I'll Be Home For Christmas

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Monday March 15th, 1995
4:34 PM
Dallas Home

Two young brothers decided to play Hide N Seek in the woods just north of their house.

"98, 99, 100! Ready or not here I come!" The eldest of the brothers screamed! With his hair jelled up in spikes, he ran from their freshly painted home into the wander of trees.

The middle child, Joe found his perfect spot up in a tree. He climbed it like a monkey and hid in the shadow of branches.

"Aaah choo!" The eldest retraced his steps back to the tree he had passed earlier.

"Ah ha! I see you up there Joe!" He pointed up at his dark haired brother. Joe climbed down then started to whine.

"That's soo not fair! I sneezed!" Joe complained removing his cotton shirt that got caught up in the bark of the tree. 

"It is too fair because I found you!" Joe rolled his eyes as the two headed back.

They stepped into their warmed colored home with mom in the kitchen and dad reading the newspaper at the counter.

"How did hide & seek go?" He asked while pushing his glasses up his nose.

"It was alright..Kev cheated," Joe replied hanging his blue coat in the closet by the front door.

"I did not!" Kevin fought back. "I found you fair and square!"

"Loser says what," Joe asked with a devilish grin.

"What?"

"Hahaha!" Joe slapped his knee as Kevin shook his head.

"Boys, can you go down in the cellar and check on Nicholas?" Their mom Denise asked sweetly.

"Sure mom."

The brothers headed downstairs to young Nicholas's room. As Kevin opened the door, their baby brother was fast asleep. His room got painted a light blue and looked like any other 3 year old room. The reason for him being in the cellar is because it's the warmest room in the house. Plus Nicholas seems to like it.

"Hey Kev, can we play hide & seek again, only this time I find you?"

"What makes you think you can find me?" Joe rolled his eyes. "But you're on!"

Both the boys raced outside while their mother hollered dinner would be ready soon. Running deep into the maze of trees, they stopped to catch their breath."Go count while I hide."

"I know how the game works," Joe huffed covering his eyes and placing his head down on the tree. "1..2..3..4..5.." An explosion came from their house startled both the brothers.

As they ran back, all they ever known were getting drenched in flames. All their toys and belongings including: mom, dad..and three year old baby brother, Nicholas.

November 29th, 2001
"God's Best Creation Orphanage" in New York City

A long November came to an end as December and Christmas time were just around the corner. All the wonderful smells from Thanksgiving were fading, as warm Holiday cookies began baking in the oven of an orphanage in New York, holding the kids and teens whose Christmas wish were to be with their families, whoever they may be for some.

A nine year old in particular who doesn't remember ever having a family let alone a big brother or sister. From the age of three, doesn't recall being found in all the rubble, dust and smell of his loving deceased parents buried in it all. Who doesn't realize getting separated from the rest of the family and shipped off to New York. For all young Nicholas knew, he was raised here to help all the others who in one way or another got separated from their own tragical and dark past .

In LA California, only half a home for fourteen year old Kevin and twelve year old Joe. A close family friend adopted the two brothers once it was clear that their parents and younger brother were dead. The unbelievable tragedy dramatically changed the fourteen and twelve year old. The once happy, cheerful, full of life Kevin, is now living a life with his shield high up, not letting a single person break through. He turned bitter and believes the world is against him, after he nearly lost  everything.

Joseph on the other hand became completely mute, letting in the only thing that's barely holding him together. Because when your standing on a pillar with the right being your only wall to keep you from falling. You're bound to fall to the left, where the other should be, to keep you balanced and never letting you fall.

Please forgive me for not updating anything in these last few months. I had major writers block & to be honest, I didn't have it in me to continue forcing myself to write. I've been busy making videos, including one for "Three Years" and "I'll Be Fine." So expect those to be on my YouTube page, "ShannonWerle" where I have another videos I've been working on. Thank you all for supporting my stories, it truly means a lot. I'm honestly so happy to be back and I hope you enjoy this new story.
-Shannon