Time: 6:30 AM
Smith opened his eyes to a quiet house and a new day awaiting him. The alarm buzzed gently in the background. He got ready quickly. In the other room, Jack was already up, getting dressed. Coincidentally, both of them had planned to wake the other up — only to bump into each other in the hallway.
"Hey! You're up early!" said Smith, surprised.
"I'm a man of my word," Jack grinned.
"Good to hear," Smith nodded, giving him a high-five. They started packing the remaining items that Smith had listed the day before.
Two hours passed swiftly. By 8:30 AM, the doorbell rang.
"Go and check, dear," Smith said.
"Yes, Dad," replied Jack as he ran to the door and opened it. A man stood there in a packing company uniform.
"Is your daddy at home?" he asked.
"Dad! The packers are here!" Jack shouted.
Smith walked over. "Good morning, William. Your boss told me yesterday you'd be coming."
"Good morning, sir. Yes, I've come to inspect and pack the items for moving."
"Sure. Come in. These are the things we need packed," said Smith, pointing them out.
William glanced around and replied, "Okay, sir. We'll have everything arranged within an hour. Please make sure to keep your valuables, jewelry, and food items aside. We'll take care of the rest."
As he was leaving, he turned and asked, "Where's the location again, sir?"
"It's a town called Monte Cristo," Smith replied.
"Monte Cristo..." William muttered under his breath and left.
Smith called out to Julie, who was still sleeping. "They'll be here in an hour. Start packing your valuables."
Jack added, "Mom, I'm hungry!"
"Just give me some time!" Julie said as she hurried to the kitchen.
Laura walked out of her room, freshly dressed.
"Here comes the queen of the house," Smith chuckled.
"Mom, is breakfast ready?" Laura asked.
"You people! I'm not a robot, you know," Julie snapped.
"Wait, let's order online. No point wasting time," Smith suggested.
"That's a great idea, dear dad!" Jack shouted excitedly.
Smith placed the order. "Alright, everyone pack your belongings. Breakfast's on the way."
"What did you order, Dad?" asked Laura.
"Your favorite — sandwiches."
Julie packed her jewelry and documents. Smith packed his clothes and handed over cash to Julie for safekeeping. Jack packed his clothes, books, and drawing set. Laura packed her clothes and personal items.
Soon, the doorbell rang.
"Breakfast is here!" Smith called out as he collected the delivery.
Everyone gathered around the dining table to eat.
By 9:30 AM, the bell rang again.
"The packers are back," said Smith. "Is everything packed?"
"Yes!" everyone replied together.
Smith opened the door. Four men in uniform stood waiting.
"How long will it take to finish packing?" Smith asked.
"Please show us what's to be packed. Then we can estimate," one of them said, smiling.
Smith led them around the house. "Should take around 40 minutes," one said.
"Alright. Everyone, keep your belongings in the car," Smith instructed.
"Dad, give me the keys. I'll put mine in," Laura said.
"No, I'll come with you," Smith replied. Laura followed her father and placed her bags in the trunk. Jack added his luggage, keeping his drawing set with him.
Julie reminded them, "Once a month, we have to come back and check the place. Let me pack some snacks for the road."
"Yes," Smith said. "We need to report to the company occasionally. They'll provide fridge, washing machine, etc., so we won't need to bring those."
A serviceman arrived. Smith asked him to speak with his senior regarding the charges.
"Sir, where exactly are we heading?" the serviceman asked.
"Do you know Monte Cristo village?" Smith responded.
"No sir, I don't. Please send the location."
"You'll need to wait at the entrance. Due to some issues, GPS doesn't show the house's exact location," Smith said.
"That's odd. I've been doing this job for six years and never heard of a place with no location. I have a bad feeling about this," the man added.
"Enough," Smith said sternly. "I'll send the location. Just go."
Smith turned to the family. "Come on, let's go meet Mrs. Sarah."
Mrs. Sarah, their elderly neighbor, had been like a grandmother to the children. Jack, in particular, was attached to her.
