Counting Stars

chapter 3

(Amy POV)

The morning sun shone through the windows in a brilliant green. Honestly, though, I didn't appreciate it. My phone read 5:00 a.m. "thanks, sun," I thought, "I totally didn't want to sleep 'till noon."

Since I was already up, I decided I needed to make breakfast. Or rather, my stomach did. Luckily, I'd brought food with me, and the cabin had a stove. Everything about this place screamed, "I'm so modern!"

It reminded me of home, sort of. At least, it reminded me of waking up to the smell of food, which meant I needed to start making pancakes. Pancakes were my jam. Soon the smell of butter and syrup filled the cabin, a true delight to my senses. I decided to eat outside with the birds.
I thought about changing out of my baby pink pajamas, but then I realized no one would care so I kept them on. Besides, as stupid as it sounds, I love my kitten PJ's, so there.

Mom was right about the birds. They sing beautiful serenades with bright cheerful voices. As I gulp down my pancakes, I wonder If, when she was experiencing this, mom understood the effect it would have, that one bright moment in her dark life. If she'd never gone on this trip, would she have lived to have me?

Just when I was about to dive deeper into the pancakes of thought, my phone buzzed.

Amy, this is an emergency, call me!!! It was Lisa. All of the possibilities ran through my head as I dialed her number. "Maybe Brent had a heart attack, or they got in an accident, or one of the kids is sick."

When Lisa picked up the phone I knew it was worse than I thought.

"Hey Lisa, are you OK?" I said. It was obvious she was crying, Her racking sobs filled the phone as she tried to catch her breath.

"Amy, your birth father is out of prison," she said. That didn't make sense though.

"I thought he was in for life!" I said

"So did we, but he just came by and threatened to shoot us if we didn't give you to him." Lisa's sobs got harder, and tears pricked my eyes.

"Is everyone alright?"

"We told him you where camping and wouldn't be back for a week, no one was shot, but I think he's coming to find you."

"Oh my gosh, Lisa, did you call the police?"

"Yes, they're doing their best to follow him, but they lost him a couple of times. Amy, you can't come home. Not now. Stay there until we know its safe."

"Alright, I'll stay here, you stay safe, OK?"

"There are cops staying at our house, so we should be fine, just be careful honey, we love you."

"I know, love you too."

I hung up the phone with tears rolling down my face. This couldn't be happening! My dad, the guy who killed my sister, the man who beat my mother, and terrified everyone in our neighborhood, was out of jail. Not only that, but he was after me. This had to be a nightmare.