Her training bike skidded loudly across driveway ,drowning out her mother's voice ,whom egged her on as she rode confidently on the rough, grey concrete. Adrenaline thumped through veins as she giggled coming to a stop in front of the two lawn chairs, looking up at her mother eagerily quite obiviously begging for praise.

"Goodjob my little tiger,"my mother said affectionately as she pulled me into her lap showering me with her ticklish kisses that felt like butterflies against my skin. I giggled ,wiggling around squirmishly in her embrace until I layyed exhuasted;my face controted into a scene of anguished which I wore dramatically while I struggled not to smile.

Mother smirked ,her ocean blue eyes twinkling slightly,"What a wonderful little actor you are." Her hands reached for me and I jumped back stumbling before catching myself clumsily waving my arms for balance. I placed my hands on my small hips, smiling mockingly as I spoke proudly,"Mother, you will never be able to catch me!" "Oh really?,"she challenged as she smiled , gripping the sides of the chair to hoist herself up. The door flew open and Father stepped out ,gripping the house phone in his hand as he strode across the lawn swiftly, handing it to Mother.

Tilting my head curiously I watched Mother answer the phone only for her face to twist with horror. She tugged my Father's sleeve ,beckoning down towards her as she leaned in; her mouth moving unaudibly against his ear. His eyes widened and he turned towards me; a drop of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"How about you go ride down to the park, Carmen," he suggested so stiffly ;he tone was almost begging. I opened my mouth to protest only to be lifted onto my bike and given a rather harder push than usual. I glanced behind me as Father waved his hand ,mouthing for me to go away. Pouting coyly I rode as told, grinning as the wind blew through my hair, sending pleasent chills against my neck. Apporoaching the park, I slowed ,glancing at the beautiful greenery and life that inhibited that small area.

Minutes passed as I rode back, waving to the neigbors as I passed.A black ,unkown Lexus sat with its doors open by the curb of my house.A yell echoed out of my throat as two masculine men came of my house, holding two figures whom were of course mother and father."STOP!"

I came to a stop, leaping off my bike my eyes glued on the men who help my parents in their grasps. My eyes fogged as tears welled up in my eyes as I reached outstreched as I ran to the car, tripping over my tennis shoes. A growl virbrated out of the car's engine as it began to drive off, leaving lingering puffs of smoke behind.

No. My thoughts melted into the scene over and over ass I chased the car;my tears streaming down my face. No. Mother!..Father! I yelled out in my mind as I fell over exhuausted against the road. I looked down at my shaking hands ,clenching them into fist,"I'm not fast enough...."

Black dots covered my vision as I wrapped my arms around myself ,sobbing over the loss of my family. Then all I saw was black. Not as black as the nightsky,but black enough to describe the despair.

Then Light.

I sat up sweat dripping down my body ,drenching the surrounding sheets around me. My eyes flickered around my as I huffed ,catching my breath. My thoughts still repeated that haunted memory I knew oh so well. Of course not in a good way..

Just a Dream. I repeated,squeezing my small arms, just a dream. Tugging of my tear stained pillow case, I sat up ,forcing myself together. I stared into my vanity mirrior;my eyes glowing with melancholy and regret. I was not fast enough, I thought clenching my fist against the polished wood. My eyes glared back at me speaking the words I told myself every day. But I will become fast enough.To find them.

And to prove even with my small body, that I can be a runner too.