Familiar Faces: Part 2

Familiar Faces: Part 2 

By: Haripriya 

“What happened to them?” I asked a little frustrated. 

“Should we... mother?” asked Callum hesitantly. 

“Should you what?” I questioned. 

“Yes. She is old enough.” mother replied. 

“She has to know sooner or later.” replied father. 

I wasn’t understanding anything that was going on right now. I blankly stared at their faces, like they were aliens from a different planet.  

The most annoying thing was that they always ignored my question. 

“I will only ask one more time. Please, does anyone know who they are? What do they mean to me? Why do I feel like I know them when I have never met them?! Why do I feel like they are those shadows in my dreams every night?” I inquired them. 

“Amaya, you have met these people before. It’s just, you were so little, and you couldn’t remember anything about them. These people... well, they’re not just any random person, they are your parents. Amaya, you’ve got your mom's eyes, or should I say my sister’s dark brown eyes. You also got your father’s pointy chin.” my mom told, and I could see a faint smile on her face while she glanced back at the picture. 

My mind was spinning like an out of control windmill. Now I understood everything. The reason why I kept having those dreams. Why I instantly recognized the picture when I walked in. Everything.  

“How could you? You were going to hide this from me!! If I hadn’t seen the picture frame, I would have never known who they were!” I screamed. 

“No, we didn’t open this until today because today is a special day. It is when they bought you your first toy. Your mom and dad asked us that if for some reason they weren’t with you, to give you a chest. A special one. But it’s not in our house, but your mother and father’s house. It may look like those haunted houses you see in scary movies, but don’t be afraid. They asked us to give it to you on this day but 9 years later, so that you can look through that chest.” father said. 

“But how do you know if anyone lives in that house?” I asked.  

“Yeah, about that. Well you see, we also use that house... we keep all the things we don’t really need there. We kind of use it as our garage now.” Callum told me. 

“How come I have never seen the house?” I questioned with confusion. 

“It’s because you never went into the woods. You were always scared of the woods and refused to go there, thinking that some animal would eat you up. Your parents’ house was there, and we used to store the things we don’t need any more in that house. But tonight, you will go inside the forest, and there you will see a very tall house. It may look scary at first, but I assure you that there is nothing. Then, you will see your room, and trust me, you’ll know it when you look inside. There you will find a chest or a big brown box. Inside there, you will find everything about your parents.” mother replied. 

I had so many emotions filling up my head that I just couldn’t think anymore. In one way I was mind blown, shocked, and confused. But the other side of my brain is so happy, and relaxed, excited. I didn’t necessarily know what to respond. Today was going to be the day I reveal all my secrets about my real parents. Maybe after I look at everything in the chest, I won't have those mysterious dreams.  

✩✩✩ 

I glanced at the clock, it read 8:50 pm. I got myself ready, both mentally, and physically. I breathe in, and out, and repeated this cycle until I was confident to get out of my room. I knew that sooner or later, I had to get ready. That chest was the answer to everything, including my dreams. 

I slowly turned the doorknob and gently opened the door. Then I bent my head and stared at the floor while I was walking. When I saw my... mother I stopped. 

“Can I go? To the woods. It is getting dark outside and its night. I think I am ready to find out what is in that chest.” I spoke confidently. 

“Are you sure? I mean...” mother started speaking, but I interrupted her. 

“Yes. Positive. Just tell me the direction, and I will go by myself.” I told mother.  

Mother nodded her head hesitantly, and she told me to go straight until I see a tall pointy weather vane on the roof. Then I would find their house. I stepped outside and looked back at mother, father, and Callum. I knew this was the best. After all, I was finally going to see what my real parents had left for me, though I barely know them.  

As mother instructed me, I walked straight, deep to the woods. I felt vines, twisting around my foot.  

I wondered out loud, “Why did mother and father live in a place like this? Couldn’t they live in a normal place which is not surrounded by trees, and trees, and trees!!” 

As I walked ahead, I saw the weather vane mother had told me. She was right about the house being a little too tall and looking like a haunted house.  

I ran at lightning speed until I reached the tall front door. I saw the disordered wood on the door, and so much autumn leaves around the entire perimeter of the house. When I squinted my eyes, I could see tiny worms slithering past me. I flinched a little but got my brave face on. I was curious about what was inside the chest. Could it be pictures? Letters? Toys? I just had to find out, no matter what.  

I slowly pushed the door open and entered a long hallway. There I saw many pictures of painted flowers and other abstract designs. The walls were blue with assorted white and purple flowers across the hall. I looked up at the ceiling and saw cobwebs all over. My entire body shook when I saw the curtains flying here and there. Then, I realized the wind was coming from the open door, so I shut it. Now, the house looked very dark and gloomy. I thought the lights would work, so I tried it. It flickered multiple times but soon lit up the entire room. I carefully tiptoed for each step I took, because the floor tiles were moving.  

Soon, I reached a very pink room. I switched on the lights and knew that this was supposed to be my room. The little cradle and the toys were all there, waiting for me. Then, I saw the big brown box. I looked at both sides and then opened the box. I was surprised that mom and dad didn’t lock it.  

I saw lots of toys inside. There was a stuffed elephant, and when I press its' collar, it first made a trumpet noise and said, “Hello there! My name is Chubby, and I will always be your friend!”. I chuckled and put that one away. Then I saw a lot of stuffed bears, but they didn’t have a voice box like the elephant one. I saw some pictures of my real mom and dad. They looked exactly like the ones I saw this afternoon. I felt good to be in my room and to say the truth, this room is the only one that doesn’t look creepy. The other rooms really look scary.  

There was nothing else in the box, so I put all the toys and pictures back inside and closed the box. I put it back in the exact same spot I found it. Then I switched off the lights and shut the door.  

Though I found out who my real parents were, I still loved my family right now because I have known them much longer. I quickly run back to our house and hugged my family. I couldn’t ask for anything more.  

~The End~