Parallel Universe: Ch7
#7 of Parallel Universe
PAST
Note: This chapter will be retold in a 3rd person view.
Marsha sat there behind her desk, scrolling down the list she has to examine that day. She sighed deeply as her thoughts wander elsewhere.
"You okay, sweetheart?" Peter, taking notice of his wife's condition, asked her.
"Oh, it's nothing," she lied.
"Come on, Marsha. I've known you since high school. I know that look," Peter pointed at her face. "You're thinking about something else, right."
Knowing she would lose the argument, Marsha sighed and explained what's on her mind. "I was just thinking about Alex."
"Oh..." Peter got out of his desk and stood next to her.
"It's funny, right? He's so close to us right now, but he feels so far away," said Marsha as her eyes began to water.
"Honey," Peter hugged her tightly, "Alex is gonna be fine. The doctor said that amnesias aren't permanent. Sooner or later, he'll remember us."
"I know," she stammered. "But seeing him hurt reminds me about that day."
"Me too, sweetheart. Me too," Peter said as he rubbed his wife's hair slowly. Slowly, those memories came to haunt them again.
13 years ago...
31 October, evening
"Michael! Alex! It's time to go!"
Marsha called her boys down the stairs. She was about to wear her aquamarine earrings when she heard two boys crashing down the flights of stairs. The boy in the white ghost costume was being chased by the one in a mage costume. They were excited not because it was Halloween, but also their birthdays. The young twins ran outside to the blue van where their father was waiting.
"Boo!" the little ghost jumped.
"Ha ha!" Peter laughed. "Come on boys, you don't wanna be late to grandma and grandpa, right?"
He opened the door and picked up the ghost. He strapped him in before doing the same to the little mage. The family drove their way towards the small house 2.5 miles away. Approaching the driveway, an old couple stood on the front porch, waiting for their son's family to come closer. As the van stopped and turned off, the boys got out of their seatbelts and opened the door. They ran quickly and greeted their grandparents.
"Hi boys!" Mark smiled. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks grandpa!" the mage smiled.
"Now, which one's which again?"
"Michael's the ghost, I'm the mage!" Alex smiled
"Of course you are," Violet smiled at her grandchildren. Her silver hair gleamed under the white neon light as she cuddled the both of them.
"Hey mom! Hey dad!" Peter and his wife stepped out of the van.
"Hey son!" Mark replied. "A little pudgy, aren't we?"
"Dad! I lost 5 pounds this week!" Peter pouted.
"And they're back with reinforcements," Marsha giggled. The family laughed as they entered the white house. Mark, a retired world explorer and archeologist, collected various objects through the ages, but his Renaissance Era collection is the most complete. They head towards the quilt covered mahogany table next to the antique collections and started to dine in.
"Why do I always get stuck with baby sitting?" a young man sighed as he walked down the dark street. His silver eyes stared at the little crowd as they visited each and every houses. He scratched the back of his silver haired head. "I still have some police reports to fill in."
"Yeah, sorry about that," a blonde teen of around his age responded. His blue eyes stared at the young man's face. "But you know how Rena always force us to do stuff."
"Come on, Lionel! Your sister could at least tell me that we'll be babysitting today!" the silver haired student ranted. "I was just about to wrap up the report when you she showed up and kidnap me!"
"Well sorry, Louis. It kinda surprised me too that she suddenly showed up out of nowhere and take us to her home."
Louis tilted his head upwards. "I hope she's enjoying herself. She owes me big time!"
"I'm sure she is," Lionel chuckled. "Henry just came back from his assignment in the army. They've been planning this date since last month. You don't wanna ruin that, do you?"
Louis just sighed and shook his head. "Oh well, I guess that report will have to wait."
"You know, I'm still impressed that you actually became a police chief even though you're 17."
"Heh, just to let you know, there used to be a governor that's still in high school," Louis smiled.
"Oh yeah? When was that?" Lionel raised an eyebrow.
"Years ago," Louis watched the little group. A little blonde girl in a pink fairy princess dress ran towards him.
"Did you enjoy yourself, Sandra?" Louis crouched down, staring at the little girl's blue eyes.
"Yes, Uncle Louis!" she smiled happily. "I have tons of fun!"
"Alright then, let's go home then," Lionel smiled.
"Aww..." Sandra pouted.
"Alright, one more block, okay?" Louis smiled.
"Yay! Thank you, uncle!" Sandra jumped up and down in glee before running towards the next block.
"Wow," Lioune smiled. "You must really like her."
"Well duh! She's my niece!" Louis smiled back. "Also, I'd like to see the look on Rena's face when she sees Sandra in a major sugar rush!"
"Oh..." Lionel was dumbfounded of the sinister idea.
"Come on!" Louis tugged his arm. "We got lots of candy to get!"
"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Why yes. Yes I am," Louis grinned as he chased his niece.
"Good job boys," Mark applauded as his grandsons blew the five candles on the cheese cake. They pulled them out before cutting them into slices.
"When I grow up, I wanna become a cook!" Michael smiled as he took a bite from his slice.
"Really?" Violet smiled.
"Yeah! Cause mom can't cook!" Michael's comment caused everyone but Marsha to laugh.
"Do you want me to ground you, young man?" Marsha glared at the older twin.
"Why? I am on the ground, right?" Michael raised an eyebrow as everyone else continued to roar with laughter.
"You little..." Marsha grinned as she rubbed his hair roughly. Moments later, the front doorbell rang. Violet stood up and greeted the visitor. On their doorstep stood a little fairy princess, accompanied by two teens behind her. The one on her right has a silver hair and eyes, while the other has blonde hair and blue eyes like the princess.
"Trick or treat!" the little fairy princess held her bag up. Violet smiled and placed some candy into her brown bag.
"Don't forget to say thank you," the silver haired teen smiled.
"Thank you!" she smiled before closing her bag.
"What a nice kid," Violet smiled. "Is she your sister?"
"No, she's my niece, actually," the silver haired teen smiled. "Or, our niece. She's Lionel's sister's daughter."
"Then, are you Lionel?" Violet asked the other teen.
"Yes, that's right," Lionel shook her hand. "Nice to meet you."
"I've never seen you in the neighbourhood before."
"We're just babysitting. My sister's going out with her husband right now."
"That's wonderful, dear," Violet smiled. "Make sure you keep her happy, okay?"
"All right, mam. Thanks again," Lionel smiled as they walked towards the next house. They were about to go to the front door when Louis noticed an odd looking man walking towards the house they just visited. He was wearing a long black coat with a scythe carried on his back.
"That's odd," Louis murmered.
"What's up?" Lionel looked towards the unknown person. "Dude, isn't he a little too old to be trick or treating?"
"Yeah..." Louis walked a few steps away towards his niece. After the fourth step, a sudden chill suddenly rose from his back.
'It's him!' he thought. He quickly turned towards that man again with fear and anger in his eyes.
"Uncle Louis," Sandra pulled his jacket, "what's wrong?"
"Sandra," Louis knelt down and held her, "I want you to stay on Lionel's side no matter what. Got it?"
"Okay," she replied, not knowing what's going on.
"Louis, what is it?" Lionel questioned his cousin.
"I've got some loose ends to cut," Louis said as he stood up and walked towards the hooded man.
To be continued...