A minute later, my door timidly opened as she peeked through the small door. She squeezed herself through the door and closed it quietly, keeping her other hand on the door until it was in the nook. Madeline walked over to my bed and sat next to me. Madeline was smiling at me, and her frame seemed even smaller in one of my old shirts. Most of her pajamas were some of my old ones or old t-shirts that did not fit. I looked to see one of the plaid pants that were now too short for me but were a little long on her—grinning as I watched her knees closer to herself and her arms wrapped around them.
"Comfortable?" I asked.
She laughed.
"Yes."
"What movie are you in the mood for?" I asked, leaning back onto the pile of pillows behind me.
"Hmm, not sure." She titled her head.
I lifted part of the covers next to me, and she just crawled under with me. Her face was near mine, and I relaxed more, seeing her bright smiling face. I told Ricky that she still occasionally came to bed to sleep like this, and he seemed a little surprised. Justin did not seem happy about hearing this last time we hung out, but I did not see a problem. We had been doing this for years. Madeline and I were just close. She glanced over to the TV.
"We could just watch TV. I'm not sure how long I'll be able to be awake."
"Sounds like a plan."
I put the remote off to the side and shifted a little. Madeline turned herself and placed her head on my chest so that her face was towards the screen. Every inch of Madeline touched me, legs slightly tangled. I fixed the blankets so that she was covered. One arm wrapped around her back. I was finally in my element.
8
Madeline
Winter break was starting, not that it mattered in our household. There were no decorations, or a tree, or even presents in the home. There hadn't been a celebration since Sawyer learned there was no Santa. I didn't get much of the festivities, but when Sawyer and I were younger, he would always manage to get me a candy cane. There was a Christmas or two he would leave me and celebrate with some of his family. I got a lot of studying done during those times. Though I felt sick knowing that it was coming soon, Sawyer would be leaving for school, and this was the last break we would have together. We weren't talking when he was applying to schools, so I didn't know where he was hoping to go, but I could only assume that the colleges far from here.
I was wearing a sweatshirt and jeans in my room while quietly skimmed through a page in a book. I was so tired I couldn't concentrate on the book. Just one nightmare after another the night before, and I couldn't stay awake. Her dead eyes were always watching me. I had been back in Dr. Vodola's lab in the basement, walking around. Whispering was drawing me further into the lab. Then there she was, the frozen lady was standing up staring at me. I woke up shaking.
A chill went down my spine as I shoved my hands into my sweatshirt. The Doctor was at the office, and Sawyer was out hanging out with Ricky since he was back in town. They were hanging out late with Justin last night, and I didn't even know if it was safe to go in Sawyer's room because he might not have been there. Despite all the terrible dreams, I never heard him come in.
Sawyer had been so twitchy lately. I guess the college applications were getting to him more than I thought. He's real quiet. Sawyer didn't seem to eat meals with us, but half of the food seemed to be gone when I went for a snack, so he had to be eating. Maybe he was still trying to get better from that cold. The cold might have been making a comeback.
My pages were getting darker. Brushing my hair out of my face, I turned to look out of the window. The sun was going down. I hated how early it got dark. I stood up, stretching and walked towards the light switch when I heard sounds downstairs, a bunch of loud voices echoing up to my room. Creeping down the stairs cutting through the dining room, I peeked into the kitchen.
"Maddie!" Ricky's loud voice bellowed as he came towards me sweeping me up in a hug.
I squeaked.
"I just left you a couple of months ago, and you look so grown up." Ricky was grinning as he looked at me.
"You're nuts." I laughed.
Sawyer was pulling sodas out of the refrigerator for them. Justin was standing by the sink.
"So, are you liking college?" I asked Ricky, wanting to go back upstairs to my room.
I put my hands in the front pocket of my hoodie. Ricky shrugged.
"It's not bad, it took a little time to adjust, but I'm kept busy with the work. I'm glad to see you all again, though." Ricky spoke as he put Sawyer in a headlock.
"Hey dude, off of me," Sawyer yelled as he tried to pull Ricky's arms from him.
"You missed me, and you know it," Ricky said as he ruffled Sawyer's hair, and I couldn't help but laugh.
"So, Madeline,
