In the middle of the night Mom shook me awake to say that it was time to go get our flight to the new house. The removal

men had come round yesterday to transport all of our posessions that we wanted to take with us, we were to take a plane

and meet them by our new house at lunchtime.

I quickly rose, showered and dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater which I thought would be the most comfortable for

travelling. I looked in my mirror to brush my hair for the last time. I'd inherited my jet black hair and green eyes from my

mother, and I just hoped I would inherit her stunning looks in a few years time. I tied my hair up into a ponytail and grabbed

my rucksack and ran down the stairs to where my parents were patiently waiting with the last bit of their luggage ready to

go. Tears were in Mom's eyes as we slowly shuffled out of the house and into the car, Dad started the car and we took one

last look at the house. It seemed to look like a happy, loved house and I felt a pang of guilt leaving it behind, but as my

parents insisted - it was time to move on.

Four hours later and our plane touched down in Missippi. It was a warm and sunny day and getting out of the airport, the

sunlight seemed to be welcoming us. We got a cab to the house from the airport and drove through the busy city and into

the suburbs, after fourty five minutes we finally reached a small town which was more in the countryside than the city, and

we came to a stop by the impressive gates to what I figured was our new home. I'd only seen pictures of our new house,

actually Dad was the only person who had seen it, and seeing it for real it looked quite different from the pictures. It had

huge walls built all around it to fend off intruders, with the only entrance being through the huge, menacing wrought iron

gates. Behind the gates we saw the truly massive house placed atop of a hill, surrounded by greenery. However, for a

moment the house was in the shade as a cloud moved to block the sun, but it made the house seem forbading and

menacing and sent a shiver down my spine. Then the sun moved and the white house gleamed in the sunlight, I shrugged

and picked up my bag and began to walk up the driveway with my family. Waiting for us outside the front door was the

realter, Mr Lowen, who had come to drop off the keys. He quickly walked towards Dad and shook his hand, they chatted

over the details as we entered the grand house. The house was immaculately decorated by its previous owner who had

recently passed away, the house had been left to her son who had put it onto the market immediately. There were framed

pictures and pieces of art everywhere, with busts and sculptures on top of pedestals. Mom gasped when she entered the

front lounge and saw the authentic persian rug and grand piano in the corner. " I cant believe they left this here, its

beautiful," she breathed, stroking the smooth mahoganey piano and lightly touching the keys.

" I'm gonna go choose my room Mom. Im guessing theres like twenty"

" Actually Cadence there are fifteen bedrooms," Mom said, turning towards me. " I know at least five of them are ensuite,

the others will serve as good guest rooms"

I ran up the marble staircase to the first floor and proceeded to check every room on the first and second floors. They were

all pretty big but I wasnt exactly sure which one to have yet, so I ran upto the third floor which strangely enough only had

two doorways. I opened one of them and looked inside, only to discover an immensely big room which must be the attic.

Strangely enough, instead of being cluttered and messy like any other attic I'd seen it was empty, with wooden floors and

bright windows letting in the sunshine. The walls were painted a neautral cream colour - the place was just so darn clean!

There was a small bathroom adjoined to the room also, and so that made my decision that I wanted this room above all

others. I walked over to one of the large windows and looked out to see the river and the area around for miles. It seems

we were quite cut off, with mainly farmland surrounding us, I could see clusters of houses in the distance perhaps two miles

away or something.

Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs I turned round to see Dad standing in the doorway with a grin on his face. " So you

chose this one then kid? Good choice - even if it isnt really what I'd class as a bedroom." He came further into the attic and

let out a long whistle as he turned in circles to check out the whole room. " Damn this room's huge, I should have it had it for

myself as a study or something. But if its going to make you happy, young lady, then its all yours." He pronounced strongly,

punctuating his sentence by planting a kiss on my forehead. " I'll go let the movers know where to put your stuff, Mom's

making dinner soon so listen out for the call." He started to walk out of the room, mumbling to himself about needing to get

some kind of intercom set up to save him and Mom from having to yell for me each time they wanted me for something.

I stayed in my new room to oversee the removal men bringing my things into the room. I decided to have my bed placed in a

corner of the room which seemed quite private but had a skylight in the roof. It was my intention to lie in my bed at night

staring out at the stars, which I read somewhere that they were more vibrant and visible in the countryside. Once all my

stuff was in I set about making my bed with the new pink bedsheets Mom had bought me, and of course my quilt, thats

when I heard Mom yell that dinner was ready.

