The Lost, Damned, and The Found

Chapter 1

     The trees blew by through the window and the glass pressed cooly against my red inflamed cheeks. My phone fell to my lap as I quickly closed my book out of embarrassment. "So much for PG." I thought.

     "Are you ok back there?" my cousin asked.

     "Yea, I am." I choked out.

     I glanced out the window once again, blurs of green and tan flurrying past. My thoughts couldn't help but wonder about my friends who had started to not respond to my texts. I mean I know I was moving, and it was hard on them but my family needed me in Michigan so my cousins were taking me there and paid for my tickets ‌for my car while I am gone.

     I do plan to move back to Florida eventually but for the next foreseeable future, I need to help Mom and Dad. Dad got diagnosed with ALS but Mom struggles to help him as she has to work and my siblings have long since moved and don't really visit or help often. I suppose I should be happy I won't have to put up with 5 little monsters that are my nieces and nephews.

     "Hey Hailey, Do you know how much longer until I am at the airport? Mom just texted to ask." I asked my cousin.

     She hummed, "Uh just an hour‌."

     I nodded silently lost in thought again just pondering what Dad's condition will be like‌. I had only just started an online caretaking course until I can attend in person so I can kind of help some. 

     It was just difficult to see him at this point because of tripping constantly we had to place him in a wheelchair but he always fights to get out. And sadly mom couldn't afford a caretaker so I was the last option as my other siblings were taking care of the little monsters.

     Although, I ‌wish my family kept in contact more often but my family drifted apart once my grandma died. 

     At first, my grandpa tried to continue the yearly gatherings but those too soon faded over time as he couldn't continue with family drama brewing between my mom and aunt. It started because grandma had excluded my aunt from her will because she desired monetary values over sentiments; just overall being just greedy. 

     The only cousin I am in contact with still is my cousin, Hailey, sadly. My other cousins just followed in my aunt's footsteps. My uncle just didn't want to be dragged into any of the drama and so he went off-grid with what little grandma did give him in her will.

     "Promise to call me once you arrive in Michigan please." Hailey huffed out after she noticed I hadn't caught a word of whatever she rambled about prior.

     I nodded dumbly and mumbled, "Sure thing chipmunk."

     "I told you not to call me that!" She cried then mumbled, "Man chubby cheek challenge 1 time and never live it down."

     I laughed as I gathered my luggage from her trunk.

     "I love you girl drive home safe!" I shouted as she drove off.

     I walked to the gate and went through the needed steps and got ready for what would likely be a boring ride.

     "Attention passengers please check that your belts are buckled. And that your children are safer than you." The pilot instructed while chuckling dryly. A few parents chuckled at that. And the attendants checked each row after their normal procedures.

     "We are ready for take-off." The pilot stated. The plane slowly rose into the vast sky. I shut my eyes as the children behind me kicked my seat. Long ride indeed.

     After, a few hours my eyes blearily opened when the plane touched the ground. I glanced out the window as the road rushed beneath us. I sat up and gathered my thoughts on what I needed to do. First things first text mom and Hailey that I made it.

     I meandered my way out of my seat and gathered my personal belongings while walking through the path and beyond the connecting tunnel to the airport. I got a pretzel and a Pepsi that chilled my fingertips and the pretzel smell danced about my nose. My tongue stung as the salt pressed against it causing a minor tingle of flavor.

     After finishing the pretzel, I collected my luggage from the transit belt and walked towards the exit for my mom to collect me. As I exited unexpectedly a hand grabbed at my wrist and covered my mouth as they pulled me around a corner. I kicked and cried out trying to bite or kick any way I could to escape.