**Chapter 1**
It's usually not this quiet at this time of the night, there are only 5 of us in my family, and each person has a loud character, maybe I’m the quiet one?
I sat on my bed, that’s decorated with pink and purple fairy lights circulating the roof of the room. My bed has a lilac bed sheet, and lots of cushions and teddies mounted on it. I guess I am girly, and I love decorations and being artsy fartsy. My room is simple, yet stuffed with a neat interior, of pink, purple, and white décor. The lighting was dim, giving off a warm cosy atmosphere, and my balcony door was slightly open, welcoming in the nights summery breeze.
I hesitated, considering to go downstairs and check on the family. Why are they suddenly so quiet? So I put my drawing pad and pencil down on the bed, and got up, walked towards the door, and listened. Nothing. Usually 9 O’clock is the time for my brothers to start a fight about the remote, my sister should be on the phone walking around the house, pretending to be so social and popular, my mum yelling at my brothers to prepare for sleep, and my dad somehow fixing something that isn’t really broken-nor needs any mending. But I heard nothing.
I left my room, and walked down the corridor towards my sister’s room. She wasn’t in there. Now I became really anxious, and speeded up my walking, rushing down the stairs. “MOM?” I yelled out, hoping they’re pranking me, or left a note saying where they are. I walked around the living room, attempted to find the situation funny and searched behind the curtains sarcastically. Nothing. I ran to the kitchen, the guest room, the toilet, and finally into the back yard. Nothing. Not even the TV was left on, which scared me the most, as my brothers have a habit of leaving it on, and we all do to be honest, it makes the person who is at home feel like they’re not alone.
I quickly locked all the doors, and turned the TV on, trying to make sense of the situation, and bringing a sense of comfort by flickering through the channels. I wasn’t scared. Come on, I am 17, and I have been home alone before. But the annoying thing was, no one told me where they went. I had dinner with them downstairs just an hour ago, and went upstairs to finish on my design project.
I picked up some Cheetos crisps from the table, and walked upstairs to find my phone, maybe I should call them. Half way through the stairs I heard a noise. I froze. Dropped the bag of crisps. Listening, and not chewing, I stood still, erect, nervous. Then I heard a muffling noise, like people speaking. However I wasn’t sure if it was coming from the backyard, or upstairs. I bent down and sat on the step. I have never used my ears like this, so careful and attentive.
The noise didn’t sound harmful, it sounded like there was jokes and banter being made, but from upstairs for sure. So I laughed, what a fool I was for being so scared. It was probably one of my brother’s ideas, to scare me, ha! And now they baited themselves out. I was wearing a night dress, and my hair was tied up messy because I wanted to go to sleep soon. But I didn’t care if I was half naked, it was only my family upstairs trying to prank me. I got up and stormed into my brother’s room, but the lights were off. Quickly I turned it on and scanned the room to find no one, just their messy room. So I bounced into my parent’s room and laughed “Ha-ha, got you now!” but to my surprise, Nothing. And by now that noise, those people, there was nothing, just silence again. Once again I became anxious, and a little tired. Most of all scared. Who was playing with me? Where are they?
I walked into my room scratching my head, confused. I sat on my bed that faces the door, and my back turned towards the balcony. I grabbed my phone, and sent a text saying “this isn’t funny, come out. Where are you!!!” to my sister. Hoping she will cut this boring and dragging joke. I love my family, we are very close, and really comfortable in expressing ourselves. Other people think we’re weird. Hence why I assume my family would prank me like this. I waited a few seconds for a reply, and when I got tired I threw my head back on the bed to lay down. Sigh.
Whilst looking behind my head, I noticed something strange. My balcony was closed. I left it open earlier, and it’s humid outside. The wind could possibly not have closed it. I laid there confused, and staring outside, lying upside down. A bright light began to shine from the balcony. The blinds were half closed, and only the bottom of half was revealing outside. My eyes popped open. I thought maybe it was passing by cars shining their lights. No. It isn’t something supernatural, because I am sure it’s just one of my brothers playing a prank, their all probably hiding outside my balcony, trying to make me think there are aliens in my balcony. No. This was strange. What is it? The light was shining bright yellow, sort of golden, and would glimmer. I had to squeeze my eyes to see better, now my entire room was giving out radiant colours full of aurora. My knees became weak, and I was shaking, trembling to be precise. I forced footsteps towards the door, putting on my brave face and ready to see who this idiot scaring me is. Just in case this is actually serious I put my phone on voice note recording mode, hopefully to capture whatever this joke will end like.
I walked slowly, and had a steady balance, my eyes squinted and came close enough. Ready to lock the balcony from the inside, and then open the blinds. First locking. Done. Then opening the blinds to see what awaits me. My breathing stopped, I was holding my breath, seeking silence to record any noise I hear. Nothing. I stood there, let out a huge gasp. A sigh of relief. Staring far into the balcony, I saw nothing. I went to the edges of the door and tried to look as far as I could see. Pressing my cheek against the window. Nothing. But this only startled me. Where is that light? I turned quickly to glance at my room, which was now back to darkness. ***(To be continued)
.PNG)
