[ EU ] You go downstairs on your 18'th birthday to find your family in the living room , dead .

`` Morning, Dad. Morning, Mum,'' I called out, coming down the stairs and mentally preparing myself to roll my eyes when my parents burst into the'Happy Birthday' song. 
 
 Silence. 
 
 Nothing strange, though. My mom was probably hiding around a corner somewhere, waiting to pounce on me with dad right behind her. 
 
 I shook my head and chuckled. Now I had to remember to roll my eyes AND not jump in fright when she jumped out of her hiding spot. 
 
 I got to the last step, braced myself, then calmly walked out like I did n't expect a thing. When no one jumped out, yelling,'Boo!'' I looked back and saw no one there. 
 
 Kitchen? No. Bathroom door was open, and no one inside. 
 
 Maybe they went out to get my cake or something, I guessed, not thinking too much about it. I opened the fridge and there was the cake.. 
 
 I frowned, grabbed the milk, and made myself a bowl of cereal. Crunching noisily, I began to mull over the events of the day: 
 
 Even though today was a school-day, it was my birthday, and uh, I was a senior, sooo. But I had to make sure I finished my homework, too. Then I had to study for the test on Friday, ugh. Maybe Dad'll let me borrow the car and then I could pick up Jenny from school and take her out for a smoothie. 
 
 Where was Dad anyway? 
 
 Finished with my cereal, I dropped the bowl in the sink and padded towards the living room to see what was on TV and to wait for my parents to get home, hopefully with presents. 
 
 My stomach growled. Whoop, got ta use the bathroom, first. 
 
 Duty completed, I heard a phone ringing. It was coming from the living room. 
 
 That must be them, I thought, as I dashed into the living room and grabbed the phone. `` Hello, Livinston residence, who may I ask is calling?'' 
 
 All I heard was a slight cackling, and then a strangled voice, whispering to me, ``... run... before...'' And then the line went dead. 
 
 I frowned and set the phone down. Weird. 
 
 Now time to watch TV, I turned, eyes immediately downcast for the remote, when I saw my mother's knees.. 
 

