I was splashing in the rain that day. It was a huge storm. While cars were crashing, people dying-- I was laughing, so I didn't care. The water was cold and the air was warm, my definition of perfect weather. I stomped in the huge puddles that rushed around my ankles and ran in the muddy grass. Leaves and grime were pasted all over my legs.

I ran up my driveway to greet my mom who was standing in our dry garage.

"Are you having fun?"

I nodded, smile on my face.

"Good." she said, returning the smile.

Both of our smiles were facades.

"I'd love to come out there with you someday." She said, looking out at the furiously pouring rain.

"Then come out right now!" I said, grabbing her arm and trying to pull her outside. Immediately she yanked her arm away, just before I got her soaked.

"No!" She yelped. "I can't get wet. Maybe next time?"

"There probably won't be a next time." I said, thinking hard. It was true, I was always thinking about how long I'd last living here.

"Oh, man!" She wailed, her smile graying.

I ran back off into the storm and danced, running through the leaves that had fallen from the wind. Acorns were scattered all over the ground. Even though I was barefoot, I ran right over them, memorizing every detail of their small, hard surfaces through the sensations in my feet. I felt the way the surface tension broke in the cold water as my feet pounded down against the rough pavement. Sensations were all I had then, and I cherished every one of them.

I dove into the grass, sliding down the slick slope like a water slide. When I stood back up, my entire body was coated with grass and dirt. I laughed into the sky. I was filthy, but I didn't care. Coming up quick was the sound of a siren. I turned around and saw the big red truck speeding down. The thought of wherever they were going and the people that were being hurt struck a nerve in me, and I shivered. Something interesting happened though. I expected to see a serious driver, as I stood there with a straight face in the rain; but as the truck passed, the world slowed for a moment, and it was just me and the driver. I remember his face and his yellow hat. He looked at me and smiled with white teeth, and waved. Then everything was normal speed again, and he zoomed down the road, sirens still blaring. I stood there for a minute, wondering why a person who knew why they were there and where they were going would smile like that.

I shook off the thought when the siren wasn't audible anymore. Soaking wet and extremely cold, I started back up the driveway to the house. I walked through the garage and quietly opened the door, then peered into the kitchen.

Nobody was in sight; so, still dripping, I ran upstairs to my bedroom, careful not to slip. I ran inside and shut the door quietly. I tried to tug off my shirt, but the wetness made it stick to my skin like syrup. I undressed slowly, and put on warm, clean clothes as fast as I could. I glanced at the brush on my dresser. My hair was and always will be a pain to brush, so I shrugged it away and walked towards the window.

I moved the curtain to the side and looked outside. The storm was clearing up a bit. There was still thunder, but the rain was only sprinkling. Down at the road, I watched as a firetruck and an ambulance drove by, sirens and horns blaring and fading away as they passed.

"Lord, help them." I whispered, feeling sympathetic. All the people getting hurt tonight, and no reason for it, either. Being hurt without reason is pointless. I glanced down at my wrist.

I turned around and flopped face forward down on my bed. I was so tired and cold. I took a deep breath through the thickness of my bed sheets.

"I am so bored." I mumbled.

I rolled over and sighed. I peered around my room for my iPod. I reached for it and plugged in my headphones. I pressed the play button. My head was instantly filled with pop Christian music. I groaned for a moment and changed the song. I always listened to Christian, and was teased for it often.

I changed the song to something I had found on the internet, based off of a game I really like. I smiled as the electric keyboard came in and the lyrics started flowing with it. It was about isolation even around people, but you wouldn't be able to tell by the cheery instrumental in the background.

I felt my heart melt into the mold of the melody. I closed my eyes and floated away. There was nothing here that could hurt me; and I was fine.

Nothing here can hurt me. Nothing here.

Nothing.

Skipping dinner that night was a bad choice. I remained lying down on my bed, draining out to music, until late at night, when I fell asleep. The next thing I knew, through the pitch black darkness, somebody was trying to shake me awake. I squinted my eyes to try to make out the image in front of me.

It was my mom, and she had a bag slung over her shoulder.

"Mom?" I whispered. She brought a finger to her mouth.

"Don't make a noise, or he'll wake up."