(CURRENTLY EDITING!) Right Before My Eyes

Chapter 1

  Shock runs through me at the sound of my latest news. My family sits in front of me looking desperate waiting for my reaction to what they have just told me.

No, it's not true.

I wait for them to start laughing from not being able to go along with the sick joke any longer, but they don't. They just sit there with serious expressions on their faces.

My baby sister let's out a joyful scream as she plays with her favorite stuffed animal wolf I bought her last year for her 5th birthday, bringing me out of my thoughts for a moment.

"Amb?" My father says, searching my eyes for what my thoughts may be. I glance up to my parents, or so I thought my parents, then over to my sister. I knew Layla was adopted but I never really suspected I was. I've always had a love for her that no one has ever understood if I try to explain it to them. I loved my parents, they never treated me too wrong although I never felt I had a connection with them. Not like I do with my baby sister. Although she can barely talk yet, it's like she understands me in a way no one else ever has. Which is weird because we aren't related.

"Honey?" It was mom who spoke this time.

Still no answer. I can't help it. No words will come to mind. None that I should say out loud, anyway. Yes, I feel angry and upset but I can't find the words to say to them. How could they not have told me sooner that I was left at their doorstep when I was two years old? That they took me in? Why would my biological parents leave me?

 I don't give them the chance to answer these questions, if they even know all the answers because without realizing it at first, I get up and walk out of the house. I don't know where I'm going, I just need to get out. Half an hour later I find myself to be standing on the point where the water meets the sand at the beach. I come here to think a lot. Today seems to be a good day for that. I stay until the sunset is no longer noticeable and then stand up to leave. Although, I still don't know where to go. I don't want to go back. I don't want to face them. In the back of my mind I imagine sneaking back and running away with Layla so it will just be us. Of course I know that's a stupid thought. I can see how much mom and dad love her and I wouldn't be able to take care of her on my own. I just wish I could have said goodbye to her. I decide to keep walking and see where I end up. Anything sounds better than going back right now.

-

 My stomach aches and my mouth is dry. I soon pass a restaurant but I don't have enough money with me. In fact, I don't have anything with me. No change of clothes, nothing.

I begin thinking maybe I should go back but quickly erase the thought. I decide to try staying hidden as I walk, hoping my parents don't have the police looking for me and beg my stomach to stop growling. It only gets worse though, especially with the heat and the next thing I know I'm passing out.

-

"Hey, are you okay?" I hear a voice ask. Where am I? I open my eyes to see three boys who look to be the same age as me standing over me. I attempt to stand up but I'm too weak.

"Would you like some help?" One of them asks, offering me a hand. I refuse it. I don't know these boys. For all I know they could be planning on hurting me.

"Mm-f-fine." I manage to finally get atleast something understandable enough out of my mouth.

"Are you sure? You look really dehydrated. Look, let's get you out of this heat." The one with short black hair says. Feeling as bad as I do I give in, letting them help me up.

We get to what I assume is their home and they sit me onto a couch. The blonde one runs to the kitchen, coming back with a cup of water which he hands to me. When I finish it I feel a bit more capable of speaking.

"So what's your name?" One asks me. I don't respond. I'm not going to tell these boys my name. I don't know them. I still am not even sure if I'm safe here.

Realizing I wasn't going to answer, he told me their names.

"Well, I'm Landon. This is Skyler and that's Reece." He pointed to the blonde last.

Before I could have a chance to respond, if I was even going to, a loud pitched yell came through the house, making me jump. Landon saw this and told me "It's alright, it's just August and Tyler." As if I knew who they were.

"WE'RE BAAAA-AAACK!" One of them shouts. Two more boys come into the room, immediately stopping and becoming quiet when they see me. The one with curly hair gives them a questioning look. Landon explains what happened and they sit down near me with the rest of them.

"How was the game, Auggie?" Landon asked, looking at the one with dark hair and blue eyes.

"It was all right, until Tyler spilt his drink all over me." He pointed to the one called Tyler as he said the last part. All the boys laugh at this, especially Tyler.

Feeling extremely awkward, not knowing what to do I finally get up deciding I should leave.

"Well, thanks for helping me but...uhmm...I should get going now." I had my eyes fixed on the door, not wanting to look back.

I don't know why, but something did make me look back at them for a second. Maybe it was because I knew I would end up passing out again, or be found by the police who my parents might have looking for me now. Maybe it was because I had no where else to go. Maybe it was because they seemed better than possibly being kidnapped next time. Something else at the back of my mind was pulling me to stay, though. I couldn't understand what.

"Are you sure? You're welcome to stay a bit longer. We could get you some food. You don't have to leave in such a rush." The talk of food made me give in.

"All right, I guess I'll stay a bit longer.." I said, walking back to the couch.

"'Right!" August shouted, dragging the one named Tyler into the kitchen.

They come back a few minutes later, sitting a plate with a sandwich on the table in front of me. They all talk as I begin to eat.

"Auggie, what in God's name is in your hair?" One of them said.

What was his name again? Reece? Landon? Oh well.

August runs a hand through his hair and a few pieces of what looks to be sprinkled cheese falls out. He responds by saying, "Tyler over here decided he wanted to have a food fight without tellin' me."

This made me let out a laugh. Maybe they aren't so bad. As I begin to feel a bit more safe, I lean back into the couch and before I know it I'm falling asleep as they continue chatting.

I wake up at the feeling of someone lifting my head up a little and sliding a pillow underneath it and then I feel a blanket being pulled over me. I begin falling back into a deep sleep, but not before I barely catch a few words out of their whispers.

"...think she's...?"

"...can feel it...definitely is. She just doesn't know it."

"...could be trouble. You know they are looking for..."

"Shhh! She might hear you..."

-

I awoke to the sound of a televion being turned on and the smell of coffee. Sitting up, I switch to a criss-crossed position. Beside me, August is flipping through TV channels with the remote. He turns his gaze to me, noticing I'm awake.

"Morning." He says.

"Morning.." I replied. I assume the others are still asleep, since they aren't anywhere to be seen.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?" He asks.

"Sure, thanks." I say. I look out the nearest window. The sun is just beginning to rise.

"Do you mind if I sit outside for a while?" I ask.

"Of course not." he seems to hesitate a moment before answering. Why would he hesitate to let me go outside?

"Are you leaving?" he asks.

"Well, if you don't mind me staying longer.."

"We don't." he says back almost instantly.

"Alright then..." I reply.