Stella's Story

Chapter 5

   I ran. I ran as fast as I could.

   He can't be gone. No. It's not possible, I refuse to accept it!

   The tears weren't helping me with my vision at all, so naturally I stumbled a few times in the forest.

   I ran to the old treehouse that my dad and he had built for me. I went in and threw myself down onto the mattress that we had kept there.

   I cried for what seemed like hours on end, but eventually fell into a deep sleep.

~ 6 hours later ~

   I woke up with tears stains on my cheeks and a crick in my neck. I must have slept wrong yet again. Way to go me. Note the sarcasm.

I got up and brushed off the dust that had collected on me and looked around.

   I sighed and thought about my parents and how worried they would be for me. I climbed back down the treehouse and started to walk out of the woods.

   Every so often I would kick a stone or pick up a stick and poke slugs or snails. I couldn't stop thinking about the note he left.

Dear Stels,
I'm sorry you have to find out this way but it really is for the best. One day you will understand the reasoning behind it and when that day comes, find me. You're my sister so I know that you will be mad for a long time, but it had to be done. I was a threat to mom, dad and especially you. They were looking for new test subjects, I lied and said I was the only one.

They found out and said I had one day left to spend with my family before they would force me to become a test subject, like the rest. One day, when your older and you understand what is happening in the world, come find me.

I am truly sorry I had to leave you but you're a strong girl. You'll be alright. I love you Stels.

-Alec

Have you ever lost someone you loved and never knew why? Or did someone ever leave you even more alone in the world with no explanation? That's what's happening now.

My big brother, the one I can trust most, just left.

I finally got out of the woods and started walking home on the street, knowing full well that I would be getting yelled at by my mom and dad. I wonder if they know he's gone yet.

When I got to the front yard I saw no lights on in the house. My mom and dad weren't home yet, but there were two people sitting on the front porch.

As I got closer I could tell it was Parker and Maddie. It looked like they were in a heated conversation and that rarely ever happens between the two.

   Maddie was sitting on the ground with her head hanging low before throwing her hands up in the air. She stood up and started poking Parker in the chest with her index finger while I could hear her voice getting louder. Parker's face was red and he had his fists balled up, looking like he was trying not to punch anything. He wouldn't even keep eye contact with Maddie.

   I got closer and finally heard a part of their conversation.

   "So you knew and thought it was a good idea not to say anything. To anyone!" Maddie yelled.

   "He made me promise, said it was for their own good Mads. Why won't you believe me?" Parker mumbled.

"How can I believe you? Especially after this! Do you know how Stella is going to feel knowing that her own brother told you that he was leaving but not her?" Maddie yelled at him.

"I said I was sorry what else do you want from me!?" He yelled back.

Maddie was about to say something else when the idiot, that being me, stepped on a twig. It made an echoing sound that got their attentions.

I looked at Parker, "You knew. You knew and didn't say anything to me."

"Stella I'm sorry. I'm really-"

"No! I don't want to hear it." I ran past Maddie and Parker, into my house, into my room and locked my bedroom door.

I could hear Parker and Maddie begging to let them in but I didn't budge.

I turned on the computer I had gotten for one of my birthdays, and put on some music drowning them out.