Earthmelder

Chapter 1 - Leo - Family The covers creased as Leo pulled them over his head. “Uhhg,” he said in protest. It was his typical response when his mother shook the bed to wake him. He wordlessly grumbled from underneath the sheets, hoping she would take the hint and leave the way she came in. “C’mon, Leo, this is the third time I’ve asked you to get up. Your father needs help movin’ somethin’ outside.” Melissa, Leo’s mother, said forcefully as she approached the bed and opened the blinds. Light from the early morning sun flooded the room, illuminating all the Five Finger Death Punch posters hanging on the wall. “Come on,” she insisted with a deep country drawl, the light reflected off her blue eyes, as she shook the bed again. “I’m coming,” he mumbled, trying to force himself out of bed. He was comfortable within the linen sheets, but the smell of smoky bacon, eggs, and waffles caught his nose, giving him the little added boost he needed to get up. “Mom. No… just, out,” he said, dismissively waving his hand, “I’ve got to get dressed.” She smirked, “Leo, you ain’t got anythin’ I’ve not already seen.” She left the room, her long blonde hair swinging about her petite body as she turned and left, closing the door behind her. Leo shook the sleepiness out of his mind. It took him a few minutes to get dressed and head towards the door, stepping over piles of laundry as he went. When he exited his room, Tabitha, his little sister, skipped up behind him and hugged his leg. Her brown eyes looked up at him, and she smiled. Leo tousled her hair. “Hi, little one. Where are you going?” “Bacon!” She smiled at him again as she finished her hug and ran downstairs. They had lived in this two-story house since he was smaller than his sister. The blue wallpaper and beige carpet connected his room with Tabitha’s. He looked through the open door; her pink night light shone throughout the room, glistening off the My Little Pony wallpaper and Sponge Bob bed sheets. She’s always loved Sponge Bob, he thought with a fond smile. Leo headed down the stairs. The carpet ended at the top of the stairs, and the hardwood flooring continued all the way down, maintaining a dark gray tone throughout the remainder of the house. As he entered the living room, the television was showing a newscast: "Unusual seismic activity has been reported worldwide, with numerous minor earthquakes and a few stronger tremors shaking random locations across the globe. Scientists are baffled as the frequency of these quakes continues to rise.” Mom switched off the television. “They’ve been getting worse, lucky there’s been none round here.” Leo joined Mom and Tabitha at the table and ate quickly. Dad’s been outside for over an hour. Hopefully, whatever he needs help with won’t take too long, and then I can play video games. After finishing breakfast, he dashed outside and saw his dad, Harvey, standing near a huge log. His dad was a big man, and he towered over Leo. Sweat ran down the side of his face. He removed his glasses and cleaned them. He smiled at Leo. “Took you long enough. Get over here and help me move these logs.” Leo sighed and walked over. He rolled up his sleeves and positioned himself on the other side of one of the logs. Together, they lifted it and moved it over to the burn pile. They continued moving logs for half an hour, and the pile slowly got smaller. As they started lifting one of the heavier logs, Leo dropped his end. He stared over his dad’s shoulder with his mouth hanging open. An eerie girl walked across the street, coming from the neighbor’s house. Her long black hair flowed behind her slender frame. The girl glanced over her shoulder before she disappeared into the woods. Leo could have sworn her eyes were glistening red. “What the hell, Leo!” His dad’s booming voice shook him out of his trance. “What?” Leo asked, wiping the sweat off his forehead. “You almost dropped the log on your foot. These logs weigh two hundred pounds. They would turn your foot to dust. If you can’t focus, then go back inside, and I’ll do it.” Leo huffed. “I’m sorry, Dad. I thought I saw something across the street.” Dad’s face softened. “It’s okay. Just be more careful. Between you and your sister, I would think you’re both out to see who can get hurt the most.” Leo grinned, remembering all the times Tabitha had hurt herself. She ran into something almost every week. “Are you ready?” Dad asked as he bent down to pick up the next log. Leo