The Great Escape (Book One)

Chapter Seven

            “Connor, will you please take me to work?” I asked as I walked into the kitchen the next morning. “Of course!” Connor cried. “Just give me a minute to go change and we can leave as soon as you’re ready.” “Alright.” I said smiling. I got a banana off the counter and started to peel it as Connor ran upstairs to change clothes. A few minutes later he returned, keys in his hand. “Ready to go?” He asked. I nodded and tossed the banana peel into the trashcan. I grabbed my phone off the counter and we headed on our way.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            “I have a few errands to run again today so I’ll be out and about all day today so I’ll come pick you back up later on.” Connor said. “Alright, I’ll look for the car.” I said. “No, I’ll meet you at the front gate.” He said. “Okay.” I said smiling. “Hey, let me have your phone for a minute.” Connor said. I handed him my phone and a few second later he handed it back to me. “Since you didn’t have it yet, I put my number in there. I also put Riley and Toby’s numbers in it. Call me if you need anything. If by some off chance I don’t answer my phone, call one of my brothers. Between the three of us one of us will answer.” “Alright.” I said again. “Have a good day.” Connor said. I smiled. “You too.” I shut the door and walked off. I got to the gate and turned around and waved to Connor. He waved back and I walked inside the park. “Today” I said aloud. “Is the first day of the rest of my life.”

            I headed over to New Fantasyland and went to the employee rooms. I changed into my uniform and put my clothes into my bag and locked it in one of the lockers. I walked back outside and headed over to my spot. I sat down in the giant clam shell and picked up the stuffed toy Flounder next to me. I watched as family after family walked around the amusement park, stopping to meet different characters and go on ride after ride. After sitting there for twenty minutes a little girl came up to me. “Hi, what's your name?” I asked. “I’m Ella!” She said happily. “And what can I do for you, Ella?” I asked. “Can I take a picture with you?” Ella asked. “Of course you can.” I said smiling. I held out my arm and she leaned in towards my side and her dad took a picture. “Thank you!” She cried, grinning from ear to ear. “You’re welcome, Ella.” I said. I smiled warmly and gave her a hug before she happily skipped off to join her family again.

            As it got later in the morning, more people began to fill up the park. One family came and stopped in front of me. The little girl clutched tightly to her mother’s hand. “Go on sweetheart, it’s okay” Her mother told her. “Go talk to Ariel.” She looked up at me and I waved and she let go of her mom’s hand. She looked over at her sister and she nodded. The girl slowly walked towards me. “Do you want to take a picture?” I asked. She nodded. She stood next to me and the picture was taken and she quickly went back to her mother. “Ariel!” Someone cried. I looked up and a little girl who looked around seven was running towards me. She was short and had blonde hair that was in braided pigtails.

            She ran up to me and stood by my side. She looked down at my arm and I quickly turned it to hide my cuts and scars. The last thing I need is a little girl wondering why “Ariel” is hurt. The little girl grabbed my arm and turned it over. “I know how that happened.” She said. “What?” I asked. She pointed to my arm. “I know how that happened.” She said again. “My brother said that it happens when people are mean to you. Mommy said that’s why he went on vacation. I miss him. I don’t know when he’s going to come back and mommy won't tell me.” I frowned. “I hope people are nice to you now… then you won't have to go on vacation.” I forced a smile and wiped a tear from my eye. She understood so much for understanding so little. “Emma! I told you not to run away!” A women yelled as she came running over to us. “I’m sorry if she bothered you.” She said. “It was nothing.” I said, wiping my eyes. The little girl gave me a hug and kissed my cheek before running over to her mother.