The Vision 2

That was the last time I was ever alone in that house. I made sure of it. I left my parents as soon as I could, moved into a new house and started a family. 1

On that particular day, I was waiting for Matt to return home from work. My eyes opened wide in excitement as I heard his key in the door, interrupting the constant sound of the rain that dampened the sweet October-smelling air. I watched him as he emerged through the doorway, thinking about how perfect he was. His lips found mine as he hugged me tightly. I reached up and wrapped my arms loosely around his neck. His dark eyes gazed into mine as if he was a whole world inside them. “We’re alone.” I said, smiling fondly. I felt his hands go lower “I know" he said, "I saw Ebony on the way home…” I relaxed “…she seemed quite happy… playing on a swing…” 2

“A swing?” I asked, titling my head in curiosity. Matt began to kiss my neck - now easily accessible. 3

He lifed his head and looked into my eyes, feeling my shoulders tense “Yeah, a tree swing, the on the hill, the kind the kids play on all the time.”4

“Oh,” I answered dumbly.5

“In a pretty white dress…” he added attempting to reassure me then continued kissing.6

“Oh my God!” I froze and pushed him off, heading for the front door.7

“Huh?” Matt said, grabbing my hand and pulling me closer. “Come on sweetie, don’t spoil our time together.” He pleaded, pinning me against the wall. I ducked and ran out of the door and towards the hill.8

The rain didn’t take long to soak my hair and clothes. As I neared the hill I could hear the same ghostly singing as I had done all those years ago “No!” I cried in desperation as I saw my daughter. I blinked, trying to clear my sight of rain and tears. I stared in disbelief, hit by the realisation that the girl I had seen in my vision was her. 9

Again the girl watched me with mild interest and she swung back and forth. I ran a hugged her, feeling the numbing coldness of her skin “Ebony, darling, please stop singing!” I begged but the singing continued, the noise of her song was a stabbing interference through my ability to stay calm. “Ebony talk to me baby!” I screamed hysterically, “I love you darling, I love you!” 10

She looked at me, uncertainty in her black eyes as though she had he idea who I was. I began to kiss her face and as the tears streamed from my eyes, she cried too. But she cried in blood. It streamed from her eyes; I could taste it in my mouth as I kissed her. I didn’t stop until the blood became too much.11

I stepped back, still screaming and watched her eyes bleed away until just empty sockets bleed.  Her mouth bleed too, until there was nothing left. Through the rain I watched her whole body turn to blood in front of my eyes that stung with tears. 12

I looked at what was left; a white, blood-soaked dress on a still swaying tree swing. The wind churned the leaves at the bottom of the tree and silenced my screams. My mouth was sick wit the taste of blood and I could feel it drying on my lips.13

Listening to the rain hammering onto the ground and the slow creaking of the tree sing I sank to my knees, shaking and horrified, watching the last of the storm clouds glide over the moon.14