Fractured

PROLOGUE: blurb

I woke up to the warm rays of sunlight peeking through my window, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. It was Friday, our special day – D-Day, as I liked to call it. My dad and I had been doing this for as long as I could remember, and I cherished every moment of it.

I rolled out of bed, stretched my arms, and began my morning routine. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and styled my hair in my favorite ponytail. I picked out my favorite outfit – a bright yellow sundress with white flowers and a pair of worn-out converse sneakers. I felt like a ray of sunshine, ready to take on the day.

Downstairs, the atmosphere was lively. My mom was cooking breakfast in the kitchen, filling the air with the delicious smell of pancakes and scrambled eggs. My little brother was sitting at the table, playing with his toys, and occasionally looking up at me with a big smile on his face. My dad was sitting on the couch, sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper. He looked up at me and smiled,

"Hey, sweetpea! Ready for our adventure today?"

I beamed with excitement, "Yeah, Daddy! I've been waiting all week!"

We finished breakfast, the sun already peeking through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow on the dishes and cups left on the table. The smell of toast and freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as we cleared the remnants of our meal. I grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair, slinging it over my shoulder, and my dad collected his keys from the counter. We both moved with that familiar ease, the rhythm of a thousand mornings spent in this same routine.

As we stepped outside, the cool morning breeze ruffled my hair, and the sound of birds chirping echoed through the neighborhood. The car sat parked in the driveway, its silver paint gleaming under the sunlight. I slid into the passenger seat, tossing my bag into the back, and plugged my phone into the car's stereo system. As the familiar hum of the engine started, I hit play on our favorite playlist, filling the car with the songs we both loved.

My dad glanced at me with a grin, and we both began to sing along, our voices blending in harmony as we laughed and joked like we always did. But today, something felt different, almost like a subtle shift in the air. My dad, usually so predictable, took a left turn when he would have normally gone right. My curiosity piqued, I raised an eyebrow and glanced over at him.

"Dad, this isn’t the usual way," I said, a slight edge of confusion creeping into my voice.

He smiled mischievously, "I've got a surprise for you, sweetpea. Just trust me, okay?"

I shrugged, not thinking much of it. We always had fun together, and I was sure this surprise would be just as amazing.

As we drove, the scenery outside changed from familiar streets to a more industrial area. We passed by warehouses and factories, and I wondered where we were headed. My dad's surprise had me curious, but I was too excited to worry.

After a few more minutes of driving, we turned into a small, gravel parking lot. In front of us stood a large, nondescript building. It looked like a warehouse or a storage facility, with metal walls and a sloping roof. The building seemed abandoned, with no signs of life or activity around it.

My dad turned off the engine and turned to me with a smile. "We're here, sweetpea," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Daddy, where are we?" I asked, looking around at the desolate surroundings.

"This is the surprise, Sweetpea," he said, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Trust me, you'll love it."

I looked around, unsure what to make of this place. But my dad's enthusiasm was infectious, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation.