It was the early 1990’s, San Francisco, California, white picket fences, Hollywood, laid back, hip and happy. At 11 years old, after grandma passed away, I had to go live with relatives in California. At first, I was excited from what I heard but disappointment struck with time, as it felt more like a fever dream.
Aunt Marie turned on the radio to loosen the air38Please respect copyright.PENANAwSt2s2kw5f
'‘So are you excited to be moving here’’.38Please respect copyright.PENANAk1HuWAZxXG
’’……. Seems nice’’38Please respect copyright.PENANAm6fJaSjS0D
I whispered while avoiding eye contact. I knew she was trying to make small talk and I hate those type of things. A long and awkward drive passed as we finally arrived at the house.38Please respect copyright.PENANA0SDe8njDvW
'’A bungalow styled home, comfy but at the same time stylish’' she exclaimed with darting eyes. I picked up my bags while rolling my eyes and headed straight for my room.
‘’DINNER TIME’’. 38Please respect copyright.PENANA7sUztoYvLG
Her voice drilled through the walls. 38Please respect copyright.PENANARJYlZeIhfZ
’’What took you so long, hurry up your food is getting cold ‘’.38Please respect copyright.PENANAWXWvSh7FAZ
’’I heard you the first time, I was busy unpacking’’ 38Please respect copyright.PENANAPSpOXdUQ7G
I knew I was rude to her back then but my aunt and I at the time were quite new to each other, her taking in a child and succumbing to this lifestyle while still at a young age and me, well I just was never open to new people.
PLINK!PLINK!
I sat there in utter silence for half an hour which was filled with fidgeting, high pitched laughter, stuttering and hunched postures. As I got up random remarks were made that I should have dwell on more 38Please respect copyright.PENANA8esrpVZMOF
’'This place has its beauties and curses ‘’the words hanged in the air before she continued38Please respect copyright.PENANAIMnUsmYoff
'' This town...never mind ,Sleep tight and keep the window’s closed birds are common around here''.38Please respect copyright.PENANAmZwRGhhjvy
I shrugged and took it as it was just her personality and that it was normal since I tended to be like that sometimes . After dinner I took my bike out to ride around the block. I checked my watch 38Please respect copyright.PENANAN4uInFTDay
'’The people around here still keep their lights on even late at night ?'‘38Please respect copyright.PENANAZfIfeG10Sx
I fish a buzzing phone out of my pocket and glance at the screen '’BATTERY LOW'' annoyed I stuffed it back into my pocket. About a minute went by when I decided to head back home, but I seemed to be lost. ’DEAD END’ ’nicely placed in bleached red up against a chain. To my surprise headlights game rushing towards me causing me to plummet to the ground, covering me in dust. After multiple attempts at running me over it finally stops, standing still when a body drops out from the back seat. The colour slowly drains from my face, I feel cold and disgust rushed through my body, the feeling was stomach-churning. Staring at it laying there, helpless, I remember that I still have my phone, anxiously grabbing for it, that I had just noticed the battery low. Out of breathe , Not knowing what to do I call for help38Please respect copyright.PENANAhYMDsVuPv3
’’ HELP, SOMEBODY JUST PLEASE HELP, ANYONE!!!''38Please respect copyright.PENANACbXx2QcH4E
But no one answered. When I got myself together, I hesitantly walked up to it, my feet dragging on the hard gravel ground with each step, I removed the white vale that was covering the body when my whole world collapsed, I fell back in terror ''AUNT??!!'' 38Please respect copyright.PENANAL5Defs2Hdw
that's when I knew that this town, this place was more then it seemed.
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