The Worst Lost Ever

Letter of Introduction

Dear reader,

This is a book I wrote as a younger woman. This is the worst lost I ever experienced. If you or any of your friends have ever had a worst experience being lost, please let me know and I will change the title immediately. I'd show you the way but I'd rather not get lost in this time again. But I don't want you to think I don't care. So I'll meet you at the end. If you make it that far.

Sincerely,

Crystal Slayer

I did not mean for us to get lost. I did not mean for myself to get lost. I did not mean for Sarah to get lost with me. I did not mean for Sarah to even come. I wanted to go alone. I guess things didn't turn out the why they were supposed to. Too late to change it now. It was 9 years ago now.I just wanted to say my intents were pure. While pureish.

I was 18 years old that year. Going on 19 in July. Life was almost perfect. Almost. See I was an orphan. I have been since I was two years old. I was adopted at the age of four. They were good people. At the time they were at least.

Her name was Marget. Tall, thin, pretty. Her hair was a crimson blaze, silky soft. Her eyes gentle brown, warm as a summer breeze. The kindness in her was so much it was always in her eyes, like a fire that always burned. Her face was perfectly balanced. Her cheeks were rosy, full of life. She always wore a smile. Even when she slept. I even checked once. Even when times were at their worst she would be there in the kitchen wearing that smile. I remember that I once wondered if it was painted on or placed there surgically. She moved like a wave light, flowingly, calmly, slowly. But some how if you ever fell she would there in an instant to catch you.

His name was Stan. He was also tall. Strong too. He could pick me up with one hand. His hair was dark brown, almost black. His eyes were pale blue, like water. He was always kind but you could see how serous he could be just by looking at him. His face looked gruff when I first saw him, but I soon saw what a softy he was. A protective softy but a softy. High cheek bones, occasional stubble, coffee breath, you could tell he was important. He was businessman. He was always landing big deals. He was always home on weekends and playing with me and Keth.

Keth was their son. A miracle at that. She was barren. When Keth was born everyone was amazed. A real gift of god she would say. They went though all the tests and she was still barren. They kept trying to get pregnant until Keth came up to them and asked for a baby sister. So they adopted me. Keth was five. He had is mother's hair and his father's eyes. Tall like his parents and thin as a board. He was sweet as sugar. He always helped me.

I remember once I was being picked on and Keth told them to stop. When they didn't he ran up and punched one of them hard in the nose. It started a fight. When the staff pulled him of them, he shouted, "And if you ever mess with my sister again I'll knock your face in!" When Mom and Dad found out he got into a fight they rushed over to the school. When they learned he started it, they took him home to scorn him and me, because I was beat up bad. When they found out that their first grade son fought the fifth grade bullies to defend his kindergarener sister, it became a family story. When ever the family gathered the told that story.

Life was perfect. Keth kept me company and me him. We were a perfect family. Sure we fought, but what family doesn't? Everything was perfect.

Until that night.

I was 6. Keth and I had gone trick or treating. We were almost home. I could see mom in the doorway, watching us march across the street proudly with our candy. The car came up so fast. I was frozen solid like a deer in the headlights. Keth pushed me out of the way. The drunk fool never even tapped his brakes. He just kept on going. Keth was dead five minutes before the paramedics arrived.

Everything changed then. She became hollow. She moved like and elephant though the house when she moved at all. Her hair dulled and her eyes fire was snuffed out. When you fell she would bark, "Stop crying, get your lazy ass up and bring me a beer."

He lost his job. He grew a beard. Drank so much booze that when he burped the house would smell of it for a week straight. When I asked him to play I would be lucky if he didn't throw the empty bottle at me. HE was the first one to hit me. Then he told Mom it made the pain go away even if only for a little while.

It never stopped.

You remember the almost prefect life I spoke of? I lied. Life was a pile of shit. Plain and simple. Life was shitty. Why did I lie? I don't know. Maybe because I think that if I lie enough it will really be that way. Stupid I know but maybe.

I only had two friends at the time. They were Sarah and Sam.

