I Feel Nothing

Prologue.

"I'm getting a kitty. I'm getting a kitty. I'm-"

"Hey bestest fwend in the whole wowd," Tyler Bryant says, "What-cha doin'?"

"Oh hey bestest friend in the whole uni..." I start trying to pronounce the big word we'd learnt today in our English class, "Universe!" I finished beaming at him.

"You still haven't answered my question." Tyler complains sitting beside me.

"Oh, Right! I'm drawing a cat." I say smiling at him, "These are its paws and ears and eyes and look it has a heart shaped nose! Because I love it and it loves me."

"It's weally nice Damien." He says admiring my drawing.

"I know! Thanks and they agreed to get me a cat for my birthday!" I screech with delight and Tyler's eyes brighten.

"Weally? They agweed? That's so cool; maybe I can convince my pawents to get me one too!"

"Yeah, and then we can get the same gift on our same birthday!" I say grinning happily.

"Yeah, we're turning five in five days!" He says grinning happily as well.

Rrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiing!

"Ok class, School's out! Time to pack up for the day and hand in your drawings." Madame Pierre, our class teacher, says.

"Yes Madame Pierre." Our class choruses loudly.

Tyler and I pack our bags then walk to the front of the class together to hand in our drawings.

"These are nice. Well done you two! Have a lovely evening and say hello to your parents from me." Madame Pierre said.

"Ok Bye!" We both say as we turn around and take off towards the front door of our kindergarten.

When we get to the outside Tyler yells, "Race you to the bus! Last one there's a rotten-"

"Damien!" I hear someone shout from behind me.

I turn around and see, "Peachy!" I say happily running into her arms.

"Hello my little African Princess and look it's prince charming." She says lifting me into the air and placing me on her hip then leaning down without dropping me she ruffles Tyler's silky brown hair.

"Hey Peachy." Tyler says looking up at her with a wide smile.

"Where are mum and dad? They didn't pack me a lunch today. They said we'd go get pizza." I say happily wondering.

Her smile drops and she looks down. "What's wrong Peachy?"

"Oh nothing, I was just wondering if you'd want ice cream as well" She says quickly smiling.

"ICE CREAM?" Tyler and I said happily at the same time.

"Wait, but it's so cold, and Damien has asthma" Tyler pipes as his smile falters.

"TYLER!" I scream in anger. "Don't remind her!"

"Oh! Right, Maybe hot chocolate then." Peachy says grabbing Tyler's hand as we make our way to her big black car.

After putting us in the backseat, helping us buckle up, and calling Tyler's mum, she starts the car and we go to the nearest Java Palace. I refuse to talk to Tyler because he ruined my chances at getting Ice cream.

x.x.x.x.

"C'mon Damien. I didn't do it because I don't like you. I did it because you're my fwend and I didn't want you to get sick like wast time. Sowwy." He says looking down at his hands.

"Ok, fine. I forgive you." I say laughing and hugging him.

"Damien come sit on this side with me." Peachy says in a weird voice.

"What's wrong?" I ask her as I cross to her side of the booth. Tyler remains quiet as he sips his hot chocolate.

"Well you know how sometimes accidents happen, yeah?" She asks and I nod, "Umm well something like that happened to your parents and they...umm. They're not with us anymore."

"What does that mean? Did they go on a trip? Am I staying with you? Are tgey going tobe back by my birthday? Am I still getting a kitten for my-"I start ranting excitedly, turning to look at Tyler.

"Damien, honey," she says making me look at her, as a tear rolls down her face and she takes a deep breath, "It means they're dead. They didn't survive the accident. They were in the car and something went wrong and now they're gone."

She then grabs me in her arms and pulls me to her chest. "It'll be ok." She says over and over and over again. For a few minutes we stay like that. Her rubbing my back and whispering repeatedly about how it'll all be alright, as Tyler sits across from us quietly drinking his cocoa.

"Damien," I look up at her tear streaked face, "say something." She pleads.

I inhale deeply and look at my hands, and then I look back up and ask, "What does dead mean?"

x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x.x

"I now declare, Miss Diane Peach Cobbler, the official guardian of Miss Damien Marie Chazel. Case number 0981357, legal guardianship of a minor under the age of ten under the circumstance of the death of both biological parents with no appeal for custody from any family members. Miss Damien Chazel will be released into Miss Peaches' custody today at 12:30 p.m. from The Child Protective Service Headquarters. She will be under Miss Peaches' custody until she's eighteen where she will have the right every adult has to leave home. Case closed." The judge announces.

Miss Cobbler expresses a cry of pure joy as she jumps to her feet. "Thank You!"

"We did it Avery! She's finally mine! She'll be so happy when she finds out. She may even smile, or laugh!" Diane screeches as she hugs Avery Ndung'u, her lawyer.

"It's been a long year for her Diane, don't expect too much. Now please stop hugging me so tight!" Avery says smiling.

"Oh don't be such a softie," She says smirking as she lets go, "And you're probably right I should be thinking of how to help her resettle. I'm just so relieved and... EXCITED!"

"Do you need help picking her up? You're energy might overwhelm her." Avery teases.

"No I don't. I can put a lid on it and keep cool." She says in a confident tone.

"You? 'Keep cool?' Why do I doubt it?"

"Because you're a doubting Avery."

"Haha that may be true but," He stops suddenly looking down at his watch, "You need to get going. You know how the officials are such sticklers for punctuality."

"Oh, Right!" She says glancing at the time, "Bye!" She gives him a quick hug and takes off in the opposite direction.