I woke up to the sound of knocking on my room door, and fear shot through me. Fuck! I forgot to wake up! Father's going to kill me! I jump out of bed and freeze. I look around, and I'm in a hotel room. I put my hand over my chest and took a few deep breathes, trying to calm myself down. Father's not here anymore. Knocking sounds again at the door, and I go over and peek out. It's a beautiful young woman in a suit. She has beautiful golden hair that's tied into a bun. I open the door and let her in. She is a few inches taller than me. I'm 5'3, and she's maybe about 5'5.
"Hey! Good morning! I'm Jessica from CPS. I'm going to be taking you home and explaining a few things. Are you ready to leave?" Jessica asks. She seems kind. She's making slow movements to try and not scare me. I appreciate the thought. What's most striking to me is her beautiful green eyes. They say you can tell a person by looking at their eyes, and I'd have to agree with that. They are kind and warm.
"Sure, can we stop at my old home to get my stuff?" I went over and put my shoes on.
"I'm sorry, but the Chief asked me to take you straight to your hometown. He said a moving truck has all of your stuff, and it's already on its way there." Jessica gave me a strained smile, and I decided to let it go. If it's already on its way, then there is no point in me staying here any longer.
I finished putting on my shoes and followed her out of the hotel and out to her car. She had a nice car: a Handa Civic, four-door.
"Nice car," I mumbled as I looked at it.
"Thanks!"
She unlocked it, and we climbed inside. I put my seatbelt on and leaned my head against the window. I watched as she pulled out and onto the road. I was finally leaving this shithole of a city. I'm not too fond of it here. After 30 minutes, the city slowly dropped away, and I felt the tension in my shoulders relax a bit.
"So, the Chief wanted me to tell you that the house is already paid off, so you don't have to worry about that. Also, the money your mother left you has been put into a bank account for you to use when you turn 18. The Bank will send you 600 every two weeks for whatever you may need," She looked at her from the corner of her eye. "Oh, and all of your school stuff has been transferred back to your old school."
I hadn't thought about it much, but what will my old friends say when they see me again? I'm not the girl they used to know. I've changed so much in the last three years. I don't even recognize myself sometimes. I've missed them, though, but not as much as I've missed him. What would Malachi say if he saw me now? Malachi was my childhood best friend. Things didn't end well for us before I left.
I sighed and closed my eyes. Another problem for another time, I guess.
Jessica had turned on the radio at some point, and I let the soft sound of it lull me to sleep.
Later I felt a hand on my arm and immediately reacted. I sat up and snatched her hand off my arm. It takes me a few seconds to blink away the sleepiness and realize I'm squeezing the hell out of Jessica's wrist, and I immediately let go.
"I'm sorry, You scared me." I mumbled, my face turning pink with embarrassment.
She rubs her wrist. "No, it's ok. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. I was trying to wake you. We're here."
I turn and look out the window. The house is like I remember it—a small two-story, red brick house with a white porch, but the paint is peeling off, so is the paint around the four window frames. I'll have to repaint it. Vines snake up the side of the house, and the lawn is way overgrown. I slowly open the car door and step outside. There are so many emotions running through me, but I'm mostly sad. There were so many good memories here and now; it just feels so empty.
The landlord gave me this," At some point, Jessica had gotten out and had moved next to me. "The key is on the inside. I should get going; I have another case to get to."
"Sure, thank you for everything." I take the orange folder from her and turn back to the house. I wasn't sure I was ready to go inside.
"OH! The moving truck should be here by tomorrow morning!" She shouted through her window and pulled out. I honestly didn't care if the truck ever made it here. Whatever is inside must be old stuff, my Father left.
The wind picked up, and cold air blew my hair across my face. I stared at the house a bit longer. How can something hold so many memories? The good and the bad. I felt a tear come to my eyes and roll down. The last three years have felt endless, and now I've been left all alone.
"Sarah?" a new voice called, startling me out of my thoughts. I turned and gasped.
"Mrs. Moore," I whispered. "Is that you?"
She is Malachi's mother. She looks the same, just a bit older—dark black hair with a few grays and warm brown eyes. She was like a second mother to me. She's married to Mr. Moore. He owns about half of a rail company, and his brother owns the other half. I wonder what she thinks, looking at me now.
