do with it? Where’s Mom? I need to talk to her about this. It’s one thing to go and change up the downstairs or your bedroom, but why did she have to change mine?” Rachel questioned angrily.
“Rachel, you haven’t lived here in two years. What do you expect?” her dad said.
“Two years!” Rachel yelled. “Why do you keep saying that?”
“Remember Bedford? Remember how you disappeared this past year? Remember you HATE us?” her dad said.
Rachel looked at him in surprise. She had no idea what he was going on about. Was everyone crazy today? She thought. If they weren’t crazy than she must be going mad.
“Ok, seriously. This isn’t funny. Where did you put all my stuff?” Rachel said. “Is this some sort of prank? April fools joke? Speaking of which, what day is it?”
“It’s December 1st,” her dad replied. “It’s been a long time, Rachel. A really long time. I’m surprised you came back to us.”
“Well, I’m back. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I want to put my room back together. Where’d you put my things?” Rachel asked.
“Um…they’re in the garage. But why are you going to put your room back together. You can’t stay here!” her dad said, sternly.
“What do you mean I can’t stay here? Where do you think I should go then?” Rachel questioned.
“I don’t know. Where have you been living this past year? Why don’t you go back there? You’re probably more welcome there than here. After all we’ve been through you don’t seriously think you can just march back in here as if nothing happened, do you?” her dad remarked.
“All you’ve been through? It was ONE NIGHT! Don’t get all worked up over it. You’re completely blowing this whole thing out of proportion,” Rachel said, letting out a little laugh. “You and Mom are so dramatic! Where’s Mom anyway?”
“She’s not here,” her father said.
“Where’d she go? The store?” Rachel asked.
“I told you the other day where she was. Don’t pretend you don’t know,” her dad said.
“Is she on vacation?” Rachel said. “The other day? I don’t remember her leaving.”
Rachel felt her dad’s hand touch her forehead, “You’re not well,” he said. “You should get some rest. We can talk about this when you wake up.”
“I feel fine, Dad. Completely fine. The only thing that’s bothering me is you telling me that I don’t live here and that I can’t stay in my own house. I think you’re the sick one here, not me!”
“Listen, Rachel,” her dad said. “I’ll let you stay here under one condition.”
She looked back at him in awe, what was he even suggesting? Was there another option to not staying here? Was he kicking her out?
“What’s that, Dad?” Rachel remarked.
“You need to see a shrink,” he said, in a serious tone. “You need to work out these issues if you are going to live under my roof.”
“A shrink?” Rachel questioned with a laugh.
“Yes, a shrink. A therapist. It’s clear it’s what has to happen. We have to get to the bottom of this,” her dad said.
“Um.. OK dad, whatever you say!” Rachel said, assuming he was joking.
“I’m not kidding. You either agree to it or you’re outta here,” he said.
“Ok, fine. I’ll go. Whatever you want, Dad,” Rachel said.
“All right, I’ll set up an appointment for you with Dr. Goldman, he’ll be the perfect person to help you through this. You’re mother saw him before she was admitted. And he still visits her now, talks to her, you know?” her dad said.
“Huh?” Rachel questioned. “Mom? A shrink?”
“Rachel, please. Don’t rehash this right now. I’d rather let sleeping dogs lie,” her father said.
Rachel hated that expression, yet her father used it all the time.
“OK, OK! Whatever you say. Let me just get my things,” Rachel said.
“Ok, I’ll help you,” her dad said. “But remember, if you do ANYTHING that I don’t agree with, you’re back out. Do you understand me?”
“Yes! Yes! I get it,” Rachel said. “I’ll be good.”
Then, out of nowhere, her stomach began to growl and she felt an insatiable hunger come over her. She couldn’t believe how hungry she felt. It was like a hunger she’d never experienced before. She clutched her stomach and ran downstairs to the kitchen to get some food, hoping she could get control of this feeling.
CHAPTER 3
“Rachel?” Mark said, in a surprised voice. “Is that you?”
“Mark!” Rachel said, in an excited voice. “What’s up little bro!”
“Wow, crazy to see you again!” Mark said.
Rachel didn’t know what was up with her family today. It was as if they hadn’t seen her in ages. She couldn’t figure it out.
“Um, yeah! Here I am!” Rachel said, going along with it.
“What are you doing back here?” Mark asked.
“Well, I came home today. Aren’t you happy to see me?” Rachel said, playing with him.
“Well, yeah, I guess so. But what did Dad say? Was he angry?” Mark asked.
“Not too much!” Rachel said. “I got off easy this time!”
“Clearly!” Mark said.
She then took a closer look at Mark and realized he looked different to her. She couldn’t pin point exactly what it was but it was as if he was a different person. He didn’t quite look like himself and the way he was acting around her was odd. Sure, the conversation was normal, but it was almost as if he was hiding something. It was very out of character for him.
“What’s wrong Mark? Are you ok?” Rachel asked.
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be ok?” Mark snapped. “I’m just feeling a little off today, that’s all.”
Rachel watched as Mark washed some blood off his hands in the kitchen sink.
“What happened?” Rachel asked.
Mark turned around and looked at her, trying to cover up his hands, “Oh, nothing.”
“What’s on your hands? Did you
