On the 25th of March 2009 my family was slaughtered in front of my very eyes. The memory has left scars in my mind. It feels like I'm so dirty but no matter how much I wash I'm never clean. I can't even imagine how the monster of a man who murdered my family must feel if I feel like I was the one who did it, although I wouldn't be surprised if he felt no remorse what so ever, the man had no heart.
Angela and I were gushing over Taylor Lautner perfectly sculpted abs and debating weather he would be into girls like us when we arrived at my house. There was no doubt in my mind that there was going to be a big family gathering so Angela skipped on my invitation to stay for a bit. It wasn't too late, maybe 7 or 8 o'clock but in the sleepy suburb I called home there was almost no sight of society out and about, my house was the one exception.
My house was almost completely invisible to the untrained eye. It was concealed by multiple maples that draped over either sides of the stretched driveway. The driveway lead up to a big redbrick home that could accommodate the entire royal family. The houses along the street were nearly identical. It was a nice suburb, a lot of elderly but it was close to everything I needed; shops, parks and friends.
I waved goodbye to Ang and sauntered up my driveway. I couldn't help admire the way the garden lights illuminated the hedges to the side of me. It looked like a place where fairies lived, It looked magical..
I walked in the door of my house-trying to looks as presentable as I did when I left by brushing my auburn hair out of my green eyes, smoothing out my pink dress and putting gum in mouth to disguise the scent of smoke. It was my 16th birthday, and Angela, my best friend, wanted to see the new movie starring Taylor Lautner and to take me out for a night I would never forget. I never thought she meant it literally, because I certainly never forgot that night.
I skipped through the house switching on the lights as I went. It was quiet. All I could hear was the white noise in my head. I got to the front room to be greeted by my whole family plus and additional member. It took me a minute to process what was going on; my head was pounding, or was that my heart? Tears were springing to my eyes because of the scene that was in front of me.
My mum and step-dad, gagged and tied to the dining room chairs in the far corner, the rims of their eyes were red. Ness my sister and brother Noah were gagged to but tied at the hands and feet in the centre of the room.
My Uncle, aunty and 4 grandparents were in the other corner of the front room but they weren't moving.
I fought the bile back to my throat.
Some birthday surprise this was.
5 seconds had gone by the time I finished my examination and fixed my eyes on the person in the heart of the room, closest to my brother and sister.
He was a gangly man with a head of fire. His eyes matched his hair, not in colour but the fire from his hair seemed to continue to his eyes, making them alive with excitement and anticipation.
He had 5-o-clock shadow and his business suit was tattered and filthy. He carried a long, shiny butchering knife in his left hand. My stomach churned.
He stood there watching me, waiting for me.
"I've been waiting a long time Isabella." He said looking at his old watch from k-mart. His lips turned up at the sides.
"W-who are you and what do you want? H-how do you know my name?" I stuttered.
My sister gave out a whimper. New tears came to my eyes.
"Ahh Bella don't fret, this will all be over soon, and well it has to be. You see I'm rather short on time and the fun I intended having with your family has to be cut short."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. This was a scene from a horror movie except there was no prince charming, brave knight or experienced policeman coming in the door. No one could help.
"What do you mean fun? Just leave!" My voice broke on the word fun.
From the corner of my eye I could see my Phil shaking his head furiously, his eyes wide.
"I mean I'm going to kill your family Isabella, all of them." His voiced was confident; his face portrayed no emotion at all.
I couldn't help to let out a sob.
He continued "Bella, I've been watching you for sometime now. You intrigue me." He took a few steps forward till he was right in front of me.
His finger traced my jaw. A shiver undulated through my body.
"I've never seen anyone like you myself. You're like a diamond among coal. You're the butterfly and I'm the moth, someone like you would never notice me." His sentences were well articulated and quite smart. I look at him a different way. This was a very well thought plan.
"So you see I want you for myself, and what better way to ensure that than to kill off everyone who could stop me. I know I know what type of man would do that? But I'm selfish and you're what I want, what I need." His eyes blazed.
My mum was weeping.
"SHUT UP!" The man yelled at her. She was silenced immediately.
He turned back to me with pure admiration, but there was something else, his eyes were like endless pits. They were like wells; vast holes in his face that had endless stories. I could see his soul; I could see a tortured boy behind this sadistic young man. For a split second I felt sorry for him.
"Ok, let's get this started shall we?" He said sounding excited again and my sorrow for him disappeared.
He turned and headed for my mum and Phil.
"Wait!" I yelled at him.
He pivoted on his right foot.
"Yes?" He asked
"Anything. Ill give you anything just don't do this. Please just don't do this." I was practically grovelling.
"My Bella, I know you don't understand now but someday you will, someday you'll thank me for this. You don't have to give me anything, I'll get it soon enough." He smiled trying to bring some kindness in his eyes and less eagerness to murder my family.
It was all a lie, false. Once he did this he would become one thing and one thing only. A monster.
He turned again, walking to my parents with exaggerated slowness.
My mother's eyes bored into mine. Phil's pleaded with this monster.
But it was too late; with one swift movement the blade of his knife broke the skin of my Renee and Phil's throat piercing the main artery.
I, my sister and my brother let out an agonized cry. I dropped to the ground on my knees pleading with this man to stop. He walked to my grandparents and uncle and the same slow pace. They never woke through the whole nightmare I guessed they were drugged or perhaps already dead.
In the same quick movement he cut their throats.
All this blood soaked the carpet and my mind.
I couldn't help let out another howl as he moved toward my brothers and sister.
They let out as much noise as they could but nothing stopped him. I gripped at his arm but he just shrugged me off still moving towards my remaining family.
He didn't go quickly this time. The slashes were slow as if he were trying to make the moment last for longer. It was different for me everything was to fast.
There cries gurgled to a stop.
There was no sound, just white noise like when I first came home 5 minutes ago. That's all it took to ruin everything.
The man turned back to me another smile playing on his lips.
"Well Bella this has been great but I really ort to get going. Ill sees you soon." He said it with such a calm façade that made me sick.
"Oh I forgot to tell you. I left you a present. You'll find it in time." He turned towards the door. I couldn't move.
Sirens.
My head jerked up with an audible snap.
Sirens in the background. Sirens mean help. I need help. The man must have noticed to because he was already running for the door.
It was too late they were here. They came. The neighbour must have heard screams. I was overcome with relief that smothered my feelings of loneliness and pain. For now.
I came to the door clutching my chest. The police had the man in cuffs; I could see his hair from around the bush. I would recognise that hair anywhere now.
The medics ran in the house while other police came rushing to me. They all asked questions but I wasn't coherent. All I could see was the man with red fiery hair looking at me as he was driven up the street.
He gave me a tender smile and waved before disappearing out of sight.
5 minutes was all it took.