Tidal Wave – Chapter One

"How could you? You are so dumb! I don't want to talk to you ever again!" I screamed at my brother. He had been making wild accusations at me all day, actually my whole life. I just wanted to see his head blow up, a probability because it was so freakishly large. I turned around so I wasn't facing him and ran out of the kitchen. Pots and pans clanged together as I stomped past them. I tried harder than usual to make my feet sound loud and threatening.

I stopped once I reached the front door. My hand slowly patted the red, old door frame. Reaching on my toes, I opened the door bracing the brass knob for impact.

There was something I had always wanted to do. Have you ever just wanted to run faster than your heart, just get away? That's what I felt like. I could just picture myself closing the door, running past the shrubs and plants and creatures, unlocking the heavy iron gate, and reaching freedom. But in this world there are just too many consequences. I would just have to face the truth, even if the real world was a dream.

I hadn't gotten over my brother. Steam was still rolling off of my body. I tried to stop thinking about it. Finally closing the red door, I paced through my yard. It was big, 6 acres, if you know what that's like. I headed over to my place with the trees. I passed animal after animal. My dad has this weird obsession with pigeons. I don't really have a problem with it, I love birds.

I came to my willow and sat on the makeshift bench I created when I was six. It's basically just a woodpile, and I'm not the sentimental type, but it's special to me. I carved my name in it all over. Every time I come here I draw a new picture. They scream "remember me." A branch waves in the wind and bounces off of my head. I look up and smile.