Christina

Learning

We passed four doors before stopping, I half expected it to lead to another staircase, but was extremely disappointed to find a single bedroom with a simple splintered night stand, a cot sized bed with yellowed stained sheets and one small cracked mirror hanging on the wall directly across from the bed. The room barely looked big enough to hold the two of them.

        Ignoring the fact that she stood outside of the doorway, I walked in and surveyed my room. It reeked of mothballs and mildew, the floor complained with every step I took as if it was hanging on to its last bit of strength before it gave out and became a pitiful mess in the room below me. I walked over to the mirror and finally caught a real look at myself, my usual shiny blonde hair was now dull and lifeless, it had lost all evidence of the gorgeous waves it once held. The dark circles around my eyes looked almost painful as if I had been repeatedly punched in both eyes. I didn't look like myself and it scared me.

        "My name is Annabel." She sounded nervous, but when I turned around to address her she was standing tall. With one hand placed on the door frame she continued, "My name's Annabel, I've been here since I was six and I've learned its better to just stay out of the way." I was stunned to say the least, she was talking to me as if she were my equal and she talked of my great uncle in spite.

        "Why should I stay away from him?"

        "Let's just say he didn't bring you in as a charity case, but you're going to wish he had."