My long brown hair that's thinned from stress and anxiety. Dull blue eyes with dark circles underneath from many sleepless nights. Clothes big and baggy on me. I'm sure I don't smell the greatest either.
She crossed the street and walked up to me.
How could I forget that she lives right across the street from me?
"Oh dear, look at you! All grown up." She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. I didn't hug her back. I don't particularly appreciate being touched, but I didn't have the heart to tell her that, though.
She must have noticed and let me go. "It's good to see you again, dear. Where's your father?"
My mood immediately chilled, and my eyes hardened. "He's dead."
I didn't say any more than that, and she got the hint and didn't ask.
"It was nice seeing you again, Mrs. Moore, but I've had a long day and would like to go and sleep." I backed up a bit from her, and she frowned. She is probably not used to me being so cold towards her. But what can I say? I don't trust people that often anymore.
"Alright, dear, why don't you stop by for dinner? I'm sure Malachi and The boys would love to see you again."
Boys? I only know Malachi; I wonder what kind of friends he's made. He was always better at making friends than I was.
"Maybe-"
"NOPE!" She yells, and I blink at her, startled. "I'm sorry, but I'm not taking no for an answer. I will see you at 6 for dinner."
With that, she turns and walks back across the street and into her house. All I could do was stare at her. A small smile comes to my face. She never changes.
I turn back to my family home and take a deep breath. I was finally ready to go inside. I pulled out the key and started up the stairs. It's time for a new start.
I open the door and step inside. All of the furniture has been cleaned, and all the dust is gone. I'm shocked; who could have done this? The universe decided to answer me when my phone rang and it was the Chief.
"Hello?"
"I heard you made it home safely." His voice sounded tired.
"I did. Did you clean my house?"
I can almost feel the smile he has through the phone. "Yeah, I thought it would be better than coming home to white sheets and dust everywhere."
I let out a small chuckle. "I'll have to agree with you on that. Thank you so much."
"You are welcome; now I have something I need to tell you. We need you to testify in court once the trials start."
Fear seized me and stole my breath away. "No, I can't! What if they find me!" I was shaking; I could feel an anxiety attack coming. "Please don't make me do this!"
"Ok, ok, calm down," I could hear the panic in his voice. "I promise you will be safe before and after the trial. No one will hurt you."
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I need to calm down. "Ok, fine, but you better promise me that no one will find me."
"I promise, thank you, Sarah."
"Yeah," I said as I chewed on my lip. I hung up the phone and closed the front door, and locked it. I was still shaking with fear. I need to get my mind off it. I looked up and decided to shower.
The house still looked the same, just a few changes here and there. The living room is the most significant open area of the house, with a flare screen tv and an oversized wrap-around couch. Photos of mom and me sat on the side tables. The kitchen is off to the left through sliding doors and a back door that leads to the backyard. On my right are the stairs, they lead to the three bedrooms.
I looked at the time—4:30 pm. I didn't have enough time for a nap. I need to go to the store and get some things so that I can shower before dinner.
Sighing, I grabbed the house key and my wallet and headed back out of the house. It was a 10-minute walk to the grocery store. Once I got there, I grabbed everything I needed and headed back home.
When I got back, I made my way upstairs and into my old room. I dismissed my parent's room. I wasn't ready to open that door yet.
My old room looked the same as I left it—pink everywhere, like everywhere. Did I love pink that much? Shaking my head, I made my way to the bathroom and started the water.
I turned and looked in the mirror. The girl staring back at me looked tired and in pain. I used to love my eyes, but now, they look lost and lifeless. I don't even recognize the girl staring back at me. I've lost so much weight. I turned away from the mirror.
I stepped into the spray, and my muscles relaxed. It's been so long since I could shower and stand there without having to worry about Samuel or one of Father's crazy friends walking in on me.
I was jolted from my thoughts when my phone's alarm went off, telling me I had 20 minutes before I had to leave for dinner. I finished showering and stepped out.
My hands shook the whole time. I had been trying not to think about it but, seeming Malachi again, sent butterflies through my stomach, and I felt like throwing up. What would he say?
I took a deep breath and got ready anyway. I was nervous but also excited too. After I finished, I headed back downstairs and out the door. I locked the house and turned. Let's do this.