The Shadows Follow Me

Chapter 4

'So your mom's gone huh?' Jake asked me later on as we were walking back to my house.

'Isn't that what I just told you?' Sara said.

'Wasn't asking you.' Jake said then he turned his attention to me.

'Yep, she's gone.' I said.

'How long?'

'A week,' I replied. 'Possibly more.' I added moments later. Jake nodded in understanding.

'Does she do it often?' this time it was Sara speaking. I shook my head.

'It's really a one-time thing,' I said feeling slightly uncomfortable. 'Since dad's been gone, our family's been kind of struggling.'

'What happened to your dad?' Jake asked and earned a glare from Sara.

'He left us,' I replied. 'It was just a few years ago.'

'I'm sorry.' Sara said. I could tell she was feeling uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going. I was feeling even more uncomfortable; I fidgeted and toyed with the rim of my clothes.

'So what about your sister?' Jake asked.

'What about my sister?' I asked.

'Is she your older sister?'

'Uh-huh.' Jake nodded.

'She seems different from you.'

'We've never really been close but since mom and dad broke up, I guess we kind of got closer.' I said.

'What about your brother?'

'Favourite child, annoying child.' I scoffed and both Sara and Jake grinned.

'What about your families?' I asked finally the question to the two of them. Jake shrugged.

'I'm an only child.' He said.

'One seven year old sister,' Sara said. 'My mom died a few days after I was born so my dad got remarried.'

'Oh.' I wasn't exactly sure what to say to that. By this time we had arrived at our house.

'You know, I'm kind of curious about something.' Jake said. A mischievous grin was playing at his lips.

'Hmm…and what's that?' I asked with a grin.

'What exactly was your brother getting to when he said all the things about the house being haunted and everything?' Sara asked, obviously knowing what Jake had wanted to say. I fidgeted and bit my lower lip nervously. I knew they were just joking but this wasn't something to joke about. If they knew…

'I'll tell you when the time comes,' I said softly and received odd looks from both Jake and Sara. I ignored the looks and entered the house. Jake and Sara followed me into the eerily quiet house.

'I wonder where everyone is…' I said to myself. Something wasn't right. In fact, something was very, very wrong.

'Jessica?' I called. 'Steve? Hannah?' I heard footsteps descending down the stairs and a moment later Jessica and Steve appeared in front of me.

'What's wrong?' I asked as I saw the anxious look on Jessica's face. She shared a look with Steve and then looked down at the floor.

'Remember how you always said about…you know…the things in out last house?' she asked. I gave her a questioning look.

'Yes…' I said hesitantly.

'I think I believe you now.' Jessica whispered and it sent chills down my spine.

'What happened?' I asked.

'Hannah seemed really distant today…' Jessica said, changing the subject. Or so I thought.

'Tell me what happened.' I demanded.

'She seemed almost scared. She wouldn't tell me what was wrong. She wanted to talk to you.' Jessica continued ignoring me. I shared a look with Sara and Jake.

'I didn't bother much because we were still struggling through school and everything.'

'Jess…'

'When I picked her up from school, she seemed terrified. I asked her what was wrong, she replied by saying she wanted to see you.'

'Jessica, what's wrong?'

'It's Hannah…she's gone.'


I know, I know. Short chapter. But I had to get this across...ok? Leave me reviews!