4
"So are you bringing Avery along with us to church tomorrow?" Michael asked, shoveling a spoonful of spaghetti into his mouth.
"Oh my gosh! I totally forgot!" She turned towards me, "Avery, a few weeks ago I signed up to help out at the clothing donation at our church! Do you want to come? You can stay home if you want." Mom offered looking at me like she was trying to actually care. Did she?
"No, I'll come with you guys, if that's alright?" I asked, afraid of being left home alone. Mom nodded, her mouth hung open a little bit, and her emerald green eyes shined as bright as always.
"Well," She started, "you might have to help out," she said not looking up from her dinner.
"Yeah that's fine." I replied, and continued eating my dinner in silence.
. . .
I set my white ceramic bowl into the metal sink, and began running water into it. I rinsed my hands, too, not liking the sticky feeling vanilla ice cream left on my fingers. I walked away from the sink and pulled down my soft, blue sleep shorts.
I found my way to the guest bedroom, and lay down on the navy bedspread. I could almost fall asleep, it had been a long day. I sat up and reached for my wooden hairbrush and brushed through my dark brown hair. It felt so smooth to the touch, like black silk. I heard the tiny 'click' of the light switch and the whole house grew dark. I quickly scrambled to my luggage that was sitting in a heap next to the dresser, and grabbed my green flashlight. I turned it on and it lit up the whole room, I walked out of the room and towards the kitchen, slowly and quietly. I reached into the wooden drawer and pulled out a stake knife. Its black handle clasped tightly in my hand as I walked cautiously back to my room.
I got under the covers and layed on my side. My eyes started to slowly close and I fell asleep.
. . .
He was carrying her. She was asleep, still wearing her purple pajama bottoms and a white tank-top. That's what she was wearing the night she was taken. Her red hair was barely tied into her ponytail holder. She looked confused, her face contorted with pain. Suddenly, her eyes opened
"AVERY! HELP! AVERY WHY'D YOU LET HIM HURT ME! NO AVERY! NO!" I tried to wake up. I wanted to wake up. He walked deeper into the woods. He suddenly dropped her and turned around. Michael. I grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground. I held his arms down with my knee caps and drew the knife I was sleeping with.
Wait a second.
I was awake.
Michael's face was struck with fear as he looked from me to the knife. I shrunk down next to him on the bed.
"Michael, I am so sorry." I started, and wasn't sure how to finish. When he didn't reply, I decided to get up and leave, still clutching the knife.
. . .
"And Miss. Taylor, you can work over here with Sawyer." A sweaty old man grabbed my hand and helped me up some steep stairs. He was very nice, but I wished he would let go of me.
Once we got up the stairs, he opened a dark brown door and signaled me to walk in. I smiled as saying thanks you, and entered the room.
Several tables were set up in a big open room, with clothes piled high on top of them. I saw a blonde haired boy folding a red shirt and laying it on top of a different pile.
"Hey Sawyer! I got you fresh meat! Show her the ropes?" The old man yelled. He slammed the door behind him, the sound making me jump a little. I started to walk towards this "Sawyer" boy. I didn't know then, but going to church that day would change my whole life.
AN: Hey! I am soooo sorry that I haven't updated in forever and sorry this is so short but school started so I have had a really hard time getting any writing done! I'm going to try and update again by Friday but if not, sorry!