Chapter One: The Candy

It was days like this very one, that Riley wish things could last forever. Laughter escaping his lips. Excitement flowed throughout his entire body, he was free of no worries in the world. Having fun with his older brother and both his parents. You could say, it was the perfect family. A perfect family on the outside, Indeed, on the outside. Even so, Riley held to every moment like this. Only reminded that, behind closed doors. The perfect family had secrets. The word Riley's parents would use often to scowled him away. Maybe it was for the best, because, Riley did not understand what would happen if he got the picture. Riley never dared to question what both his parents would say if he asked. Because, they were, secrets of course...

Riley laid on the grassy field of the school playground, hearing screams and laughter, of his fellow schoolmates. Riley, looked towards the sky, as each cloud was passing by. He imagined figures of animals or even people. Riley was a lonely child, he had some friends. Some he would hang out with or other times he wouldn't. Instead Riley came to embraced the solitude, something he has gotten used to since he was the age of five.

"Riley!" A squeaky voice shouted.

Riley looked up from his laying place as he recognized who the irritating voice belonged too.

"Wanna' play soccer with us?" The boy held a soccer ball at his hip staring down at Riley. He did not know if he should decline the offer.

"Eh,... Em." An awkward silences fell between the two boys.

"Come on Jared!" A older boy called.

Riley was taken back, by the sudden shout. He wanted to join desperately but the words could not escape his lips.

"Well...If you feel like it you can join before recess ends." Jared explained.

Riley stared at the boy, then towards the other kids. "S-sure." Riley Uttered.

"Well, whatever." The boy ran off towards the other students.

Riley watched as they laughed among one another. Having a good time while he still sat in the field in his lonesome.

Maybe I'll just stay here in the field.

Riley slumped back to the grassy field. His mind quickly retraced back, back to the conversation he over head between both his parents and older brother. Only to be reminded his family is moving in several weeks. Away from the god forsaken small town of Algonac, Michigan.

All thanks to his father getting relocated for his job. He would not have to suffer the bullying and harassment by the other kids for much longer. Although some classmates were his friends others came to hate him, under no apparent reason. Stealing his lunch, trashing his school locker and taking his gym clothes. In Riley's mind set, that torment was okay. Until he would be gone from the school, gone from the state and moved to Canada...

As the school weeks drifted on, Riley did not bother telling anybody at school he was moving away. While on the other hand, his older brother who was in high school told basically everyone he knew, or the ones that were rather close to him.

Giving out an exhausting sigh. Riley finally made it home from school. Happiness emerged inside him, it was the last day of school. No longer he had to put up with his Grade Six bullies.

Riley continued his way to the foot of the front porch staircase. Then began walking up the front porch. He stopped for a moment, feeling the cool breeze shift within the air. Riley may be only six years old, but he could feel the differences in the wind. As of lately he felt as though something, just something. Maybe following him. He looked towards the busy street, yet nothing that he had felt did not appear in sight. Riley took his eyes away from the street, turning back around to the front door he made his way inside of the house. Riley begins taking off his shoes and sweater off, then shouted...

"I'm home." He called out again, "I'm home, mom." Silence.

Riley could have sworn his mother would be home, the door was unlocked. Why wasn't anybody answering his calls?

Then it hit him, the sound of voices can be heard coming from the living room. He walked from the front entrance of the house, then made his way in the living room. Expected to see his mother speaking with one of her male friends. Instead he is surprised to see it was just the T.V that has been left on.

"Breaking news tonight. The missing eight year old girl named, Anna Bergling was found dead. Inside of her family home. She has been missing for nearly a month until neighborhood residents phoned a 911 call. Explaining they heard screaming coming from the house. Both Chris and Michelle were out during the night doing search parties at the time, but still spoke with police officers they were not home during the late evening. Reporting live for us is Garret Brooks, who well take us inside this investigation."

"Thank you Christine. Now Officials say that they spoke with both Chris and Michelle the night the 911 call was made, but it took nearly three days for the grieving parents to realize their daughter was home the entire time. As you can see behind me, police vehicles are spread out in the drive way of the home, and some neighbors next door to the family are feeling angry and outraged towards the Bergling family. Also officials are saying, that details of the crime scene, will not be released to the general public. As they're taking both Chris and Michelle Bergling into police custody for further questioning. Back to you Christine."

"Alright, thank you Garret. We'll keep the public updated on further details of the murder."

Riley looked away from the T.V. Turning his body around he started heading down the hallway, towards his parents room. There as he continued, Riley notices the bedroom door is cracked open a bit. Tip toeing his way to the door, Riley slowly pushes the creaky door wide open. He see's his mother laying on the bed sound asleep. Staring, at her somewhat peaceful state. Riley looked around the room, it was a bit messy. Boxes everywhere, small things were already packed away.

