The sun broke across my room and onto my face, rendering me awake and squinting. I smelled the sweet bread my mother was baking and soon I was dressed and ready to take the day on.

I stepped into the kitchen only to see my mother in tears.

I looked at her in pity. My mother never cried.

"What's wrong? Did one of the geese get eaten this morning?" I asked, hopeful that it was only a minor problem, and we could get on with the morning and breakfast.

"Sit down Maria." My mother whispered.

I had never seen my mother act this way. Was she sick?

"Maria, James is gone...."

I didn't understand. He had gone to the market several times, so why was my mother crying? Something didn't feel right.

"What do you mean....gone?" I questioned her, my gaze searching her face.

"His parents woke up this morning, and found no more than a bloody knife through his pillow. His father raced over here to see if this was some kind of mischief between you two. I denied it. I'm so sorry Maria.......he's dead."

I choked back tears. My heart hurt so bad it could explode. My eyes were got dizzy.....the room was...getting......(black).

Several hours later I awoke in my bed shivering. My emotions were spent. I thought about James. self-assured, I got out of bed knowing I had dreamt the whole ordeal, and ran to James's house for a game of hide and go seek. After all, James was my best friend. I ran to his window and pelted it with stones.

Expectantly, I waited with a smile on my face.

I waited........

And waited.

The smile had long faded. And then I knew.

I saw his face as I had seen it only the day before. His smile was so genuine, like tomorrow would never come. His eyes seemed so happy and every care was far away. He is far away. So far.

My knees shake and I fall.

I hear the thunder and it begins to rain.

Ok, chapter 3 is coming any day so hold 'cause there's going to be a plot twist. Exciting, I know!