I saunteered into the dining room to find that it was immaculately kept, with a huge mahoganey table with high-backed

chairs, surely enough to seat twenty people. There were three places set with plates and silverware, and Mom had even

made the effort to light some of the candles which were in their silver holders. To say I felt underdressed for such a meal

was an understatement, I glanced down at my jeans and sweater and realised maybe I should have made an effort. The

smell of food was delicious and inviting, I guess I never realised just how hungry I was. Suddenly Mom came crashing

through the adjoining kitchen door with a tray of chinese takeaway food, Dad following her with a big bottle of cola.

" Sit down darling, theres no need to stand on ceremony," Mom remarked softly as she set about laying all of the takeaway

cartons for us all. We moved onto a pudding of apple pie and began to discuss the day and the new house.

" So how do you like your room Cadence?" Mom asked me.

" Yep its great thanks. Its just... no it doesnt matter," I replied, uncertain whether to voice my opinions or not.

" What is it honey?" Her voice took on a nervous tone as she put her fork down and concentrated fully on me.

" Oh I dont know, it just feels strange that we would have such a big house when theres only the three of us, is all." I said

meekly, shifting my eyes to the table. " Do we really need fifteen bedrooms? Are we running a hotel or something?" I

remarked, finally meeting her eyes.

My parents chuckled softly as if I had just made some slightly amusing joke. Then they looked at each other nervously before

looking back at me. "Should I tell her George? We've kept it hidden for long enough now." Mom said. Dad looked at her once

more before he stiffly nodded in agreemet. " Yes, well, you see Cadence.. Me and your mother have decided that now you're

older and I finally had a chance to leave my job that we would focus our energy elsewhere, do what we'd always dreamed of

doing." He said, glancing at Mom in loving way. There was silence as I anticipated exactly what it was they were going to do.

" We've decided to run a sort of foster home for young children and teenagers who have little or no family. Children from

abusive homes who just want to be loved and cared about. Obviously we needed a bigger house than our last one and I've

always fancied the idea of living in Missippi so this place was perfect, and we got it for a bargain as well." He added. I was

stunned, too shocked to say or do anything. Of course I was happy for them finally living the dream but what about me? I

hadn't even been consulted in their plans and now new children were going to be living in my new home, taking all of my

parents attention. I was mad enough to want to scream, but I kept my restraint just about. A silence ensued as my parents

looked nervously to one another waiting for my reaction.

" Well darling," Mom said after a while, " What do you think"

" Um..well its all a bit of a shock really," I started cautiously, placing my knife and fork down on the table. " I mean neither of

you ever said anything about wanting more children around so I just assumed it would just be us from now on. I gotta admit

I'm not too happy about the idea." Both of their faces fell with my last statement, as if they could never see why I would

object to such a plan.

" But..but.." started Mom.

Dad interrupted, " Can't you see what a good deed we will be doing Cadence? All of those children who have not been as

fortunate as yourself to have been raised in such a loving family, they just need a chance. A chance to see that the whole

world is not against them and there are people who care in it." He sighed and reached for his glass of brandy. " But if you

are so opposed to the idea then we'll just have to forget it"

I didnt want to be the person who upsets their own parents, and looking at Mom I could just see the tears glistening in her

eyes. Her face showed me clearly just how much this meant to them both. I heavily sighed and lifted my head " Of course

they need love daddy, your right. Im sorry to sound so selfish, I have no problem if this is what you want"

" Well it all isnt planned to begin for at least another year yet sweetheart so theres no need to worry about anything just

yet. We just felt we should give you a heads up on our plans." Dad said. " For now we shall concentrate on settling into this

new area, getting you sorted into school and getting this house how we like it. Which reminds me, we have a meeting with

the principal of your new school after lunch so make sure your prepared darling." He looked at my face and then reached out

for my hand. "You'll always be our number one daughter Cadence" He added softly, as if to reassure me. We all carried on

eating and my parents chatted about small things like sorting out what home improvements they wanted to make, while I

sat in silence. I quickly finished and excused myself returning to my bedroom. I began to unpack my little knick knacks and

place them around my room, but after everything was unpacked the room was still half empty because it was just so big.

Mom bought me up a drink of hot milk at about 9pm and we said our good nights, I guess we were all quite tired - it had

been an exhausting day. That night I flitted in and out of nightmares. Horrible dreams where my parents were killed and I

was all alone in this big house. Another dream I was on the edge of a cliff and I turned round to see a girl a bit younger than

me, her face was dark (as are all the faces in my dreams of people I dont know) but I could tell she was looking at me with

hate and anger from the way she was standing. Suddenly her hands were on me and she pushed me over the cliff, then I

woke up with the feeling I was falling, falling.