Obsession

Chapter One: Cold Hands

(10 years ago)

"Ethan can you sweep the kitchen floor?" Mrs. Tanner called down the hall as she lugged a hamper up the stairs.

"Why? She's four, not some kitchen floor critic." Ethan said bitterly picking up the broom.

"Well she's the only girl that wasn't afraid of Mallory at preschool and I'm surprised she agreed to a playdate so I want everything to be perfect. You know how your sister can be." Mrs. Tanner said looking over at Mallory who was in the process of stabbing a stuffed bear who was 'bleeding' stuffing.

"Yeah. This kid is probably really messed up though if she's willing to play with Mallory." Ethan said distastefully as the scent of air freshener hit him like a bus.

"Do you think she'll like the scent of vanilla?" Mrs. Tanner asked Ethan.

"I don't know. But if she doesn't die of odor overload then you can ask her." Ethan said covering his nose with his sweatshirt.

"Okay sweetie." Mrs. Tanner said with a sweet smile as she patted her son on the head.

"Hey Mal, what's your friend's name?" Mrs. Tanner asked Mallory who was pretending to bury her stuffed bear.

"Her name is Scout." Mallory said with a big grin. "Is she here yet?"

"Nope." Mrs. Tanner said with a grim smile.

Suddenly the doorbell sounded.

"Ethan would you mind getting that?" Mrs. Tanner yelled.

"Fine." Ethan groaned as he trudged over to the door.

He opened it expecting to see a dorky little four year old with pigtails and a My Little Pony shirt or something like that but was greeted by a cute little girl. She had curly brown hair and big chocolate brown eyes. Her skin was flawless and practically glowed. She was wearing a yellow sundress and matching sandals.

Ethan's brain couldn't process how his dorky messed up little sister had managed to become friends with this angel child.

"Hi I'm Scout Grey." The little girl said.

"Okay, I'm Ethan Tanner, Mallory's big brother." Ethan greeted her.

"Cool." Scout said with a bright smile.

"SCOUT!" Mallory exclaimed. "I'LL SAVE YOU FROM MY ANNOYING BROTHER."

Scout giggled and ran over to Mallory.

Ethan smiled as Mallory dragged Scout upstairs. Apparently they were playing grave robbers.

About twenty minutes later Mallory dragged Scout back down the stairs.

"Let's get food!" Mallory said.

"Okay." Scout said timidly.

Mallory climbed up onto the counter and grabbed the cookie jar.

"Mallory I don't think you should be up there." Scout said worriedly.

"Nah, it's fine." Mallory said reaching for the box of thin mints on top of the cupboards.

"Mallory!" Mrs. Tanner shrieked startling Mallory causing her to drop the cookie jar and fall on top of it.

"What happened?" Ethan exclaimed when he walked in. Mrs. Tanner picked up Mallory and ran out to the car.

"ETHAN WATCH SCOUT WHILE I TAKE MALLORY TO THE DOCTOR." Mrs. Tanner yelled as she slammed shut the door and hurriedly pulled out of the driveway and drove away.

"But I'm only eight." Ethan groaned.

"I'm four." Scout said.

Ethan looked at Scout who looked up at him. "You're tall." Scout countered.

"Er, yeah." Ethan said awkwardly rubbing the nape of his neck.

"Want to watch some TV?" Ethan asked after and awkward pause.

"Okay." Scout said as she ran over to the couch.

Ethan sat down next to her and she climbed onto his lap. Ethan raised his eyebrows, surprised that she was this comfortable around him.

"What do you want to watch?" Ethan asked.

"WONDER PETS!" Scout exclaimed, bouncing excitedly when she saw the show logo.

"Alright." Ethan said pressing the okay button and starting the show for Scout.

"Your hands are cold." Scout said randomly.

Ethan looked down at his hands and realized that they had turned purple. "Yeah they do that sometimes." He said casually.