A story from the What If? #4 Anthology
Lucas couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was
wrong. His sister’s once gentle and curious nature had been replaced with
outbursts of rage and violence.
The Cunninghams had been blessed with a new addition to their
family: a little girl they named Rebecca. She was a small bundle of wonder with
inquisitive eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of an old soul.
As the Cunninghams gazed down at the sleeping baby, their
hearts overflowed with love. They marveled at how perfect she was, with
delicate features and soft, downy hair. Just looking at her brought a sense of
peace and joy that they had never experienced before. As they watched her
sleep, they knew that their love for her would only continue to grow with each
passing day.
From the moment she was born, every member of the Cunningham
clan was captivated by her, but none more so than her older brother, Lucas.
Lucas was only six years old, but he took his role as a big brother seriously.
He watched over little Rebecca with unwavering dedication, always eager to lend
a hand or a comforting hug. In his young mind, there was nothing he wouldn’t do
to keep his little sister safe and happy.
As Rebecca grew, her bond with Lucas only strengthened. They
shared a room, and every night before bed, Lucas would read Rebecca her
favorite stories until she drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
It was evident that Rebecca and Lucas shared an unbreakable
bond that transcended time and space. They were more than siblings – they were
kindred spirits who were meant to be together.
Lucas, as big brother, was always eager to teach Rebecca new
things and protect her from any harm. When she took her first steps, he was
there to cheer her on and catch her when she fell. When she started preschool,
he stayed with her every day until she felt comfortable enough to make friends
of her own.
And through it all, Rebecca looked up to Lucas with
admiration and adoration. To her, he was the bravest and most caring person in
the world. She knew that no matter what happened, Lucas would always be there
for her.
Their parents watched with pride as their children’s bond
continued to grow. They were grateful for the beautiful relationship between
their children and tried their best to foster it in any way they could.
But as much as they loved each other, like most siblings,
Rebecca and Lucas had their fair share of arguments and disagreements. However,
no matter how upset they got with each other, they never stayed mad at each
other for long. Because, at the end of the day, they knew that their love for
each other was greater than any argument or difference of opinion. They may
have been different in many ways – Rebecca outgoing and adventurous while Lucas
quiet and reserved – but overall, there was a perfect balance between them.
As years went by, Rebecca grew into a strong-willed child
with a passion for learning and exploring. And through it all, Lucas remained
her constant companion and protector.
But something happened on the eve of Rebecca’s tenth
birthday. Lucas was suddenly awakened by a loud noise that shook him to his
core. His heart raced as he tried to make sense of what was happening. He
jumped out of bed and ran to his sister’s room and panic set in when he
realized that the window had blown open and the shutters were violently
slamming against the walls.
He ran toward the window and struggled against the force of
the wind to close it; his heart was pounding in his chest. As he managed to
shut the window, he turned to see if Rebecca was okay. His eyes darted around
the room frantically until they landed on Rebecca’s bed. Relief washed over him
as he saw her sleeping peacefully, her chest rising and falling with each
breath.
Just as he was about to go back to his room, he saw Rebecca
sit up with her eyes still closed. She started murmuring nonsensical words
under her breath. Lucas couldn’t understand what she was saying, but it sounded
like a language he had never heard before.
He watched in astonishment as a faint glow appeared around
Rebecca, casting an ethereal light across the room. The wind outside seemed to
intensify as if responding to Rebecca’s words.
Suddenly, without warning, every object in the room began to
levitate – books, toys, even furniture. Lucas’s eyes widened in shock as he
watched everything floating around Rebecca’s bed. Before he could even process
what was happening, everything came crashing down with a loud thud as Rebecca
slumped back onto her pillow.
Lucas stood frozen for a moment before rushing over to check
on his sister. He shook her gently, but she didn’t stir. Because her face and
body seemed relaxed and her breathing even, Lucas retreated to the corner and
sat in a chair, staring at Rebecca until sleep claimed him.
The next morning, Lucas woke up with a feeling of unease in
his stomach. He turned to look at Rebecca, hoping that last night’s events were
just a dream. But as soon as his eyes landed on her, he knew something was
wrong. Her once warm brown eyes were now a piercing blue, almost crystal-like
in their clarity. It felt like a stranger was looking back at him, cold and
unfamiliar.
Lucas recoiled in shock and fear, his heart racing as he
scrambled out of the room. He ran toward his parents’ room, frantically
knocking on the door. “Dad, Mom! Wake up! Something’s wrong with Rebecca!” he
shouted, his voice shaky and panicked.
Read the full story and more from talented, various genre authors:
https://books2read.com/u/mq5qNO
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