Fade Into Nothingness

Chapter One

Three years
Two weeks
Three days

'Fresh new start McKenna, moving to Phoenix will be amazing for us, just trust me. Everything will change.'

This is what my mother said to me before she somehow convinced me into moving away from Iowa. I know to some people, moving is a great idea, especially if their life is anything like mine. But to me, moving away means leaving my sister behind.

'She'd want you to move on with your life and be happy.'

With those exact words, my mother has successfully convinced me into moving. Anything that involves Amanda and what she would want for me, will make me say yes to everything. And my mother knows that.

But I know the real reason my mother wants to move. She's afraid he'll come back, that he'll find us but she assured me that he's in prison now and is locked away for good. But I'm the type of person who doesn't believe it until I see it with my own two eyes. I've asked her multiple times if I could see him or a picture of him locked up but she would always find a reason to make me stay. This moving idea just proves my theory correct.

"McKenna are you ready?" My mother asks.

No.

"Yes," I smile at her and I grab my suitcase.

Off to the airport. Good bye Iowa.

*****

We arrived at 9:04 pm and I don't know whether I should be happy or sad.

Here I am. In Phoenix, Arizona.

I know this might sound crazy but I really wish I was in Iowa right now. Yeah, Arizona may have the best views and the beautiful sunsets but Iowa has my sister. And being here, a thousand miles away from her, feels like I'm committing a sin by leaving her behind. And also the fact that my mother and I don't know anyone here, thus leaving us all alone, in a new city; with no friends, no family. I feel stranded.

Before we left, my mother already rented an old crappy house for us to live in. I'm hoping she rented it because there's a chance we might go back to Iowa.

She didn't take my feelings into consideration when moving here. She didn't think about how it would affect my life. How I would have to go to a new high school for my senior year. A year where you should graduate with your friends. Well in my case, friend. I only have one, or had one.

Ever since I told my maybe-or-maybe-not best friend, Alyssa, that I was moving away, she got upset and decided to never to talk to me again so that she could have more time to 'deal' with it. I forgot to mention that I too, was her only friend, so you can see why she would be extremely affected.

Moral of the story: don't move.

My mother's voice snaps me back to my sad reality.

"Mac, how do you like it?" My mother asks, while we're standing in front of our crappy old new house.

It was worse than the picture online. I absolutely hate it.

"I absolutely love it," I say, with weak attempts of trying to convince her that I'm telling the truth.

"Great! Wonderful! I do too!"

It didn't matter whether I'd say a lie in a monotone, obviously lying way, she would still believe it to make herself feel better.

That's Ella Sloan for ya'.

We walk into our luxurious home. And I kid you not, the floor makes a creaking sound with every step I take. This will be great for trying to sneak out for parties and such, but then again, will I ever attend a party?