1: Countryside

DIONE is just silently watching the trees they passed by as music is blasting on her ear through the earphone she’s wearing. She’s with her mother, the one who’s driving the car, and her two younger siblings sitting at the back.

They’re on their way to their new home. Well, it’s her mom’s long time boyfriend’s house. The two of them are in talks of marrying each other, and the man can’t wait till then. He decided to let them move into his house. Which is a hassle for Dione. She needs to transfer to a new school, adapt to an unfamiliar environment, socialization, and most of all, it’s far from the city. From what she heard, it’s in the countryside where it’s surrounded by forests.

But she didn’t disagree with her mom, anyway. Since she’s a loner, she doesn’t have friends to bid goodbye in their past home. Well, not a loner like a loser. It’s her classmate’s comments about her because of her resting bitch face, no one dares to make friends for her. But she remembers, there’s one who tried to make friends but later weirded out to her when she starts to talk about supernatural creatures which she’s fascinated at. And that’s where it starts. Everyone tagged her as a loner and freak. But she doesn’t care, anyway.

Dione was stopped from her stupor when her mother nudges her left leg. She took off her earphones and face her mom.

“What is it, mom?” she asked.

“Say, you like supernatural creatures, right?” her mom said, excited. Dione frowned and nodded at her mom.

“Y-yeah, why?” it’s not a secret that she’s a geek when it comes to them. Well, good thing is, her mom didn’t judge her like her classmates, instead she even buys books for her.

“Baron’s father is a scientist, and he said that his father has a lot of studies about them. And the good part is, he said that he can get some for you to read!” her mom stated, delighted. Dione’s eyes got widened so as her mouth.

“Really?!” Dione replied, pleased. She can’t wait to read those! And to top of it, it’s a study from a scientist! That means she can also know if there’s a chance they’re real! Just by thinking of it made Dione smiled like a maniac.

“You look like Pennywise the clown, sis,” a comment from one of Dione’s siblings, Danny. Dione’s eyes immediately darted towards her younger brother and glared at him.

“Shut up, Danny!” Dione snapped. She hissed and just ignores her brother, who always annoys her. She doesn’t want to ruin her day with that, she’s looking forward to the studies her mom said. Dione put her earphones back on her ear and leans in the mirror, heaved a sigh and dreamily stares outside.

DIONE woke up with the sound of giggling around her. She opened her eyes and got welcomed by her two younger siblings, Danny and Dia. They’re in front of her, smiling so widely, showing their broken teeth. She frowned and look around her, her mom is already gone on her side. And in front of her, she can see a house that features a finished concrete floors, red cedar accents, and plenty of mid-century furnishings. There’s also a small pond beside the pathway with small tress with colorful leaves on that side.

She got off the car when her siblings also got off. There’s a truck behind their car which is the one who carries their things from their past house. Three men are carrying the boxes from the truck to the house.

Her eyes diverted to her surroundings, unending tall tress and the sound of birds. It’s summer, the right time for them to move out. When it starts snowing, it’ll be a pain to move and she will not appreciate the greeny surroundings.

“Dione!” her sight seeing was disturbed when her mom called her. She faced towards the direction of the house. She saw her mom on the balcony, waving at her.

“Come here!” her mom added.

“Alright, I’ll be there!” Dione replied. She started walking towards the house, made her way to the stairs. And as she was about to open the door, someone from the inside opened it.

A tall man with a broad chest and rugged look welcomes her. With a simple gray shirt and pants on, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s good looking.

“Dione! There you are!” behind the handsome man, her mom’s boyfriend, Baron, greeted her.

“Good day, Uncle Baron,” Dione greeted. Baron made his way towards her and gave her a gentle hug.

“So, do you like the house?” Baron asked, while putting his left arm on her shoulder. Dione felt a little discomfort, but managed to show a smile.

“Y-yes, I like it,” Dione replied. To break the discomfort, she moved away a little and ask, “Who is he, Uncle?” pertaining to the man who welcomes her. Who’s now beside the door.

“Oh, he’s Jax. Working for me,” Baron’s brief answer, and pulled her inside the house. Dione just let him, but she took a side glance at the man beside the door. But she caught her breath when she saw him also looking at her while clutching its heart. Dione can’t help but wonder if there’s something wrong. But she can’t ask that anymore, she’s been dragged to the balcony.

“By the way, why there are marks all over your face, Dione?” she frowned and remembered her siblings giggling earlier when she woke up. She just shook her head and sigh.

“SO, Dione, how’s the ambiance? It’s refreshing, right?” her mom asked, smiling. Dione leaned in the balcony railing and feast her eyes on the overview of the pond and trees with colorful leaves beside it.

“Yes, I like it. But, just how far is the houses here to each other?” Dione asked. She just find it creepy, it’s like she’s inside a horror movie or those killing movies on a cabin in the middle of the forest. Yes, she’s an overthinker.

“Oh, don’t worry, Dione. A large part of this forest is my father’s property. So, no one will trespassed here whom I don’t know. I guarantee all of your safety here,” Baron stated.

Dione stared at the sky, which is now turning dark. Night is coming. It took them many hours to get here.

“Oh, is that so? Then alright, thanks,” Dione replied and faced Baron and showed him a smile to show her appreciation.

“No worries, Dione. After all, we’re going to be a family from now on. And as the man in this house, I’m the one who will protect all of you,” Baron added. Dione just nodded and looks at the pond again where she can see some koi swimming in it.

She just hopes for the best for her mom. And she can see that she is truly happy in Baron’s arms, so all she can do is support them. Let life flow again like the normal days she always has.