Seventeen Cloud Nine (Choose Your Path)

Main Story : Chapter 1

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I wake up on a bright Saturday morning. I look out the window and see a newly constructed nest of birds.

I brush my teeth and pick out an outfit to wear; I pick black sneakers, jeans, and a sweatshirt.

I go downstairs to see that everyone was already awake. Takeshi, my cousin, is watching TV. My Uncle is getting ready for work.

"Hey lady, make sure you make Takeshi breakfast." Uncle said. I nod.

This is always normal. Takeshi is 3 years older than me; I am 17. I still have to do his daily chores.

I cook eggs and put them on a plate. I check the chores list and see no chores on it.

Cool, nothing to do. I think to myself.

I notice that Takeshi went to the bathroom, so I quickly leave the house without him noticing.

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The whole day went by quickly. I didn't do much. I walked around town and went to the park. I don't have many friends, so I didn't ask anyone to hang out.

It was getting dark very fast. The streets were empty and every step I took made an echo.

During the day, the streets are always packed with people and cars. Sometimes you can barely hear your own thoughts.

I take a shortcut to my house. The longer I took to come home, the more my Uncle would punish me for it. He always hits me, which gave me bruises and cuts. I've never had a week where my arms were completely clean.

The shortcut included an alley way. I walk through the alley way and hear footsteps.

I didn't freak out, but the footsteps never stopped.

I start to panic a little. I walk faster, but the footsteps only got faster. Am I going to get kidnapped?! What's going to happen! Then, flashbacks begin to play through my head.

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"Honey, it will be okay. Stay by my side." I obeyed every word she said.

All I heard were screams of help and shouts of pain.

"Don't listen to those noises." My mother said.

I saw him; the man.

He held up a black gun and pointed it towards my mother and me. Everyone around us in the store ran as quickly as he could.

"Give me the girl." He said. Mother shook her head.

"GIVE ME THE GIRL!" He shouted once more. Mom stayed calm and shook her head no again.

Then, she said her last words, "run."

The man shot her in the head and was aiming towards me next. I ran for my life.

He pulled the trigger again and it grazed against my left arm. I screamed in pain, but I kept running.

Police officers quickly grabbed him and took away his gun. I ran back home, but I realized, no one was there.