Skin

The sun was beaming in WestHallow, the thick humid air covered the town; it was enough to keep everyone inside. 

Except Ava who was waiting on the steps impatiently for her brother’s arrival. She hasn’t seen him in a couple of years due to his unresolved issues with their parents. Ava’s face was covered in sweat; it dripped down the side of her face and onto her bright yellow T shirt. She tugged at her jeans shorts uncomfortably. Her mom made her wear them but they were a little snug. Her parents were very controlling about everything, she understood why her brother decided to leave. Her mom walked to the front door peeking at Ava suffering in the sun. 

“Ava”

“Yes?”

“Come inside you will see your brother very soon.”

“I know”

“Now Ava before you pass out”

Ava sucked her teeth and came inside. Soon as she walked through the front door a blast of cool air hit her. She wiped her sweat with her hand and plopped on the couch. 

“Can’t we call him?”

“Well he has never been late before.” 

“Sooooo?”

“I’ll call him to see how far he is.”

Ava smiled. She was overly excited to see her brother. She wanted to tell him all about how she's doing in school and that she joined the track team. Her mom looked at her in worry. 

“Mom?”

“Sorry sweetie he didn’t answer”

Ava grew more impatient. She crossed her arms and sunk deeper into the couch. 

“Stop pouting I’m sure he’ll be here soon”

Ava didn’t say anything, she just watched her mom walk into the kitchen. She tried to sneakily get back outside to wait but her father caught her in the act. 

“Ava” he said sternly 

“Yes dad?”

“Sit”

Ava sat back down and sunk back into the couch. Her dad looks at the clock. 

“Liam’s late? That’s a first”

Liam was never late; he had a weird thing about being on time and time in general. Ava thought he was a bit obsessed with it. 

Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. Ava jumped up and ran to open it. 

She opened the door so quickly the doorknob fell off. She saw Liam’s big cheese smile and jumped on him. He caught Ava and gave her a big bear hug swinging her around. Once he put her down Ava immediately snapped on him. 

“Where have you been! You’re late! We’ve been calling you! I was sitting in the hot sun waiting!”

Liam laughed.

“I miss you too”

Ava smiled. She reached for him to take her hand. Once he held her hand she pulled him upstairs and showed him his old room. 

“Mom didn’t change a thing I see.”

“Nope, she said when you come back home you’ll need it.”

“So I guess her and dad are going to try to be less controlling.”

Ava hesitated to answer.

“Y-yes… they are.”

“Mhm” 

Liam didn’t believe a word Ava said. He knew his parents would never change. They are old and set in their ways. Ava pulled him to her room. 

“Look it’s Mr. fish”

“Oh wow he’s still alive!” 

“I promised you he’d be here when you come back.”

“Yes you did. Thanks Ava.”

Ava pulled Liam's hand all the way into the kitchen where his parents were setting the table and preparing lunch.

“What’s with all the paper plates and plastic utensils?” Asked Ava 

“Oh most of the silverware is dirty and we didn’t have time to wash them.” Said their Dad

“Mmm okay…” 

“Hi… mom… dad” 

“Liam you’re late”

“Yes, well I got caught up in a situation on the road.”

Their mom looked up in worry. She put the pitcher of iced tea down; rushed over to Liam.

“What happened? Did something happen to your car?”

“Margaret you’re doing that thing the kids said they don’t like that you do”

“I’m just asking”

Liam smiled.

“Nothing dangerous mom and my car is fine.”

His mom reached to hold his hand but she pulled away; Liam was confused. He thought it was something he did wrong.

“Mom, are you okay?”

“Yes. Where did you get that ring?”

“Oh a friend”

Their mom didn’t say anything, she just went back to preparing lunch. She made Liam’s favorite Chicken Alfredo. 

Once everyone was sitting at the table. Ava started telling Liam all about her first year in high school and how great it was going. Liam felt nothing but joy to see his sister so happy. 

Liam then shared his war stories and all the things he experienced. He made sure to mention too many violent or unpleasant things so he wouldn’t ruin the mood. 

“Excuse me I have to go to the bathroom”

Liam walked upstairs to his and Ava’s shared bathroom from habit and tried to use it. He realized the toilet had no water in it and wasn’t working so he went into his parents bathroom inside their room. It smelled absolutely horrific. Liam covered his nose. He tried to use the bathroom but had to figure out where that smell was coming from because it wasn’t the toilet. He opened the shower curtain and looked into the tub.

“What the fuck!”

He saw a pile of bones and flesh. Blood was all over the tub. The smell was also coming from the closet. Once he opened the closet he saw what looked like skin meat suits and they were just hanging up like clothes. He immediately shut the door. 

“What the fuck is happening…” 

Liam began to panic. He knew his parents weren’t some kind of psychopaths who played dress up in other people's skin. If those weren’t his parents and they were some kind of imposters, what did they want and why did they do this? 

Liam began to talk to himself. 

“This is not possible”

“Mom… dad…dead?”

“What the fuck!”

He took a deep breath in.

“Okay we just have to get Ava the fuck out of here…Let’s just be calm and smoove.”

“Yes I can do this.”