She's Gone and I'm Lost

12 | Mrs. Johnson

dedicated to that person that I know but I'm not going to say their name but I still appreciate them :)

12 | Mrs. Johnson

January 1st | 9:14 am

Yes, I am aware that this is my third entry today. And yes, I am aware that I was strictly told not to write more than one. But like I said before, I'm tired of taking my time. I want to get this over with. The sooner, the better.

After I fell asleep and had that dream with Alex in it, I was awoken by a hand on my shoulder. I blinked open my eyes and looked around. Marleen was the one with her hand on my shoulder, gently shaking me. Will was sat in the seat beside her, looking out the window. I sat up and peered through the glass as well. The sun seemed to be hovering above the horizon, not quite sunset. It cast auburn and rosy glows across the earth, making everything seem warm. But I knew it was quite the opposite. I knew that the second I step out of the truck, I would be surrounded in the icy cold air. 

"Danika, we're here," Marleen said. She reached around me and grabbed her coat, slipping it on from the driver's seat.

"We're where?" I asked. I was still a bit dazed from the dream I had, Alex's words were still ringing through my head. 'Because you have finally accepted me, Danika. You aren't pushing me away anymore.' I didn't know what she meant by that, but it scared me. I could clearly see her smile in my mind. Her smile used to warm my heart and make me happy, but in my dream there was something sinister about it. I thought of what her words might mean. Was she never going to leave my conscious? Would she appear at random times for the rest of my life? Was I actually accepting her like she said I was? Thinking of Alex, I looked at the seat beside me. But, Alex wasn't sitting there anymore, just our bags and coats.

"Your mom's friend, Mrs. Johnson," Marleen said. I replicated her actions, slipping on my coat.

"Oh, yeah," I said. Will had put on his coat as well. I grabbed the letter and tucked it inside my coat pocket with Alex's notes and star map. Marleen stepped out of the truck silently, and the second that she opened the door I felt the cold air swirl into the vehicle. Will and I followed her lead, getting out of the truck.

I glanced at the house, taking in its structure. I noticed a large tree beside the house. One of its study branches reached towards a window on the second floor. I wondered if anyone ever used that tree to sneak into the house. I was pulled from my thoughts when I heard the sound of Marleen's knuckles thump against the door. I heard the sound of slow footsteps echoing within the house. A minute later, the door was pulled back.

Mrs. Johnson was a short, old lady. Her hair was greying but you could see that it used to be brown. Her eyes held a sadness that you could only see if you were looking for it. "Oh," she said, sounding surprised to see three teenagers on her doorstep. "And who are you?" she asked us.

I stepped in front of Marleen and Will. "Hi," I said awkwardly. "I'm, uh, Danika. Denise Acqua's daughter?"

Her eyes lit up at the mention of my mother's name. "Oh! Come in, come in," she said. We didn't argue, eager to get out of the chilly weather. Mrs. Johnson ushered us into a living room, telling us to make ourselves comfortable. Once we were all seated, she looked at each of us in turn before her eyes fell back on me. "Last time I saw you, Danika, you were three years old," she told me. "Who are your friends?"

"Oh," I said, feeling rude for not introducing them yet. I gestured towards Marleen, "This is Marleen." I then gestured to Will, "And this is Will."

Mrs. Johnson looked at them with a smile, "It's very nice to meet you two," she said.

"You too," Marleen said on her and Will's behalf.