nodded and went back to helping his dad. As they continued lifting logs, his mind drifted back to the girl with the red eyes. *** Leo shot up in bed, sweat pouring down his body. The girl haunted his dreams. He couldn’t stop thinking about her for the rest of the afternoon, and as soon as he fell asleep, she was there in his nightmares. He tried to push her out of his mind so he could get some sleep, but her image jumped at him every time his heavy eyelids closed. In his nightmare, he was on a foggy street. Her red eyes were glowing beyond the fog as he ran towards her, trying to catch up. Whenever he got close enough, all he could see was the back of her black hair, and she would disappear again into the fog. She turned back, and her eyes were red once again. Throughout the fog, he heard her calling his name. Her voice was like the music of angels. It was enchanting and horrifying at the same time. I can’t get her out of my mind. I need to go see the neighbor tomorrow. Leo shook his head, trying to clear the remnants of the dream from his mind. He walked to his window and looked out across the street. A knock on his door startled him. Mom opened the door. “Can’t sleep, Honey?” She asked as she sat on the bed. “No, Mom. I had a nightmare.” He sat beside her on the bed. “Bout what?” she asked with a sideways glance. “You don’t normally have nightmares. It must’ve been a bad one.” “I saw a girl today when I was out helping Dad. She was running across the street and disappeared into the woods. I think she came from the neighbor’s house.” He looked back towards the window, half expecting to see her standing there. “Did she have black hair?” Mom asked as she followed Leo’s vision to the window. “Yes, how did you know?” Mom smiled. “I’ve met her before. She’s got long black hair and bright green eyes. I think she’s Ms. Patterson’s niece, but I’m not sure. Her name’s Myra. She doesn’t visit often.” The neighbor. So she did come from the neighbor’s house. Mom stood up. “Well, I’m headed to bed. I’ll see you in the morning, Leo. Try to get some sleep.” She bent over, kissed him on the forehead, and left the room. Myra. What a lovely name. I need to try to meet her. He wasn’t asleep long when Myra invaded his dreams again. When he awoke, he headed over to Ms Patterson’s house. Greeted by her tattered welcome mat, he knocked on the door. Her house sat right next to his parents' home, but it was a few yards closer to the road. It had a carport connected to the front porch, and her white car sat within it. He remembered when she got it, either one or two years ago, she had shown it off to her father. Ms Patterson came to the door and smiled. “Hello, Leo. Come on in.” Elderly and beloved by the neighborhood, she had many visitors check in on her and her schizophrenic brother, James, whom she cared for. Leo smiled, pulled the door open, and followed her inside. Her entire house was meticulously clean with antiques on the shelves near the door and matte paintings throughout. Leo hoped he would not have to visit James in his room. Painted black with a red ceiling, somehow it calmed James when he had an attack. Leo remembered when he witnessed one such attack, where James pointed at a washing machine and spoke of demon girls trying to capture his soul. Ever since observing that, James had scared Leo. Ms Patterson went to the couch and sat down, patting beside her as she made eye contact with Leo. Leo looked at the wall above the couch where he was sitting. “You got a new painting?” Leo asked as he turned back to Ms Patterson. “Yes. My niece brought it over yesterday.” Leo’s eyes lit up. “Is her name Myra?” He asked with a smile. “Yes, how did you know?” “Is she your niece?” “Well, she’s not really my niece, but she might as well be.” Ms Patterson smiled. “Who is she? Where does she live?” “I don’t really know. I’ve never asked her, but she walks through the woods across the street to get home. I think she lives in the neighborhood across the forest.” Damn, I’ll never find her now. Not until she comes back to visit again. “How long have you known—” “They’re here!” James yelled from the other room. “Red eyes, they’re here!” Red eyes. Myra? Leo jumped up and headed for the back room. “No, don’t worry about him. He’s just having one of his episodes. I don’t like people to see him like that. Please don’t go back there.” Leo ignored her as he cleared the corner and went into James’ room. The room was partially