Upside Down

Forty Seven

At the park, we all split up.

Logan and Leigh are off somewhere probably making out under the snowy trees.

Peter took Summer and Mason over to the pond to look at the fish swimming under the thin layer of ice on top.

And Kara stayed with me to oversee Tilly and Tyler playing on the swing set together.

Tyler chases Tilly and another young girl around in a playful game of tag between the three of them.

"Kara, why don't you go play with them?" I point towards the game of tag as another young child joins in.

Kara shakes her head. "Tilly is too young to play with. She doesn't understand any of my games. And Tyler is too old."

I laugh. She is so picky. "So go play with Mason and Summer then. They are both right around your age. Summer is only a year younger than you."

"Ew gross. All they want to do is play in the mud when we come here. Plus, I don't want to leave you here by yourself." She hugs my waist. "It's not safe."

"What do you mean it's not safe? It's a park." I laugh.

"Daddy." She says, burying her head into my coat.

"Kara, sweetie." I smile and bend down to be on her level with her. "I'll be fine. He's not coming back for a long, long time."

Kara shakes her head. "But what if he tries to hurt you like he hurt Peter?"

"He won't. Because he's not coming back." I assure her.

"But what if he did?"

"If he did come back, which he won't, he wouldn't do anything because there are too many people here. See all the people here?" Kara nods. "But I promise you, he's not coming to get me. Or any of us. Now go play with your siblings!"

"Okay!" She smiles and runs off towards Tilly and Tyler by the play set. I watch the three of them, and the other children who have joined in, play together as Tyler chases them, purposely letting them win. Watching them have fun despite everything that is happening, brings a smile to my face.

I wish Kara didn't have to worry about our father attacking us. Peter shouldn't have to bandage up the wounds my father gave him with that knife. Everyone got lucky that day to get out without too much harm done to them.

But that should have never happened in the first place. That is what bothers me the most.

I keep a constant, close watch over all of my people, making sure no one gets hurt or needs my attention. The last time I took my eyes off of them, Peter got knifed. I'm not going to let that happen again.

Peter, Summer, and Mason start making their way back over to where I stand.

Cars drive by, catching my attention as their engines rev loudly. They are racing on these quiet neighborhood streets.

Summer yells over the loud engines, showing me the bug she caught by the pond. Her hands are covered in mud.

Mason runs over and shows me his muddy hands as well, even though he did not catch any bugs like his sister. I think he just wanted to show me his hands. He probably felt left out.

"Oh wow!" I smile while backing up a little bit. I'm not a huge fan of little bugs. Especially ones that are this close to my face like this one.

The four of us turn our heads as yet another pair of cars race each other down the street. Peter and I make eye contact to share our disgust with the cars and the noise they bring.

"Avery, watch out!" Peter yells and points towards the road.

I turn to see I car hop the curb and plow people down as it makes it way towards where we stand.

"Go!" I yell. "Run!" I shuffle Summer and Mason forward to keep them moving. Peter grabs the two kids and jumps out of the way with them just in time to avoid the speeding car.

I however, fail to do the same.

The speeding vehicle smashes into my body just as I am about to jump out of its path. My head slams onto the hard dirt below

Author's note: I told you thing were going to start heating up in this chapter! How do you like it?

I couldn't resist posting this for you all to read. I know I already posted once today but the urge was just too strong!

And, it's a much longer chapter for you since you've been requesting it!