolf." Gran gleamed.

"Wolves live up here?" Charlotte shrieked. "Did you know a lot of people are killed by rabid dog bites?!"

"Oh hush, stop acting like a big baby." Gran hit her leg lightly with her cane.

Charlotte winced, but I doubt it actually hurt.

The door of the room swung open.

"Tell me you did not just abuse my daughter with your cane!" Mom marched in walking straight to Gran.

"I'm not telling you that I did not," Gran grunted.

"Celeste you should go back to your room and both of you should get ready for bed. Don't give me a hard time like your brother."

Charlotte grabbed my arm just as I was about to leave. "Mom, can Celeste sleep here with me for one night?"

"Why?"

"I'm scared of the wolves."

Mom shot a hard glance at Gran. "What have you been telling them?"

"I just told them about the wolf. The eclipse is coming, so I wanted to let them know about the beast so that if they see him from their window they don't get scared." Gran's dry wrinkled face contorted to a devious smile.

Mom glances at Charlotte who's now standing as far away from the window. "Looks like it worked!" Mom says sarcastically.

Gran pats my back, "I can see it didn't work on this tough chick!" She nudged me on my arm. "That reminds me, I should set the flag up-haven't used that thing in over fifty years!" She said excitedly. "Don't worry kids, there are a lot of young girls in this town, I doubt you'll be taken. However, having my genes, you two are high-end flesh he won't want to miss out on." She winked.

"Flesh!" Charlotte cried. "Mom...I change my mind, I want to sleep in your room."

Mom groaned. "Look what you have done now." She hissed at Gran.

"I've done nothing I ain't proud of" she exited with a dry laugh.

"It's late and it's been a long day. Tomorrow will be another long day. I plan to see how much the town has changed since I was last here."

"It hasn't changed that much..." Gran said idly.

"Sounds like fun," I said.

Mom left with Charlotte in tow, while I left for my room.

Once in my room, I closed the door and opened my window. The windows were screened so I didn't need to worry about the bugs, nor did I care about Gran's silly story. I loved the forest. I've always loved the outdoors, thanks to my dad.

A few miles away was another house. I could see their window lights on. I doubt anyone would see me strip in front of my window unless they crossed private property. I was left with only my undergarments until I wrapped myself with a soft warm cotton robe. What I loved the most about this house was that each room had a bathroom and each one was equipped with a gorgeous bathtub.

I went inside, taking my favorite vanilla bean shower gel and soaked in the warm water. I didn't get the chance to relax longer because it was kind of late and I didn't want to fall asleep in the tub.

When I got out, I changed into shorts and an off shoulder T-shirt. I slipped into bed and sighed comfortably at the soft mattress.

This was felt like heaven.

From the corner of my eye, I see the curtains flutter from the wind. I had forgotten to close it.

I stare out at the window and smirk.

Gran's silly story wrapped around my thoughts.

All I saw out there was a bunch of trees. The sky looked clear, not a cloud to be seen and a slightly full moon on the base of the horizon. Stars littered all over the sky and two parallel lights gleamed straight at me—-

Wait, what!

I blink my eyes a couple times and I still see them.

"Get a grip," I tell myself.

Gran's craziness must be rubbing off on me. Trying not to panic, I slowly walk up to my window and peer out into the forest. I see the two lights again, but as soon as I close my window they move different directions and one lands on my windowsill.

A stinking firefly.

That's what I was freaked out about.

I feel like an idiot.