The Hidden Witch

Nightmare

(Skyler)

I get to my apartment and as soon as I enter through the front door, little arms wrap around me and I sigh in contentment. I put my stuff down before hugging my son. Earlier this morning, a headache came to me followed by some whispers. I got dizzy, but the moment Ethan grabbed me, everything went away. But as soon as I drove away from him after work, the headache started again, and I even thought about going back to him just so the headache would go away.

“Mami, I missed you” Kaleb says.

“I missed you too, Mi corazon” (my heart) I said.

“Hey girl, how was work?” Nidia asks.

“Hey, it was good. How was your day off?” I asked.

“Is not off anymore. One of the Emergency Room doctors called in sick, and they called me in” she said.

“Damn, that sucks. You have been waiting for this day off for a while now”, I said.

“Yes, but I’ll get it back. As soon as that Doctor comes back, he will have to fill in a day for me” she said and I chuckled.

“You have to get your free day one way or another” I said, making her nod. She's a really good doctor. It's too bad she doesn't have a pack, because if she did, their hospital would have gained an amazing doctor.

“I do. Anyway, I made dinner. Kaleb wanted to wait for you to get home before he ate. I have to get going. I need to go to my place and get my stuff before going to the hospital. If you need anything, call me”, Nidia said, before giving Kaleb and I a hug.

“Drive safe” I said.

“Always” she said with a wave, and I closed the door.

“Okay, honey, Mami is going to take a shower before we eat. Did you shower?” I asked him.

“Yes, mami” he says.

“Okay baby. Go ahead and sit down and watch some cartoons while I take a shower and don’t open the door for no one” I said, locking the top lock.

“Yes mommy” he says. I go to my room and grab my pajamas and underwear before going to the bathroom. I turn on the shower and undress. I got in the shower and washed my body, shaved, washed my hair, and washed my body again. I groaned when my head pounded hard. I closed my eyes, leaning against the shower wall. When the pounding faded a little, I got out of the shower and quickly towel dried myself. I didn’t want to blow dry my hair because of my headache, so I just left it to dry naturally. I quickly get dressed and leave the bathroom. I served Kaleb first and I put it on the table where he could watch the TV. I usually don't do this, but I don't mind doing it today. I then served myself and I also got some painkillers. I get some drinks for us before sitting at the table as well.

We eat while watching cartoons. I have never liked showing my son when I’m in pain or if something is bothering me. I don't want to look weak in his eyes. I want him to see that his mommy is strong and that she will always protect him no matter what. He has only seen me angry once and that was thanks to my landlord, who yelled and grabbed my son so hard that his little arm was bruised. Lord, that day I went full on momma bear on my landlord. I was ready to tear the head off his shoulders. Once we are done eating, I take the plates to the kitchen and clean them up. I then grab two pieces of brownies and give one to Kaleb.

“Thank you mami” he smiled.

“You’re welcome baby. When you’re done go brush your teeth and don’t forget to floss”, I told him and he nodded. When I finish, I go brush my teeth and just when I finish I hear a knock on the door. I went to open it and I saw three men. One of them was dressed as a cop.

“Yes? How may I help you?” I asked.

“Are you Skyler Morales?” one of the men asks.

“I am” I said.

“I’m Detective Piere, this is Detective Maxwell, and Officer Swayer. Do you know someone named Blair Morales?” Detective Piere asks, making my heart pound hard in my chest.

“Yes, she’s my sister” I said.

“May we come in? We need to talk to you about something important”, Detective Maxwell said.

“Sure” I said, opening the door wider.

“Mami?” Kaleb calls.

“It’s okay honey. Go ahead and brush your teeth and-”

“Don’t forget to floss” he finishes for me.

“That’s my good boy”, I smiled, and he left to go to the bathroom. I turned to the detectives and officer.

“Is my sister in trouble or something?” I asked. The detectives looked at each other before looking at me.

“When was the last time you spoke to your sister?” Detective Piere asked.

“About three days ago. She was supposed to come for the weekend, but she had to cancel. She said something unexpected came up and that she would have to come another day” I said truthfully.

“When was the last time you saw her?” Detective Maxwell asked.

“Three months ago. Why are you asking all of this? Is my sister in trouble?” I asked again. My head pounded again, making me wince as my hand shot up to my temple. I took a deep breath before looking at the detectives and officer.

“Miss Morales, I’m sorry to tell you this, but your sister has been found dead” my head snaps towards Detective Maxwell. He was the one who said those words.

“I’m sorry? I think I heard wrong” I said. He must have been mistaken. Maybe they have been working too much thought it was my sister.

“No ma’am. We’re sorry for your loss”, Officer Swayer said.

"No, that can't be. You must have the wrong Blair. I just spoke to her three days ago", I said. Then I remember that feeling I got earlier. How those whispers said my sister's name when they were saying the names of the dead females in my family. How I called her and she didn't answer. How I had texted her, and she never replied back. I felt like I had been punched in the stomach and all the air was knocked out of me. My sister is dead. How? Who hurt her? I sway a little and for some reason Ethan’s face pops in my head. My head is pounding harder and the whispers are returning. I feel like I can’t breathe. I look around the room and I see the detective's mouth moving as black dots appear in my vision.

'Ethan' I screamed in my head, praying that by screaming his name in my mind that all of this would stop and that I could wake up from this horrible nightmare. Suddenly, everyone ducks for cover. My eyes roll to the back of my head and I lose consciousness.

***