Difference

Chapter 1

I'd always wondered what real fear felt like. Real, icy to the core fear that would swoop in and take you as its victim. Sure, I'd experienced natural disasters and bomb threats and all that. That wasn't real fear, though. Not even close.

I'm pretty sure what I'm feeling right now is real fear. I'm scared to move. I'm scared to breath. I can feel my whole body shaking. 

A leaf crunches. I hold my breath.

"Come on out, Erinn. We just want to talk," A raspy voice calls out. We? How do they know my name? A fresh wave of terror passes through my body.

"Erinn, we can do this the easy way or the hard way," They're getting closer, and I know I need to get away.

"You stupid girl! Where are you?" It's a different voice now, almost chilling, "Come out already!" 

And I do come out. I shoot up off the hard ground and steady myself with the thick tree I was crouched behind. I make sure I grab my backpack, and I take off running. I catch a glimpse of two people dressed in black a couple yards away from me, and they're both holding something shiny. I pray it's not a gun.

I hear angry shouting behind me, but I can't make out what they're saying. The trees fly by in an emerald blur. I didn't notice the wind before, but I can feel it now, striking my face like an icy breath and covering me in chills once again.

I can't hear the two people anymore. I guess that's a good sign, but these strangers could pop up out of nowhere so we can "talk". And I know that I don't want to talk to them. 

I don't understand how I outran them. There were at least two of them, and they sounded like grown men. A 17 year old should not be faster than fully grown men.

I push those thoughts out of my head and sprint home, not bothering to slow down. I don't want to and I don't need to. I race down my street and onto my driveway. I only pause at my front door to dig my house key out of my bag. I shove it into the lock with a fierceness I've never known before. Then I push the door open and rush into the foyer. I'm not out of breath but I desperately need water.

"Mom?" I yell as loud as I can, and I can hear the panic creeping into my voice. I force myself not to be overwhelmed by it. I need to think things through, and I need to talk to my mom about it. 

My mom works from home, so she's always waiting for me when I get back from school. I always find her in her little office or eating a snack in the kitchen.

She doesn't answer when I call again. And again. I walk into the living room because when she's not in her office, she's usually sitting on the couch reading a book or watching TV. But she's not there.

"Mom, I'm home!" My voice is shaky, and I still get no answer. Panic sets in once again, for what feels like the millionth time in the last half hour. 

Suddenly I hear a faint sound upstairs. I rush to the steps and take them two at a time.

I find my mom in her room. She's whispering into a phone. I can tell it's a phone because she holds it between her head and shoulder like most adults do. 

"Mom, did you not hear me?" I ask, my voice cracking multiple times. She whips around like she never heard me desperately pounding up the stairs. She looks scared and shocked. Her eyes are wide and her mouth slightly open. She blinks a couple times.

"Erinn.. I- I didn't hear you come home," She stammers.

"I was supposed to be home half an hour ago! Didn't you wonder where I was?" I ask, confused.

"I lost track of the time, honey. I'm sorry," She responds warily, setting the phone down on her dresser. A fresh wave of panic runs through my body for some reason.

"You- what? Nevermind. I- I have other things to talk about," I choke back a sob. My mom notices and immediately looks concerned.

"What's wrong, Erinn?" She asks. I look at her face, blurred from the tears clouding my eyes, and I break down. My mom wraps me in a hug.

"I don't know. I don't know what happened. I'm confused," I try to explain when I can talk. Everything is just now starting to come crashing down on me. I try to pull it together.

"I'll go make us some tea and food, and then we can talk," My mom squeezes me, and then lets go.

All of a sudden I remember the whispered conversation.

"Wait, Mom. Who were you talking to on the phone?"

"Just the electrical company. Our bills are a little overdue. Nothing you need to worry about," My mom reassures me. I nod. 

Then I notice the little screen on the phone is still lit up. Which means she never hung up. And the other person never hung up either.

"The phone is still on, Mom," I tell her.

"Ah! Whoops. My mistake," She brings the phone close to her face and turns her back to me to put it away. She presses the off button, but I hear what she says before that, so quietly I could've easily missed it.

"Later, Mark," She whispers into the phone.