Hailey had decided that she would just stay up since it was sun rise anyway and she had to be at school in awhile. She had gone around the museum to the loading dock to change into different clothes other then the security guard's uniform. Luckily the museum wasn't opened for another few hours so no one would be coming around.
Once she was done getting ready for the day Hailey hid her stuff behind a dumpster. She was hoping that the garbage truck wouldn't come and mistake it for trash. Hailey then quickly headed to the corner of her street so she could walk with Evan and Alexis like she did every school day.
She was glad she got there before the other two did. She didn't want to explain why she had walked from a different direction. When the siblings did arrive they headed off to school, but Alexis noticed Hailey looked worn out.
"Hailey, are you all right?"
"Of course I am. Why?"
"You just look worn out. What did you do last night?"
"Nothing much."
Alexis didn't believe her, but she didn't push the subject any more. She knew Hailey wouldn't tell if she didn't want to so there was no use trying to get her out of her.
As they got to school people were still talking about yesterday and the graffiti on the lockers. It was no surprise that they all thought Hailey did it. It bothered her a little since she was innocent this time, but she did expect everyone to blame her. After all she was the trouble maker.
Throughout school Hailey was trying her hardest not to fall asleep, but she was running on zero hours of sleep and she wanted nothing more then to lay down on a nice comfy bed with a soft pillow and close her eyes.
"Hailey Jones!"
Hailey jumped up as she looked up at her teacher.
"No sleeping in class."
"Sorry."
She must have been dosing off. She has to figure where she'll stay tonight. She could be like those homeless people and sleep on a bench, but that wouldn't be very comfortable. The consequences of running away.
Alexis and Evan were worried about Hailey. She seemed so tired and every time they would ask her about it Hailey would just reply she had a hard time sleeping. Alexis thought something else was going on.
By the end of school Hailey had drunk so many energy drinks that she was practically bouncing off the walls. She decided she had to get some sugar in her so she didn't fall asleep in class again. She could be annoying when she was hyper though. She constantly babbles on and talks about eighty words a minute. Alexis and Evan can't even understand what she's saying half the time.
When she walked out of the school she saw her grandpa. What is he doing here? She thought.
"Hello Firefly."
"Hi."
"Do you want to go for a walk? I need to talk to you."
Hailey nodded then looked t her friends. "I'll see you two later." Then she started walking with her grandpa.
"So I heard something interesting from Jessica this morning."
"I can't imagine what she would say that's so interesting."
"She said you ran away."
"Yeah I did. So what?"
"Where are you staying?"
"With a friend."
"You could stay with me, you know?"
"I know, but I just don't feel…"
"I understand. If you ever do need a place to stay you're always welcome."
"Thanks. I better get going. I have a lot of homework."
"All right."
For the rest of the day Hailey stayed in the library and finished her homework. Once she was done with that she picked up a book that looked interesting and read it. By the time it was nearly sun down she was finished with the book.
"Well, that's a good way to waste time." She said as she walked out of the library.
Hailey walked to the museum and hid her backpack in the docking area. Then she walked around to the front and walked in. She was a few minutes early so the museum was still asleep.
"Hey Hailey." Larry said. "You're early."
"Things were getting a little hectic at my house so I decided to get out of there." Hailey lied. "Well, I'm going to go wait for Ahkmenrah to wake up." Then she rushed to the Egyptian exhibit.
Hailey had thought about asking Larry if she could move in with him, but she decided against it. It was already supporting Nick and he didn't need to worry about another mouth to feed. She could go to one of the shelters around town, though usually they are always crowded.
Then there was the option of living with her grandfather. She still didn't forgive him for stealing and trying to frame Larry. It would be awhile before she could trust him again and she didn't think she would be able to live with him.
Hailey walked into the Egyptian exhibit and leaned against the wall. There were still a lot of things she had to figure out. Running away wasn't easy, but it was better then living at home where she wasn't wanted. She still didn't understand why her parents hated her so much. There had to be a logical explanation…shouldn't there?
Hailey was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard the lid of the sarcophagus open and land on the floor. She looked up and smiled at the young pharaoh.
"Hailey, it is good to see you." Ahkmenrah said as he climbed out of his sarcophagus. "How was your day?"
Hailey shrugged. "Same as every other day."
"Are you all right?" He asked when he was a few feet from Hailey.
Hailey gave him a confused look. "Of course I'm all right? Why?"
"You just look a little pale."
"I'm all right, I promise."
Ahkmenrah just nodded then walked out of the room. Hailey put her hand to her forehead and felt that she did have a little fever. She wasn't going to worry about it since she did feel fine and her fever wasn't bad.
When Hailey and Ahkmenrah walked into the lobby they saw a big stereo set up.
"What's going on?" Ahkmenrah asked Larry.
"Rebecca wanted to do karaoke tonight so that's what we're doing."
Ahkmenrah remembered the last time they had done karaoke. It wasn't a pleasant experience especially with the Neanderthals trying to sing.
"Ok Rebecca is first since it was her idea." Larry said, though Hailey got the impression that he wasn't looking forward to this.
Rebecca put the tape in the stereo, grabbed the microphone and waited for the words. Even though she didn't have the best singing voice she still liked to do karaoke.
Soon the words appeared on the screen and Rebecca started dancing to the beat.
Let's go!
