They started the day off with a hearty breakfast. Pumpkin basked in the warm rays that radiated through the open kitchen door. Tom stretched and yawned after he finished his last bite and Anne sat back in her chair, wondering what they are doing today. John was quiet. He didn’t speak a word during breakfast and kept glancing out the kitchen window.

“Thank you, papa!” Tiffany squeaked as she hopped off her chair. John nearly knocked his plate off the table.

“Slow down Tiff. You’ll give your old papa a heart attack.” John grumbled with a smile.

“Now you little ones can help me today. We need to harvest enough tomatoes, apricots, and some figs. I want to make some jam tomorrow.”

Tiffany jumped in place with her hands in the air.

“Yes! Come we need to get dressed.” Tiffany said in her tiny high-pitched voice.

Jam? What is jam? Going by Tiff’s reaction it must be amazing. Anne thought as she tried to picture how those fruits John mentioned would be used.

The three of them rushed off to the bedrooms. Anne caught a few mumbles from John just as they left the kitchen.

What is late? John keeps muttering about something being late. Whatever it is, it seems to be troubling him. Is this the first time this happened?

The image of John's worried state does not hold up long as she reached Tiffany’s room. A few minutes later they ran across the lawn in front of the house, all dressed and ready for the day.

The day went by quickly as they helped around the farm. At around mid-afternoon, they entered the kitchen with two baskets of apricots, three baskets of tomatoes, and a basket of figs. Anne wiped the sweat from her forehead, appreciating the cool kitchen air. She could hear Tom’s stomach grumble from where she stood, and by the looks of it, everyone else did too.

“Nothing gets you nice and hungry than a few hours out in the fields,” John said as he rubbed his stomach.

“I’ll start making dinner. You can each have an apricot in the meantime.”

They each carefully picked out a juicy apricot to nibble on and John took out a plate of marinated steaks from the fridge.

“Tom, want to come and help me stack the firewood?” John asked as he gestured toward the steaks.

Tom nodded excitedly and darted out the door with John following close behind.

***

They were all gathered around the table when the sun had set. A sizzling steak on each of their plates, together with chopped tomatoes and some greens. John poured them each a glass of milk and placed it in front of them, his face stone cold and his eyes covered in shadow.

“Pappa? Where is the water?” Tiffany asked as she looked at her glass of milk.

“They… are late,” John said, clear confusion in his voice.

“They have never been late before. They should have delivered yesterday latest.”

“Well, drink up,” John said dully but then grinned as he continued to eat.

Tiffany slowly sipped her milk as she stared into her glass and playfully swung her feet. Tom and Anne drank theirs slowly and with worried glances, but then returned to their steaks without care. They all ended up grinning wide as they enjoyed the meal.

This is so delicious. I have never had steak before. Does this mean… the water… is finished?

This is so delicious. I... I have never had steak before. The water is so cool and refreshing, especially after today.

It was so hot outside.

Anne's thoughts felt murky and redundant as they ate, and could not help but join Tom and Tiffany as they giggled and played with their food.

John was grinning too, as he stared off to the side and into the distance.

The night went by quickly and soon Anne was in the bathroom, ready to clean up before bed. The bathroom had a big bathtub against the left wall and a shower hidden just around the corner. Anne closed the door behind her as Tom scrambled into the bath.

Can’t wait to get clean. I managed to keep my dress relatively clean, but my feet are all muddy and I’m sweaty.

Anne undressed and disappeared around the corner and into the shower.

Her skin was sticky from sweat and small droplets lined the edges of the sockets that ran down her back. Laughter echoed inside the bathroom as Tom played in the bath, sending water splashing all over the floor.

“Tom, you are going to clean that up!” Anne yelled around the corner.

A burst of frigid water struck Anne when she opened the shower taps and knocked the wind out of her. She ducked into the corner to avoid the icy drops, shivering, and waiting. It took a few seconds before the warm water reached the shower. Anne jumped at the warm water when steam emerged from inside the shower. She washed in silence, eyeing the sockets as she made sure they are clean, but ignoring them mostly.