Yet, something else catches his eye. There, on the night stand next to his parents bed, was a white powder and several crushed pills. It hit Riley like a thousand bricks, yet usually he grinned. A small faint smile was on his face.

Riley then decided to tap his mothers shoulder. "Mom." Riley whispered.

Groaning sounds came from his mother as she tossed over the bed. The smile that was on Riley's face quickly disappeared. His mother opened her one eyelid, to see that Riley is looking right at her. She gives her son a faint smile.

"Come here baby." Patting the mattress, his mother slid over.

Riley climbed on top of the queen size bed, placing his body next to his mother.

"How was school?" She asked.

Riley thought about how to answer her question, but before he could reply he gave out a light sigh.

"It was alright, I guess." He answered.

His mother was in and out of it, instead of saying anything. She agrees to his response. The two laid there for about good ten minutes of silences of course. Yet it was not until the sound of the front door could be heard opening, from the bedroom.

Could that be Kennath? Riley thought.

"Go and see who that is Riley." His mother inquired.

Quickly as he got off of the bed and rushed down the hallway. A big smile was already on Riley's face, he then made a turn around the corner hallway to the front entrance.

"Kennath!" Riley shouted with joy.

"Hey Riley, how was school?" He asked, as he took of his shoes.

"It was alright." Riley replied bluntly.

Kennath was the only person in the house to make Riley so happy. His older brother was the one person he looked up to most. The one person he wanted to desperately be like.

After finishing up talking about their school day. Kennath and Riley heads towards the living room couch. Kennath went on about his teachers and friends. Riley listened as he was amused by what Kennaths last day at high school was light. Changing the dial on the T.V, Kennath then turns on the VCR.

"Alright Riley, which one?" Kennath asked. As he raised two VHS movies up in the air, for Riley to choose.

Riley stared at both movies for a moment before choosing.

"I want to watch, The Sword in the Stone." Riley pointed out.

"Alright."

Kennath places the VHS movie inside, to let the movie start. Once he was done, Kennath decides to get up from the living room carpet floor. Then heads to the kitchen and get something to eat.

"You want a sandwich?" Kennath called.

Silence. Riley did not respond to the question, causing Kennath to raised his eyebrow.

"Hey-" Cut off, by the sudden sound of Riley laughing. It was clear that he did not hear him. Brushing off the whole ignorance, he continues preparing the sandwiches. It was not until he heard footsteps behind him and halted.

"You know, you can always make something for me as well." His mother noted.

The sound of that woman's voice made Kanneth's skin crawl, her voice was an nuisance.

"Make your own damn sandwich." Kennath spat.

Silently he continued to make the two sandwiches for Riley and himself.

"Why do you do this?" She implied, "Why do you continue to disrespect me as a parent?"

Not wanting to respond, Kennath quickly grabbed both sandwiches and juice boxes that were on the counter-top. Just as Kennath turned around, he rushed passed his mother going back to the living room, but as he passes his mother, Kennath whispers. "Because you are a sad excuse for a mother." Then continues walking off, towards the living room.

Riley sat there on the couch happily watching the movie. He was more interested in the movie then what was going on around him. He watched and watched, but just before the movie could end, Riley eventually fell asleep...

Riley is suddenly awoken by soft thumping sounds. Yet still half asleep, Riley yawned. Just before he could open his eyes. He sat up in the bed, and starts rubbing both of his eyes. Once he peeked from between his fingers, Riley realizes, it was late, very late. It was already completely dark outside, and to his surprise, he was also laying in his own bed. With the room dark, Riley tried to adjust his eyes well enough to see his surroundings. He knows his room is half empty due to moving, and several stacked boxes in the corner of his room.

Riley pulled the blankets up, from off himself. He then turned his upper body to the side, reaching towards for the night-stand that is right next to his bed. Upon feeling around the small oak dresser, Riley grabs hold of an object.

I'm glad I didn't pack it away. Riley thought, reassuring himself.

More soft thumping sounds were heard again. Riley was oblivious to the sounds around him, since his main concern was to just plug in his night-light. Riley got off his bed, as his bare feet touched the carpet flooring he quickly walked over to the nearest outlet. The boy struggled for a moment, until finally getting the night-light in the wall outlet. He was met with a blinding light.

How long have I been a slept for? Riley questioned.

He turned, and looked towards his window. Stepping closer, Riley then lifts himself up, to see out. Pulling the curtain away from the window, and with the sounds of a few vehicles driving by. That's when Riley noticed, the street lights were on.

Nobody woke me up for supper?... Maybe it's nine? Riley thought.

Still looking around outside of his window, Riley thought, about getting a glass of milk to drink, then head back to bed. Releasing the curtain, Riley turned around and headed towards the door. Just before he could grab hold of the door knob. A sudden sound of shattered glass hit the floor.

