That next morning as I lay in my bed staring at the stationary ceiling fan, I hummed a made up song to myself. It was 7:30 in the morning. School starts in 45 minutes. I still layed, only the song keeping me company, besides the tones of cars roaring off in the distance. I heard the undeniable foot steps of someone walking towards my room. I flicked my eyes shut, faking sleep. My bedroom door screeched open, as if to say "keep those eyes shut!" I heard a slight sniffle before the door rested in its hinges once more. I opened my eyes and stared where my mother was just standing. I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes, a yawn making its way to my mouth. I sat up on the side of my bed and stretched my tan arms. I let all of my body go loose as I fell down into the warm blankets of my small bed. And that was all I remember of that. I woke up and realized it was dark out. "Holy shit..." I mumbled to myself. I got up, blonde hair still spilling down my sides, and walked to my window. I pulled apart my sea foam green curtains and peeked through. Dark. It was just a plain dark ally way, the same one I'd seen one thousand times. I threw my curtains back to their former and stood in he center of my room, still slightly baffled. I threw my hair into a bun and slipped on a handy dandy sports bra, a sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. I slowly wandered down the stairs while applying enough mascara to last a day. My mother was no where to be seen. However there was a note at her seat in the kitchen. The chair that had originally been slid into the dining room was now pleasantly placed back by the table in the kitchen. I sighed. A mix of confusion and serenity.
I stumbled into the kitchen and lifted the note. I squinted my blue eyes as I read the scribbled words. "We're out. Be back." Is all it read. I placed it back to where it say and strided over to the cereal cabinet. It smoothly opened, agreeing to show me the rainbow of cereal boxes it had to offer. I picked one I normally wouldn't. Mr.Butter. "Feeling adventurous today." I spoke softly to myself while grabbing a white bowl from the cupboard. I giggled at my own humor, appreciating that the box had never been opened, and plopped myself into the chair. I usually ate cereal without milk. As so I did today. I looked at the clock on the blank kitchen wall. 9:32. I shook my head in disbelief as I took another bite of cereal. "How could I have slept that long..." I asked myself. I shook my head, STILL dumbfounded. Why hadn't mom woken me up for school? I took out my phone and called her, still chewing the peanutty crisps. Straight to voicemail. "Hello, this is Jaime. I'm not here right now, but if you leave a message I'll get back to you as soon as possible! Thanks bye!" I hung up before I could leave her a message. "She'll be home soon." I reassured myself, feeling panic begin to build up. "She will." I rinsed my bowl out and flicked on the living room light. Clean. Empty. Lonesome. The usual. I sat on our red love seat sofa as the home phone rang. I snapped my head towards it. Which wasn't where it should be.
I got up and slowly strided toward the sound. It was coming from the bathroom. "The bathroom...?" I whispered. The door was open, but the room seemed otherwise. I reached in with what seemed like incredible speed and flicked he light switch. Mentally proud of myself, I used this newfound bravery to sneak a peek of the inside. I whipped my head around the door, to see nothing. Shower was empty. Toilet was empty (thank god). But the home phone was rested what almost seemed purposefully against the wall on the countertop. It was on its last ring, so I picked it up without hesitation. "H-hello?" I stuttered. "Stephanie." Was all the deep manly voice spoke. My heart sunk to my bare feet as my mouth went dry. "I-I hello?" Was all I could say. "Stephanie listen to me." The voice was demanding and scary, yet somehow calming. I said not a word. "I need you to step outside of the front door. Understand?" I nodded, knowing full well the person on the other end couldn't see. I took painful steps toward the front door and stood there. "Almost there, Steph. Just open the door." I heard the bathroom door slam behind me. "Ignore it. Just go out the door. Your ok." I felt tears begin to fall. I reached for the front handle of the door with horrendously shaking hands, and managed to turn its brass knob. "Good girl." The door opened to the same ally way, the same street, the same dumpsters. I stood there, motionless. Hearing nothing except the heaviness of my breath and the pounding of my heart in my throat. I swallowed, hoping to tune it out, but it remained. "Hello" I spoke softly into the phone. It was almost a full minute before a reply. "Yes. Stephanie?" The voice said, as if they had been double checking I was still there. I took a long breath as tears began to flow. "I'm scared." I whispered into the receiver. I heard my own words echo back to me, both from the phone and my brain. I began to silently sob.
Why was I listening to this voice?
Where were my parents?
