First and foremost I would like to state that - outside of today - all updates will be taking place every Friday. This gives me time to transfer my writings on to my laptop, proofread and edit any and all mistakes and work up a backlog on chapters while I work on finishing the story within its designated notebook. Feel free to check out my profile page or even my website for additional information in regards to all project works and updates. My website is through weebly and entitled as LostCicada. A link will eventually appear on my profile page.

Secondly, I'd like to extend my thanks and gratitude for everyone who has viewed, read, reviewed, followed and favorited this story here on . I truly appreciate it and it means the world to me that you all have taken the time to do what you did. Like always, positive criticism is welcomed and encouraged

Prologue

Deary Diary

Sorry about the letter to dad I wrote last week. I just miss him so much right now. I know I alluded to it last time so I'll come right out and say it now. Mom married the guy she met and he adopted us. Tony and I. I'm still weirded out by this. No matter how hard he tries, he'll never be my dad.

This guy, his name is Bob. He's an architect, specializes in golf courses and resorts. He even enjoys the game! Wants to take Tony golfing but the squirt doesn't want to go. I don't blame him, golf is boring. Not to mention, because of Bob, we have to move again. To Scotland. Of all the places in the world...Scotland. We arrived two hours ago. Holed up in a hotel room til morning.

I'm scared. Everything keeps changing so fast that I can't keep up anymore, I just...I just don't know what to do anymore. I'm continuously feeling lost and hopeless that I...that I just...I just don't know anymore...

"Alessa," the concerned voice was enough to draw the teen's attention. She met her mother's stare with a timid gaze. "Are you okay sweetie? It's almost two in the morning, you should be sleeping."

The motherly concern was evident in the tone. Alessa inwardly flinched. She hadn't meant to wake her mother but she couldn't sleep. She was too anxious, had too many thoughts fluttering around her mind.

"I can't sleep." She sighed out, guilt bubbling in her chest.

Dottie's gaze softened as she suppressed a yawn. She could tell her oldest was still having a hard time adjusting. Alessa had been such a daddy's girl as a child, losing him had changed her. She kept everyone at arm's length, never allowing herself to get too close. Her adventurous spirit had simply vanished overnight.

"It's okay. You need to at least try and get some sleep. Bob will be here in a few hours to take us home. Wouldn't want Tony to get the bigger bedroom because you're sleepy."

Alessa openly pouted. While things weren't going how she had hoped, her mother had to make a valid point. She closed her diary and rolled onto her stomach. With a click, the bedside lamp shut off and a muffled goodnight could be heard.

Dottie shook her head, settling back down to sleep. She was hopeful that Alessa was distracted enough from her worries but wasn't sure. She respected her daughter's privacy and would never pry. She trusted her.