My world is a blur. Colors soar past me and dive into nothingness. Sweat drenches my hair and my hair constantly whips my face. This experience is mine and mine alone.
Cars speed past me, but all I know is the sound of my running feet crashing into pavement and the deep need that pushes me on. My heart pounds and my pulse races. I feel like a stallion, born wild and free. This is what I was meant to be.
Just as I turn a corner, a loud, abrupt screech pulls me from my thoughts. I glance up from the ground beneath me and face the unwelcome invasion.
A white van speeds past me and nearly collides into another vehicle.
The driver pounds on the brake pedal sharply and pulls over beside the sidewalk.
I stop and stare openly at the van. My father is head of the police force. My sister and I learned at a very early age to memorize license plate numbers.
"PMB-21K," I repeat to myself as I take tentative steps in the direction of the halted white vehicle.
Just as I reach the tail end of the van, the driver turns his head and stares directly at me. I wave robotically and give an unconvincing grin. He just frowns and drives off swiftly. I sigh heavily and turn away when I feel a small nudge by my feet. To my amazement, at my feet sist a tiny, white cotton ball of a cat. The cat is no taller than my ankle, including its very large ears. Despite its height, the kitten looks healthy and unharmed.
"Where did you come from little guy?" I coo as I lean down and scoop up the fuzzy kitten. He is extremely soft. His fur reminds me of velvet, thick and long. His eyes are blue; clear blue with a rim of gray around them. His warm heart beats under my hand as he begins to purr. I can't help but fall in love with him. It's impossible for me not to love this little beauty. I cautiously turn my head from side to side in search of his owner. A little darling like this kitten must have an family somewhere.
I was right, he does have a family. About half a minute later I catch sight of another tiny, fluffy kitten soon I discover two more.
After making sure that there are no more kittens in my general vicinity, I gently gather up the four cats in my arms and begin the 2 mile walk home. Unfortunately, the kittens are less than cooperative. High pitched mews, sharp claws and thumping tails assault my senses. I instantly regret my decision to carry four squirming cats all the way back home at five in the morning.
By the time I reach the front door, it is nearly six. As soon as I walk in, I immediately place each cat into my mom's old sewing basket. It is a wicker basket that was once occupied by countless balls of yarn and spools of thread, but now it will serve as a bed for four helpless kittens.
After lining the basket with numerous blankets, I stand and walk over to the kitchen and retrieve a bowl and the milk jug.
"That's quite a large bowl. How much cereal do you plan on eating Stella?" my dad asks from his place at the table near the window. He appears amused with me. He knows why I have a bowl of milk, he always knows.
"Please daddy? I promise to-" I begin
"You know the rules." daddy interrupts in his best attempt of a stern voice.
"But you have said no to the last five animals I've brought home. Do you remember the last time? I really wanted that golden retriever. Besides, animals teach children to value hard work, compassion and dedication." I inform him in a matter of fact voice, my hands firmly placed on my hips.
"You're never going to relent, are you?" he says, folding his newspaper in half and setting it down beside his cup of coffee and plate of scrambled eggs.
"Nope," I confirm. "Can't you see how badly I want these kittens?"
"Fine, you can keep one kitten. It's your responsibility to find the other kittens new homes." daddy agrees with a sigh as he stands and walks over to stand in front of me.
"Thank you so much! I promise I won't let you down." I promise, hugging him quickly. I have to go tell Elise right away."
"Not so fast Stella. You can keep one kitten. If it makes any messes; you clean them. You must clean the litter box every day and you are responsible for purchasing anything you need to maintain the kitten's health." dad says,
I grin my widest grin an stand on my tippy toes to kiss my father's cheek. "I won't let you down." I say finally as I exit the kitchen and place the bowl of milk in front of the wicker basket. All four of the kittens are fast asleep. They seem so peaceful and delicate. A tiny smile spreads across my face as I lay my hand upon the head of the white kitten's small head. Instantly his bright, blue eyes snap open.
He stares at me for almost five minutes before allowing his loud, rumbling purr to fill the quiet room. The kitten closest to the white kitten slowly awakens. His round, green eyes open slightly as he yawns drowsily up at me. His short, gray fur is silky and well groomed. It reminds me of my mother's creamy, silk wedding
gown. Another one of the cats, an orange and white creature notices my hand that still rests on the white kitten's head. In response, the orange cat playfully swats at my finger tips and purrs her contented purr.
Twenty minutes later I am upstairs staring at the spacious closet in the furthest corner Of my bedroom. I distinctly remember the traumatic shopping trip with nana last week. We had been walking about the only mall in town for six hours. I recall purchasing out multiple clothing items. But now that
is is the first day of school, none of these clothes seem suitable. Irritably I push back my long, damp hair and wrap the warm, blue towel
Tighter. Eventually I narrow my options down to two possible outfits; the red skirt and floral blouse or the pink, lace dress and jean jacket. I sigh loudly and choose the safest of the two. The high waisted, red skirt would get me noticed, but the lacy dress is classic and
Lovely.
I carefully free the dress from the hanger and slip it over my head. The low neck in the front and light sleeves are adorned with infinitesimal pearls that shine to the dim lighting. I walk over to my low, wooden vanity table and sit down on the white, padded cushion. In the circular mirror I have a perfect view of my bed and the doir. The wall behind me is lavender. It is covered with silver picture frames, shelves and hooks that hold various bags and jackets.
The photograph of a laughing blond haired woman catches my eye. Her eyes are pale green and her thin face is elegant and fair. Daddy says I look exactly like her, but I don't see it. My hair is the color of spun gold. Her hair resembled the hot sand of a tropical beach with its soft waves and fine texture. My hair couldn't be curlier even if it tried. I look away from the photograph hanging on the wall and stare openly at my reflection in the vanity mirror. My face is thin and fair. My cheekbones are reasonably high and my nose is small and rounded.
I slowly turn my head from side to side, examining my reflection meticulously. The only part of me that vaguely resembles my mother is my mouth. We have the same full, pale pink lips. We both also have a dimple on our right cheek. Just then a strange blotch of color catches my eye from my reflection in the mirror. The mark sits just below my collarbone and is about the size of a golf ball. It kind of reminds me of... a dolphin. I shrug my shoulders and shake my head dismissively. Then I stand up from my vanity table, put on my jean jacket and walk out of my bedroom confidently.
YOU ARE READING
The unbroken circle
Ficção AdolescenteAncient and powerful blood runs through the families of Salem citizens. Many of the oldest families have bloodlines that go back to the witch trials. 2 particular witches; Sara Martin and Emily Malone were burned for their alleged crimes. On the d...