When I met Sam, he saved me. I had been running from some cops because I had been caught stealing beer for Marget and Stan. I had done it before but I had gotten sloppy this time. I looked over my shoulder while turning a corner and ran smack dab into Sam. He grabbed me before I had time to react. He started to say "What the . . ." when the cops caught up.

"Thank you, sir. If it hadn't been for you we would have lost this little shoplifter."

Sam looked me up and down and noticed the six-pack I clung to like life depended on it. At the time he didn't realize it really did. He looked amused I thought he was going to laugh out loud. But he didn't. Instead he said "It's OK officer, you can let her go." The officer looked confused but released me from her grip. "She was confused by something I said earlier. You see I said something along the lines of if only I had a beer. She must of thought that meant go steal me some beer. Didn't you?'" I caught the fact that he was vouching for me and nodded. "See? Simple misunderstanding. Her brother was a gangster. When he said he wanted it you went and stole it."

"Oh I see but it still needs to be paid for."

"Oh I'll get it." He pulled his wallet out his wallet and handed the officer some money. "That outta cover it. The store owner can keep the change as an apology."

"Thank you again sir." The officer walked off.

I hadn't moved. I knew when someone helped you like that you didn't just run off. He laughed all the sudden. "It's been awhile since I saved a 13 year old girl from a cop!" He said as he struggled to breathe. "Why did you steal that? You and your friends want to get buzzed?"

"No. Just my parents."

"A likely story"

"It's true!!!"

"Prove it."

I did too. I led him to where I lived. As we walked in I got hit hard on the head by a thrown beer bottle.

"About time you got home. Where's our beer?" Her voice was so slurred I could barely understand. Lucky I didn't need to.

"It's right here," I said handing it to her.

I led Sam to the kitchen and gave him some water.

"Sit." He commanded pointing at the chair next to him. When I sat he started examining the wound. He told me he was a doctor and started treating it.

He's looked out for me ever since. Everyday he brings food, pop, dishes, beer, and the occasional gift or two. HE was like Stan was before everything happened. He even offered a place with him and his wife. I was going to take him up on that offer as soon as I dropped off my house key. I was tired of being yelled at and have shit thrown at me for no reason. I wanted out of it all.

When I met Sarah, I saved her. She was being ass-kicked by the "Queens of Faith High School" boy-toys, uh, boyfriends. That when I showed up.

"LEAVE ME ALONE." The voice was small, pained and very scared. Curious I looked around the corner. I saw this week's "Kings" stand in a circle kicking a girl curled into ball to protect herself. I, not liking the guys or bullies, interloped.

"What's going on here?" I demanded, drawing myself into the tallest posture my 14 year old body would allow, without tiptoes.

"Stay out of this four-eyes." Opal, "Queen 1", ordered.

"Yeah four-eyes." Becky, "Queen 2", added.

"Stay out four-eyes" Lisa, "Queen 3", mimicked.

"Hey tease me all you want. I like my shades." I said, dimly.

"Ugh, who says 'shades' for any reason anymore?" Opal spat the words as if they would kill her.

"You do" I answered.

"That was to improvise the point."

"First I think you mean emphasize. Second, you said any reason. But anyway what's going on?"

"This bitch needs to be thought a lesson."

"Taught, and what did do? Make you see how stupid you are?"

They gave me a dirty look.

"I hit the nail on the head. Well I can't allow that."

"Then what are you going to do?" Opal said coyly.

"Just watch." I turned to the guys. "Hey, dumbass." They all turned. "Come fight me."

Less then ten minutes later the Kings AND the Queens were on the floor. And a good 20 students had seen it.

With a content smirk, I went to the girl. "Hey, you alright?"

"Yeah thanks"

"My pleasure. What's your name?"

"Sarah."

"I'm Crystal. Most people call me Chris.'

"Nice to meet you. Do you know where the nurse's office is?"

"Yeah but shes not there. Why?"

"Those guys beat me up good. I'd like to be sure I'm gonna be OK."

"Come on I'll have a friend of mine check you out."

And that's how Sarah met Sam.

The next day the "Roalty" couldn't get ANYBODY to respect them. Even the chess club was "Cooler" then them. With their mommy's and daddy's independent powers (and alot of money) they regained poer within 24 hours. But hey for one day they were the fools instead of the "cools".