"Lara, Lara! Lara!” Stella shouted while she entered Lara’s room. It was 6:00am. Lara was still sleeping. “Wake up! You need to get ready, you are going to be late” She opened the curtains.
The bright sun hits Lara’s face, forcing her to wake up. Though surprised to see Stella in her room, Lara glared at her. “Go bathe and get ready. The priest is coming. Don't look at me, do it right now okay?".
“I’m not meeting the priest. What’s a priest?” Lara asked.
“If you don’t want a slap on your cheek, get ready! And I want you to be ready before I get back" Stella said while she left her room.
Lara doesn’t even know there is something called God. She has never seen a priest, let alone been to church. Her parents didn’t believe in God or anything supernatural. She had no idea what Stella was talking about? She needed to just get this over with.
She still remained in bed, even before the clock was about to hit seven, Lara didn't want to take her bath or dress for any stupid thing, she didn't want to be part of her foster parents weird life and their traditions.
Stella was already dressed, she was about to call Lara when Aaron called her.
“Stella, they’re here,” he said.
Stella went to the living room, where she welcomed Father Elazar, Mother Leona, and their daughter Isabella. “Buenos Días, Padre. Buenos Días,
Madre(good morning Father, good morning mother).”
“Buenos Días(good morning),” Isabella’s parents said in unison.
“You have a beautiful home, When do we start prayers?” Mother Leona said.
“Siéntate. Iré a buscar a Lara para que podamos empezar( Have a sit, I will go get Lara then we can start),” Stella said.
She headed upstairs to check on Lara. As she reached her bedroom and opened the door, she found Lara dressed. “Are you ready?”
“I am, but are you?” Lara said, smiling.
Stella gave her a cold glare. “Better behave properly if you want good food and I want no drama and please be respectful to mother Leona and Father Elazar”
Isabella P.O.V.
We sat on one of the chairs in the living room, Lara's living room was large. There was a lot of space, there were beautiful white Italian chairs in the living with a small side stool that matched the design of the chairs. The walls were painted in white and gold while the floors were in white. The ceiling were very high, there was a huge carpet that almost covered half of the room that was in gold, the room was air conditioned, a large television that was hanged in front of the chair in the middle. Their living room was beautiful, I loved the way everything was neatly arranged and kept beautifully.
Lara and Stella arrived in the living room, but seriously, I wasn’t expecting Lara to come, I thought she would make up an excuse of not coming. Lara sat next to her step- mother.
"Isabell". My mother said.
"Yes."
"Here is some holy water, sprinkle it all around the house okay." My mother said.
"Alright."
I needed to finish sprinkling the holy water all around the house before the prayer starts. I was almost done when I approached Lara’s room. After splashing holy water outside the room, I was about to enter when something stopped me. I have been to Lara’s room before, so why couldn’t I this time? I tried stepping in once again but I couldn't, there was something pushing me back. I couldn't step in to her room. With mom and dad waiting for me, I sprinkled water at the doorstep and headed downstairs.
“Since she’s done, we can start,” my mother said.
"Here Stella hold the holy chain." My father said while handing it over to her. Stella stood up from her position and took the hold chain from Father.
“Lara, come take the Bible and start us off,” my father said.
Lara glared at me as she walked past me. She was about to collect the Bible from Dad when Stella fell down, shaking. What was wrong with her? She was shaking, her eyes were closed. I had no idea what was going on?. Then she started screaming loudly, Stella kept on screaming. I was horrified with what I was seeing.
“Get me holy water!” Mom said. Quickly, I handed the water to her. She sprinkled it on Stella, who shouted and screamed until she fainted.
We brought Stella to her room, waiting for her to regain consciousness. As she did, my father instructed Lara and me to go to the living room. He wanted to talk to Aaron and Stella in private.
Lara sat far away from me as usual. I didn’t say a word to her, and neither did she. She just kept glaring at me.
“I hope you keep that holy water with you tonight, so you don’t have to go to the kitchen and get burned,” Lara said.
I couldn’t say anything. How did Lara know about my dream? Was it even a dream, or did it happen for real? I wanted to say something, but I couldn’t talk, as if it was like my lips were sealed. It was tranquil until my mother came.
“Let’s go, Isabella. Stella will be fine,” she said.
I rose to leave, but I couldn’t move. I glanced at Lara, who was smiling.
“La muerte se acerca,(Death is coming)” she said.
My body trembled. What did Lara mean by death is coming?