The Beginning of the End

I don't want to go, but mom and dad won't listen to me anymore. All mom does is cry and dad is always on the computer, for work I think. We're moving to a new neighborhood and I don't understand why. My only friend, Cade, is here. We live close to school, so close I can walk, so that's not it. Maybe for my dad's work? Maybe he got fired and that's why moms always crying. Maybe that's why he hasn't gone to his office this past week. Maybe that's why we're moving. Even so I don't want to leave.

Mom and dad finished packing the car and the moving truck has already left. Last night I heard mom crying again, I was going to ask her why but I didn't want to get in trouble for being out of bed so late. As we pull out of the neighborhood all I can do is stare out the back seat of the car watching my house and everything else with it fade away. I didn't even get to say bye to Cade.

Now here we are at this new house, I hate it here, something feels off. This house is smaller than my house, everything is so cramped I don't even get my own room. I have to share a bed with my little sister, Nicky. She doesn't seem to mind as much as I do. I had that strange feeling again, maybe I'll check it out. I climb out of bed so carefully Nicky doesn't even stir. Walking down the hall I see colorful lights peeking out from under my parent's doors, dancing across the floor. A news reporter's voice accompanies the TV's bright lights. Further down the hall I can hear noises from the kitchen. I peer around the corner and into the room. At the counter an old woman stands making cookies. She drops a cookie sheet "Oh my, clumsy me." My heart begins to race, what do I do? Why is she here? What is she doing? How did she get in? The strange feeling is strong in here. I hear footsteps coming, I have to warn them! But I'm too late and Mom flicks on the kitchen light. I turn to look at the old lady, she's gone. Was I seeing things? I don't want to get in trouble for being out late so I sneak back to bed. I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight.

I hear mom wake up Nicky for school and I roll out of bed. Maybe I can make new friends at today. The ride to school is quiet and mom doesn't say good morning to me, I don't even feel like I'm part of this family any more. Mom walks Nicky to her new kindergarten class but nobody tells me where to go. I walk into the first classroom I see that says 5th grade. I slip in with another student and the teacher doesn't say anything about it so I guess I'm in the right place. I sit at the only available desk left and sigh. No one has said hi to me, maybe they think I'm a weirdo new kid. I don't fit in here. At recess I sit on top of the monkey bars by myself. At my house Cade and I used to sit on the monkey bars together all the time and talk. Everything I did today seemed like I was alone. Only at car pick up was I surrounded by kids, who even then wouldn't even look at me.

As we pulled into the drive way I bolted out of the car to the swings in the back yard. Crying, feeling so alone. "Cookie?" I jump back. The old lady from last night holds a plate of cookie out towards me.
"Who are you?" I ask cautiously.
"Sophie," she replies "would you like a cookie?"
"Yes, but I can't take food from strangers" I state. That strange feeling washing over me again. It's like a warm tingle.
"Why are you here?"
"I used to live here in this house," Sophie says.
"Then why are you here now?" I question.
"To help a new friend."

Warped weird images flash before me until I stand in front of a picture of myself smiling.
"What?" I ask "What are we doing here? Where are we?" I turn to Sophie.
Sophie just takes my hand and l feel a jolt of comforting warmth. Together we turn to face a crowd of people, no one is looking at us instead they are looking at my father and mother. They share the same sad expression and tear stained cheeks. I see Cade in the crowd crying too. And it all comes flooding back.

Walking to school.

Van stops by me.

Snatched.

A Basement.

Cold.

No food.

Dark.

Hungry.

Tired.

So tired.

"No" I fall to my knees, tears, water falling down my face.
"It's okay, it's over. You can come with me now, you don't belong here anymore." Sophie gently says. "I can show you the way."
With a deep breath I slowly reach for Sophie's hand, I don't want to leave my family but I realize as I was walking to school and that man grabbed me it was the beginning of the end.