Be Careful in the Dark

Chapter 3

I woke up to the sweet smell of coffee filling the air. Braden was in the bathroom. I stretched my stiff body taking up the whole bed. I wiped my face on sleeve, and waited for Braden.

"Good morning sleepy head." He said noticing I was awake. "Did you sleep well?"

I nodded and slowly sat up. "Is there coffee left?" I asked groggily.

"Yeah did you want some?"

"Yes please."

I watched as he walked over to the kitchen area and poured me some coffee. Braden came back and passed me the mug.

"Thanks." 

He sat beside me drinking his. "We have to get going soon."

"Do I have time to shower?" I asked.

Braden nodded slowly as he finished his coffee.

"I hate to say this now, but don't I need a passport to cross the border?" I asked.

"Don't you have one?" I shook my head. "I'll figure something out." He said.

I got up and walked over to the small bathroom. Inside to my left was a bath/shower, a toilet in the middle, and a sink on the right. A large mirror covered the whole wall.

After turning on the water I looked at myself in the mirror. My long blonde hair was waved a bit from sleep, and my blue-grey eyes were radiant with the reflection of the light fixture shining on them. I smiled, with only my lip as usual, as the mirror started to fog up.

I took off my clothes and carefully set them on the counter. I hopped into the shower, and the water enveloped me in a warm embrace. It made me smile a smile that I hadn't had in a long time. I watched the water go down the drain. When I finished, I walked out and wrapped a towel around myself. I looked around for my bag and realized I didn't bring it in the bathroom with me.

Swearing, I walked out of the bathroom holding the towel tightly. "Done already?" Braden asked walking into the hallway. "Oh."

"I forgot to grab my clothes go away!" I yelled taking my bag and going back into the bathroom.

I quickly changed, blow dried my hair, and did my make up. I walked out of the bathroom after close to forty minutes, and Braden was already packed and ready to go. "Took you long enough." He smirked.

I stuck my tongue out at him and turned off the light. We walked out of the room, bags in hand. We waited for the elevator. From the corner of my eye I could see a family coming towards us. "Going down?" The man asked.

Braden nodded, he knew who it was as well. "Mackenzie?" The woman asked.

I turned and looked into the eyes of my birth mother. "Hi." I mumbled my throat tightening.

"You know her, dear?" The man asked.

"She's my daughter." My mother admitted.

There were two kids with them, a small blonde boy who looked a lot like me, and a boy with curly red hair a few years older than me.

My mom looked from me to Braden. "Where are you two headed?"

"To my next foster home." I glared.

"Oh." She said frowning.

"Yes." I stated as the elevator arrived.

"What happened to your dad?" The oldest son asked. I glared at him.

We all got in and stood there in silence. I looked over at her. "Thanks by the way, for ruining my life."

The elevator stopped just in time and we walked out. We got to the car, and I slid in. I sat there silently not sure what to say.

I wanted to explain, but I couldn't. It had been years since I last saw her, and she didn't seem happy to see me. I must have reminded her too much of my dad. As long as Braden doesn't ask about my dad, I could be able to survive the rest of the drive.

Braden got into his car, started it, and drove off without a word. I wanted to reach over and turn on the radio, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I felt like if I moved, he would talk about it, so I remained still.

"What happened to your dad?" He finally asked.

"I don't want to talk about it." I growled.

Braden glanced over at me. "If I knew what happened to my dad I would tell you. My mom left him and then died years later, so I've never met him."

"My story is similar to that." I frowned.

"Tell me." He demanded.

I shook my head. "Come on." He asked again.

"Fine." I snapped. Adjusting myself in my seat, I started the story.

"When I was born, it was a major thunderstorm. My dad was walking us to the car, but he was struck my lightning. My mom didn't want to raise me alone, so she went back into the hospital and left me." I explained.

"Oh." Braden said quietly.

I nodded. Looking out the window, I sighed. I reached over and turned on music. The song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz came on. I started singing it perfectly.

"Wow." Braden smiled from beside me after the song.

"Yeah." I giggled blushing. "My first foster mom was when I was four or five and she liked pageants."

"You were a pageant girl?" He laughed.

"Did I not just say that?" I giggled. "Just don't tell anyone! Everyone takes me as a bad girl."

He looked over at me. "Don't worry I won't tell anyone."

"You better not!" I yelled. "Did you figure out what we're gonna' do with me not having a passport?"

He looked at my nervously. "Yeah, but you're not going to like it."

"What is it?" I asked.

We turned into an empty lot shaded with tall trees. I gasped hoping he wasn't going to kill me.

"No one will see here." Braden said his face serious.

"Wha-what are you doing?" I stuttered.

"The only way I can get you across the boarder is if I put you and your suitcase in my trunk." He explained.

"That is the only thing you could think of?" I asked.

He nodded. "Fine!" I yelled getting out and slamming my door.

Braden got out and followed me to the trunk. He opened it, and I slid in taking the spot next to my suitcase.

"We're not far so you won't be in there for long." Braden smiled.

"Couldn't I have just immigrated?" I asked.

"We don't have time." He said closing the trunk.