What Have We Come To

Chapter 1

My alarm blares, waking me up. I shoot up and hit my head on the roof. "Crap." I grumble and rub the sore spot on my head. Slowly I climb down the ladder of my loft bed. I hit the snooze on my alarm clock and yawn.

"You're breakfast is getting cold." My mom yells from downstairs.

"Coming" I yell back. I throw on a pair of ripped jeans, a dark red tank top and my leather jacket, quickly brushing my short black hair, and running down stairs quickly after. My mom is standing over the stove poking pieces of bacon. Her curly dark brown hair is pulled back into a neat bun and she is wearing her dark blue blouse and black dress pants. She casts a quick smile at me then looks back at the bacon. I sit down and wait for my food.

My father walks in and places his paper on the table. "There has been another earthquake." My mom and I both look at my dad.

"How-how bad?" Mom stutters. Father just shakes his head. We all sit silently until I break the silence. The loud sound of my chair squeaking across the floor echoes throughout silent the house.

"I have to go to school now." My dad nods grimly and mom gives me a hug. I grab a piece of bacon and my backpack then leave.

I arrive at school just in time to hear the bell. I book it to class and quickly take my seat. "Good morning class." The teacher says. The whole class says good morning. Some in ridiculous voices. School goes on as usual until lunch. My mom comes and picks me up without telling me. I get into the car and she speeds away.

"What's up mom?" I ask, she stiffens.

"Nothing's up. Why would you think something's up? Is it wrong for a mom to want to spend time with her daughter?" She says quickly, not looking at me. We turn onto the highway away from our home.

"Mom, where are we going?' She speeds up. "Mom" She stays silent. "Mom!" I yell

. "Be quiet!" She yells back, tears streaming down her cheeks. I place my hand on the steering wheel.

"Pull over mom." She looks at me with pain and sadness covering her face. "Pull over." I speak softly.

Slowly she pulls over to the side of the road. I unbuckle and turn to face her. "What are we doing? Where are we going?" Her face turns pale and her voice shakes as it comes out.

"There was another earthquake. I was just out shopping. When-when I came back the only thing left of our house was a huge crater and rubble." A shiver runs down my spin

. "What about dad?" She bursts out into tears. My eyes fill up. One stray tear streams down my cheek. I let her cry it out then lean over to her and give her a hug. "Mom. Where were you driving?" I ask softly. She wipes the stray tears off her cheeks then shrugs.

"I was just...driving." She whispers.

I click my tongue. She sniffles and stares at the steering wheel. I reach behind my seat and grab a Kleenex, handing it to her. She nods and blows her nose. "So, what next?" I ask her. She shrugs. We sit on the side of the road until she finishes crying. I press the unlock button on the car.

"Let me drive." I say. My mom looks at me and nods. I open the door and get out. I walk over to the driver's side and open her door. She gets up and walks over to the passenger side, getting in. I get into the driver's seat, buckle and start up the car.

I pull off the side of the highway and drive to Edmonton. "Why- why are we going to Edmonton?" My mom sniffles from beside me. I glance quickly at her then look back at the road.

"We're going to my aunts." My mom grumbles and I stifle a laugh.

"Do we have to?" She whines, sounding like a small child not wanting to eat her vegetables.