Chapter 2
Emily
My story begins in the city of Irwin Pennsylvania. I am sixteen years old, and living in a small house with my foster parents. I have no idea what had happened to my own parents, but all I know is that I have no family. My name is Emily Evans, and I go to Norwin High school. And I live pretty normal life for a teenager. I just got my permit about a month ago, and I can't wait to get my license. My foster father wants me to wait for another year, but as soon as those six months are up I am going for it. And when I have my license I will be gone. No one will hear from me again, because I will be on my way to start a new life.
Ever since I was a little girl, it has been my dream to take refuge in the wilderness. Each night I sneak out of my home and head to the forest. But I never enter, in fear that I may never return and have my foster parents worry about me. Now don't get me wrong, I do love my foster parents. The fact is, I can't relate to them. And they try not to make it evident that I am not their daughter. But it is pretty obvious. They both have blonde hair and blue eyes, meanwhile I have auburn hair and green eyes. They both have personalities that seem kind of snooty and uptight, while I am laid back and easy going. We are complete opposites. But even that doesn't stop them from trying, and I am grateful for that.
The next day at school was picture day. Which meant another year of looking like the same person, only with a different smile plastered on my face. I wait for the time for my "appointment" to come for my pictures and make my way out of class. But something about today just seems off, as if something is about to happen. I push that feeling to the back of my mind as I enter the auditorium and hand my card with my name on it to the photographer. Once the whole ordeal is over I head out the auditorium doors, and look to the right. The doors that led out of the school faced the woods. The sparse branches having a few dried leaves desperately cling to them, as if the first rays of the spring sun will revive them. I feel an urge to run to the safety of the forest rise, but quickly push it back. Knowing that the police would most likely be called at the running of a student. I quickly look away from the door and head back to my English 11 class. Quietly finding my seat my friend Brandon quickly glances at me and gives me a smile. I flash a smile of my own and take my seat behind him.
Our teacher Mrs. Bernardi begins to ramble on about how we are all not going to go to a good college if we don't pass her class when Brandon turns to me. "Em, you don't look so good. Are you okay?" I look at him with caring eyes, "I am just bored out of my mind, this is the same speech she gave yesterday. When is she going to realize that her class is way too hard for anyone to take?" Brandon began to chuckle silently to himself as he looked over his shoulder, "Probably never, she seems to believe that a two year old could take her class and easily pass it." I stifle a laugh as Mrs. Bernardi continues with the speech.
To our surprise her speech lasted the whole period today, meaning we had nothing in her class for homework. Finally, that meant nothing after swimming today! I could finally relax and not care about other people's problems or lives. Just sit at home and relax, that's all I wanted after school.
The day dragged on from there as my feeling for the protection of the forest grew. As this feeling grew, it seemed that voices were whispering to me. Tempting me to run, to make a break for my future home. To be free. The bell at the end of eighth period wrang, and I bolted out of the room. Anxiety gnawing at my mind as I made my way to the pool for practice. Once there the water seemed to welcome me. I jumped in and started warm up, which was the usual. 800 yard choice, four 100 yard kick right left swim or KRLS, and ten 50 yard free style on fifty seconds. It was the same everyday. And each day, the routine just grew to bore me to tears. There was nothing really surprising with the practices, except for the yardage. Today was 6100 yards, a 400 yard increase from yesterday. Great just what I needed, a tired body to go with a fogged mind. I began the warm up and was instantly lost in the sets to come after. Each flip turn took me further and further away from the anxiety.