Don't wantcha for the weekend, don't wantcha for a night
I'm only interested if I can have you for life, yeah
Uh, I know I sound serious and baby I am
You're a fine piece of real estate, and I'm gonna get me some land
Oh, yeah
So, don't try to run honey, love can be fun
There's no need to be alone when you find that someone
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha while I gotcha in sight
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha if it takes all night
(Yeah, you can betcha)
You can betcha by the time I say "go," you'll never say "no"
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha, it's a matter of fact
(I'm gonna getcha)
I'm gonna getcha, don'tcha worry 'bout that
(Yeah, you can betcha)
You can bet your bottom dollar, in time you're gonna be mine
Just like I should - I'll getcha good
Yeah, uh, uh
I've already planned it - here's how it's gonna be
I'm gonna love you and - you're gonna fall in love with me
Yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah
So, don't try to run honey, love can be fun
There's no need to be alone when you find that someone
Yeah, I'm gonna getcha baby I'm gonna knock on wood
I'm gonna getcha somehow honey yeah, I'm gonna make it good
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh, yeah
So, don't try to run honey, love can be fun
There's no need to be alone when you find that someone
Oh, I'm gonna getcha, I'm gonna getcha real good
Yeah, you can betcha, oh, I'm gonna getcha
(I'm gonna getcha) just like I should, I'll getcha good
Oh, I'm gonna getcha good!
Everyone clapped when Rebecca was down. Then she went over to Larry for the next person to sing.
"Why don't you sing, Hailey?" Rebecca asked.
"What? No, I don't think so."
"Why not? It's not that bad."
"I don't have a good voice."
"You heard Rebecca sing." Larry said.
"Hey." Rebecca said as she hit Larry over the head.
"I would love to hear you sing." Ahkmenrah said.
"Ok, but don't blame me if your ears start bleeding."
Hailey walked over to the stereo and looked through the songs. After a few minutes she found one she liked and put it in. she picked up the microphone with shaky hands and faced everyone. Her legs were trembling and she thought she was going to collapse.
Hailey took a deep breath then started singing.
Please, please forgive me,
But I won't be home again.
Maybe someday you'll look up,
And, barely conscious, you'll say to no one:
"Isn't something missing?"
You won't cry for my absence, I know -
You forgot me long ago.
Am I that unimportant...?
Am I so insignificant...?
Isn't something missing?
Isn't someone missing me?
Even though I'm the sacrifice,
You won't try for me, not now.
Though I'd die to know you love me,
I'm all alone.
Isn't someone missing me?
Please, please forgive me,
But I won't be home again.
I know what you do to yourself,
I breathe deep and cry out,
"Isn't something missing?
Isn't someone missing me?"
And if I bleed, I'll bleed,
Knowing you don't care.
And if I sleep just to dream of you
I'll wake without you there,
Isn't something missing?
Isn't something...
Once she was done she realized she was crying. She quickly wiped her tears, pretending to brush her hair out of her face so no one would notice. Everyone started clapping and told her she did a good job.
Hailey stumbled back to Ahkmenrah. Her heart was pounding and she was glad to sit down before she collapsed.
"That was wonderful." Rebecca said.
"Thanks."
"You have a lovely voice." Ahkmenrah said. "But why did you choose such a sad song?"
Hailey shrugged. "I just like that song."
The night went on with people taking turn singing. Some of them tried to get Hailey to sing again, but she refused. One song a night was her limit.
After a few hours Hailey left the museum since she could barely keep her eyes open. She left through the front door, but once she was outside she headed to the back. She grabbed her stuff then walked to the nearest park.
Hailey thought she wasn't going to make it to the park before she passed out, but she some how made it. When she got there she sat under a tree and within seconds she was asleep.
~Dream~
Ten year old Hailey ran through the empty museum with her grandfather behind her. She had never been to the museum at night and was excited. It did seem a little scary, but she knew nothing would get her as long as she was with her grandpa.
"Hailey, slow down." Cecil hollered. "I'm not as young as I was and can't keep up with your energy."
Hailey giggled as she ran to her grandpa. "Sorry Papa, I'm just so excited. What is it that you want to show me?"
"You'll see in a few minutes." He smiled at her.
Hailey waited impatiently for whatever her grandfather wanted to show her. She was hoping it would be something great since he was making her wait so long. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Cecil told her it was time for her surprise. Hailey jumped up and down with excitement.
The two of the walked to the lobby and Hailey stopped in her tracks when she saw the T-Rex started moving. She looked around and saw that everything else was coming to life as well.
Cecil explained everything to her and instead of being scared she was even more excited. She had always wished the museum could come to life and now her wish came true. Hailey wandered the museum and talking to many of the exhibits.
Hailey soon came to the Egyptian exhibit. She was curious about the pharaoh. If everything in the museum came to life then that means him as well. And if he did come to life was he still a mummy? She walked into the room, but froze when two sharp spears blocked her path. She looked up and saw the two jackals.
"Um…I mean no harm. I just want to talk to the pharaoh. Is that all right?"
Hailey didn't know if they could understand her. She was hoping that they wouldn't kill her. After a moment the jackals moved the spears and Hailey sighed with relief.
Hailey slowly walked up to the sarcophagus which was rattling. There were also yelling coming from inside. As she got closer she noticed that there were locks. She decided to open it. After all it wasn't fait that everyone got to roam around except for him.
She went to open the locks…
~End Dream~
Hailey was woken up by water landing on her face. She sat up and looked at the sky; it was sprinkling. Hailey thought back to her dream. She finally remembered going to the museum as a kid, but why did she forget. She knew you don't remember everything that happens in childhood, but a museum coming to life is not something you would forget easily. Something else had to happen.
Hailey gathered her things then started walking. Maybe one of these days she would remember.
Rebecca sang I'm gonna Getcha Good by Shania Twain.
Hailey sang Missing by Evanesence.
