All I ever wanted is to sell this house and build our forever house. That's it. it's very simple. That was the plan from the very start and now, well, let's just say I don't know anymore. My mind is constantly changing from time to time. One moment I am watching my kids sleep and the next thing I can see them playing like hours had already passed but it didn't. I was just standing there for like five minutes. It's all going shambles inside my brain and I couldn't explain it not even to Hugh. I tried. Believe me, I tried. He says that I am just exhausted and it's all a bad dream. Maybe it was…I hope that it was.
The storm frightened the kids especially the twins so I agreed to stay in their room for the night while Hugh checks the damages from the storm. Nell and Luke lay down with me on the mattress on the floor so that way I didn't have to choose which beds I will sleep on.
"Mommy, why didn't you see me earlier downstairs? You talked to Theo and I was just there beside her. She didn't see me either. Why?" Nell asked me. God, how do I start explaining to her that there are things going on in this house that even I don't understand?
"Sometimes there are things that even Mommies cannot explain. Maybe it was too dark earlier or the storm was too loud. I'm so sorry, baby. I will never let you out of my sight again. I promise", I answered. I did the best I can. All I want is for them to be safe and for them to feel safe.
"Don't worry, Nellie. I will protect you always", Luke said, such brave little man he is. He makes me proud.
A loud bang…I heard a loud bang. I looked beside me and saw the twins sleeping peacefully. The sound didn't bother them at all. I think that's for the better. I slowly got up to check it out. Hugh must've been asleep by now. He was so tired during the storm.
The hallway is clear and silent. The power is back on so I didn't need the flashlight. I checked the rooms of the kids and everything is okay. Hugh is sleeping in our bedroom. I walked in to give him a gentle kiss on his forehead.
"Sleep tight, my love", I whispered.
I heard that banging again and Hugh was still sleeping. Am I the only one hearing it? I went downstairs to check if the Dudley's are back but they're not. It was just us. Then, the freaking migraine hits again.
I grabbed the nearest wall I can reach so I wouldn't fall. I used to have migraines before but not to this degree that I can barely see because my vision is all blurry. "Please go away…go away…" is all I can mutter hoping it would my ease my pain but is not working. Years and years of lecture from my mother and my grandmother about this so-called gift and still I couldn't get used to this.
"Liv?" someone called.
I turned around and no one's here but me. Everyone's asleep. The migraine is still active but somehow I can manage to walk and see. I reached the hallway on the second floor searching for that someone who called my name.
"Olivia", someone called again.
I turned around as quickly as I can and there he is standing in front of me. An old man wearing black suit and tie looking straight at me. For a moment there, the migraine went away. I don't know how. I cannot explain it but it's like I knew him but I don't.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" I asked. I tried to sound authoritative but it's not in my nature.
"You need to go", he said in a deep cold voice. I frowned.
"What are you talking about? This is our house", I asked. His expression did not change.
"You need to go before it's too late", he repeated
The migraine hit again, harder this time. I groaned in pain and I suddenly lost my temper.
"You know what, why don't you get out of here instead?!" I exclaimed.
I closed my eyes and continued to suffer in pain. I don't know how to make it stop. Once I opened my eyes, the man was already gone.
"Olivia", someone called again.
I looked left and right and I couldn't figure it out where is that man this time.
"Liv? Honey? Look at me", Hugh said as he shook my shoulder.
I opened my eyes and saw my husband kneeling beside me. I then realized I was downstairs sitting on the floor by myself. How did I get here? I remembered talking to a strange man upstairs and then he was gone.
"What are you doing down here in the middle of the night? I woke up and checked on the twins' room and you're not there", he asked, his voice full of concern.
"I don't know. I can't remember actually being here…sitting here. It's all so strange. I can't remember how I got here", I answered trying my best to recall things.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I think so. I remembered having this terrible migraine. It's really worse than the last time. Then, I saw this man upstairs and he's telling me to go. I don't know why", I answered. Things are starting to come back now.
Hugh sighed and looked me in the eye. All I can see from him is love and concern. I hate it when he's being worried about me.
"Liv, it was just all a bad dream. I think you're sleepwalking again. You're awake now. It's all right", he said calmly with a smile on his face. Maybe he's right. It's all a bad dream. The strange man is not really here. I was just dreaming.
"You're right. I'm sorry to worry you. What a strange dream it was?" I muttered.