~Emily~
~March~
"I'll be back, I promise." My father said as he knelt to me. "I want to go with you." My 5-year-old self said leaping into my father's arms sobbing as I ran my fingers through his brown hair. He picked me up and hugged me "I need you to be here for your mother and Isa, can you do that for me"? He said into my ear softly. I looked up and I nod head as tears flowed out of my purple eyes on my pink cheeks. He kissed my forehead and pushed my soft, blonde hair behind my ear as he set me back down on the ground. He looked back up at my mom and kissed her soft, pink lips goodbye. "Please be safe." "I will. Look after each other now," he says reassuring her, as he kissed her soft lips once again, brushing her blonde hair away from her face. He loaded his belongings into the car and waved goodbye to us. "Bye daddy, I love you," I said smiling as I waved my hand. He smiled. "I love you." As the car drove away, my mom and I held hands as we walked back into our small house...
~
But the war between vampires and other supernatural beings could've lasted longer than anyone could have imagined, raids happened nightly, and all hope was lost that my dad would ever return home. Over the last 15 years, it was not surprising that some discarded childish things.
~
September
~
"Come on, we should head back before it gets too dark." I said calling my St Bernard Lacey. She began to bark, spinning around in circles. "Yes, I know you're having fun, but we must get back before the raids, come along now, let's go." Lacey grumbled and then followed me through the streets. Lacey spotted hopscotch on the ground and barked excitedly. I chuckled. "We have no time for games silly dog, we have to get back home to Isa"! A few moments later, the sirens began to screech, filling my ears with discomfort. I gasped putting my hand over my ears as I turned to my dog Lacey. "Oh my gosh, quick Lacey hurry." I said to her panicked as we both started running.
~Audrey~
Back at the house, Bella and I were at the front doorstep preparing to go into the shelter. "Mom, where's Emily"? Isabellasaid concerned as she clutches onto my hand. I looked at Isabella trying to reassure her as I stroked her pink cheek with my thumb. "Don't worry love, she'll be fine. Now come on into the shelter." I said as I worriedly sighed then locked the shelter.
~
"c'mon Lacey hurry"! I said as I picked up the pace. My heart to race faster and faster. Lacey followed closely behind me. We made our way into an alleyway to hide and take a breath. Lacey began to whimper uncomfortably. "What is it, girl"? I looked up horrified as I saw a youngling being interrogated by a strange man. "Oh my gosh"! I kicked the man straight in the face. "Get away from him you bastard"! I shouted at the man. He began to shout back at me. I kicked him again and then sprayed him with my pepper spray. The man then ran off into the darkness. I sighed in relief then knelt to the little boy. "Are you alright"? I asked him as I cupped his cheek. "Yes, thank you for saving me." The child spoke. He looked to only be about 4 years old. His hair was as black as charcoal, his eyes as blue as the ocean, and skin as white as snow. He reached up to my neck and hugged me tightly. "oh" I chuckled, "you're welcome, it's the least I could do." I released the hug and looked at him, "What's your name love"? I asked him. "I'm Owen, what's yours"? "I'm Emily, Emily Young." "Nice to meet you, Emily." He said as he smiled. "Would you like me to take you home"? I asked. "No, that's ok, I can make it from, here." Owen said sadly. I looked at him confused. "Owen? What is it"? Owen began to bawl his eyes out like he was being sent to join a cult. I panicked and picked Owen up and ran to hide under what was left of a house. I sat Owen down who was still crying his eyes out. I put my finger under his chin, "What's the matter love"? I asked concerned. Owen began to speak as he was hyperventilating uncontrollably. "My-my-my par-par-parents a-are -g-g-gone, we-we-were-were—werewolf's -ki-ki-ki-killed th-them"! He forced himself into my shoulder and cried. I looked up completely shocked and disgusted. "Oh, my lord, I'm so sorry, they are such mindless monsters, when did this happen"?" Owen looked up at me with bloodshot red eyes, "When did this happen"? Owen sniffled. "Not that long ago, a week ago maybe...I've been trying to hide from them, but they keep finding me, I miss them so much." He wrapped his arms around my waist and cried into my chest. I let a tear trickle out from my eye as I softly stroked his hair. "I'm so sorry Owen...I'm so sorry." "It's ok. You didn't know Emily." Owen sniffled as he looked back up at me. I looked at Owen and smiled. I knew what I had to do; I couldn't live knowing that he would be out there alone with no one to look out for him. "Owen, little one, would you like to come to stay with me, I can't, and I refuse to leave you alone out here, it's just too dangerous." I said to Owen. "What, Emily, I don't wanna be a bother." "Nonsense, I insist. I'm not taking no for an answer." "Are you sure? Will your parents be ok with me being there"? "My dad's not around, my mom would love to have you, now come on we need to get back out there before the raids pick back up." Owen sighed. "Ok...let's go." I picked Owen up and started running back home.
