The Scarlet Angels

*chatter chatter*

"Mom can I open them now, I wanna see, "I asked impatiently swaying my legs on the chair. I turned seven today and I was excited about the surprise mom had gotten me.

"Happy birthday darling," mom said as I opened my eyes to her bringing a cake lit with candles to the dining table.

I let out a shriek of excitement clapping my hands eagerly as she placed it in front of me.

"Yayyyyy!, cake thank you mom" I looked at my dad's picture that was placed on the shelves near the fireplace running over to get it and bring it over to the dinner table." almost forgot dad", I gave her a toothy grin before facing the cake.

My dad had died when I was still a baby so I had very little to no memory of him,

"But it's ok, I'm sure he's watching over us now", I said reassuringly to myself. Mom hugged me she was suffering too, I hear her crying herself to sleep sometimes. I have to be strong for both of us. I pulled back from the hug smiling warmly at her hoping to give her any sort of comfort in my smile.

"Make a wish dear," she said pulling a chair next to me. I closed my eyes tightly, opening my eyes to blow out the candles.

"Thank you, mom," I said grinning ear to ear," this is the best birthday ever", mom smiled while cutting the cake.

"It was my pleasure, anything to see this cute smile on your face," she said, pecking my forehead as she placed a slice of cake for me. I hurriedly dug into the cake. This is so good.

I thought as the sugar melted into my tongue, this was my first birthday cake. She must have gone through a lot to get it. I'll make sure not to waste it.

"Surh swheet" I muffled with much cake stuffed in my cheeks. mom chuckled softly as she watched me grub the cake." Slow down or you might choke on it, there's plenty more where it came from"

crash!

I jolted at the noise coming from the kitchen. I looked at mom her body tensed in fear she stood up abruptly facing the kitchen where the noise of the crash had come from. she stood in front of me protectively shielding me with her body shaking.

"Mom, what is that?"I asked, annoyed that our little birthday party had been disrupted. she bent down to meet my eyes, and I could see the fear in her eyes "what is wrong" I asked again confused as to why she was radiating so much fear.

"Look baby I need you to go upstairs to your room and do not come out, no matter what you hear, do you understand" I nodded, her voice was shaking. I was scared not knowing what was happening. I nodded abruptly running upstairs to my room, turning back to catch a glimpse of a man I closed the door quickly going under my bed there was a secret space under my bed. I curled inside trying to calm my racing heart.

Crash!, crash!

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh

I covered my ears crying as I heard the screams from mom radiate through the wood "mom, I'm scared" *sniff* I said to myself as I lay still inside here.

Two minutes later***

the screams had stopped, I couldn't hear anything. waiting. a bit unsure of whether I should go out or not. after some time I grew restless I pushed myself out. Walking to the door gently I reached for the doorknob my finger trembling in fear, taking a deep breath I opened the door quietly. I looked around.

silence

"Mom" I called out softly hoping she might answer but the only sound I could hear was the loud thumping of my heart. I quietly went downstairs the sound of the floor creaking under my feet hoping not to alert the intruder, the room below that was once decorated with candles and birthday signs was shattered, and broken glass spiraled around. I looked around the curtains had been turned to shreds, the table knocked over and cake spilled everywhere on the floor. I looked at it sadly before I continue my search amongst the rubble