At her house, Smith knocked. After a moment, the door opened.
"Good morning, dear. I heard you're leaving," said Mrs. Sarah.
"Yes, we're moving to Monte Cristo. I don't want to go without you," Jack said.
"So, you too are leaving me like my son did," Mrs. Sarah replied sadly.
"No, ma'am. Once the work is done, we'll be back," Smith reassured her.
"How long will the work take?"
"A few months," Julie replied.
"Where exactly are you going?"
"Monte Cristo, nanny," Jack answered.
"Monte... Monte Cristo?" Mrs. Sarah repeated in shock. She turned to Julie, motioning her into another room.
"Stay here," she told Jack and Laura.
Once inside, she closed the door behind them. Her expression turned grave.
"Do you even know what you're doing? That place is cursed!" she snapped at Julie.
"What do you mean? Why are you saying this?" Julie asked, frightened.
Mrs. Sarah stared out the window, her voice lowering.
"Monte Cristo looks beautiful, like heaven. But it's crawling with them—beings that aren't human. Long ago, my friend Azon went there. She was curious about such places. She never returned."
Julie sat frozen. "Who are they? What are you talking about?"
"They are creatures—creations even older than us. Before God created humans, He made angels—pure, obedient, without emotion. But after them, He created another kind—beings of fire. They are stronger, angrier, and full of desires. Some say one of them has the strength of ten men."
"God punished them for causing chaos but left a few behind to test us humans. They live unseen, in ruins, toilets, and abandoned places. They envy us. If they like a person… especially young girls… they will seek them out."
Julie shivered. "But why are you so concerned about Laura?"
"She's on the verge of womanhood. Her scent, her change — it draws them. Blood draws them."
Mrs. Sarah opened a drawer and pulled out a photograph. "This was Azon, her husband, and her friend. See the shadow behind the tree?"
Julie squinted. A dark figure lurked near the edge of the frame.
"What is that?"
"Ssh! Don't speak too loudly. Sometimes they get caught on film. They can see us. We can't see them."
Mrs. Sarah handed her a small book and a ring.
"Keep this with you. When Laura gets her period, never leave her alone. Give this ring to Smith — he won't take it from me, but he must wear it."
"What about Jack?" Julie asked.
"He doesn't need anything. He will be your protector," she said.
"But he's just a child!"
"He has a pure heart. Creatures like them fear that. God sends angels to guard such souls."
Julie's eyes widened. "What are these creatures called?"
"We don't say their name. Some call them Jinns. Locally, they're called The Unseen. Never speak of them to anyone. Just stay alert… always assume you're being watched."
Just then, Jack knocked on the door.
With a gentle voice, Jack asks, "Mom, can I come in?"
Hearing his voice, Mrs. Sarah's face lights up with joy. "Yes dear, please come in. You are always welcome here," she says warmly, embracing him. She whispers something in his ear—soft and private—but the moment is cut short as the doorbell rings.
Laura opens the door. Smith enters, slightly out of breath. "Come on, guys, let's go! It's already late!" he shouts.
Jack and Mrs. Sarah emerge from the room.
"So, you're here," says Smith, nodding.
Mrs. Sarah turns to him with a kind smile. "So you're leaving… Take care and come back soon, dear. Call me once you reach."
"Yes, we'll definitely call you," Smith replies with a grin as he heads toward the door.
"Take care, dear. Always be with your mother," Mrs. Sarah says to Laura.
"I'm always with my mother," Laura replies with a smile, stepping out the door.
Mrs. Sarah walks out to the porch to say goodbye. As they load into the car, she leans in slightly and speaks in a low voice, "They are the shape shifters. They can change into anything they want… So be careful. Don't believe anyone too easily."
With that cryptic warning, she steps back inside.
"Okay, let's go. It's already 3—we have to reach before the packers arrive in town," says Smith.
They all settle into the car. With a final wave to Mrs. Sarah, the engine hums to life, and the car rolls out of the city, leaving behind memories, mysteries, and a mother's love echoing in the silence.