THIS TIME AROUND
Annie Lockwood had never met an obstacle she couldn't tackle and overcome. She had crossed time and centuries, fought bad guys and scheming gold diggers. But, now. Now, as she sat in the dark bedroom by herself, she felt herself falling. Not like she was going to cross centuries again, but fall from sanity.
The police had come to her house, their solemn eyes saying more than their words. Annie didn't understand at first. Their words were garbled and running together, as if saying it fast would make the awkward situation pass quicker for them. Sort of like ripping a band-aid off instead of pulling it slowly. A car accident, they had said. No survivors. They were terribly sorry, but help had gotten to the accident site too late.
Mom, Dad, Tod. All gone.
After the police had left, Annie curled up on her parent's bed and sobbed hysterically. If only she had chosen to go with them to the movies, maybe things would have ended differently. Maybe she would have seen the oncoming car before her Dad did. Maybe it wouldn't have collided with the car carrying her parents and brother. Maybe she could have died with them, instead of being all alone in this big dark house.
Not thinking clearly, Annie wiped the tears from her face and ran to her room. Fumbling in her purse, she found her car keys and headed to the garage. She climbed into her car and pulled out of the driveway into the street. And she drove away, not really considering where to go. She was only eighteen, having just graduated from high school last month. Eighteen, and already on her own, completely alone.
She stopped suddenly, and looked around where she was. Stratton Point. Annie remained in her car, staring blankly at the empty hill where Strat, Devonny, Florinda and everyone else used to live. Her hands were shaking and her knuckles were turning white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. Taking a deep breath, she turned the car off and stepped outside. The warm ocean breeze blew over her face, brushing her long, dark hair back from her face.
Slowly she walked towards that empty hill, her mind set on only one thing.
She closed her eyes and threw her arms back.
"STRAT!!!"
Annie Lockwood had never met an obstacle she couldn't tackle and overcome. She had crossed time and centuries, fought bad guys and scheming gold diggers. But, now. Now, as she sat in the dark bedroom by herself, she felt herself falling. Not like she was going to cross centuries again, but fall from sanity.
The police had come to her house, their solemn eyes saying more than their words. Annie didn't understand at first. Their words were garbled and running together, as if saying it fast would make the awkward situation pass quicker for them. Sort of like ripping a band-aid off instead of pulling it slowly. A car accident, they had said. No survivors. They were terribly sorry, but help had gotten to the accident site too late.
Mom, Dad, Tod. All gone.
After the police had left, Annie curled up on her parent's bed and sobbed hysterically. If only she had chosen to go with them to the movies, maybe things would have ended differently. Maybe she would have seen the oncoming car before her Dad did. Maybe it wouldn't have collided with the car carrying her parents and brother. Maybe she could have died with them, instead of being all alone in this big dark house.
Not thinking clearly, Annie wiped the tears from her face and ran to her room. Fumbling in her purse, she found her car keys and headed to the garage. She climbed into her car and pulled out of the driveway into the street. And she drove away, not really considering where to go. She was only eighteen, having just graduated from high school last month. Eighteen, and already on her own, completely alone.
She stopped suddenly, and looked around where she was. Stratton Point. Annie remained in her car, staring blankly at the empty hill where Strat, Devonny, Florinda and everyone else used to live. Her hands were shaking and her knuckles were turning white from gripping the steering wheel so hard. Taking a deep breath, she turned the car off and stepped outside. The warm ocean breeze blew over her face, brushing her long, dark hair back from her face.
Slowly she walked towards that empty hill, her mind set on only one thing.
She closed her eyes and threw her arms back.
"STRAT!!!"
