Dad smiled at me running into his arms. He had been married just that morning. He picked me up and the picnic basket, heading to the spot we went to every night. He enjoyed the cool summer breeze, the beautiful stars, and the little picnics under them with me. He spread out the blanket in the clearing and set me down. He unpacked the food. But just as he picked up his sandwich a scary voice echoed.
"EXTERMINATE!" A blue blast that reminded me of lightning struck him from the shadows.
"Daddy!" He always told me if I were ever in danger to run and save myself. I didn't want to. I was terrified and didn't want to leave him but I was afraid to become a corpse. I was only 5.
Little did I know, I was being watched.
A few years later, my science class was going to a planetarium to study constellations. I loved watching the stars with my dad when he was still alive. Mr. Smith picked up my sadness and placed a long hand on my shoulder. I smiled up at the father-like teacher that always knew what to do with a crazy and fun atmosphere. He always cared about me.
"Come on, the bus is ready." He waited by the door as I grabbed my notebook and headed to the bus.
I sat with Mr. Smith because I didn't really have any friends in class. Or at all... When we got to the planetarium, I sat down, looking around, amazed. I was definitely eager to be an astronomer. Or an astronaut. Whatever it was, I wanted to be involved with space.
My mom laughs every time I tell her that. She says I will become a nurse like her, but I don't want to. I have a deathly fear of needles. Why would I put myself near something so terrifying?
Nothing had gone right. I stood there staring at the blazing planetarium, crying. Mr. Smith had risked himself for me. I hadn't seen him come out yet. The firefighters told me to go home. I did. I never heard about it again but Mr. Smith wasn't back to the school at all after that.
