Founding out that someone close to you had died hurts, founding out someone you knew a long time ago had died...it hurts so much more since your memories are old and you grieve the lost time.

Samantha was on a mission. She had already lost everything in her life at that point, going into a not-so-nice neighborhood (or as Derek once said, a shady neighborhood), she came looking for answers.

After leaving the office with all her things packed in her car (the only thing that her ex couldn't take), she clutched the picture close to her, and drove away. She remembered that when Derek graduated from high school, he wanted to go back into some of his old neighborhoods to help the kids like him.

Samantha had already tried five neighborhoods with no results. Derek had been there at one point, but left to go to another one. The previous one she was at, one of the teenage boys gave her a last known address. She thanked him, leaving as fast as she could.

At the moment as she drove to the address, she cursed the fact that after meeting in second grade and knowing each other for ten years, she still managed to lose the relationship they had when she went to college. They tried to stay in touch, but things changed, they couldn't stay in contact. And that thought saddened her so much.

Pulling up into the driveway of what looked like a group home, she turned off her car, taking a moment to gather herself before she starts crying again. One deep breath later, she grabbed the picture (just in case he doesn't recognizes her, she has changed, and he probably has too said a little part of her), and walked to the door.

A knock caused shouting in the house. She blinked, startled from the door opening so fast. Heart beating loudly, she blinked again, missing how an older black lady ushered the little girl away from the door.

"What can I do for you, dear?" The lady asked, kindness lacing her voice and features.

"Oh, um, well," Samantha closed her eyes, taking a breath to clear her thoughts. "Is Derek Morrison here?" Samantha's blue eyes searching the woman's in front of her.

The lady looked shocked, then sad. "I'm sorry, dear, who are you to him?" She asked.

"He was a friend of mine for years. We lost connect after graduation." Samantha answered, showing the woman the picture as proof.

The lady took one look at it, touched Derek's face, and sobbed. "I am so sorry, sweetie." Samantha looked confused. "He died years ago."

~

Ending up on a deserted road that was overrun with weeds. Samantha sobbed again, remembering how beautiful the trees used to look like. It seemed like no one took care of the place over the last ten years since she was last here with...Derek...before he had died saving some kids from a gang war incident...

~

"Samantha! Don't wonder too far!"

"Okay, Mommy!" A seven year old Samantha yelled back to her mom in response. Little Samantha continued on running into the woods that were behind her new house.

As her parents unpack the moving truck, Samantha went on an adventure towards an old road. Pushing past some bushes, she came across a road that had trees casting shadows on the ground. The mere beauty of the place took her breath away. Turning in a circle, she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the place.

"What are you doing here?"

Samantha shrieked, jumping around at the sound of the voice. She relaxed when she noticed it was only a boy a little older than her. "Hi!" She offered her hand to the boy, who watched her every movement carefully. "My name is Sam-an-tha! What is your name?" She asked, slowly speaking the last part.

The boy stared at her carefully.

"Samantha!" A panicked voice sounded.

They both turned to the sound.

"I'm Derek." The boy answered, disappearing before her parents came running through the bushes, embracing Samantha in relief.

That was the first time they met.

~MsPenguingirl1234.

Published: July 22, 2017.