Road to Myself

*~Two~*

My mother believes that her presence around me is 100% necessary. The numerous times that I have refuted with her, but she would bark back at me. I try to erase the intention of doing so as we stroll down the cemented side walk. My mother has stated that the world is full of unexpected dangers, but theres no one spot where safeness is to it's max. My scratched up, and worn out sneakers are a tinted color of grey, my gaze stays focused on mainly my shoes as I kept walking forward.

To be honest, I know very little about the outside world. I spend my days behind locked doors, so going out to the grocery store, or even setting three feet out into the back yard is enough to make my spirits go up. The many things I have questioned my mother about, was why was I in general restricted to go outside. "Don't worry about it," she would respond with a slight shrug.

It's almost like they are scared of losing me. The cold air around me transforms my face into a pale color. I blow a bit of the warm air resting inside my mouth, and as it comes rushing out, it creates a smoke illusion as the warm and cold air clash together. Once we reach the mini market, mother takes her shopping list out of her hand bag, and we slowly enter the bright market.

"Put your hoody on," mother snaps at me in the most quiet voice. Without any more warnings, I put my hood on. Mother glanced at me to make sure. I stayed quiet. I slid my tongue over my bottom lip to moisten it. The cold air was drying out my skin.
         We spent approximately fifteen minutes in the super market. Mother, excited to return home and cook, I on the other hand, was excited to be here.

     This was the second time I've seen mother pay for the things she got off the shelves, and how the cashier used this so called, cash register.
The world is wonderful, I thought to myself. As mother payed for her belongings, I stood at the end waiting for the groceries to be passed down. I blew air into my cheeks, puffing them up.

     My mind wandered off as I spaced out while staring at a poster of a lean meat deal, they hung from the market ceiling. Must taste g-

     I heard heel clacking agaisnt the floor. My head turned a bit, just in time to spot a lady in a dress that hugged her body, speed walking her way towards me. In a matter of seconds, our bodies clashed and we both hit the ground.
       I rubbed my head, and glanced over at mother. "Merlinda!" She panicked. "Mother," I responded. Leaving behind the bags of groceries, she rushed over to me and lent a hand.
     The lady with the skin tight dress lifted herself up and she peered over at us.

     "Oh dear, my mistake," she claimed as she rubbed her head as well. "It's fine," I told her. Mother slapped my arm. I looked at her. She glared at me with viscous eyes. "Don't talk to strangers," is all she said. Not one, are you okay?
       I nodded my head. The lady picked herself up from the ground, and balanced herself. "Truly sorry, I'm just in a hurry and I have to get to this party and-," she stopped midway. She focused her gaze on me. I felt slightly uncomfortable with it.

      Her eyes stared deep into mine, as if trying to find something. I stepped a bit closer to mother, and held onto the sleeve of her coat. "Imia?," the lady questioned, squinting her eyes at me.
      Mother held a tight grip on my shoulders and pulled me back. "No! This is Merlinda, get lost lady! Your definitely hallucinating," said mother.

     The lady smirked and wiped her eyes. "Sorry, she just looks a lot like her," The lady averted her gaze from both of us. Mother looked furious, furious enough to make smoke escape her nostrils and ears.
        The lady took off, and mother retrieved the bag of groceries she finsihed paying for. As se did so, I thought about what the lady said.

"Imia?"

    She must've really been crazy, because that certainly isn't me!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

   Once we arrived home, father had already come back from his tiresome day at work. We entered the house, and wiped our feet on the entrance mat. Father was just settling himself down on the dining room table, we came in.

     "Hello dear," says my mother. Father looks up to meet mother face to face. He smiles lightly. "Hello darling," he responds, as mother bends down to plant a light kiss on his forehead.
    Father glances over at me. I gently grinned as I paced myself over to him. "Good afternoon father," I said. "Good afternoon Merlinda,"

     Mother sets the grocery bags on the dining table and plasters a realization face on.
     "Merlinda, can you please go check the laundry?" Mother asks without looking at me.
       "Alright," I respond.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
     I materialized in the basement, and went to check the laundry machine and the dryer. I opened the washer up, and placed all the clothes inside, into a dark purple colored basket. I sighed to myself and thought, basically what I do every day.

    I placed the dry clothes in a seperate basket and put the still wet clothes into the dryer. I let it sit for a second. Once it was up and running, I turned away and was headed upstairs. Before I could reach the stairs, I looked over at the shelf that carried hundreds of books on it, agaisnt the wall.

    I grew a little curious and walked over to it. I chuckled a bit, studying all the books that rested on top of each other. I blew air out of my mouth and noticed the whole shelf was leaning to the left a bit.
      Tempted, I kicked the shelf lightly and it shook lightly. Shoot, I have to go back upstairs before mother calls me. I took a step, and a dusty book fell from the very top of the shelf.

    I looked over at it, and picked it up. The cover was created with thick leather, but a few scratches here and there. Flipping through the pages, words were everywhere to be seen. Not one blank space. This is...a diary! Maybe mothers?...

    "Merlinda, it shouldn't take you half an hour to check the laundry!" Scowled mother from upstairs. I snapped out of my thoughts and tucked the diary inside my shirt. Regardless of how uncomfortable I felt at the moment.
   "Coming mother!" I shouted. I'll read the diary after dinner.......