The Forgotten Ones

more flustered. I heard his footsteps as he climbed onto the porch behind me and tried to keep my cool. My hand dropped from the door, and I turned around.
    Ethan looked at me, his warm brown eyes searching mine. “Don’t be mad.”
    I took a deep breath and looked away. “I’m not mad,” I said. “I was just sort of freaked out by the birds.” I looked at the spot they’d been tearing up just seconds ago. They were nowhere to be found.
    He opened his mouth to speak just as Sean appeared at the screen door. I stood aside to let him out and internally thanked him for saving me from another self-induced awkward moment.
    “You sure you can’t come over tonight?” Ethan asked, his usual wry expression back in place.
    Sean just snorted and gave my shoulder a squeeze as he walked by. “Later, Allie-O.”
    I shook my head at Ethan. “I’m sure, but thanks for the help carrying the beach stuff inside.”
    He grinned and nodded. “Well, have fun with Rhett then.” He followed Sean toward Nicole’s house.
    “Did you have a good time today, honey?” Gram said as she pushed the door open and held it for me.
    Tearing my gaze away from Ethan, I made myself smile. “Yeah, it was okay.”

    I brought the bag up to my room and then headed back out to my car. Once I confirmed that there was nobody around, I made my way to the spot where the birds had been. I expected to see a raccoon or opossum lying dead in the woods, but other than scattered leaves and twigs, there was no sign that the birds had even been there. The entire backyard was clear, not even a squirrel in sight.
    I walked all the way around the perimeter of the yard until I was satisfied that I was just worrying over nothing. Of course nothing was out here. I rubbed my hands over my face. I couldn’t help wondering if this was how it had started for my mother—paranoid over every little sound, every strange happening.
    I walked past the fence to Nicole’s yard and froze when I heard a hushed conversation on the other side.
    “Obviously he wants to get with Allison because she’s like, no-man’s land . Once he gets in her pants, he’ll lose interest.” Rachel said my name like it was acid on her tongue.
    “Give me a break, Rach,” Nicole replied. I could just imagine her dramatic eye roll.
    “What? Isn’t she still, like, a virgin or something?” Rachel said, snickering. “She’s probably a lesbian anyway.”
    “I think you need to back off my cousin.” Nicole’s voice hardened. “Got it?”
    When I realized what I was doing, I hurried inside. I did not need to hear any more of that conversation. Time to take a quick shower and read for awhile. That would sort me out.
    My mother was perched in her usual spot on the couch as I entered the living room, with Gram and Pop in their seats. The television was on, but when I glanced at my mother, I noticed she wasn’t watching it. She was looking out the window. Her expression was blank, but there was a tear trickling down her cheek.

    My mother walks through an endless stretch of green forest. There is a man by her side, with big, blue eyes and wavy, caramel hair. She beams up at him. His hand gently rests on her back, steadying her as she steps over fallen branches and stones. His eyes are constantly moving, restless.
    Black birds surround them. One swoops down at my mother, and its red eyes glare at her as it drags its talons across her chest. As quickly as it came, it flies off with the rest, leaving her shirt torn and streaked with blood. The man’s eyes are wild, searching the forest. He's yelling words I don’t understand as he pulls my mother toward him.
    I jolted awake, my pajamas soaked in sweat, my breaths coming fast. But it was just another dream. Yet, muffled sobs came from my mother’s bedroom across the hall. I climbed out of my bed and hurried to my mother’s room.
    Her bed was empty, and my chest seized. But when I spun around I saw her in her window seat, staring out at the woods. Relief flooded through me.
    “Mom,” I whispered, but she didn’t move. “Mom, please look at me,” I tried again, sitting down on the seat beside her. She turned to face me then. Tears lined her cheeks like silver rivers down her moonlit face.
    “Allison,” she murmured. I shivered at the clarity in her voice. I hadn’t heard her say my name since I was six years old.
    “It’s okay, Mom.” I wiped her tears away with a tissue from the nightstand. Her eyes shone brighter than I’d