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Everything was different. Everything felt so temporary. I saw him die. Maybe if he didn't die it wouldn't be this bad. It kept playing in my head. The tv was the only thing that illuminated the room. I try so hard to immerse myself into the hula scene on the tv but my mind kept drifting. "Thought we agreed that you would come get me" I jump letting out a tiny squeak "it's just me kiddo" dad said sitting down getting under the covers letting me snuggle him. "What are we watching" he asks "Lilo and stitch" I said quietly he just hums adjusting and holding me tightly "have seen this since you were little think I forgot how it goes" I don't say anything eventually falling asleep against him.
I follow him up the steps "you ok" I nod I had lost myself I didn't feel like me. "You don't have to say anything to them they will understand" I nod "won't that be rude" "I give you all the permission to be rude to them" dad said smiling "guys meet Alice my daughter" I wave "that's ruz antonio kev Kim Voight you know Al and Erin" I wave to each of them "you can sit at my desk or go into the break room"I nod sitting in the break room.
"Hi so your halsteads kid" "no I'm gods child and Halstead is just looking after me" I snap back ruz I think his name was I'm not sure. I wasn't retaining information like normal. My mind kept drifting to it. "Ok uh how are" "if you ask how I am I'll stab you with a fork" I snap again "sorry" I said smiling sheepishly "no I like it you have flare" I smile happily. "Do you have food here" "we have vending machines come I'll show you" I slowly follow after him. His a cop I can trust him right, he works with my dad. "Ok what do we want" he asks I shrug looking at the three machines. "One of everything I like it" I giggle watching him get all the different snacks out of the machine before passing them to me.
I follow Adam back up the steps "does the memory ever leave...the memory of" I stop unable to say it "yeah it does" "the unexpected ones last a little longer but they always go eventually" I slowly nod "it wakes me up I I smiled at the man who called out to him the one who did this...will he" "you don't know anything so don't focus on it...now I have been informed that you popped out of a cupboard to meet Al" "yeah do you know where the good hiding places are" "it depends on which room" "one where I can scare the crap out of people" "well the cupboards in the break room that touch the floor are empty the lockers by the middle facing the door are empty" I smile "we are going to be great friends" he smiles leading me back through the district maze.
I know Adam said the bottom cupboards but everyone expects that. Also I popped out of a bottom cupboard recently, dad would expect that. Would they complain that I rearrange it. I'll put it back who cares.
I was getting bored. I don't know how long I was here. I heard dad and someone else talking as they walked in. "So how old is she" "15" there was an awkward pause like dad was looking for me or something. I wait if there is anything I know it's timing is everything. "SHAZAM" I yell pushing the doors open. Keith or Kevin I'm still learning their names, jumped in fright and is now holding his heart. Dad doesn't look amused. I roll out dad catching me like it wasn't our first time doing this. Ok it wasn't the first time doing this. "How long have you been up there and where are all the cups" "the cups are just up and shelf and forever it took you forever" I said smiling "did you just open cupboards up" "no Adam told me" "I told you the bottom was free" he shouted "you good" dad asked making me smile and no I was feeling like myself even if it felt so foreign currently. "Perfect" I said smiling at him. "Is this a normal thing" "his reaction told you nothing did it" "she did that when I came over" Al said "since she was six she's loved trying to scare me" "why do you think he doesn't look unamused and doesn't flinch all the time your welcome" I said warming up I hope. Everything felt so different that maybe if I force myself to like this, to be normal I would be. Maybe if I pretend long enough it would feel normal.
