The morning of the 29th day of September started out bleak.

It was raining.

Rain droplets drumming against my window were what greeted me back into the world of the conscious. Pushing the duvet of my face I felt for my bedside clock as I tried to pry the sleep of my face. Grabbing it, blaring red numbers shinned back at me.

5:00 in the morning.

Sighing, I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. The house was quiet, and the hallway seemed longer and darker than usual. The bathroom door creaked as I opened it, but not enough to be more than a nuisance to anyone more than just me.

After showering, I went downstairs and to the kitchen. Turning on the light, I dumped three scoops of coffee grounds into the coffee machine along with water and let it run on. There was a note on the fridge. Oh yeah, my brother and I were alone in the house. My parents and my Gran were on their way to visit my Gran’s sister on another state. They were going to be away for at least a week.

That’s why it was so quiet. Gabriel was probably still asleep. I glanced at the clock above the dinner table.

6:00 am.

Yep. Still asleep. He would wake up in about an hour to go to school.

The gurgling of the coffee machine rang through the kitchen. After pouring myself a cup, I walked into the living room. While drinking, I looked out of the window. The street was quiet. School started until 7:30 and those who went to work early had already left at five.

It felt strange, though. Something felt strange. There was something in the air, an uneasiness floating around. But the street gave no answers as to what could it be.

A loud ringing noise startled me out of my thoughts. Walking back to the kitchen I grabbed the landline and answered.

-Hello?

-Get ready. I’m picking you up in 30 minutes.

It was Alma. She sounded strained, very unlike her. In the background I could hear the hum of an engine. She was on her car, probably on her way here.

-Why? What happened?

Seconds of silence flowed between us. She took a shaky breath and talked. Nothing could have prepared me for what she said next.

-They found her.

My empty cup shattered on the floor... and the world exploded with sound.