They jumped into their pajamas and made their way to bed, but not after a few groans from Tom as he first had to wring the water out of his pajamas. Tiffany was already waiting in Anne’s bed.

“This is becoming a habit I see,” Anne muttered and jumped on Tiffany.

“Heee heeee no! hahaha nooo!” Tiffany laughed as Anne tickled her relentlessly for a few seconds. Tired and panting they both lay on their backs, staring at the ceiling.

“Goodnight Tiff”.

“Nighty night Anney,” Tiffany replied as they cuddled up to each other.

The three of them quickly fell asleep.

***

Daddy! Help!

Please, daddy let me out of here.

I was a good girl daddy; I even drank my pills. See dad?

Please, dad! They are going to get me.

Daddy, they are getting closer.

Let me out!

Don’t let them take me. Daddy!

Daddy!

Anne woke with a start, sitting upright.

My head. It hurts so much. Did someone punch me while I was sleeping? I can’t think clearly.

Anne looked down at her hands, they were shaking violently.

Her head was pounding, and the only thing she could hear was the hammering of her heart. Tiffany clung to her. Her face was strained, and her eyes were shut tightly as she cried and screamed, but Anne could not hear a sound.

“Tiff, Tiff It’s ok. It’s ok, I’m here.” Anne tried to calm her but, to no avail.

Tom was awake in his bed, holding his head and rolling around from side to side.

He was clearly in pain and his intense fear and confusion drove into Anne’s mind in stuttering and uneven waves that merged with her own. Anne grabbed onto Tiffany as the whole room appeared to shrink and expand. The shadows around them spilled over the room as it grew larger, a spread of pitch black with an almost liquid consistency.

What is this? What is happening!? I need to calm down. I need to calm down. I need to…

Why does this feel… familiar?

Anne’s hearing gradually returned to her, and she could make out Tiffany’s muffled screams as her face was pressed against Anne’s chest.

“Tiff. I’m right here.” Anne stammered, holding Tiffany’s trembling body tighter.

The shadows grew more, engulfing the entire room until the darkness seeped over them. A cacophony of whispers and wailing resonated from the darkness, drowning out all other sounds. Anne shut her eyes as she tried to fight the panic, but she could feel the warmth leave her body.

A faint scream could be heard through the noise, as if from a great distance. Then everything was silent.

Why didn’t you save me, daddy?

They came for me.

They found me.

You did nothing.

Now I know them.

You will too.

Anne roused again as a low rumble echoed through the ceiling, followed by a thud outside. The sunlight flooded in through the windows.

Goose?

Anne pushed herself up. The cold floor had left her cheek stinging. She took some time to gather her thoughts.

Tom! Tiff!

Anne hurriedly pulled herself up against the bedpost, struggling to keep herself standing. Tiffany was motionless, curled up into a ball on the bed. A red puddle darkened the mattress around her tiny face. A cold rush flooded Anne’s body at the sight.

“Tiff. Tiff!”

Anne cried and shook Tiffany’s small shoulder.

“Anney?” Tiffany whispered.

Anne gasped and held her breath.

“Anney?”

She is alive.

Tom groaned and slid off his bed onto his feet.

Tom is alive! We are okay!

Tears rolled over Anne’s cheeks as she picked Tiffany up from the bed.

Anne rubbed some of the blood from her small face, then made their way to the bathroom to wash her face.

They crossed the hall with Tiffany clutching Anne around the neck. Silence reigned but for the patter of their small feet on the tiled floor.

Anne carefully put Tiffany down next to the sink and gently washed her face with a cloth soaked in warm water. She was quiet and clearly bewildered. Her big eyes looked up at Anne, yearning for answers. Tom sat with his back against the wall. Anne felt his concern. They thought they had escaped this feeling.

“Where is papa?” Tiffany finally said.

