Perfect Places

Duct Tape

I woke up to one of the many kittens who was usually roaming around the house jumping on my stomach. It was light but just heavy enough to make a small thump noise. The kitten was white with a few large black spots scattered around its hair. This one's name was Neo. He happened to be my favorite.

My eyes fluttered open as the sun peaked through the blinds on my windows. The light from it stretched from corner to corner in my room, causing a beautiful sight.

With a small smile, I sat up and stretched my arms. My eyes looked around the room, gazing at the heaping piles of clothes that were all over the floor. I really needed to clean my room. I told myself to put it off to another day.

Procrastination was always a way of life for me.

I picked up the kitten that was the size of my hand, and it let out a quiet meow. I chuckled and held it close. Neo snuggled up against my oversized shirt I was wearing and started purring. I let out a sigh and closed my eyes for just a moment.

Sleepiness was still lingering inside of me, and I wanted to hold onto it for as long as I possibly could. Neo's purring got louder by the second, which made me adore him even more. He was so sweet.

Slowly but surely, I slipped my feet out from under the covers and placed them on the ground. I slipped them into my favorite pair of fuzzy slippers and stood up. Bringing Neo with me, I walked over to my vanity. I looked at myself in the mirror that hung above it and stared at my reflection.

I fixed my hair and stroked Neo's incredibly soft fur. He laid in my arms perfectly and didn't resist at all. Once I got bored with looking at myself in the mirror, I turned and picked up my phone. I turned it on to see if I had any notifications at all.

Interestingly enough, I had a text message from Jessica. It was delivered at 2:30 in the morning.

The text read, "Rae, I know you will probably never see this, but I'll still tell you anyway. I managed to get out of the car I was locked in with Ashley and Vic ... it wasn't easy. I realize that you didn't have enough time to try to help me escape and that fine. I don't blame you there at all. I don't know that whole story on how you and Zane got outta that hospital alive ... and I don't know where Connor and Kyle are. Ashley and Victoria went somewhere together, I would assume one of their houses. I don't think they are gonna do anything. They have pretty much given up. Anyways, sorry about the book-long text. Please respond if you can, sis. <3"

As I read the text, hundreds of thoughts buzzed through my head. How did she manage to get out of that car? How did she manage to get away from Vic and Ashley? And finally, where the heck was Connor and Kyle?

Instead of responding, I put down the phone. I couldn't deal with the massive problems in my life at that moment. The problems were taking over almost my entire life. I wasn't going to let them invade my peaceful Saturday morning.

I set down Neo on my dresser and picked up a brush. I ran it through my hair and put it up in a messy bun. I completely opened the blinds over my windows, which completely lit up the room. It was almost too bright to look at.

Neo pawed at my shirt and meowed, practically begging me to pick him up again. So, as every sensible human being would, I did. I put my phone in the side pocket of my sweatpants.

I left the room with Leo, who was purring rather loudly. I opened up the door and walked out to the main hallway of the home. I made my way to the room that was across from mine. That was the room Zane was currently staying in.

I spent a few moments listening for any sound coming from inside Zane's room to indicate that he was awake. The fact that I didn't hear a single thing meant either two things. Number one, he might still be asleep, which wouldn't be out of the ordinary for Zane Lennons. Or number two, he was awake, but not in his room.