Chapter: one
Author: Iwillsoaronthewingsofeagles...aka...MLBL
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the chracters from The Patriot. I do own, Emily Brandon, her family, and any other characters I might incorporate in this story.
I have always heard that everything happens for a reason. So I suppose it was for a reason that my mother instilled in me a passion for history. It was because of that passion that I found myself in the attic again, dressed in an eighteenth century style dress (my halloween costume from the year before). The attic had at one time, been where I would've enjoyed having my room. It was peaceful and...it was isolated...a place where my little brother wouldn't dare pester me.
Now, wrapped in my blanket and cozied up in my little nook, I had the peace and quiet that could afford me a good look at a new...well...old history book, and I finally would have the chance to relax. Instead, I heard rumbling. It was low and distant at first, but it gradually came closer and closer, until it was right outside the house. I would never be able to claim a fear of thunderstorms, but as cozy as my attic was, the thought of being stuck up there as the thunder crashed and lightning struck, was not appealing. I pushed myself up, book in hand, as the wind began to pick up and a chill, that left goosebumps on my skin, swept through the attic. Soon the rain beat fiercely on the roof of the house, adding to the terrible noise of the storm that raged outside.
I picked up my blanket as well and just as I was turning to leave the attic a terrible crash resounded in the room. I jumped at the noise, and turned around to find that the attic door had been shut, and it sounded like it was being locked. While the little pest that was my brother, had on occassion believed it a funny prank to lock me up in the attic for hours on end, I could not believe he'd dare lock me up there while a storm beat violently on our home. My mother must've decided to close and lock the door, due to the storm, but that didn't really make sense...
Again, I cannot claim a particular fear of thunderstorms, yet this one was definitely having its effects on me. I couldn't run down to the safety and coziness of my room. My only hope was that the storm wouldn't get worse, but instead go away. Meanwhile the only thing I could do was sit it out...in the creepy, old attic I'd considered making my room. What had I been thinking?
But the storm didn't go away, and while I couldn't believe it was possible, the storm got worse. Wind blew so hard, I was afraid the roof would be blown away. Rain fell in sheets, causing nothing to be visible through the window. I hugged my blanket closer to me, in hopes that the chill would be shut out. In an attempt to ignore the raging storm, I tried to focus on my book. It was a mission to be get cozy, stay warm, AND hold a book so that I could read, but I managed, and just as I did, there was another loud crash...outside this time... thunder. I jumped and the book went flying out of position, but it didn't matter cuz the next moment, a flash of lightning, so brilliant it seemed to be right inside the house, left me quite blinded. I shut my eyes tight, afraid to open them again. Hugging my blanket to me, I covered my ears and eventually I managed to fall asleep...
The next morning, when I finally awoke, the sun was shining right in my eyes. For one silly moment, relief filled my whole being that... I was not blind, but what had caused me to believe I was blind in the first place, I do not know. I gently rubbed away the sleep from eyes, and stretched. My blanket, which was no longer necessary, fell to the ground. I looked out the window to find that, the storm had quite obviously passed so, all was peaceful outside. There wasn't even any evidence of the violent weather from the night before.
I decided to spend some more time up in the attic. Alone. But, as I began saying...things happen for a reason, and for some reason I wasn't meant to be in my attic alone for long. In fact, I wasn't meant to be in my attic alone at all.
Though I picked up my book to read, I soon heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Realizing I was still in my halloween costume, I decided to hide, especially since it probably wasn't my mother. How stupid it would be if anyone other than my mother caught me in that dress.
The intruder walked through the door, and I felt my stomach drop...
This was not good.