Chapter 35

Sophia had never been one for lazy weekends, but today, she just wanted to be home. No outings, no distractions, just her, her bed, and the comforting silence of the house.

Caleb had invited her out, probably for ice cream or something ridiculous to take her mind off things, but she had declined nicely.

Isabella wasn’t home, which was no surprise. She was always out on some business trip or social event these days, and she missed her. Good thing that Lucas was, though. Usually, he was the one out, but this week, he had been home throughout. That was different. The good kind, anyway. He was always coming to check in on her, even when she wasn’t sure she wanted him to.

A soft knock came at her door.

"Sophia?" Lucas’ voice came through gently, like he was suspecting that something was wrong. "You doing okay in there? Need anything?"

Sophia hesitated before answering.

“I'm fine."

It was a lie.

Because just as she had been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind had taken a sudden, horrifying turn. It had started with a noise, then someone asking her to run away before deafening gunshots, ringing inside her head.

She still didn’t know where any of those sounds were coming from, and she wished they’d leave her alone. Next thing she heard was the loud slicing of a blade, and the sound of metal meeting flesh. And then she saw someone falling towards the ground.

She sat up, holding her head right, squeezing her eyes shut, trying to keep in the tears from the pain. Not again.

Lucas was still knocking.

“Sophia? Are you alright in there?” Lucas asked. “Do you want to be left alone?”

Sophia’s vision suddenly changed.

She saw something, no, someone! But they weren’t human. The guy was a boy, a teenager, not much older than her. He was walking towards her when suddenly his body started to change in unnatural ways, and she could hear his bones snapping and reforming.

His clothes stretched and tore as thick fur sprouted across his skin. His fingers elongated and widened, and claws replaced his fingernails. A loud growl ripped through his throat as his face elongated, turning into the most monstrous thing she had ever come face to face with.

A bear?

No, a wolf!

Sophia couldn’t help but scream louder than she ever had, not understanding what she had seen.

Lucas was about to leave when he heard Sophia scream! He turned back immediately and opened the door.

“Sophia!"

She was on the floor, trembling, her breathing was erratic. Her arms were wrapped around herself, as if she was trying to hold herself together. Her terrified eyes moved all around the room, as if the vision had been real, as if the monster was still there with her.

Lucas didn’t waste any time. He dropped to his knees beside her, pulling her into a hug.

“It’s okay, baby.” He murmured, rubbing her back in slow, soothing circles. "I’m here. You’re safe. You’re going to be just fine."

Sophia clung to him like she would die if she let go, her fingers holding his shirt so hard that it almost tore. She couldn’t think straight, all she felt was uncertainty and fear. She hated that her own mind was betraying her.

"It is c-coming!” She whispered, voice shaking.

Lucas held her tighter.

“No, it’s not coming. It’s a not real, okay? Just a nightmare.”

“Don’t leave me.” She started to cry. “Don’t g-go.” She said, crying.

“I will not leave you.” Lucas said.

She nodded, though she wasn’t convinced that he would stay.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Lucas wanted to curse whoever it was there, as he couldn’t move right away.

“I’m not leaving you alone.” He repeated himself, and Sophia nodded.

Minutes later, Sophia took a deep breath. She felt much better and less afraid of the things she had seen, so she removed herself from Lucas.

"I’ll be fine, dad. Just go see who it is."

“No, I can’t leave you alone.”

“They’ll think we’re rude people.” Sophia said, forcing a laugh. “And will you please give me some cold water when you’re coming back?”

Lucas looked her for a moment longer, then pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

“Okay dear. I’ll be back in no time, okay?"

She nodded, wiping her eyes.

As Lucas made his way downstairs, he wondered who it could be. He wasn’t expecting anyone, and his wife could open the door on her own.

He got down and saw Allison pulling a small travel bag at her feet.

Lucas’ brows furrowed.

“Allison?"

She frowned back at him.

"Finally.” She muttered as she pulled her back further in. "I’ve been ringing the bell forever."

Lucas shut the door behind her.

“Sophia was having a panic attack.” He said straight up. "I couldn’t just leave her alone."

Allison’s expression became worse.

"Of course she was.” She said under her breath, voice filled with disbelief.

Lucas’ glared at her.

“I hope that wasn’t sarcasm that I sensed there, young lady."

Allison looked away.

This was not how she had planned her return. She was supposed to come home, ring the bell, and hag some of her parents answer the door while she looked at them sadly before launching herself into their hold for an emotional hug.

Sophia had stolen her moment, yet again. How was she supposed to cry her way into her family now?

Lucas sighed and crossed his arms.

“Also, I heard about what happened at school. The way you’ve been treating her. About you poisoning her.”

“It wasn’t poison, just some stuff.” She looked away.

“If it’s not good for your body, it’s poison, and for Sophia, those were deadly. I can’t believe you, Allison.”

Allison stiffened.

“Oh, so she’s been running to you, crying about it?"

“No, Allison. I heard about it from your mother, and I expected better from you."

She looked away, unable to say anything.

“Sophia is not a saint, she—”

“Nobody is a saint, dear. But Sophia isn’t actively trying to sabotage you or take your life.” He stated.

“I don’t want to sabotage her life, I just want…” She couldn’t say anymore, she just looked away. “I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

“I’m not the one you should apologise to. Sophia is your sister, and I’m sure she’d understand. If she doesn’t, she has a good reason for that too. But ensure that you apologise to her.”

Allison felt like her dad had just asked her to jump into a vat filled with hungry tigers. Apologise to Sophia?

Lucas took a few steps forward, closing the distance between them. And then, to Allison’s shock, he grabbed her hands and pulled her into a hug.

Allison went rigid. She wasn’t used to this affection, warmth, comfort. It threw her off, made something deep inside her crack open in a way she didn’t know how to handle.

Lucas didn’t say anything, just held her, rubbing her back the same way he had done for Sophia moments ago.

And just like that, the dam inside Allison broke.

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to hold it in, but the tears came anyway, spilling down her cheeks before she could stop them.

“It’s okay, princess. I’ve missed you. Don’t do that again, okay?” Lucas sighed, blinking away the tears in his eyes. Maybe if he was around more then, none of this would have happened.

“I’m so sorry, daddy.” She clutched his shirt, her body shaking as she sobbed. “I was just so angry, and… I’m very sorry.”