The Factory

Chapter 1

I wake up to the sound of my alarm clock and it reads 6:30a.m. Great, today is my birthday, I am officially 18. I roll over slamming my fist on the alarm button, silencing the blaring noise that woke me up.

I sit up in bed and look out of the tiny RV window. It's still dark outside considering it's only 6:30 in the morning in the middle of winter. I watch the snow fall lightly on the damp grass, wishing my life wasn't a living hell.

"Autumn" I hear my dad say outside the door. " You awake sweetheart"?

"Yeah Dad, I'm awake." I whisper. My throat still scratchy from just waking up.

"Can we come in"? My mom asks.

"Yep, give me one second." I hop out of bed and throw on some shorts and a T-shirt and walk to the door, opening it to let my parents in.

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Autumn, Happy Birthday to you!" My parents sing to me, holding a small box with a blue bow on top.

"Awww you guys didn't have to get me a present." Money is really tight right now considering our circumstances, so I feel bad even accepting a gift.

"Really, I can't accept this" I tell my parents.

"Nonsense! It's your birthday honey! We had to get you a gift!" Says Charlie, my dad.

"It may be my birthday, but there isn't anything to celebrate! Please I don't want your gift." I pout, knowing that turning 18 is anything but a celebration.

"We aren't taking no for an answer. So here open it." My mom scolds, forcing the little box into my hands.

I stare down at the little box, admiring the little blue bow. Shaking the box I try and guess what it could be.

"Ughh fine. I'll open it." I say, gripping the bottom of the box with one hand and placing my other hand on top of the lid. I carefully pull off the top, and reach inside the box for the gift. I pull it out and unwrap the paper to reveal... a knife!?

" A knife!! I almost screech. "Guys, how did you even get this? I thought all weapons were seized during the breakout?" I ask my parents, while in awe of this tiny deadly weapon.

"We hid it this whole time. We wanted you to have it for your 18th birthday" my dad says.

"We want you to be able to protect yourself, even if it is just a little pocket knife" my mom whispers, tears filling her eyes.

"Don't cry mom" I whisper, setting the knife down and get up to give her a hug. "I'm safe, okay? I'm here with you guys, nothing is going to happen. Shh. It's okay" I wrap my little arms around her waist. Assuring her that I'll be okay. I just wish I believed it myself.

My dad joins in on the hug and we all stay there for a minute, not wanting the moment to end. Savoring what I feel to be one of the last moments I'll have with my parents, I kiss them both on the cheek, thanking them for my gift.

"Thank you guys! I love you so much, and remember no matter what happens, you will always be in my heart" I whisper the last part, choking back tears.

"We know sweetheart, we know" my dad says, unwrapping his arms from the group hug. "Okay enough tears, who's ready for some breakfast?" asks my dad, cheering me up almost instantly.

"Yess!" Me and my mom both say at the same time. Like mother like daughter. We love our food.

My dad leaves my room to go make breakfast, with my mom in tow. I watch them kiss each other and continue to cook some eggs and toast.