Yes. Where is he? Anne also wondered. “Maybe he is busy in the fields?” Anne said, trying to comfort her.

They finished cleaning up and carefully made their way to the kitchen. It was quiet and deserted. No wonderful smells wafted in the air as usual. They went outside and found Pumpkin sitting under a tree and staring intently into the distance as if waiting for someone. He gave a quick bark when he saw them, then continued his stare into the far beyond.

“Papa is not here.” Tiffany cried. Tears rolled over her cheeks. She stopped mid-cry and wiped the tears away. Shocked, she gaped at her little wet hand.

“What is this?! Anney what is happening?” Tiffany asked and shook her hands; frantically trying to dry them on her pajama top.

Anne knelt in front of her, cupping Tiffany’s tiny fist between her hands.

“It’s ok Tiff. They are only tears, see? I have them too.” Anne said. Her voice was soft and shaking.

“You have never had tears before?” Anne asked.

Tiffany shook her head.

“I d-don’t like this, Anney. I don’t feel happy. Why, Anney? Please make it stop.”

How is this possible? I don’t understand.

Tom was gawking in disbelief as he and Anne gave each other worried looks.

“Let’s go inside and get something to eat. There should be some apricots and tomatoes left from yesterday. I’m sure you will feel better then.” Anne said as she got up.

Their breakfast was quiet, and the food did little to lift their spirits. Tiffany jumped at every sound. Her eyes were wild, and they constantly darted around the room as if the whole world had changed for her, and it was horrifying.

They all held hands when they wandered back to their rooms to get dressed. Anne found herself in front of Tiffany’s mirror again. She stared at her naked body dotted with cold metal sockets. A familiar rush of fear gripped her that she didn't feel yesterday. Tiffany came into her mirror view and ran her fingers over the edge of the socket on her hip.

“Anny, what are these?” Tiffany asked softly.

“I don’t know, Tiff.”

“Do they hurt?” She asked, peeking around Anne’s back.

“No,” Anne answered after a long pause.

“But it hurts, inside.”

Tiffany wrapped her arms around Anne in a hug. They held each other for a brief moment, then they got dressed and joined up with Tom.

The day crept on while they spent most of their time under a small tree next to the barn, for Tiffany was too scared to go any further from the house. She kept asking questions, trying to make sense of the feelings that she, for some reason, have never felt before. Anne only then realized how little she knew.

Anne played with Tiffany’s hair as she fell asleep on her lap late in the afternoon. It was the most peaceful Anne saw Tiffany today. The last few rays withdrew from the sky as the sun started to set beyond the horizon.

“Come Tiff. We need to get inside before you catch a cold.” Anne said as she reluctantly stirred Tiffany.

They entered the kitchen, turned on the light, and jumped when another bright light flashed across the house. They swung around to see the headlights of a car that sped up to the farm. It skidded to a halt in a cloud of dust between the farmhouse and the barn. John stumbled out of the car. They could only see his silhouette as he neared them. He reached the kitchen door, squinting from the bright kitchen light.

His face was red, and beads of sweat dripped from his forehead. His eyes were barely visible behind his bushy eyebrows as he grumbled and stomped around the kitchen. His beard was a mess.

“The bridge.” John barked as he pulled out a kitchen chair and dropped onto it.

“It’s… it’s gone! Destroyed. That is why there was no delivery.” He said furiously and out of breath.

He suddenly pulled Tiffany closer. He held her in front of him at arm’s length, his eyes scanned her up and down.

“Are you ok Tiff?” His voice shook, paying no heed to Anne and Tom except for an angry glance that he threw in their direction.

“I think so, papa.” Tiffany squeaked.

John pulled her into an embrace. Her small body was barely visible behind his large arms. A low grumble reverberated through the little kitchen as John started to weep. Tears ran down his cheeks and vanished in his beard. Seeing her father cry left Tiffany pale.

Him too? What is going on here? How long has he been holding back? And… how?

Why?

