The night had come like every other winter evening—quiet, moonlit, and cold. A silver fog veiled the roads as Mr. and Mrs. Adams sped through the snow–dusted avenue in their sleek black Bentley. Their laughter echoed within the warm cocoon, the both atimes arriving home together and leaving work, same.
Megan had called them earlier, her voice sweet and chirpy. " Bring us hot chocolate, mama,"
"And cupcakes!" Morgan had added, snatching the phone to yell before their parents hung up, laughing.
It was supposed to be a simple drive back home. But then, halfway through the Marlowe Bridge, the road was blocked.
A car. An Aston Martin DBII. Stationary. No lights. Not even a warning.
Mr. Adams slowed the car, confusion creasing his brows. Beside him, his wife gripped her coat tighter. Then–
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Three sharp gunshots cracked the silence like thunder. The windshield scattered. Blood smeared the dashboard. Screams drowned into the wind.
There were no witnesses. No Survivors.
Only silence.
-----
The Next Morning....
The mansion gates had never been that still. Snow blanketed the garden, and icicles hung from the rooftops like frozen tears.
Megan stirred first. The fireplace had died down sometime during the night.
She reached for her phone. No calls. No texts. That was odd.
Morgan yawned beside her. She had slept with her yesterday night, giggling as they waited for mama and papa. It kept her warm though, while she always reminded Meg not to sleep off else she'll also have her own chocolate.
"Mom and Dad aren't back yet?" She sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
" No." Meg's voice was creasing with worry. This was unlike them.
There was a jingle on the doorbell. It came twice.
Nanny's knock came on Meg's door as she began downstairs.
"Morning already girls. Seems they're back...." Yet, Nanny knew it might not be. Even the jingle was unusual.
Meg hurried out of the bed and followed Nanny first, and Mo fumbled on a coat. There was silence in the morning's chill as Nanny opened the door in her robe, her brows furrowed.
A man in black stood outside. Police.
"I'm sorry, " he began, "there's been an incident."
-----
The Screams Tore Through The Walls
" No!" Megan collapsed to her knees, her voice hoarse, her hands trembling.
Morgan froze, her eyes wide, disbelief gripping her like ice. " That's a lie. You're lying!"
Nanny Fiona stood behind them, her face pale, her lips trembling as she whispered, " Oh no.... God, no."
The world shattered that day.
The house dimmed.
The lights were never the same. Neither were the girls.
Megan stopped humming.
Morgan stopped smiling.
And yet, the stinging cold of winter burrowed into their hearts, making it impossible to forget. They would have still loved to do many things with them before their early demise. Meg for an instance, had always talked about a baby brother.