A Generic Title

Chapter 1

As we're walking home, Lisa says to me, "What are we doing?" So I say. "Walking home, duh." "Well I can tell that, but why?" says Lisa. "Because neither of us has a car and we're old enough to do so," I say. "Why can't we ask your parents to pick us up?" says Lisa. "Do you really want to get into that again? Last time it didn't end well," I reply. She just sighs. The rest of our walk is just silent. Before we go to my house, we stop past her aunt's bakery.

Her aunt is 65 years old, but you could never tell. Her skin is smooth and her hair is still all black, although you can see some grey in there. "What'll it be?" she asks. "The usual," I say. She gives me a look as if she knows I'm hiding something. Lisa told me that her aunt used to be a therapist, so it was no point in trying to hide anything. Her aunt retired after 30 years of counseling. She said that she just wanted to have to deal with her own problems. Lisa and I sit at the booth at the far corner of the store.

Lisa just looks at me. Her big brown eyes seem to be prodding me. like she knows that I have a secret. She waits until I finish my doughnut and then laughs. "OK, what's up?" she says. "Nothing," I say. But she can tell I'm lying. She could always tell. "Look at me," she says, "Don't lie to me, what is happening?" "Um," I contemplate fessing up right now. "We got into an argument earlier, and I'm still trying to get over that." She can still tell I'm lying. "Seriously, what is wrong?" she says again in a more stern tone. "I just told you," I say, but this time my voice quavers. "Listen, I'm not gonna prod any more," Lisa says. She gets up and goes to the bathroom. "I'll be back," she says.  My stomach sinks, I hate to keep secrets from her. Ever since we first met, we were best friends. As a matter of fact, she is the only one, besides my parents and siblings, who knows my real name. 

Lisa returns and we leave. My house is only a few blocks away. Lisa still looks kind of aggravated. I'm sad, but I don't let it show. Once we get to my house, I see that Mom and Dad aren't home yet. I look at the time and it's 3:30. Usually they're home by now. So Lisa and I do our homework and watch some T.V. Lisa's aunt pick her up and it's 5:00. "Okay," I think to myself, why aren't the parents home yet. For some reason my uncle who lives with me isn't even here. I look in the fridge and there isn't enough leftovers for everyone. So I decide to make spaghetti. Instead of meatballs, I use the tilapia from last night's dinner. There is some still left, so I eat it myself. 6:15 and I'm still home alone.

I call Mom and her phone goes to voicemail. I decide to leave a message, "Hey Mom, it's me. Where are you at? I just want you to know that I already made dinner and am waiting for Dad and Uncle Mo to come home. Call me back soon please." I call Dad and Uncle Mo, but it's the same result.

7:30, and now I'm worried, nobody is home and nobody is answering their calls. I wait another 20 minutes and then I wash and dry the dishes. 8:00 and still no sign of anyone. So I call my grandma and she says that she hasn't seen any of them all day. She also says that Mom and her were supposed to go to lunch today as they do every Pesday. Grandma just tells me to just go to bed and everything will be resolved in the morning. BUT HOW CAN I SLEEP?!?!? MY FAMILY IS MISSING! But  I go into my room and video call Lisa on my computer. No matter what happens, we always end the night like that.

"FINALLY!" Lisa exclaims, "It's almost 10:00. I was beginning to worry that something bad happened to you." "Well, don't stop worrying just yet," I say. "Why? What's wrong?" Lisa says, her big brown eyes now look full with compassion. "My family is missing!" I say. "Everybody?!?!?" Lisa says. "Even Uncle Mo?" she says. "Yes," I say. I feel like I'm about to break down. "Lisa, I'm truly scared because none of them are answering their phones," I say. All of a sudden, someone knocks at the door and I jump. "What happened this time?" Lisa asks. Someone is at the door. "Hold up," I say. I open up my wireless camera app I put up at the door. "What's happening out there?" Lisa says, getting impatient. "Someone is at the door and I don't know who it is, I say. "Just don't answer it," Lisa says.