Thank you, tooker86, for the review. It means a lot. I know the first part probably wasn't too exciting, but I promise it does get better!
The next morning, Kyleigh woke up with determination. Painting was the one thing she was really good at and she was going to prove to her aunt and uncle that she could make a good living from it. It may take her some time to get her name out there, but she could do it.
Once she was done getting ready for the day, she picked out one of her best paintings, grabbed a banana, then headed out. One of the small art galleries were always accepting new art pieces so she would start there.
Kyleigh held her painting like it was the most valuable thing in the world, and to her it was.
It wasn't long until she was standing in front of the art gallery. She had never tried to get one of her pieces in an art gallery; she's been too afraid. Now that she was here she was having second thoughts. What if her paintings aren't as good as she thought? What if they told her she had no talent at all? What if…
Kyleigh shook her head. She really needed to stop asking what if and just do it.
Taking a deep breath, Kyleigh walked into the building. There weren't many people there; only a few glancing through the art. Kyleigh tried to not let her nerves show as she walked up to the woman at the desk.
"Hello, excuse me, I'm here-" Kyleigh started to say.
The woman glanced at what Kyleigh held in her hands. "Let me guess, you want to know if your art is good enough to be displayed in the gallery."
"Um, yes." Kyleigh meant to sound more professional, but the way the woman said that made Kyleigh falter.
The woman sighed as she held out her hands. "Let me see."
Kyleigh quickly looked around to see if anyone was near them. When she knew no one was around, Kyleigh handed over her painting. She glanced at the name tag, which said Anne.
Anne unwrapped the painting and began to examine it. Kyleigh twisted the bracelets on her wrist, trying to stay positive. At one point Anne brought out a magnifying glass to look closer at the painting.
Only a few minutes had passed, but to Kyleigh it felt much longer. When Anne looked up at Kyleigh, Kyleigh held her breath.
"We can't accept this."
Kyleigh let out her breath as her heart dropped. "Why not?"
"You have too many dark colors and they just don't blend well together."
"But it's my best work."
"Well, it's not good enough." Anne handed back the painting.
Kyleigh said nothing as she took her painting and wrapped it up. She then left the gallery, hoping she had the power to turn invisible. Her art wasn't the best, she knew that. She did think it was good enough to be in a small gallery. Maybe she was wrong.
Once Kyleigh got home she grabbed the remaining brownies, then shut herself in her room. There were other galleries she could try, but what if they gave her the same answer?
Kyleigh shook her head. Stop it. She scolded herself. Things would look up soon. Hopefully Rose could get her an interview at the shop so she wouldn't have to be a secretary. She will work to save money while trying to get her name out in the art world. She just hoped it was soon. It made her depressed when she thought that she had no future, or at least a future that wasn't going anywhere.
A good place to start would be art school. Kyleigh had applied to one, but she has yet to hear anything. Of course, she only applied a few days ago. It was hard being patient.
Later that day, Kyleigh was putting pictures in her photo album. She was just putting in the last one of her and Rose having a flour fight when her uncle called her. The tone in his voice sounded panic, making Kyleigh rush out to the living room.
Both her aunt and uncle were sitting on the couch, eyes glued to the television. Kyleigh looked towards the TV; the news was on and was showing a building on fire. Kyleigh knew that building.
"Henrick's blew up." Harold said. "They don't know anything yet."
Kyleigh slipped on her shows, her mind racing with questions.
"Where are you going?" Carol asked.
"I need to see if Rose is all right." Kyleigh didn't wait for them to say anything else as she rushed out the door.
As Kyleigh ran to Rose's place, she kept hoping she was all right. Rose had to be fine. Kyleigh didn't know what she would do without her best friend.
When the Powell Estate came into view, Kyleigh stopped for a brief moment to catch her breath. Running this much reminded Kyleigh how out of shape she was. Once Kyleigh had some of her breath back she began to run the rest of the way.
Kyleigh ignored the pain in her side as she raced up the stairs. She soon skidded to a stop when she saw Mickey headed her way.
"Mickey…is…she…" Kyleigh tried to say as she gasped for breath.
"Yeah, she's fine. Did you run all the way here?"
Kyleigh nodded.
"You should invest in a car."
Kyleigh shook her head.
"Oh, yeah, right"
Kyleigh was thankful at times because Mickey knew exactly what she was trying to say without having her actually say anything.
"So, she's all right?" Kyleigh asked once she caught her breath.
"Yeah. A little shaken, but she's good."
"That's good." It was then she noticed what Mickey was holding. "What's with the arm?"
"Oh, a souvenir from the shop, I guess. Rose asked me to get rid of it."
