the world on the other side of the river

Chapter 1

Dear Mom, Dad, and Leo,

It's Dawn again. We miss you here. Today is my birthday. I just turned 16, but you know that. Wish Leo a happy birthday for me. Do they have birthdays where you are? Anyway, Georgina is mean and distant, but I guess she was like that before you all left me. Analena seems sad, the other day I walked in on her crying. Linda doesn't come out much. Well, the aunts and I miss you. I know you probably won't get this, but it makes me feel good to write to you. Have fun in heaven. I love you.

Dawn

The curtains rustle as a gust of wind shot in from outside. A leaf comes in through my window and landing on my book as I am about to close it. I hold the leaf up to the light and admire every ridge and line that made up the leaf. Life is like this leaf, so complex yet so fragile. I jump down from my bed and set my diary down. I walk towards my large window and peer out. From my spacious 2nd floor bedroom, I could see a lot. The Arnborough River flowed calmly below me and a mist covers the world. No homes are nearby just our large country home and the river. I slowly open the window and swing my feet over the ledge. A cool wind almost knocks me back. My mind spins as I look down, but it's not like I haven't done this before. I feel the cool brick on my legs and the wind in my hair. It almost feels perfect until right on queue-

"DAWN FREEL WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Aunt Georgina hollers from down below.

"Chilling out," I state calmly.

"Get down here right now" Georgina yells.

"Ok..." I tell her sarcastically. I push up off the ledge. I tentatively place a foot on the ledge, then another. Looking over Georgina seems as small as that leaf. Even the mountains look small compared to me. I wobble as I find my balance on the ledge, taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and jump.

"Dawn!" Aunt Georgina shouts as I fall down towards the world

"Yeah?" I ask her as I land effortlessly on my feet.

"What the heck is wrong with you?" She snaps

"Can't you enjoy some fun?" I challenge with a wink.

"You little rascal!" Georgina screams and begins to grab me.

I run as fast as I can. I dart through the trees and jump over the boulders until finally, I reach the barn. I climb up into the loft and perch like a crow. A chicken chuckles underneath me as it glances up.

"Shhh," I advise her.

She responds with an even louder chuckle.

"Snitch," I whisper.

I hear footsteps approaching, so I bolt to the nearest pole and lean against it. Georgina comes by, "Dawn if you don't come out you are grounded for a month!" Aunt Georgina can be a real pain in the "you know what". Still, she doesn't see me. Georgina leaves and I slowly and quietly hop down from my hiding place.

"Gotcha," I hear a snarl behind me. I groan as I look around there stands Analena, so I know I am safe.

"What was it this time?" She inquires.

"Jumping out the window?" I explain to her shyly.

"Dawn we've talked about this," She tells me sternly, but kind.

"What? I've done it before," I inform her.

"Dawn..." She speaks knowingly.

"I know I know, no putting my life at risk," I utter defeated.

"Exactly, now let's go before Georgie finds you," She says as she grabs my hand.

We ran back home and Analena pushes me into a chair and grabs a belt off the wall.