Death's kiss

Chapter 1

2020
Amelia, like any other morning, woke up suddenly, flustered and perplexed, with a pounding heart and an empty mind. This isn't the first time this has happened, then why is she again hyperventilating. She has to calm down. She must calm down. Today is a new day, but for the past 22 years nothing seemed new to Amelia.
"Sis, open the door. Are you OK? Look if you don't open it right away then I'll break through, I promise", came a voice from the other end of the closed door. The voice was enough to bring Amelia out of her stupor. Balancing her footsteps, slowly, she let her sister in.
"Amelia, are you OK? Did.... Did you see that figure again?" enquired her anxious sister. Amelia smiled as to assure her little sister that she's alright.
"I'm really okay, Gemm. Don't worry."
"Don't worry?? I woke up to your screams. Damn, you were so loud that even the neighbours must have heard you", said she twitching her eyebrows.
Yes, Amelia was the older one, but Gemma was the momma, scolding Amelia for not enjoying her life, for being an introvert, for not partying. Really, she couldn't thank her stars enough for giving her such a lovely and caring baby sister.
"Gemm, Relax. This is not new. That dream-", Amelia fidgeted as she spoke again, "-everyday I wake up to the same dream. It's kinda getting boring, you know."
"Yeah yeah", commented Gemma while folding the bedsheets, "But what exactly do you see? I mean all we know is that they are nightmares. But-"
"Just a ghostly figure, so close to me. Too close", she spoke out in jetspeed. She was not comfortable with the topic. She has never been.
"OMG!! Really. If you would dream about a boy, that to each and every day of your life, you must imagine an handsome prince as well, you know". Amelia couldn't help but get little upset. Everything for Gemma was a joke. But this was a nightmare for her, a scary scary nightmare.
"Oops sorry, Miss Rose is dating", Gemma stated cheekily. Amelia was used to Gemma's childish teasings, and honestly, she didn't mind, afterall John was her pride and envy of the world. They were dating for two years now and still going strong.
"How do you know that the figure is a male?" Amelia questioned trying to deviate her sister's focus from her relationship.
"Who?" Before Amelia could clarify, she continued, "Ooohhh, your mystery man from your dreams? Of course he's a man, otherwise why he is in your dreams?"
Amelia couldn't help but giggle at her sister's conclusion.
"Gemm, you do get it that if indeed he's a man, then he's a very scary one."
"Says who? And aren't you in love with gothic dramas and horror?" commented a very bemused Gemma.
Amelia couldn't disagree anymore. Gothic novels have forever amused her. She only nodded her head in approval.
"Of course. My dream is to get hitched to the Grim Reaper", Amelia expressed jokingly.
"Poor John! He has to fight the Grim Reaper", stated Gemma, faking a mournful expression.
"Gemm, did you know that you are one of a kind?" declared Amelia as she threw a pillow Gemma's way.
"Girls, come down immediately. It's already late", called out a demanding feminin voice from the kitchen.
"Let's go. If mom get's mad, we'll be in trouble", and before Amelia could say anything, Gemma dragged her out of the room, as a pair of stygian eyes loomed behind her, following her every move.

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"Good morning, sleeping beauties", greeted an elderly woman, while serving breakfast.
"Morning aunty", answered back Amelia.
These were the people she cared most for, her pride, her happiness, her family. She has never seen her parents, but these people meant no less to her. She couldn't imagine a life without them, without her uncle, her aunt and Gemma.
"Amelia, I was thinking, why don't you two go shopping today?"
"Aunty, you know me, I don't really like shopping-"
Before Amelia could finish her statement, Christine, her aunt broke in fits of laughter.
"My dear Amelia, if it's upto you then you'll only binge over some gothic fiction, isn't it?"
"Aunty, not you too", Amelia remarked shyly.
"Oh mama, my sister here doesn't like hanging out, don't you know that?"
"Well then, it's up to you to take your sister out for a shopping spree"
"Aunty, what's the ocassion?"
"You are turning 22 in two days, Amelia, and you also found yourself a good job. This calls for a grand celebration", came a husky voice from behind.
"Robin, dear, make her understand that", her aunt pleaded.
If it wasn't for them, then Amelia would have completely forgotten the day. She was never really a 'birthday' person, but then again she was never really a party person either. However, when it came to her dear family, she would give in.
"Okay", exhaled Amelia to the excitement of Gemma.
She was happy as long as they were happy. These were the moments when she realized how lucky she had been. As she glanced at her uncle, staring at his wife, so lovingly, she could only pray that her and John's relation will also be such even after years of marriage.
"Sis, why are you blushing?" teased Gemma.
"I'm not", answered she while gulping in her toast.
"Yes"
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"You girls, stop the bickering", ordered Cathrine.
"Yes ma'am!" replied both the girls in unison, unbeknownst to the fact that a pair of eyes will follow them wherever they go.