His cries grew louder, and the kitchen light flickered and dimmed.

The shadows in the kitchen swelled and the air was hot and dry.

“Mum.” John suddenly muttered.

He jumped up, gently pushed Tiffany aside, and vanished out of the kitchen and into the darkness outside.

“Pappa wait!” Tiffany cried and ran after him.

Anne and Tom stood in the now still kitchen. The shadows receded back into their corners and the light hanging from the ceiling regained its brightness. They could not stop their bodies from trembling.

No. No.

Something is not right. Something is very wrong.

Her thoughts were interrupted by John's wails echoing through the farmhouse. It was coming from behind the house.

“I… I think they are at Tiffany’s mom,” Anne whispered to Tom.

Tom pointed towards the door that led outside.

“No. I think it’s best to leave them alone for now. I’m not sure they ever had this chance before.”

Anne was thinking about what she just said when an unnatural, terrible shriek pierced the air. The kitchen light went out with a pop, covering them in darkness. Then a second, high-pitched scream cut through the air. This one they recognized.

Tiff!

They both rushed out of the kitchen and ran as fast as their legs could carry them. They sped around the house and towards the giant tree at the back. The grave came into view as they rounded the second corner, but the moon was hidden behind clouds, making it impossible to see more than an outline.

No more screams.

They slowed down to a walk halfway to the grave, breathing hard and searching for John and Tiffany.

“Tiff. Tiff!” Anne called as loud as her trembling voice could.

No answer.

They neared the gravestone in the dark, trying to make out anything close or around it. Anne took a step and froze as she felt a soft crackle under her foot. The moon broke free from its cloudy prison and the landscape lit up in the moonlight. The giant gnarled tree provided little shadow as it stood stripped bare of its leaves and blossoms, leaving only a looming skeleton of the tree it was. The gravestone was painted scarlet, and the ground around it was red with dry blood.

Anne screamed and dropped to her knees. The vivid scene in front of her burnt into her mind. The air was putrid.

“Why!” She screamed as she clawed at the ground, pulling up big lumps of blood and mud.

“Tiff! Tiffany!” Her screams continued to echo across the darkness. Her heart tearing at her insides. The culmination of dread and mourning was hard to handle as her head started to spin.

She dropped down on her hands and her knees sank deeper into the red dirt, struggling to keep her balance. Her wailing was silenced as her voice grew hoarse and sore.

A soft lump under her hand unnerved her.

She carefully lifted her hand and brushed a thin layer of mud away until a small round shape rolled across the mushy surface.

Anne’s body faltered and her mind failed. Dread ripped at her senses and sent her writhing in the mud, tearing at the wet dirt and vomiting swaths of dark crimson.

Tom crawled towards her and grabbed her by her trembling shoulders, dragged her onto his chest, and held her tight until her body calmed.

He shut his eyes tight to hide what Anne saw from himself. He was barely able to reach her after her emotions knocked him off his feet.

An hour later they both woke up from the cold muddy ground. They sat up slowly, both were unwilling to look towards the gravestone. After they stammered onto their feet, they made their way towards the front of the house, leaving behind the scarlet scene wherein the mass of blood lay a small hand, clutching a flower.

***

They stood in the clearing in front of the farmhouse. Their minds were blank, and Anne was trying to grab onto passing thoughts. Finally, she turned to Tom, struggling to speak.

“Whatever did that… might still be out there.” She gurgled. She turned her cheek and spat out some blood.

“I guess we need to hide.” She said in a clearer voice. Her actions did not reflect her words as she made for the front door. Tom grabbed her arm. His eyes wide, he pointed to his ear.

Anne frowned and listened intently.

A rumble could be heard in the distance.

“What? What is that?”

Beams of light came as an answer as a convoy of vehicles barreled down the farm road towards them. Red lights flashed from the roof of each vehicle, and their big off-road wheels and armor-plated bodies made short work of the rough road.

Anne yelled what her mind could muster.

“Run!”