The sound caused Riley to jump at his feet. His heart was pounding inside of his chest, but instead of walking out of his room he pressed his ear against the door and listened. The sound of whispering was faint and unable to make out. Sighing in defeat, Riley walked back to his bed.

"It must be one of those nights again." Riley said to himself.

Riley walked back towards his bed, climbing in, he covered himself up. Pulling the blanket over his head and turning over, as he proceed to cover his ears. The sound of his brothers voice yelling, followed by crashing sounds. Shouting and cursing was all you could hear from Riley's room. A single tear ran down the side of Riley's face. Doors slamming and the continuous yelling becoming louder and louder from down the hallway, until it came close to his bedroom door.

"Of course you would get back on those fucking pills!" Kennath raised his voice.

"I was going to get rid of them I swear!" His mother claimed.

"Bull fucking shit mom! You say the same story every single time."

The sound of a door being kicked open, caused Riley to jump underneat the blanket. He was scared, basically terrified by what would happen next.

"No!" His mother hollered in distress. Followed by the sound of flushing from the toilet.

It's just a typical night right? It's going to end soon...

That's what ran through Riley's mind as he was still crying in the pillow case.

Right?...

The entire night consisted of Riley crying, while curled up underneath the blankets. Hours earlier the argument between his mother and older brother had ended. Everybody in the household was sound asleep. Except for, his father. Who seemed to have still not returned home.

Riley's eye's were puffy and red. He laid perfectly still for sometime now. Until,... Until the sound of boxes in the corner of his room begin to shuffle. It noise startled Riley, as he quickly shuts his eyelids.

It's nothing, It's just nothing... Riley thought, This house doesn't have ghosts...

Taking a few breathers, while beneath the blanket. Riley remembers that his night-light is still plugged in. Riley gathered the courage and tossed the blanket off of himself.

1,2,3!

Riley quickly opened his eyes, glanced over the corner of boxes in his room. Nothing, there was nothing there. Nothing, that he could see of course...

During the following morning, everything seems to be quiet in the household. Besides the sound of rain hitting against the windows. The house was calm, and Kennath was awake, speaking with his father in the kitchen.

"So why are they offering you the job in Canada?" Kennath questioned.

"I'm a salesman and I also do heavy machinery, but they were more impressed with my work in machinery so I took the job. They didn't have any position here in the states so they are relocating me to Canada." His father explained, while reading the morning newspaper.

"Oh." Kanneth's response was blunt, since he had so many friends here in the United States. Yet arguing about staying was no point since everything was final.

"George! George!" His wife called.

George gave out a deep and heavy sigh before answering. "What is it Catherine?"

"Come here." Catherine shouted from down the hallway.

George folded up the newspaper then placed it on the kitchen table. Pushing his chair back he got up and walked away from the room. Kennath took the opportunity, to snoop around George's wallet that was on the table...

"What is it?" George asked, staring at his wife from the doorway.

"Did you do this?" Catherine pointed out.

Both of them looked towards the candy sitting on the end of the bed. George was taken back, the placement of the candy was in the shape of a lollipop.

"No, I was out late last night working until 2:30 in the morning." George explained.

"Well whatever." Catherine remarked, "Um, hey, I'll be going out tonight, my girlfriends want to take me out to dinner, so I was wondering if I can have some money."

"Yeah, sure. I'll be at work, so it'll just be the boy's here." George folded his arms and leaned in the doorway. "Unless, of course. You want to get a baby-sitter for the both of them?"

"No I'm sure the boy's well be fine here by themselves."

Riley stood in his bedroom, fully dressed for the day. He wanted to go and play outside but the rain kept poring.

"I guess I have to play inside." Riley mumbled to himself.

Riley stared around his room, before noticing something particular. It looked out of place, as though it did not belong there. Riley walked over to the boxes in the corner, there he saw a single piece of candy. The wrapper was green. Riley stared at it for a moment, then began reaching for it in the tightly spaced boxes. Yet just before his small hand could touch the candy, his bedroom door creaked open. Riley's swiftly turned around, to see that his brother Kennath walk in the room.

"Hey, what are you doing Riley?" Kennath asked.

"N-nothing. Just looking through the boxes." Riley lied between his teeth, while staring directly in Kennath.

"Uh, okay. Well come on were going out to eat breakfast." Kennath stated, waving his hand.

"Okay!" Riley was filled with joy.

Kennath had already left the room and down the hallway. That's when Riley pulled the candy from behind his back. Staring down at the green wrapped candy.

"Riley, lets go!" George Hollered.

"I'm coming!" Riley responded.

Riley quickly placed the candy in his front pocket, and took off running. When the family finally left the house, it was not long after, did a dark mist began form...

A/N: Fresh '-'