"Well, then, I won't keep you from that. I'll see ya later."
"See ya."
Kyleigh went a little slower now that she knew Rose was fine. The pain in her side was still there, but now that she wasn't running it wasn't hurting as bad. Maybe she should start running. Her aunt is always telling her she needs to exercise more. She then thought against it; she hated running.
Kyleigh soon came to Rose's door. She didn't even bother knocking as she walked right in. Jackie was on the phone so Kyleigh just waved to her.
"I was so worried about you." Kyleigh said as she sat next to Rose on the couch.
"I'm fine."
"What happened?"
"Um, I was outside so I didn't see anything."
Kyleigh gave Rose a hug. "Well, good thing you were." She then slapped her friend. "Don't scare me like that again. Promise?"
Rose smiled. "Promise."
"So, I saw Mickey. What's up with the arm?"
Rose was silent for a minute before she said, "Let's just say it was a really weird night."
Kyleigh had a feeling she wasn't going to get anything out of her so she didn't ask anymore.
"Well, so much for getting a job there."
"Yeah. Looks like you'll have to stick with that secretary job."
Kyleigh made a face. "If I must. Still, I have to pass the interview first."
"Don't mess it up, yeah?"
"Would I do such a thing?"
"Maybe." Rose laughed when Kyleigh gave her a look. "No, you wouldn't. As much as you don't like something you wouldn't mess it up on purpose."
Kyleigh stayed for a little while longer before heading home. She was sure Rose wanted to rest.
"How is Rose?" Harold asked when Kyleigh got home.
"She's fine."
"Glad she wasn't in the building when it blew."
"Me, too."
Kyleigh woke up early the next morning. She was determined to get a job anywhere else besides being a secretary. Not only did she know she wouldn't be good at it, she didn't want to work near her aunt. It wasn't that she didn't love her aunt, she did, but sometimes it was hard to get along with her.
As she poured herself some cereal Kyleigh dialed Rose.
"Hello?"
"Rose, you're up. Didn't know if you would be since you no longer have a job. I was wondering did you want to come job searching with me today?"
"I uh, I can't right now."
"Are you all right? You sound distracted."
"I'm fine. I'll call you later, yeah?" Rose then hung up.
"Ooook." Kyleigh didn't think too much about it. Rose was probably still a little shaken from last night. If Rose had remained in the building…
Kyleigh shook her head. Rose was alive so it was pointless to think about the things that could have been.
Once Kyleigh finished breakfast and got ready for the day, she headed out. She started going around to some of the places close to her, but they all said the same, "We aren't hiring right not but we are always accepting applications." If one more person said that to her she was going to hit them. Not really but it sounded good.
By the time afternoon rolled around, Kyleigh had put in quite a few applications.
She took out her phone to call Rose. "Hey, you missed a great morning of putting in job apps."
"Yeah, sorry I missed it."
"What are you up to?"
"Researching."
"Researching what?"
"Um, a doctor."
"What kind of doctor? You aren't sick, are you?"
"No, it's just…" Rose trailed off.
Kyleigh waited for Rose to finish her sentence; she didn't. "Rose, what are you researching a doctor for?"
"I'll call you later to explain." Rise hung up.
Kyleigh wondered exactly what had happened last night. Something clearly happened; she could hear it in Rose's voice. Hopefully things would be explained. Kyleigh was beginning to worry.
Kyleigh went to a flower shop and bought some lilies. She then went to the one place she wished she didn't have to go. It didn't matter how many times she went, she disliked visiting that place. It only served as a reminder of what she has lost.
The day her parents died will haunt her forever. As much as she tried to forget, she couldn't. She was only eight when it happened, but she remembered that day clearly. They were so happy as they drove, and sang. Her mum was driving. They didn't see the car coming until it was too late. For a long time Kyleigh asked why she was the only one to survive. To this day she still wonders why.
Kyleigh arrived at the cemetery and made her way to her parent's grave.
"Hi mum, dad." Kyleigh said as she kneeled down. "Sorry it's been a while since I visited. I brought you flowers." Kyleigh put the flowers by the headstone. "So, yesterday was aunt Carol's birthday. Things were going well until she and uncle Harold brought up me getting a job. I know last time I visited I had a job, but things got weird with this guy. Anyway, I quit. They don't think I can make it as an artist. Why can't they understand?"
Kyleigh sighed.
"I won't go on a whole rant on you. I promise it won't be long until my next visit."
Kyleigh then stood and left the cemetery. She wished her parents were still here. Maybe her life would be different. At least with them they would encourage her painting instead of discouraging her.
