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My heart raced as I drove through the streets of Seattle, trying to find the last details for my children's sixth birthday, Cassian, Dorian, and Kane. The big day was approaching, and if that wasn't enough, it was also Halloween, making it all the more special. Only two days remained, and I wanted the celebration to be perfect.
I was buying a few more party items as the sun began to set on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and red.
The city of Seattle was getting ready for the haunted night, but for me, the priority was making my children's birthday as magical as possible. They deserved it.
As I scoured the stores for the missing items, I couldn't help but smile, imagining how excited my kids would be about the party. They were my world, my reason for living since the day they were born six years ago.
Leaving another store with bags filled with decorations and treats, I realized that night had fallen, and the moon was rising in the sky, full and bright. I remembered reading somewhere that, on that Halloween, a rare Blue Moon phenomenon would occur.
A premonition washed over me, but I quickly brushed it aside. As I walked the city streets, the cool night breeze caressed my face, and I took a deep breath, feeling the wind coming from the forest surrounding the city.
Finally, with all the shopping done, I loaded the bags into the car and drove back home. The light of the full moon illuminated the way, and the night felt magical. A cool, chilling wind blew through the forest, giving me goosebumps, but I didn't mind.
I was so busy thinking about the laughter and smiles I would see on my children's faces that I didn't even notice the shiver that ran down my spine.
However, when I arrived at our house and saw the broken door, a dreadful feeling took hold of my body, and my heart began to beat wildly. I knew something was wrong.
I entered the house, calling for my children, hoping to hear their excited voices in response.
"Cassian! Dorian! Kane! Where are you?"
But the silence was deafening.
My worst nightmare became a reality as soon as I stepped into the living room. Stacy, our trusted babysitter, and dear friend, lay on the living room floor. Her once lively eyes were now dull and glazed, and a gunshot to her forehead stained the carpet with the grim mark of her death.
"STACY!"
My muffled cry echoed through the house as tears filled my eyes. My legs went weak, but determination took over.
I needed to find my children, no matter what had happened. I rushed upstairs, my eyes filled with tears, searching for my kids.
"Cassian! Dorian! Kane!"
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