The rain has finally stopped, leaving a wet pool and muddy ground in the front yard. Even though summer is drawing near, the temperature has not yet gotten any warmer. Living in a town up on the hill, Aubrey is used to the chilly wind. Still, having dark clouds hovering in the sky all week long is something she will never get accustomed to. She needs sun.

"I'm sorry about what happened at dinner," Bob says once he settles on his bike. "I totally forgot about Lorraine with the prom stuff. I still don't get why she hates it so much."

Aubrey shrugs, slipping her hands into her jeans pockets. "As if I know the answer."

"You're still not going, are you?"

"Nope."

"Even if it's going to be your last year of school?"

"I just don't feel like it, I guess." Aubrey looks down and kicks the small rock next to her feet. "So, Lizzie said yes, huh?"

Bob's lips curl up into a grin. "Yep."

"Don't mess it up this time, dude."

"I won't." Bob winces, looking unsure with his own answer. "Alright, then. I gotta go before it rains again."

"Okay." Aubrey nods. "See you tomorrow at church."

"Yep. Night, Bree." Bob adjusts his glasses for the last time before starting to pedal his bike.

As Bob's figure disappears into the dark shadows of the trees that swallow the narrow gravel street, Aubrey closes the gate and saunters back to the house. She glances up to the old building that stands proudly in front of her. The white wall has turned several shades darker, the worn-out window panes barely seal the cold wind from the outside, and the roof threatens to crumble any day. It has definitely seen better days.

She's been living in Lorraine's family house for over a decade now. It's a two-story building with an attic that's hardly counted as a third floor. Lorraine doesn't talk a lot about her family, but she once told Aubrey that her grandparents were farmers. That explains the existence of the abandoned barn in the backyard. Lorraine has been wanting to get rid of it, but she never gets around to doing it due to her work, church responsibilities, and money.

Aubrey vaguely remembers how rough it was when she moved into this old and spacious house. She even went through a series of nightmares when she had to start sleeping on her own because she'd always shared a bed with her mom since she was born. One night, she woke up from a terrifying dream and begged Lorraine to let her sleep in her bed. The woman said "no". After tucking Aubrey back in, Lorraine walked out of her room without glancing back. She missed her mom terribly during those days.

Lorraine has never been a warm and friendly person, but she gives her shelter and food. Aubrey just needs to suck up the rest.

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Knowing that her adoptive mother wants to talk to her now, Aubrey lets out a heavy sigh as she trudges to the house. She keeps her eyes down, making sure she doesn't step on the mud. Once she reaches the front door, the light suddenly flickers. Aubrey looks up to the porch ceiling to check, and the light stops blinking. Frowning, she starts to think that maybe she was just imagining it.

At the same time, she feels growing tension in the pit of her stomach while the hairs on the back of her neck stand. Aubrey grabs the door handle, yanks it open, and slips inside the house. Despite her gut feeling telling her to shut the door immediately, she forces herself to have a look at the porch for the last time. The wooden railings sway as the gust of wind sweeps through. The creaking sound reminds her of the raspy voice that fills the corner of her head lately. With a shaky hand, she pulls the door and locks it.

When she enters the living room, Lorraine is sitting on her floral reading chair, glasses on and a book in hand. An old metal floor lamp stands next to her chair which is also the only source of light in this large room. Lorraine hates wasting money on energy bills. As she sees Aubrey walk in, she takes off her reading glasses before putting them on the table, together with the book.

Aubrey sits on the red sofa quietly, waiting for Lorraine to start.

"I want to let you know that I'm going to clear out Claire's stuff from the attic."

Aubrey feels a tug in her heart when Lorraine mentions her mom's name. Lorraine rarely does that. "Are you going to throw them away?"

"Maybe. But first, I need you to go through her stuff and pick what you want to keep. Then I will bring the rest to the church to see if some of them can be of any use."

Aubrey nods. She doesn't have a lot of recollection about her mother. Claire died when she was five and the memory of her is all blurry. Aubrey has tried to look through her mom's stuff in the attic, but none of it helps her connect to her early years, except for one. And it's now sitting in her room.

"I already went through her stuff a few months back. I think you can bring them to the church."

"Please, have a final look before it leaves this house for good."

"Okay. I can do that, I guess," Audrey says, biting her lower lip.

"I'm sorry they need to go. It's been over ten years. It's time to let go."

Lorraine seldom talks about her mom, and when she does, she always has this stoic expression. But tonight, Aubrey can almost see the sad glint in Lorraine's eyes. Rumor has it that Lorraine and her mom used to be very close. Maybe it's true after all.

"Yeah, sure." Aubrey shrugs, unsure about what to do next. For a moment, she feels the urge to come closer and hug Lorraine, but it's not the nature of their relationship.

As expected, Lorraine is back to her guarded expression. "We will bring them to the church by the end of the month. So you have plenty of time to decide."

"Okay." Aubrey nods, feeling deflated for some reason. "If that's all, I'm going to go to my room. I need to study for the exam."

"One more thing. I know I said it wasn't about the prom, but I need to know if you're really not going this time."

Aubrey knew all along that Lorraine was going to ask her this. She bites her inner cheek, ignoring the familiar sensation that slowly awakens in her. "No, I'm not going."

"Good. I just wanted to make sure you're safe."

"I don't understand."

"School prom nowadays is more associated with drugs, alcohol, and sexuality. It's not that I don't trust you, but as God's children, it's our responsibility to keep ourselves away from the potential temptations."

Unsolicited faint laughter rumbles in the back of Aubrey's head.

Lorraine clears her throat and a rigid smile breaks accross her face. "Knowing your mother, she would agree with your decision, too."

The laughter turns into a gurgling sound. Aubrey shifts uncomfortably in her seat as the noise grows louder every second. Nausea hits her stomach when the familiar raspy voice growls in her ear.

Liar, Liar, pants on fire! She knows nothing about Claire!

***