Severed Bonds
Chapter 34- Empty Promises

"Hey guys!" I wave with a wide smile. Justin crosses his arms and glares, Lola looks like she's going to explode.

"I can explain..."

"Oh, I love to hear this one!" Lola says sarcastically. I gulp, Justin is saying nothing.

"First I was really sick, then I recovered but had a bunch of homework, and-"

"Save it, Hannah." Justin interrupts. I sigh and close my eyes.

"Look, I know I haven't answered or been a good friend for the past weeks and as much as I say I'm sorry it won't make up for it."

"You're damn right! I was thinking you died or something!" Lola doesn't really mean it, she's just dramatic. But Justin...on the other hand was probably assuming the worst.

"Things over here haven't been as steady, I had some friend drama then a bitchy girl spreading rumors about me... and soon it's going to be summer break." I wait for any responses or reactions. "I want to make up for everything, I really do!"

"What do you suggest then?" Lola tilts her head.

"A trip." Lola falls back slightly. Her eyebrows raise.

"Eh?"

"A trip for a whole week of summer break." Lola sits there thinking to herself. "I'll pay for everything, all you guys have to do is bring yourselves." Justin sits up.

"When?"

"That's up to you guys, my dad has already offered to pay for you guy's flights." Lola moves her head back a bit.

"Fine." Justin finally speaks.

"Fine, but only because you're offering to pay!" Lola crosses her arms. I smile at least they agreed.

"Is that all?" Justin adds. Eek...

"Yeah." I say timidly. They both log off, phew! That could've gone worse! Now I just have to replace a way to get the money for the trip. ARGH! Why did I say I'll pay for everything! I thought they would agree once I offered! I panicked! First I have to start answering their calls more often, hopefully a kidnapper doesn't plan to kidnap me anytime soon. Once they've cooled down a bit and were back to speaking terms.. and Justin stops with his uncomfortable silent treatment. I'll suggest Violet, to come with us. I wonder if Jhonny will be okay with it though? I think it would be good for her to get out of town, so she can get away from all the drama. I wonder if I can convince her to come. She may feel uncomfortable and say no because she's never met them before. In the evening I return to Ian's house, still processing how I'll get the money for the trip. You just had to open your big mouth? Didn't you Hannah? I sink in my covers and sleep. I open my eyes and replace myself in a void, there's nothing but darkness everywhere. A figure emerges and slowly inches closer, then disappears. I turn around and it's there! Hovering over the floor, the cloak figure just stands there looking at me.

"What do you want?" I ask calmly. I get the feeling that it doesn't want to hurt me.

"Now you address me..." Yeah, because I thought you were just part of my trauma. But I've dealt with it haven't I? So what is this thing and what does it want?

"I want you to open your eyes...to see things for what they really are..." The voice is distorted and hoarse.

"You can read my thoughts?"

"Why...of course I can." This time the voice is more clear and I'm able to decipher it's a female's. A hand appears out of the cloak and grips on the hood, this is when I wake up. But this time I'm not afraid anymore, I want to know! Why does this figure appear...it started to happen after my trauma...but it has nothing to do with my trauma... or it would have disappeared by now. The hand tugs the hood of the cloak. I force myself to be strong and to watch this dream unfold. "Open your eyes Hannah..." The voice says with a clearer, more non monstrous voice. The cloak drops to the back of her head. I gasp and cover my mouth.

"Were the same Hannah, you and me are one." She stands there smiling at me, it's like I'm looking at a reflection of myself! An exact replica!

"How?" I tremble. She smiles again.

"Look around you...here, is where it all began."

"W-what do you mean by that?" She smiles again. I wake up startled, whipping the covers over my head. What was that? I pant heavily, I thought I was done with this sort of thing. That figure, that girl...She said, Look around? Look around where? I don't understand! I feel like if I looked this sort of thing up online, I would get crazy occult shit or something. This dream...it means something. If I listened to her, would she disappear? Look around, look around...at the place...where it all began? All what began? I think she's telling me to look around here...I get up slowly and turn on my light. I don't even know what I'm looking for! I open the closet, everything's empty...I peek around the sides nothing. Okay, I guess not here... I open the drawers of the vanity, just an old brush. I close it then move on behind the curtains...I swing them closed again. Okay, Hannah you're officially losing it! Maybe the pills are still taking an effect on me, maybe I'm not fully recovered. Suddenly I have an urge to look under my bed, the urge takes control of my body and leads me crouching underneath the bed, reaching for the middle plank. Clunk! A loose floorboard! I remove it from its place and take a look inside.