When Kyleigh got home, she tried to resist the urge to call Rose again. Rose said she would call later, but Kyleigh couldn't help feeling that something was going on. Maybe she should call again.
Kyleigh grabbed her phone and dialed the number for Rose; she didn't answer.
It looks like she will just have to wait.
Kyleigh spent the next few hours just hanging around her house. When it was almost time for her aunt to come home, she left to go shopping. She really didn't want to deal with Aunt Carol right now. Besides, she was almost out of paints.
Shopping by herself was boring. She was thinking of calling Rose again, but decided against it. Rose would call when she wasn't busy.
She was just coming out of the store when she saw something that stopped her in her tracks. In the store window next door, the mannequins were moving. Is that something new the stores were trying to get more customers? It certainly did attract people.
Kyleigh started walking, not thinking much about the movie dummies. A crash and screaming made Kyleigh stop once again and look around. The mannequins weren't only moving, but they crashed through the windows and were walking towards anyone that was close to them.
Ok, maybe it isn't to get more customers in their stores. What was going on? Kyleigh stared as one of the dummies opened his fingers and then fired at a nearby person. That snapped Kyleigh back to reality; she began to run.
It was chaos. Mannequins continued to come out from the shops while people ran every which way, trying to avoid being shot.
"Please, don't hurt us." Someone cried.
Kyleigh stopped and glanced around. A mother with her two children were cornered by one of the dummies. Without thinking, Kyleigh ran over and tackled the dummy. Hopefully it would have trouble getting up.
She looked over at the family. "Go."
"Thank you." The mother said. She grabbed her children and ran.
Kyleigh took off running. She didn't get very far when a mannequin stepped in front of her, making her stop mid run. He lowered his fingers. Kyleigh quickly turned and ran the other way.
The pain in Kyleigh's side returned. Maybe she should start running after all, get in shape just in case she had to do more running in the future. Though, she hoped she didn't have to run for her life again anytime soon.
Kyleigh tripped, landing hard on the ground. She looked up and saw a mannequin's hand in her face. The mannequin was going to shoot her. Kyleigh tried to stand, but lost her balance and fell back down.
So, this is how it ends. Death by dummy. Not the way she thought she would die. That would be embarrassing if they put that on her tombstone.
Just when Kyleigh thought the dummy was going to shoot, it fell forward. Kyleigh scrambled back as she waited for it to get back up; it didn't. She scooted closer even though part of her was telling her to not touch it.
Kyleigh poked it…nothing happened. She glanced around. All the mannequins had stopped. Whatever made them stop she was thankful. She wasn't ready to die yet and certainly not by plastic.
As she stood, pain shot through Kyleigh. She winced as she pulled up her shirt.
"Oh, that's why my side hurts." Kyleigh had been shot. It appeared to be just a graze so she would be fine. Kyleigh looked around. She couldn't say the same for some people.
The cops and paramedics had arrived. How was anyone going to explain this?
One of the medics saw Kyleigh and wanted to check her out. She had insisted that she only had a graze. The medic still wanted to check her wound. He cleaned it and bandaged it, then sent her on her way.
"Kyleigh!"
Kyleigh turned and saw Jackie running towards her.
"Jackie, are you all right?"
"I'm fine. What were those things? How were they…" She trailed off when she saw the blood on Kyleigh's shirt. "Did you get shot?"
"Yeah, but it's just graze. Nothing major."
"That's good. I hope Rose is all right. She called but then hung up before saying anything."
"I'm sure she's fine. If she's out, then these things probably surprised her too."
"Yeah. Well, get home before these things decide to move again."
Kyleigh smiled. "Yes, ma'am."
Kyleigh slowly made her way home. She kept glancing around for more mannequins to attack. She was relieved when she finally arrived home. As soon as she walked in she was embraced by her aunt.
"Kyleigh, I'm so glad you're all right. I was so worried. I didn't know where you were and then I heard about those things attacking."
"Aunt Carol, kind of need to breath."
"Oh, sorry." Carol let go. "Are you all right?"
"Fine. I got a little scratched up, but I'm fine."
"Do you have any idea what was going on?" Harold asked.
Kyleigh shook her head. "No idea. Hopefully it won't happen again. Now, I'm going to go get cleaned up."
After Kyleigh took a shower, she laid on her bed. Rose still hadn't called her so Kyleigh tried calling. She got the message, "The person you are trying to reach in no longer in service." Kyleigh found that very strange. She tried not to worry about her friend, but she couldn't help having the feeling that something was wrong. Well, Kyleigh was definitely going to get answers tomorrow and she won't take no for an answer.