I don't own House of Anubis or any of the characters.

Suspicious

"Don't trust anyone." Gran's eyes bore into mine, as her message sunk in. "Be careful, my Darling. I love you." She said, finally. I stood up straight, my eyes tight, never leaving her face. I let go of her door.

"I love you." I replied. I decided not to touch further on the topic, knowing I wouldn't get any answers. She searched my face one last time. I showed no emotion except confusion. I could see worry and pity in her eyes. I ignored it. She smiled sadly and weakly. I gave a small nod in response. She sighed, giving up, and drove away. I watched her car untill it disappeared, thoughts whirling in my head. Trap?

I turned around and put on the mask. The mask I've been wearing lately. The smiles and laughter hiding fear and tears. I gripped the door knob tightly as I prepared for my show. Mom was waiting fo me. "Where were you when I left?" She said through her teeth.

I let confusion fill my eyes. "I left you a note. I said I'd be out for a walk." I said, innocently.

"You did. However, you didn't tell where, when. I was so worried!" She said, her voice getting higher and higher in pitch with each word.

"I'm sorry. I won't do it again." I told her, sincerely. I gave her a pleading smile.

"Oh, yes, you won't. Your grounded until I say so." She said, truimphant. I could guess what was running through her head. In the sound of, Ha! That's what you call parenting. I took a deep breath, bitting back the retort that was bubbling in my throat, restraining the groan. I tried to compose myself. My face was relaxed, but my hands were balls of fists behind my back.

"Alright. I'll be in my room, if you need me." I said, politely. She gave me a terse nod. I went to my room, got out my diary. I wrote down today's events. I didn't address it to anyone, it was merely for record. I didn't understand Gran. What trap? I didn't understand Dad. He was so aloof, empty. I didn't understand Mom. There was hatred rolling off of her with everything she does. I never took notice until now, how odd they were. I was focused on the outside, the fantasy. My parents were alive, we were a family, normal. We're not. They were different. I could see now what I saw in Gran that wasn't in my parents, love. I blamed myself, for isolating myself from them. It was my fault, I was alienated. Still, there was something wrong.

I lay in bed, trying hard to sleep. I'd rather dream than face this mess. Actually, I'd rather see Anubis house. They were my reality. Life in Anubis house was complicated and simple at the same time. Mysteries and hormones made things confusing, but our bond and love, however they may deny it, made it simple and easy. I thanked and blamed Sarah's mystery. It was never coincidence that I came there. It was my destiny. I dreaded it, being hurt and scared and weak. The reason I'm here. I was glad. It was exciting and amazing. Without it, I would never have met the most amazing set of people.

I lay in bed, my eyelids finally drooping as my body got heavier. I let sleep take me... I was in my room again, now set up like a hospital. Fabian was still holding my hand, but this time he was reading a book. I saw Amber doing her nails, Patricia texting probably Joy, Mara concentrated on her laptop. They were more relaxed now. They weren't fussing over me because they knew I was somewhere, although not sure where exactly, but knew I was 'safe' or at least concious.

Nothing eventfull happened, but I watched them contently. Life moves on whether you wanted to or not. Jerome and Alfie arrived and bothered people with their business. When they got tired of that, they settled for playing a boardgame. Mick came in occasionally, but I knew he was with his dad.

Nothing eventfull happened, but I watched them enviously. Life moved on whether I wanted to or not. I slowly woke up, earlier than my alarm clock. I was smiling until last night came back to me. I groaned and forced myself out of bed. I quietly exitted my room and headed for the kitchen. I stopped on my tracks when I saw my parent's room door a crack open. I decided to peek in.

They were just sitting up in bed in their day clothes, staring blankly into space. They weren't sleeping, not talking, nothing. They were like lifelesss dummies waiting for their cue to get their act on. One beep of the alarm and my dad got up off the bed and went to the bathroom automatically, almost robotically. It sent shivers to my body. Creepy. After a while he came back, in a different set of clothes, looking like he just showered. I didn't hear the faucet go on, though. He sat back down at his spot and did nothing. Another beep of the alarm clock and Mom did the exact same thing. She came back as well and on her spot. After a few minutes, the alarm beeped again. Mom spoke. "Let's go, Dad. We have our duties to do. Try speaking less, by the way. I think Nina's noticing how you can only speak a few recorded lines." My eyes grow wide. What in the world?

Dad didn't move. Mom slaps him in the face. "Get a move on, you useless. You have to play you part. You don't want to break Nina's little heart now, do you?" I think they already did, I could feel my heart sink to my feet. Tears welled in my eyes. My brain went on overdrive. She chuckled, darkly. "That silly little girl. She actually bought it. Idiot." I could feel the tears gushing uncontrollably, unstoppable from my eyes. I wanted to run away but my feet were glued to wher I was standing. The woman who calls herserlf my mother was silent fo a while, but she spoke again, quietly to herself this time.

"Poor, orphaned Nina. Led to believe her parents are alive and well, when in truth, those people who she thinks are her parents... Aren't real."