Trapped

I wonder why

I feel terribly alone.

I wonder how

I've traveled

To this distant solitude...

Where was I?

How did I traverse

To this place?

~G.A

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~9 Y E A R S A G O~

"Jaslynn! Come over and show them that dance you be doing!" I looked around and studied my surroundings. People everywhere, smoke... a whole lot of smoke, loud music, crazy dancing, and a very strong smell of liquor. I covered my nose and mouth as I walked over to my mother. "Go on and do the dance you showed me baby!!"

I didn't want to show anyone the dance. I looked up and saw a bunch of people looking at me, waiting for me to do something. My mother pushed my shoulder slightly. "Go 'head guh!" my mom said taking a pull from her blunt. I sighed and began to dance. The people around me instantly began to get loud and cheer me on. "That's my girl!" Gabby, my mother exclaimed, smiling.

I grinned slightly and quickly made my way away from everyone. I felt my lungs closing in with every inhale I took. I made it to the place I stay whenever mom has these people over. This mini closet at the end of the hallway where no one would think of looking. I brought my knees to my chest as I rocked back and forth. I feel like the music is just getting louder and louder. Suddenly I heard 3 loud bangs on the front door. I quickly cracked the closet door slightly and watched as the boys barged into the apartment and started cuffing everyone around the house.

I saw my mom trying to make a run for it, with her needles in her hands. She made it 2 feet before she was thrown to the wall and cuffed with the others. The police soon began to search the house. I felt my heart picking up speed as they came close to the closet door. My eyes started to tear once the door was snatched open. I was sobbing by the time the young white man picked me up and brought me out the house. I wrapped my legs around him and laid my head on his shoulder as the tears continued to fall.

I felt him rub my back gently as we walked out to where all the cop cars were. Red, white, and blue lights flashing everywhere. I brought my head up and saw all the adults pushed onto the cop cars with their hands behind their backs. The young white cop looked at me."What's your name?" He asked. "Jaslynn." I answered quietly. "Is your mommy here?" He asked. I nodded, wiping my eyes. "Where?" He questioned. I looked at the crowd of people, searching for my mom. My eyes quickly landed on her. She was shaking and looked like she was ready to pass out any time now.

I pointed her out and he nodded bringing me to another cop. "This is my partner Mr. Bubbles." I giggled as the young white cop passed me to Mr. Bubbles. "He's going to take you to the police station so you can have a good nights sleep okay?" I nodded as Mr. Bubbles put me in the back of the cop car and drove to the station. "Mr. Bubbles?" I asked.

He looked at me through the mirror. "Yes?"

"Is my mommy going to jail?" He continued to look at me through the mirror before sighing. "I don't know kid, I don't know.."

~ 4 Y E A R S A G O~

I laid on my stomach, watching the raggedy TV my mom just got for me. "JASLYNN!" She yelled. I rolled my eyes. Speaking of the devil. I got up and dragged my feet to her room. "Yes?" I looked at her. She was shaking, her hair was a mess, she had dirt all over her, and she was fumbling with a rubber band that was in her hand.