dark, but glowing red eyes could be seen in the darkness. Leo switched on the light, and the room illuminated, revealing the alarm clock's glowing red eyes. Just the alarm. I thought for sure… “Leo, please leave. Come back later when he’s not having one of his episodes.” Leo nodded. “I’m sorry, Ms Patterson. I don’t know what I was thinking.” He headed for the door and went home. Later that afternoon, Leo was in his room playing video games, but Myra was all he could think about. A knock at the door shook him out of his thoughts. “Come in,” he mumbled as he turned towards the door. Mom walked in with a concerned look. “What happened at Ms. Patterson’s?” she asked with a frown. “She called you?” Leo asked as he turned back towards the game. “Yes, she called me. She said you barged into James’ room, even though she had told you not to. You know how she is about her brother. He’s very sick.” “I’m sorry, Mom. I wasn’t thinking. I heard him say something that got me curious, so I went to look. I shouldn’t have done it.” “You know how she is.” Mom smiled and sat beside him to watch him play. “I’ll tell her again you’re sorry.” “Thanks, Mom.” “Did you find out anything more about Myra?” “Not really. I didn’t get a chance to ask before she kicked me out.” Leo frowned and set the controller down. Mom pulled him close for a hug. “Well, I can tell you some things about her. I was with her for about half an hour. She’s got emerald green eyes, and she’s a very sweet girl. I think somebody has a crush.” Leo blushed. “Mom!” He pushed away from her and sat in the chair beside his game system. “Don’t start with that.” “Well, Honey, you’re eighteen and still don’t have a girlfriend. It’s time you start looking for someone who interests you. I think you should try to talk to her next time she’s over here.” “That’s the thing.” Leo huffed. “She probably won’t be back for a few months. Ms Patterson said she normally only comes every two or three months to give her paintings as a gift and eat dinner with her. I have no idea when she’ll be back. I can’t stop thinking about her for some reason.” A long grin appeared on Mom’s face. “Mom, don’t say it. I already told you it’s not a crush. There’s just something about her.” Her smile widened. “Mom!” Mom giggled and headed for the door. “Crush!” He grabbed a nearby pillow and threw it at her. It bounced off the door as it closed behind her during a hasty escape from his room. He was left alone with the echoes of her laughter and his thoughts on Myra. Chapter 2 - Leo - Meeting The next few days weren’t any easier. Leo mostly stayed in his room, daydreamed about Myra, and occasionally went to help his dad with more logs. Eventually, Mom came in and sat beside the bed. “Why’re ya in here sulkin’?” “Just bored.” “I think yer just thinkin’ about this here, Myra,” Mom smiled again. “Am I wrong?” He sighed, then rolled his eyes. “Whatever, Mom.” “Well, how about this?” She held up a flyer. “The fair?” “Yessir, the fair,” Mom hopped up. “Get dressed. We’re all going out for a family day. It’ll get yer mind off yer girlfriend.” “She’s not my girlfriend.” He threw the pillow at her playfully as she danced out of the room. Grunting, he forced himself out of bed and got dressed, then met his family outside as they piled into their green Jeep Cherokee. The day was more fun than he expected and a welcome change of pace. He spent the day alternating between riding rides with Tabitha that she was old enough to get on, and the rest, he wandered off on his own and rode the roller coaster, bullet, and a few more terrifying ones. Once the day wound down, they spent the late afternoon watching the random shows that the fair put on for entertainment, playing the games, and even watching Tabitha run the maze and small haunted house that she loved running multiple times in a row. By the time they got home, it was well after dark. They sat in the car for a few minutes, listening to music and talking. Tabitha hopped out and ran to the front porch to wait for Dad to unlock it. Mom looked over at Ms Patterson's porch and pointed. "Leo, darlin’, look over there." There, in the obnoxiously bright porch light, stood Myra. She looked about nineteen with long black hair and pale skin. She was tall and thin, wearing dark clothing—a long-sleeved black lace shirt and dark blue pants held up by a leather belt with a dragon on the buckle. Myra glanced over, offered Leo a quick smile, and slipped down the