I remember it like it was yesterday.
Looking out of my window, the snow was falling from the sky, families singing at every door, on a cold Christmas Eve. The smell of pine cones in the air. The feeling of warmth in the room. I knew that this day wasn't going to be the same as every Christmas Eve. Dad didn't want us to be with him and Bill, my stepdad, was off in Afghanistan. Johnny, my little brother, and I put up all of the decorations so that Bill would come home to all of the beautiful ointments and stockings, but we could only wish.
I remember my favorite Christmas was when Bill came home and Dad even came over. Mom had just got finished cooking the ham and we just began to eat, when we heard a knocking and the door. Bill went to open it and in came Santa Clause will a sack full of toys. I knew it was grandpa just playing around, but I went with it because I knew Johnny was into Santa. That was the best Christmas I've ever had with all my family.
I noticed I didn't hear any noise from downstairs so I slowly started to get up from my bed. Then right as I was heading out my door. Johnny called for me in a low screeching voice. "Annabeth come quick" I ran out of my room, first fumbling down the stairs to see what was wrong. Once I reached the bottom of the stairs there I saw, my mother laying on the grown, looking pale, I touched her face, she was ice cold. I asked Johnny "what happened" I heard the worry in his voice "I don't know I came down here to see if Santa came and I saw mommy on the floor."
I keep him calm by telling him to go to the other room. I try to act fast. First I thought 'call Bill'. So I reached for the cold phone, picked it up and put it to my ear. The feeling of the freezing phone sent chills up my face. I was punching in his number when I finally realized 'the lines dead'.
I look over at my mother. Didn't know what to think, didn't know what to do. So I asked myself 'what would mom do?' I ran upstairs to my mothers room and grabbed the gun in the third drawer. I ran to Johns room and told him to hide. He did so. I ran back downstairs thinking 'what do I do now?' I again looked and my mother.
It's hard seeing the woman you looked up to just laying there motionless on the floor.
I heard a voice say "she couldn't protect you." I turned quick and saw a tall man standing there. All I could think about was 'run!' I ran upstairs trying to get away. I yelled to Johnny "DO NOT MOVE NO MATTER WHAT YOU HEAR JOHNNY! Then I hid under my mothers bed. I stayed quiet for about an hour. I thought to myself to just get to Johnny and make a run for it. I slowly got up and walked to Johns room and told him "let's go." Me and Johnny started to walk slowly down the stairs. I hear the man get up and start to move. We froze in fear. I told Johnny to run while I distracted the man. I slowly walked down the stairs and walked up to the man. "Done playing hide and seek? Now where's Johnny?!" I kicked him in his baby maker. I looked over at Johnny as he ran out the door. Then I felt a (WHAM) into the side of my head. Everything sends black.
