Love, Shiloh

Chapter One: Winnie and Papa

•Shiloh's POV•

January 1st 1986

The sky it's self was a work of art during that particular sun rise. The dark night was slowly being chased away by the light blue of day that mixed with the golden hue of the sun that was rising to take its place And breath life into the previously silent valley. It was a symphony of soft oranges and pinks that swirled together making the scattered clouds that looked like tiny pieces of cotton candy look almost peach colored, twinges of light purple mixed in with it making the sky a perfect background for the mountains in the distance. The mountains that stood tall and proud front and center with snow still on them from the past winter, the water running down the sides and spilling into the lake below.

I sat along the bank of a free flowing clear river. It water so clear that if you looked inside, you could see the colors of the rocks and pebbles that were settled at the bottom. I hugged my legs with my knees tucked under my chin as I looked out across the bank at the mountains, the soft mellow voice of Ed Sheeran flowing through my earbuds nestled snuggly in my ears. The wind whipped around me, rustling my hair out of the poorly made bun that sat on top of my head and bending the grass around me a little. I pulled the maroon sweater that belonged to my dad down over my hands, preparing to stand up.

I don't know how long I was out there getting lost in the beauty of nature, I also didn't know how long my phone had been vibrating in my pocket and I was just now noticing. I pulled my earbuds out my ears and paused the music playing from my iPod and pulled out my phone just as the ringing had stopped. I had almost 10 missed calls from my father and 20 unread text messages from him. I gulped slightly and pressed his contact, placing the dialing device to my ear and praying silently that he wasn't in a bad mood. After almost 2 rings, I heard my dad pick up "Shiloh! Thank goodness your ok." I heard him breath a sigh of relief. "I went to go and wake you up for breakfast and you weren't in your room. Where are you Shi?" He asked, concern and worry laced his voice. I stood up "Don't worry dad. I'm on my home right now." I said as I gathered my things: My iPod, notebook and pens and began up walk the way back home. "Oh Shiloh. Please don't ever leave without letting me know?" He pleaded and I couldn't help but feel guilty that I had caused him to worry. "I'm sorry dad. I'll be home in 10." I said, slinging my backpack around my shoulders and on my back. "Ok. Be safe." He said and we hung up.

The trail had been worn into the ground from the numerous walks to and from the valley that was hidden beyond the woods. It wasn't very far from our small cottage, but it was far enough that it took me a couple minutes getting to and from it. Once I walked the door of my home, I was hit with the pungent smell of coffee and breakfast and the excited squee of my little sister Winnie. "Shi! I thoughted you were missing!" She said as she hopped off our small couch and toddled towards me. "Papa! Shi back!" She squealed, alerting my dad from his perch in the kitchen. He turned from the stove, a look of relieve washed over his face. "Oh thank goodness you're alright. I was worried sick about you." He said as he rushed towards me, his long and lean arms wrapping around my shoulders as he hugged me. "Your freezing love." He said as he pulled away and looked at me. "If you're going to leave, please put on a coat rather then one of my sweaters ok? You'll catch a cold." He scolded me with a stern look. "Yes dad." I said with a smile as I leaned down and scooped up Winnie in my arms and she immediately starting playing with the saint Christopher necklace around my neck as we walked to the table to have breakfast.

"I don't have time to eat breakfast with you beauties." My dad said as he placed a short stack of pancakes on the table along with syrup and butter. "I have to be at work soon." He continued as he tied his apron and hurried to find his shoes in hallway. I sighed and gave Winnie a pancake and cut it up into 4 slices before applying a generous amount of syrup. "Tank chu!" She said, giving me a tiny smile. I smiled back at her as my dad came back up the hallway, both shoes on his feet "Alright Shiloh, Im off to work. Hold down the fort until I get back ok?" He said and I looked up at him and nodded "I got this dad. Ive been doing this for a while, remember?" I reminded him as he leaned down to kiss Winnie's now sticky cheek. "I know. Be a good girl for your sister alright Winnie?" He said, putting on a stern voice. "I will papa!" She said with a smile and continued to eat her pancakes. He shrugged on his jacket as he walked over to me and kissed my cheek "I left food for dinner in the oven. Just heat it up when you get ready to eat it ok? You know my number and emergency numbers incase you have an emergency yeah?" He said as I followed him to the door. "I got it pop. Geez, it's like you don't trust me." I said, making him chuckle and open the door. "I do trust you Shiloh."'he smiled. "Hold down fort yea? I love you both." He said as he started down the steps. "Later gator?" I called out. "In a while crocodile." He called back. I stood in the doorway, watching him get into his small 1994 Bug and drive off down the street.

I held Winnie's hand as we walked along the dirt road, her long brown ponytails swaying in the breeze as we walked down the dirt road, leading to the town. "Now remember Winnie, don't move from the front steps until I come to get you. Don't talk to strangers or anyone you don't know got it?" I questioned the 4 year old as she skipped happily by my side, swinging my hand back and forth. "I gots it Shiloh! I gots it." She said as we arrived into to town. My school was only a few blocks away from Winnie's daycare, so it made it easier for me to pick her up when school let out for the day. Once we got to the daycare, I greeted Shiloh's teacher, Ms. Fisher as she stood by the door greeting her students. She was an average sized woman, about 5'6 with long brown hair that reached down towards the middle of her back. She was a little on the thick side but it looked good on her unlike it did on some people. Some people like me.

 "Hello Winnie. Are you excited to learn today?" She asked Winnie. Winnie nodded and went to let go of my hand before I pulled her back and squatted down to her level "Now, Remember what I said about this afternoon, Wait for me." I reminded her and she nodded "Ok. I gots it." She said. I took her little, soft and warm hands in mine and looked into her eyes "Be good today. For Papa alright?" I said and she nodded again before kissing my forehead and walking through the door of the center. "Have a good day!" I said as I waved at her, watching her go.

I sighed softly as I watched all the other 4 year olds playing freely, without a care in world. Without a worry in the world. Happy. Lively. Energetic. Everything I wish I still was..

I stopped being happy and carefree a long time ago...

[Hiyaa :).I'm personally happy with how this chapter turned out :) I hope at least someone is reading this O.O  So What do you think so far?- Kaylee (The Writer) ]