CHAPTER 3

The double doors of the school beckoned and Sia sighed, rolling her eyes, muttering, "Just get this over with." as she followed her parents into the building. Her mother chattered at her instructions, "Smile, be happy and at least try to fit in here, Sia" all the way down the hallway.

It was during her father's "peptallk" about how important it was to fit into society, that she heard it again, the whispering. "Siaaa." Her head snapped around,and this time, she heard a faint giggling, almost creepy.

She rubbed the back of her neck and trudged along, nodding solemnly, pretending to give two shits about fitting in, pretending to be considering what her father and mother were riding her ass about, making a good first impression, but really, she was more intrigued than anything and wondering if she were imagining things.

It'd been the same low and soft female voice from her room the night before.

She rubbed the back of her neck again and stopped walking to turn around, because by that point it felt like someone was staring a hole through her body. Like they were trying everything to make her see them, but she simply couldn't.

Her mother stopped and looked at her with a stern look then said "March. Remember. You only get a handful of first impressions. And after that mess at your old school? You are going to be on a short leash, Sia."

Her father nodded solemnly, and Sia sighed, rolling her eyes as she sank down into a highbacked leather chair, feigned interest in the stuffy principal's lame welcome speech. When he got to the part where he said the cliche "Welcome to the school" bit, she snickered. Her mother glared and she said casually, "Ask me in a week if I'm still welcome." before standing and storming out.

Her mother walked out behind her, grabbing her elbow as she asked furiously, "Are you just trying to act out and undermine your father and I? Now this is enough. I am beyond sick of your little eccentricities, young lady, you are going to act like a normal god damn teenager."

"Mom. Chill your tits. I think we both know how well that actually works for me already." Sia said as her mother glared, biting her lip, wanting to scream at her, shake her.

For some reason, the voice kept saying her name and it was like it was urging her on by now. Which chilled her, but freed her at the same time.

"You better watch that backtalk. Now. Go get in the car." her father pointed as she glared at them both and stormed down the hallway.

As she walked away, her mother muttered, "Scott, what's wrong with our little girl? She used to be so happy."

"Maybe it's hearing us fight all the time. Or your letting her do whatever she wanted, not stopping her. Take your pick,dear." Scott told his wife as the two began to fight again.

Sia slumped into the backseat of the Jetta, and crossed her arms. Then the air suddenly got colder, and she heard the voice again.

"Siaaa... I want to help you, Siaaa."

She looked around, and sighed as she again found nothing. But feeling bold, she asked, "Who is this? Why are you fucking with me?"

"Siaaaa."

"No. What's your name?"

" You'll knowwww.. Soonnnn." the voice whispered one last time, as her parents got into the front seats, already in the throes of an argument.

"You start school tomorrow, Sia." her father said curtly, as her mother added, "And if you even dare pulling anything like the last two schools, little lady? You will never see the light of day. Ever."

"Mom. In order to have that be a punishment, I'd have to give a fuck about leaving the house first. And I don't. So... Kind of a moot point." Sia said quietly, her mother turning around, glaring at her.

"THAT'S IT!" she yelled as she smacked her lightly on the cheek. Sia gaped at her mother then said quietly, "I'm.. I'm sorry, mom. It just hurts when you two treat me like I do this on purpose. I don't."

"We know, we're just worried about you, sweetheart." her father said calmly, though one look into the man's forest green eyes would indicate that he actually did think she behaved the way she did on purpose.

Sia did try to fit in.. It just never went well for her. She couldn't fake apathy, or feelings she didn't have, emotions she didn't really feel, and she didn't want to, in all honesty. It was too much work for people who honestly didn't give a shit about her and so she'd learnt a long time ago to stop bothering.

They drove past the library, and Sia asked quietly, "Can I go in there? I won't be gone long. I promise I'll come home before dark."

Quickly, her parents pulled into the parking lot, and Sia jumped out.

Just as she entered the library, she heard the voice again, "Siaaa.. Let me help youuuu." as she rubbed her neck, got an all over chill.

But it would be nothing compared to the chills she'd get when she did some research on her new home.