Chapter 7

The cabin was near the creek. It was a two story cabin. It had a small kitchen with our own mini fridge, oven, dishwasher, and microwave. Connected to the kitchen was a small bathroom with a shower. The place had two bedrooms one upstairs and one downstairs. It had an open floor plan living room, that led to a porch and porch swing out back. We also had our own grill. You could see the mountains and the fishing shack from the upstairs window. It had heat, air, electricity and indoor plumbing. The trail up to the wooden house was mostly gravel and the air smelled of pine. Once we got there we didn't unpack right away. We decided to explore our new place, and rest a bit. Dad was sitting on the couch in the living room. Mom came in and sat beside him as my sisters and I checked the upstairs loft bedroom.

"Awww how cute!" Anna exclaimed and sat on the window seat. The girls started taking selfies and pictures together.

"Bryan come on get in this!"

"Okay...I sighed.

I scooted close to Anna and took a picture with her. Outside the cabin was a huge wooded area. We could do whatever wanted here. This vacation was going to be awesome! Our first night Mom and Dad cooked campfire grilled fish tacos. Anna had on a pair of shorts and a pullover. Her hair was in a messy ponytail. Mira had on a pair of athletic shorts, a T-shirt and a ball cap. Her hair was braided down her back. Isa was wearing shorts, but I couldn't see them because they were hidden by her oversized T-shirt that almost fit her like a dress. Her hair was curly and down framing her face. They were all three extra comfortable. Meanwhile Dad was outside still in his khaki shorts and t-shirt grilling our dinner. Mom had on a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt. Her hair was down and pulled behind her ears revealing her beautiful diamond stud earrings. I just had on a pair of jeans a T-shirt, and my converse shoes. My sisters were all barefoot by the way. They were right at home. As Dad cooked I entered our bathroom to take my medicine before dinner. I took my shirt off and checked my blood sugar. Just then Mom knocked on the door.

"You want a salad with yours?" She asked as she inched her head in.

"Yes mam. Thanks."

She then fully entered shutting the door behind her.

"Still missing Rosie?"

"Yeah...but not as much now that we're here."

She smiled and hugged me. She sighed heavily and stroked my shoulder.

"I know she's missing you."

My meter then beeped. I picked it up to look at it. My sugar was low.

"Oh...son, I better tell your Dad to hurry up so we can get some real food in you. We haven't had a thing since lunch.

"He doesn't have to rush. I'm fine Mom."

She stared at me and grinned.

"You are your Daddy's son...he did that too. Pretended for my sake he was alright when he wasn't."

"Really though Mom. I'm fine."

"Well okay."

She grabbed my chin and kissed my forehead. She couldn't really kiss the top of my head unless I bent down. I was now taller than my mom. I had grown neary six and half inches that summer. I hope Rosie still recognizes me when she comes back. After dinner I played cards with my sisters. Mom and Dad watched television. When it was time for bed, our parents slept in the bedroom downstairs while my sisters and I slept upstairs. They slept in the huge bed while I slept on the pull out bed near the back window. I could see the stars glistening on the lake, and the moon high over head from where I was.

"Goodnight Rosie..." I whispered. I turned over and pulled the blanket up over my shoulder. The cabin creaked as the night air blew through it. It was peaceful. There were no mosquitoes there. Just thousands of fireflies lighting up the night. You could hear an occasional frog and the flapping of a flying fish upstream. The air was so cool and felt so good at night. It was a nice break from the summer heat. I think I loved the mountains more than the beach. I've been there many times, and as tranquil as a trip to the beach can be, this was even better. Hours ticked by, and at somepoint during the early morning I had that vision again. Only something was different about it.

I turned over in my sleep trying to brush the vision from my mind. There was a flash and I felt pain in my head. I saw myself underwater, my hand was extended toward the surface. I could feel myself trying to grasp something. My fingers curled yet I was unable to grab anything but surface tension. I kept floating downward as if I were being pulled. I was dragged slowly at first, then swiftly. I was pulled straight down into a dark abyss. I could see nothing but the darkness. It was as if I had my eyes shut tight. When I opened them I saw a red sky and a red moon. Was I bleeding? I could smell the stench of vomit and feces. It made me gag. Abrupt I saw a bright white wall of stone. I hit it hard and my vision flashed me awake. In front of me was a bright light shinning in my face. It was Mira's phone light. She lowered it and I saw Anna and Isa standing over me as well. I went to bed shirtless so my chest was covered in sweat.

"Bryan?" Anna began.

"Uh...it was just a vision...I'm fine. Go back to bed girls."

They did as I said, even though they didn't really want too. I went downstairs to the bathroom. I wet my face and looked in the mirror trying to understand my vision. I wasn't going to let it ruin my vacation.