At four, you decided to make your parents something to eat when they got home. They'd had a long and probably stressful day, after what happened to the neighbor, and you wanted to ease their nerves as much as possible before they went to bed. You valued your sleep, so it wasn't hard to feel sympathy for them and want to try and help them de-stress.

You decided on something easy: pasta and salad. You put a large pot of water on the stove to boil, salted the water, and set the burner to high. While you waited for the water to heat up, you started gathering the ingredients for the salad. It was a simple one, just lettuce, tomatoes, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and red onions, but you felt accomplished when you sliced through the veggies and put them in a large bowl.

Halfway through shredding the carrots, the water had begun to boil, so you put the box of pasta in the water and set the burner to medium. You put a lid on the pot and set a timer for five minutes, so that you'd be able to stir the pot and see how far along it was. You went back to your vegetables and were just about done when the timer went off. You smiled when you stirred the pasta – five more minutes, and you'd be done.

Your mother arrived home at five, as she said she would, and your father came home shortly after. They both seemed pleasantly surprised by the dinner you'd prepared, and served themselves. They let you get your own bowls before you all sat down to eat together.

"So how were your days?"

"You'll never believe this," Your dad started, "My coworker, Jim, the creepy one? He came in late today. He was a real mess, and he was all out of breath, so I asked him what was wrong. And he just turns to me, and whispers 'My cousin bailed me out, I'm good.' So, I have no idea what's going on with that guy, but I'm really hoping he's doing okay."

Your family erupted in laughter for a moment, and quieted down as your mother began to speak. "I didn't have nearly as much fun, but I got a lot done today, so that's all good. I couldn't stop thinking about our neighbor, though – but nevermind that." She turned to you. "How was your day?"

"Oh, my day was great! Ice cream for breakfast, ramen for lunch, a got through a lot of that book I had to read for English, and I watched some TV. That's really it, though."

Your father laughed. "Well, sweetie, I'm happy you had such a good day. To be honest, I was a little worried, too, with you home alone. I might want you to go over to a friend's tomorrow, or at least text us and let us know that you're okay."

You smiled and tried not to roll your eyes at your father's overprotectiveness. "Okay, dad, I'll be sure to text you tomorrow. I don't think I could make plans with a friend on such short notice."

"I understand that. Maybe the day after tomorrow, then?"

"I'll do my best, but no promises."

Your parents smiled at you, and your mother spoke up. "I know we're a bit overbearing, but we just care about you, yeah?"

"Yeah, mom, I get it. I don't blame you."

The rest of dinner passed without incident. After you ate, your father got up to do the dishes – of which there were few – and you and your mother sat down to find a movie. Your father entered the room shortly after.

"You okay with The Matrix?"

"Who wouldn't be?"

You all chuckled, and settled down to watch the movie.

--

After it was over, you yawned. The clock read 8:36.

"I think I'm gonna head to bed, I had an early morning."

"Alright, sleep well!" Your mother got up to hug you, and your father smiled at you from the couch.

"We'll probably be gone in the morning, so set an alarm! Remember you have to start getting up for school!"

You sighed melodramatically and then giggled before you exited the room.

You made it up to your bedroom, plugged in your phone, and brushed your teeth before you fell into bed and passed out almost immediately.

--

You jolted in bed and opened your eyes. There was a hand over your mouth. The clock across the room read 3:16.

A raspy, deep voice growled quietly in your ear. "If you make a sound, or refuse to do what I tell you to do, you're gonna die. Got it?"