Chapter 2

"Mr. DuMonte," Prof. Mikael Henrikson is standing in front of a gawking Ethan. He has been noticing Ethan was not paying attention to his discussion.

"S-sir, I'm sorry." Ethan felt ashamed because everyone was staring at him. His classmates' eyes are full of concern.

"Mr. DuMonte, is there a problem?"

"Nothing, Sir."

The truth is, he never forgot what he experienced at Solomon Manor. No matter how hard he tries, there is no believable or scientific explanation to what he witnessed. Another thing that bothers him is Barry's reaction when he told them what happened. He never said anything, but it was obvious that he knows something.

"DuMonte! Think fast!" Cesar, one of his classmates, yelled fifteen feet away from him before throwing him a baseball. "Whoah! Nice reflex."

His classmates were amazed by how he was able to catch the ball even when he was deep in his thoughts. His sister and him always have good reflexes, despite no proper training. They were simply born that way. But, since that day, his reflexes somehow improved, as well as his senses.

"What the hell is your problem, Grant?" Ethan asked his classmate angrily.

"Chill, man. We were just playing. Honestly, you were amazing on catching that ball. I'm surprised you never considered joining the baseball team." Cesar responded.

"I'm not into sports, sorry." His classmates were shocked when he just left all of a sudden.

But, his confusion is causing to lose focus on his studies. He can't get the image of Dr. Solomon's ghost out of his mind. Every time he close his eyes, he can see the doctor's dead eyes staring back at him. It's like finding his family's bodies was not enough, because his family's killer still hasn't been found. Luckily for him, the classes were suspended because of the sudden announcement of a tornado.

Every time he is alone, it's like something dark is hiding behind the shadows. He may not be talking about it with his sister, Ethan knows what he saw. However it may sound impossible, he knows that he was not hallucinating that time. The question, how did he saw the doctor's ghost? He never had such experience before.

"Ethan, you're early. Did something happened at school? I heard the announcement of the coming tornado." Andra greeted him as soon as he entered the front door. She's already packing some food supplies and medicine that the townspeople might need.

"No, everything's fine. I see your packing for the coming tornado." Ethan tried to change the direction of their conversation.

"Yeah, I heard that it's a big one. But, you brother, can't escape this conversation. What's wrong? Ever since we came back from Valencia, you've been restless, sometimes even jumpy. Talk to me, Ethan."

"I know that you don't believe me, Andra, but I know what I saw. I may have lied to the police about how I found the Solomon's bodies, but I know that I was not hallucinating. I saw Dr. Lucas Solomon's ghost. He showed me where to find them. And now, I've been feeling weird, like something is always lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right time to hurt me. And my body, something is happening with my body. My senses and reflexes are improved. I don't understand what's going on anymore."

"I think I know what you need, brother, a vacation. And, since it's Saturday tomorrow, I already booked us a weekend vacation on Quintin City. We will have a good time together. Okay?"

"Andra, I'm not joking–"

"I know, Ethan, and I believe you. I also know that what you experienced that day took a toll on you, so let me do this for you, okay?"

"Okay."

---------------------------------

Andra may not have said anything, but it doesn't mean that she's not observing. Ever since their parents were murdered, she made a vow that she will protect her little brother no matter what happens. That includes not telling him anything about the weird things happening to her. She doesn't want to be a burden to Ethan, because that is not what big sisters do.

The truth is, even before the death of their parents, she's been experiencing things that she was never been able to explain. Her biggest secret of all was the nightmare she had that night. It was three days before their parents were killed. She dreamed about four men coming into their home and killed them all. The fear of being called crazy or freak stopped her from telling her parents about her dream. And, it cost her their lives.

It was her greatest shame. The truth that she could have prevented their parents' death haunted her to this day. She blames herself for not saying anything, not even to her brother. Andra fears that if her brother ever knew that she could have done something, he may never forgive her. That it would permanently destroy thei relationship.

"Andra, what's wrong? You've been quiet since we left Soul County." Ethan asked out of nowhere. They've been driving for one and a half hour, when he realized that his sister hasn't said a word.

"Nothing, everything's fine." She responded.

"Are you sure? You don't look okay. If you worry about me, please don't. I can handle myself. Besides, I'm trying to forget about what happened, so please, stop worrying."

"I will never stop worrying about you, Ethan. You're my little brother, and I love you."

"I know you do."

Ethan sounded obnoxious, and it made Andra laugh. Somehow, despite keeping secrets from each other, they manage to make the rest of their journey more pleasant. One is keeping his fears and suspicions to himself, and the other keeping her darkest shame buried.

----------------------------

The Lake View is a marvelous wonder of nature. It has been a public land for generations, and the governement of Valencia never intended to make it private. A consensual decision of the town's leadership and its people.

"This place is beautiful!" Ethan exclaimed when he got out of the car.

"I knew you would like it here." Andra replied with a smile.

Barry was invited, but he chose not to come. He thought that it's better for the siblings to have some private time with each other. That it might have been the best thing to do after what Ethan experienced. However, he can't just leave them unprotected. So, instead of joining them, he decided to watch them from afar.

"Hey, Andra, we forgot to buy some ingredients for the Mushroom Risotto. I'll just go to town and buy some supplies." Ethan announced. He's standing by the entrance of the living room, while Andra is standing by the couch checking their hiking gears.

"Okay, make sure to buy some hygiene stuff as well, okay?" Andra responded.

"Sure, I'll be back shortly."

"Drive safely, alright?"

"Of course, big sister."

Ethan left shortly after their conversation. Even though Andra doesn't want her brother to be alone at any given instance, there is still the truth that she can't hover around him forever. Her brother is a grown man, and she needs to let him do things his way.

They had a great dinner together after walking around the woods, and spending a couple of hours by the lake. Ethan even tried to push her to the water, and the two of them had so much fun. It's been a while since they bonded like this. Two siblings having some time to enjoy each other's company.

"Easy, lushy-pants. You are such a lightweight, gosh!" Andra exclaimed as she helps her little brother stand up. He had a few bottles of beer, and now, he is totally drunk.

"Sorry, sister. It's just that, you know, beers and me, not a good combination." Ethan replied even though he sounded like he was eating his own words.

"Yeah, I have to remember that. Come on, go to bed."

After helping her brother, she decided to take a walk. Seeing her brother like that; so innocent and happy, it was the only thing she ever wanted for him. Her sole responsibility, and the only thing she cares about is Ethan's well-being and happiness.

Outside the lake house, the night is clear with a million stars and the bright full moon. This is one of those nights that the moon is closer to the earth. Many people say that supernatural creatures tend to wander more during this kind of time. But, for Andra, it is just another beautiful night.

She might have enjoyed the moonlight too much, because she failed to notice that the lake house is nowhere to be seen anymore. The calming effect of the quiet an peaceful surrounding helped her wash out all of her worries. Until she heard the most fascinating, yet terrifying sound, the howling of a wolf.

Andra didn't even realize that she was following a wolf track. For whatever unknown reason, despite the darkness of the surrounding, she can see clearly. Without even a hint of fear in her heart, she followed the wolf track, however the most confusing thing happened. The paw prints changed into foot prints.

"What the hell?" She exclaimed. Her head is spinning with questions that don't have answers. She doesn't even realize that it's already three in the morning.

A man is lying on the ground, naked. He is covered in blood, and at first, she thought that the man might have been injured. But, when she finally approach the man, that's when she realized that the blood was not his. Even his mouth has fresh blood dripping from its side.

"Oh, my God!" She whispered before taking a step back. The man is starting to wake up, and her instinct told her to run. So she did, as fast as she could.