Secrets of the Great Oak

Chapter 1

Anna Matthews awoke from a familiar nightmare. It came on the same night every year. In her dream, she awoke to policemen knocking frantically on her bedroom door and her parents crying out in anguish. No matter how fast Anna ran she could never get down the stairs. They just kept going. Down, down, down. She swore that she could see the end of her sister's long, blonde ponytail whipping out of the door right before it closed, but she could never get to the door. Couldn't save her sister. Couldn't comfort her parents.

She knew what day it was before she even opened her eyes.

It had officially been six years since her sister, Maggie had disappeared and no one had any idea what happened to her. Six years. Anna was tempted to sneak out of her second-story window instead of dealing with her parents for the next few days.

She opened her eyes at last and looked around her the room she'd lived in since she was a child. Over the years, teddy bears were replaced with celebrity posters that were eventually replaced with tasteful decor. Most of the walls were now covered in storyboards to track Anna's thoughts. A few professional-level pictures also filled the space, gifted to her on any and every occasion by Jake Johansen.

Sweet Jake, her oldest friend. She needed to see him to help her get through this dreadful day. He was familiar with how her parents would cocoon themselves in their bedrooms. And how Anna was the only one that would utter a word in the house. She needed someone who understood what was going on in her head. Sometimes she felt like Jake could read her mind. He would be here to pick her up for Class in thirty minutes.

Getting out of bed, Anna picked out a simple green, long-sleeve top (Maggie's favorite color) and a black pair of skinny jeans to wear for the day. Walking across the hall to her bathroom, she didn't bother combing her curly, dark blonde hair. After she brushed her teeth, got her bag ready for class, and slipped on her patterned converse, she headed downstairs, into the silent warzone of her family's kitchen.

She could hear both of her parents stirring in their separate bedrooms, but neither had come out yet. Per usual for this day, no breakfast was made, and no goodbyes were had. Anna walked around the granite island and poured herself a bowl of flaked cereal. She looked around the well-kept kitchen. Her parents had replaced almost everything since Maggie's disappearance as if they couldn't bear to touch appliances that she had once laid her hands on.

Anna waited in the tense silence for Jake to come and rescue her.

What felt like years passed and the familiar knock came from the oak front door. Always the gentlemen. Jake came up to the door to retrieve Anna. Every. Single. Morning. Even today. Even though he knew she would be the only one to greet him. Even though he knew he would be making the only sound in the house. He knocked.

"I'm going to class. I'll be home later. Love you." Anna shouted to no one in particular, following Jake onto the front porch. The house has been so somber feeling since that morning six years ago. It suffocated her.

She walked out to Jake's car, hearing his newest underground band blasting through his stereo well before she opened the passenger side door.

"Good morning," she said with faked cheeriness and a practiced smile. But, nothing got past Jake.

"You don't have to do that. I know what day it is." He reached for her hand as she settled into the seat. "How are you? Really." She met his gaze and squeezed his hand for strength. He wore his usual band tee under a worn flannel. He was dressed for the winter with a solid black leather jacket and a blue beanie covering his always untidy, dark brown hair. He was quite handsome, she had to admit.