•Stranger Danger•

Tammy:

I woke up the next morning with a smile on my face.

It was Christmas day!

I stretched my limbs on the bed, sighing happily. I hugged my pillow tightly, reminiscing how the day before had gone. My phone rang, disrupting the moment.

Sitting up, I got it from the nightstand to see it was Trinity. With a grin plastered on my face, I answered the call.

"Merry Christmas Tammy!!!". She screamed from the other end. I could picture the grin on her face.

"Thanks, Trinity. Merry Christmas to you too". I responded, still grinning.

"How's home?". She asked.

"Wonderful". I was sure she could hear the happiness in my voice.

"ooh, you're having fun already". She drawled.

"it's just about to start". I informed her, chuckling.

"Wow, can't wait to hear all about it".

"Sure. But I know yours will be better than mine". Trinity always found something to do during the holidays.

"Of course". She responded, making us laugh and I pictured her rolling her eyes. "Anyways, wanted to be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas". She explained.

"Aww...Thanks. You're actually the first".

"Aim achieved. Have a happy holiday but don't do anything I wouldn't do". I laughed at that. There weren't many things Trinity wouldn't do.

"We both know you'll need that advice more than I'll ever do".

"whatever. Just being a thoughtful friend…". I heard someone call her name from the other end and she replied, cursing silently. "Adieus baby. Gotta go". She ended the call.

Placing my phone back on the nightstand, I stretched some more before getting up from the bed. I waddled into the bathroom to brush my teeth. 

That done, I left the room and hightailed for the kitchen. The aroma of different varieties of food hijacked my nostrils on entering the kitchen. Miriam was standing by the counter, in an apron, with different dishes spread out on the kitchen island.

"Good morning Miriam, Merry Christmas". I greeted her, grinning as I got to her. She'd insisted I call her by her name the previous night. Frankly, I preferred it to call her stepmom.

"Morning honey, Merry Christmas to you too". She responded with a warm smile. "How was your night?".

"It was peaceful". I grinned.

"mmm, I can see". She grinned back.

"Is there anything I can help with?". I looked around the kitchen.

"not really. I've done everything. Just go freshen up and come back for breakfast and your Christmas gift".

"Oh my God, you got me a gift?". She nodded. I immediately attacked her in a hug, making her chuckle. Pulling away, I said, 

"I'm so sorry. I didn't get you any gift. I didn't even get one for dad. I had no idea things will be different this year". I said in a small voice, staring at the ground.

"It's okay dear. I totally understand, but you don't have to worry. We don't mind". I raised my head to see her smiling. "now run along. I can't wait to show you your gift. You'll love it". She patted my back.

I was already in love with her. 

Hugging her once me, I pulled away and skipped out of the kitchen, towards my room. Once in, I wasted no time before heading for the bathroom. I was eager to open my present, eat the food, and also hear my dad's story of deliverance.

That was what it felt like to see him in his old self again. 

I was about pulling off my clothes when I realized I hadn't brought extra clothing to the bathroom. In annoyance, I rushed out of the bathroom into my walk-in closet to get clothes. Just then, I heard my dad call from downstairs, 

"Tammy, hurry up. You don't want the food to get cold".

"Just a little more time dad". I called back, stepping out of the closet with clothes in hand.

"Not so fast little one". A gruff voice interrupted. I froze in my tracks. My head snapped to the direction it had emerged and I saw him. 

A man with midnight black hair was seated on my bed. His skin was pale and he was dressed in all black. His dark eyes stared at me, a smirk tugging at his thin lips.

"W-who are...h-how did you get into my room?". I asked, taking a step back from him.

"soon it wouldn't matter". He responded, eyes roaming my body. I was only cladded in boy shorts and a tank top. Instinctively, my hands wrapped around me, making him chuckle in a croaked voice.

I dashed to the door and tried opening it but it didn't budge. My eyes flew to him but he chuckled louder. I decided to scream for help.

"Da…". Suddenly, my mouth couldn't form words. I tried screaming but nothing came out. It felt like I was exhaling with my mouth widely open. The strange man stared at me the whole time, amusement dancing on his facial features. I knew he had something to do with it.

He stood up from the bed and fear seized me. I knew whatever he was up to wouldn't be good. Looking at him, I knew I couldn't overpower him. He was much taller than I was and hugely built. The only thing I could do was run. 

Without thinking twice, I turned towards the closet but the next thing I knew was a hand grabbing me. I was hauled into a hard body, making me wince at the effect.

Flaming red irises stared into my eyes.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was sure his eyes were black not fiery red. 

My heart thundered in my chest at the thought of what he was going to do. I struggled fiercely to get free but he held me in an iron grip. I tried screaming once more but only a loud exhale escaped my lips.

I was scared. I felt I was going to have a panic attack. My heartbeat didn't slow down. If anything, it only accelerated due to his unwavering gaze.

As if I weighed no less than two grams, he threw me over his shoulder. I tried struggling, punching his back but my body refused to move. It felt like it wasn't mine.

"Merry Christmas". That was the last thing I heard before the darkness took over.