The Keyword of the week || The child girl of the house.

The new house was a spacious and comfortable two-story building. It was a second-hand property that my father had bought for a very reasonable price.

—It was a bargain, a ridiculous price —he said happily, very excited about the new home.

—You'll have your own room, daughter —said my mother, who wanted to dispel the sadness she saw in me.

«We should never have moved here».

At the time, I was only a seven-year-old girl. «What did I care about living in a new house? Why would I want my own room when I was used to sleeping with my parents?». «But what I wanted least was to live somewhere else where my grandparents weren't; I was used to seeing them every day». «They would not have allowed this to happen».

I remember that as soon as I entered this house, I felt something I didn't like, even though my parents seemed happy. I can't quite describe what I felt at that moment; I was just a child. “I am very sorry to have discovered the reason so late.”

—Mommy, I don't like it here —I told my mom.

She assumed I was just being spoiled. «What else could she think? She shouldn't have ignored it, but i wouldn't have known how to explain it to either».

—You'll get used to living here! This is our new home! —she replied and gave me one of those looks she used to give me when I had done something wrong.

My room was large and comfortable. It was next to my parents' room and still has that window looking out to the outside, that hasn't changed. Inside there was a single bed and next to it, a closet.

—This will be your room, sweetheart —said my father, his expression full of joy—. Do you like it —he asked.

—I don't want to sleep alone, Dad —I pleaded.

—I understand, Jenny. Change is always like that, sweetheart. You'll get used to it. We'll be in the room next door. You don't have to worry. —he said in a soft voice, very different from the one my mother used.

I can't forget it. That was the day it all began: the day I saw her for the first time.

That night, during dinner, I thought I saw a silhouette climbing the stairs. I didn't think much of it. «It's nothing», I told myself. I didn't dare tell my parents. I liked how happy they seemed. «Big mistake».

—Finish your food, sweetie —my mother said when she saw me staring at the stairs.

—Yes, Mom —I replied and continued eating, although I quickly lost my appetite.

—I don't want any more —I said.

—It's okay, sweetie. If you want to grow up and be big like us, you have to start eating a little more —Dad said kindly.

At bedtime, my parents took me to my room and stayed with me for a few minutes. At my request, they told me a bedtime story. «I loved those stories they used to tell me». Then they said goodnight and went to their room; my mother turned off the lamp next to my bed.

—Don't turn it off, Mom. Tell me another story? —I asked.

—It's late, Jenny. You need to sleep, sweetie —she replied.

—Tomorrow is another day, sweetie. Sleep well —said Dad, kissing me on the forehead.

My mother did the same, and then they both left my room. I tried to sleep, despite how uncomfortable I felt; it was the first time I had done so alone. I tossed and turned so much that I couldn't fall asleep; they weren't with me. When I slept, I had always had my dad's arm by my side and my mom's ribs, where I always snuggled up.

—I also have trouble sleeping —a soft voice interrupted my struggle.

Although that voice surprised me at the time, I didn't feel afraid; I didn't think it was a threat, I was too innocent to see it that way. I turned on the lamp and saw her quickly hide in the closet. «It's a girl,» I thought when I saw her.

I got out of bed and went to the closet.

—Why are you hiding? Don't be afraid! Can you come out? —I asked.

«I was the one who should have been afraid at that moment, but I wasn't».

—Only if you turn off the light —replied that voice.

Filled with curiosity, I didn't hesitate to go and turn off the light; I wanted to meet her. «I was so innocent, there wasn't a shred of malice in me».

Finally, she came out and showed herself. When I saw her, I thought she was a girl as young as me. Her appearance showed that we were the same age, although her clothes were different, she seemed to be from another era.

—What are you doing here? —I asked.

—I've always lived here —she replied.

—What's your name? —I asked.

—I don't know, I don't remember my name —she replied sadly and looked down—. “I'm cold —she said.

—Come on! You can sleep with me. —I invited her to my bed.

She nodded and then lay down beside me. That night we slept in the same bed, as we did the following nights. Every time I woke up, she was gone; I could only see her when it was time to sleep.

Some changes in me alerted my mother. My body began to show signs of weakness and illness. I felt exhausted, my skin gradually began to pale, and my eyes no longer sparkled as they once did. Soon I was taken to the doctor.

The treatment, although the doctor told my parents that I would get better, had no effect; it wasn't what I needed. Even so, I never said anything about her. «It was our secret; how naive!».

—You'll get better soon —she would say to me as she slept with me.

Without me realizing it, she stole my vitality and took over my body. I became the child girl of the house: my prison. Twenty years have passed since then, and I'm still here, trapped in this place, filled with fear. My parents moved away a few years later, and she went with them, as if she were me. I've seen families come and go; no one lives here for long. I've never dared to do anything to change my situation; I've been unable to do so, until today. «My only option».

—Finish your dinner, Susy —her mother interrupted her.

The poor child girl was distracted, watching me as I climbed the stairs.

«I feel so sorry for she. She's as innocent as I was... now she'll be the one to take my place».

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• Image generated with Gemini and edited with IncollageApp.
• Invited @soulfuldreamer, @casv, @paholags, and @enrisanti.
• Contest: Keyword of the week.

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