THE LYING GAME

SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO.

A bubbly house. Last-minute preparations and the familiar yearly rush.

A young girl giggled as she hurried past a pair of busy maids and made her way into her bedroom.

Shutting the door securely behind her, she packed up her curly black waves into a ponytail and headed straight for her wardrobe.

It was the sixth of June and every sixth of June marked the wedding anniversary of the Chantel Couple. Her parents.

For this year's anniversary, the six-year-old had prepared the most thoughtful present. She knelt on the floor to pull out a box that she had hidden away from the watchful eyes of her elder brother, Lucas, and the Chantel household maids.

Bang!

An unusual sound from someplace in the house made her hurry. Were they starting the fun already without her? She carried the brightly wrapped up box from the floor and gave a last-minute check to her appearance in the mirror.

For the occasion, she had worn a matching dress with Sofia Chantel, her mother. It was a green flowing dress that greatly complimented her green, jade-like eyes, a proud feature that she had inherited from her father, Davon Chantel.

"Elena!." A sudden knock on her door made her sigh. It was one of the maids. "Hurry out now, Elena!."

"I'm coming, Genevieve!." As the sound of receding footsteps got more distinct, Elena  grabbed the gift box and headed for the door to join the rest of her family in the dining hall.

Her fluffy slippers didn't make a single sound as she walked and the caress of the cold evening breeze on her skin made her get goosebumps. It was clear outside with not a single staff in sight.

As Elena approached the family's large dining hall, a familiar body lying unconscious on the floor in the distance made her heart beat faster.

"Genevieve?." Elena set the box aside to kneel beside the maid. It was Genevieve alright but why was she out there passed out on the cold floor? She nudged Genevieve's shoulder to wake her up and almost screamed when the maid's body turned over.

Blood! Is she... dead?.

A voice screamed in the distance and Elena jolted from the floor with trembling hands.

Something was wrong...

"Lucas?. Mommy?. Daddy??!." Elena yelled and forced her legs to move faster.

As she approached the hall, more familiar bodies lay on the ground. Maids and servants, the butler, even her nanny!

Elena covered her mouth to stifle her scream.

Her parents!

She ran into the hall and her eyes widened in horror at the grim sight before her.

A body lay not far from where she stood, the familiar dress on the body, a matching set with hers. The little girl's eyes welled up with tears as she recognized the body of her mother.

"Elena.." A familiar hoarse voice called from a distance.

Davon Chantel dragged his body with the last strength that he had. He was losing blood fast.

His daughter's little legs moved on their own accord and she ran to him. Elena's large green eyes were filled with tears and her voice trembled as she spoke. "Father... Mo..ther..."