Shadows

Prologue

     Chase runs around the room trying to catch the cat- Albert. Why Albert? He reminds us of Fat Albert. I help mom make dinner in the kitchen. Dad is on the on the computer on his desk in the next room. I begin to take plates to the table and Chase and the cat zoom by nearly knocking me over. "Chase! Watch where you're going!" I snap.

     He stops in his tracks and gives me a cold stare. "You're not my mom," he says. Jeez, for an 8-year-old he has an attitude. 

     "Stop. Both of you." Mom interrupts.

     "She started it," Chase says. "I think she is having one of those attitudes Daddy always says she has."

     "Shut up!"

     Mom gave me one of those Say it again, I dare you glares. "Language. Chase, tell Daddy dinner is ready." He scampers off into his office while I finish setting the table. A few moments later Daddy and Chase come out of the room and sit at the table.

     "Looks good," he said. The rest of us settle in our seats. On our plates was spaghetti and meat balls. In reality, it looks like crap, but I love my mom and it's food, so I eat it. My mom isn't the greatest cook, but like I said, I love her and it's food.

     We finished dinner and watched my favorite movie of all time... Master of Disguise! I know it's kind of childish, but for some weird reason, I love it! My favorite part is when that guy and the chic- I actually don't know their names- go to the turtle club. Turtle!

      As soon as it was over Dad said, "Bed time. Alex, make sure your mother turned off the stove."

     "Don't worry about it, Alex, I know I turned it off." I nod and head to my room upstairs.

     My room is  a dark purple with a twin sized bed in the corner. I changed into my fluffy cupcake printed pants and a tank top. I lied in bed and drifted to sleep.

***

     I wake up to an alarm and the horrid smell of smoke. I cough and crawl out of the bed. I touch the door nob. The extreme heat stung my hand. I fall on the floor screaming. That will leave a large mark.

     I hear Chase screaming in the other room. "Chase, can you hear me?" I scream, But all I could hear was his screaming. It was hurting me. His pain. The fire started pouring into the room. Smoke filled my lungs. Then I hear nothing but the fire cracking as it spreads. Chase! Why can't I hear him? "Chase!"

     I hear people outside and flowing water. "Help!" I hear sounds coming from the wall. People are hacking through the wall! Thank God! They need to get to Chase! "Help!" I start coughing again. I can't stop. I slowly drift as someone finally emerges from the hole in the wall. "Chase."