Not Who I Really Am

Prologue

My daddy said I had to go to bed so him and Mommy could talk. I wanted to stay and here what they were talking about, but Daddy said that they were going to talk about grown up stuff so I had to go to bed. I love my Daddy as much as the whole world so I always do what Daddy says. Daddy picked me up, spun me around, and gave me a really big kiss on the nose and the cheek. I giggled because I love the things me and Daddy do together.      

Daddy handed me over to Mommy and immediately felt sleepy. My mommy always makes me tired somehow. I don't know how but I like it. Mommy carried me up the stairs into my room and tucked me in. I looked at Mommy and asked,

"M-Mommy. C-Can you tell me the s-story about the g-girl and the b-boy who f-fell in l-love please?"

"Sure baby girl. Okay. Once upon a time there was a young girl named Misty Collins and a boy named Jai Wallace. They loved each other very much. But Misty's daddy didn't want them together. No matter how many times Misty's daddy grounded her, punished her, said bad things about Jai....Misty didn't care. Misty loved Jai with all of her heart. One time Misty's daddy even locked her in the bathroom so she couldn't go on her date with Jai. But that didn't stop Misty. Misty picked up a picture frame and smashed the window open. 

Misty climbed out the window and ran all the way to Jai's house crying. That night Jai and Misty skipped their date and stayed inside in his room and watched movies and listened to music. Neither of them could've asked for anything better that night. Just before midnight Jai took Misty downstairs and said,

"Misty, I love you more than anything in the entire world. I don't think I've ever loved anyone as much as I love you Misty. Mom! Dad! It's time!"

Then Jai's parent's came flying down the stairs holding a bag. Jai's mother Opie gave him the bag and had happy tears going down her face. Misty had no idea what was going on. Jai turned around with his back to Misty and asked,

"Will you Misty Amelia Collins give me the biggest honor of my life, love me forever, and be my wife?"

Misty had absolutely had no words. She was so happy she just nodded and threw her arms around Jai and started crying in happiness. Jai started crying too because he was so happy that Misty said yes. Jai pulled away from Misty and put the diamond ring on Misty's ring finger while smiling like a maniac. And after that day Jai and Misty lived happily ever after."

By the time my mother had said after I was completely asleep until I heard my door slam open and closed. Daddy was standing there breathing really heavy. I sat up in my bed and Daddy came over to me and gave me a big hug and kiss. Daddy sounded relieved when he said,

"Oh thank the Lord you're okay Artemis. I love you so much."

I started getting scared because Daddy never did this. He only did this when he was scared. Daddy picked me up out of my bed and carried me to the closet. I said sweetly,

"D-Daddy what are you d-doing?"

"Nothing Baby Girl. Now Artemis I'm giving you the key to open this closet door. Now don't open this door until I come to get you okay. You'll know it's me because I'll use our special knock. Okay?"

I nodded towards Daddy and he closed the door. After the door was closed I heard the door lock. I was terrified now. The dark scared me because there were monsters in the dark. But I told myself as long as I clutch this key in my hands I'll be safe.

___________________

After what seemed forever I unlocked the door. My little feet pattered across my carpeted floor quietly. I then heard a crash and the front door slam shut. I froze where I stood terrified. After a couple minutes of silence I made my way downstairs. In the staircase my favorite picture of me, Daddy, and Mommy was on the ground with glass everywhere. I felt a tear go down my cheek and kept going. Everything was dark. And right now I was more afraid of what I'd find in the light than what I'd find in the dark. 

I made my way to the living room when I stepped on something. I squealed loudly. I turned on the lamp and looked at what I stepped on. I say Daddy and Mommy staring up at me not blinking, breathing, or moving. I saw that Mommy and Daddy were both bleeding in their stomachs. Me being the smart five year old I am already knew they were dead. I curled into a ball between Mommy and Daddy and fell asleep with the key Daddy gave me still in my hand. 

To that day I still have that key and was never the same again.