The Untitled : Character Short Stories

Day One : Jackie Sara's Journal

Dear Journal,

When I was a little girl, I lived with my family. It was just me, my little brother, and my parents. My parents were Christians, so they tried as much as possible to find ways to connect my brother and I to our Church and the Bible. Being the young chit-lins we were, We didn't always... understand. We didn't really get why it was so important to be close to Christ.

Until papa died. I remember how my mother and brother got sick shortly after my father committed suicide. I didn't understand... he seemed fine to us, or at least to me. I thought... I thought he had loved us... loved me. It broke my heart to walk home just to find him lying on the floor with a gun no too far from his hand. The DNA tests said it was is own finger that pulled the trigger. I couldn't stand it, I wanted to run away. I actually tried once, but mom caught me before I got away. She told me how he would always be in our hearts. I was scared. What happened? Did he make it to Heaven? I couldn't understand...

...It wasn't too long till the coughing and vomiting got so bad for my brother and mother that they began to fade away. I was eight years old back then. My birthday was a short while before then. We couldn't do much, what with my brother in bed and mom barely being able to cook for us. I tried to teach myself, but mom and I were afraid of me getting burned.

Eight years. That's how old I was when my mother and younger brother had passed away. my father had passed before he even got to see my birthday. I couldn't understand why God took my family from me... I couldn't understand how he could care about me then. It felt like he didn't care. I was on the edge, I wanted to kill myself, but I didn't know how. Daddy used a gun, but I didn't know how to use one! I could use a knife. I could try and hold my head in the tub long enough to...

But then I thought about Sarah. My best friend... what would she do if I was gone?? maybe she could take me in... no, the Police would just throw me into an orphanage.

I looked back at my home. White house, picket fence, green yard. The last thing I saw before I left. I remember heading for the docks when I heard someone call out at me, "Jackie Sara? Jackie Sara, what are you doing out here?!" I ran. I ran as fast as I could. I tried to get to the Docks, but it was too late. The person grabbed me. ...And wrapped their arms around me.

"Jackie Sara Beatrix, what were you thinking?!" I looked up and saw the face of "the pretty lady who works at our Church." Her name was Elizabeth. She held onto me tightly and told me never to run off again. I told her, "Daddy's gone... so is mama and Kyle... I don't know what to do anymore! God hates me! Daddy left me! He left me at home! God let Mommy and daddy and Kyle die! I don't want to be here anymore!" She ran her fingers through my hair and then held me close to her chest. She told me that God loved me no matter what. That he'd protect me. She told me about how death is only the final chapter for some, and for others it's the beginning of another story for them. She told me how much my entire family must have loved me, and how she remembered them even talking about me to her during conversations. Wonderful comments, like how smart I was in class, how I was a role model for my little brother Kyle, how daddy wanted me to live a happy life and find the right man for myself one day... the man God chose for me. I went to Church with Elizabeth every Sunday. I joined Youth Group when I was old enough, and studied the Bible as much as possible. I still have a lot to learn, but I am glad Elizabeth was there to help me. I am glad God was there to help me. To guide me.

***

But... that moment I was finally happy again didn't last long.

A ship arrived at the Docks. I remember people crowding the area. I think I was only twelve then. I had only been in Youth Group for a short time before this happened.

Blood. Blood all over the place. I went to look for Sarah, but I couldn't find her. I heard screams from a woman not too far away, and I went to find Elizabeth. She reached her hand out for mine. She held it, bloody but soft hands touching my skin... She told me "Keep faith. Have hope. Know that God is with you, no matter what Satin throws at you Jackie Sara. I... love... y-..."

...She was gone. My home was gone. All these different humans and animals getting slaughtered or taken away... and I couldn't do anything. Someone grabbed my arm and pulled me away. I screamed Elizabeth's name. I called for my parents as well, even though I knew they were dead. I can't say I never blamed T.E.C.H. for Elizabeth's death. I can't say I've never questioned God. But I can say, I hope and pray to this day, that my hope, and faith, and love for others and God will be enough to protect myself and others from Satin's evil sinful words.

I cannot let them down. I cannot let God down.

T.E.C.H. will have to kill me first before they can get to my friends.

~Jackie Sara