When World's Collide

Who's There?!

I arrived at home out of breath, panting and gasping, gulping down air like a fish out of water. Along the way home, I kept stumbling, tripping, and constantly looking over my shoulder. I couldn't shake the feeling that somebody was watching me.

All the outside lights were on, along with most of the lights inside, no doubt my mom was waiting for me. My house was big, bigger then we needed seeing as there were only two people living in the house now. The extra rooms are designated for the twins whenever they stay the night here, considering I had no other friends and all my other relatives lived out of state. I wonder if Mindy would one day be staying here just like the twins. Would she ever become a close friend of mine? I know we have the extra room if she does. I hope she can become one of my closest friends, I'm kind of looking forward to seeing her again tomorrow.

My house had a wide front porch with wooden rocking chairs and a table for relaxing. The color was a nice light brown cream color. We had several potted hanging plants hung up, and that's where the house key currently resided. I reached up and groped around in the soggy dirt for the key.

I'm sure my mother was worried sick by now, considering it had taken me awhile to run home with how clumsy I had run about. My fingers hit something cold, and I grabbed ahold of it, praying it was the house key and not some big bug. I shuddered just by the mental image of my hand opening up with a big bug staring up at me. Gah, I need to not think of that right now. I dropped my hand back down and slowly opened my hand up, relieved to see the key coldly pressed into my palm.

There was a rustling sound behind me and I whipped around, my eyes wide as saucers. I wildly looked around, trying to find the source of the noise. I took a deep breath and clutched at my chest, trying to convince myself it was just a raccoon or some other animal. I back up to the door, almost tripping again. I turned around in a flash and fumbled to put the key in the hole. It had never been this hard before and I was scared but getting more frustrated by the second! I finally managed to get the door open, and quickly stepped into the house, slamming the door shut behind me. The house was eerily quiet, and my nerves were already on edge. This was not good.

"Mom?" I called out softly. No response. Maybe she had gone out for a late night drink with her friends? She does that sometimes when she gets too stressed and I know I stressed her out a lot today. I tiptoed further into the house, peeking around the corner into the living room. I found my mom fast asleep on the couch, slightly shivering. Oh gosh, this woman. She's a full grown woman, but can't properly take care of herself. I love her, even though I'm half of the parent of this house. Sometimes she acts like a kid and I have to be the one looking after her. I guess it's all part of our give and take roles as a two person family. I've grown up quick. The twins think that it isn't fair to me that I have to act like the parent. I would agree with them, but to me it feels like a necessity. It's not something that I can't do. I have to look out for my mom because there's nobody else who will.

I walk quietly to a dresser we have, and take out a soft blanket. I grab an extra pillow from a neighboring couch, and quietly walk back towards her. I hope she sleeps alright tonight, being on the couch and all. I know that can be uncomfortable. I slowly slip the soft white fuzzy blanket over her sleeping figure, and start to lift her head up slowly. She stirs and I freeze. I really don't want to wake her up. I know she hasn't gotten much sleep these past few days, just like me. My dad's death anniversary is coming up, and I... I blame myself. I gulp heavily as I start to remember. I shake my head and remember that my mom needs me to take care of her right now. She's the priority, not my thoughts.

My mom stops moving and I lift her head up just a little bit further before placing the pillow underneath. I lower her head, and kiss her on the forehead. Her eyes flutter open and she softly smiles at me.