December 12th 2006

My fingers grasp at the sleep that is being so rudely ripped away from me. I reluctantly open my eyes when I realize there is no returning to my dreams. Bidding farewell to my adventures in Spain with Paul, I pick up the phone that is so annoyingly close to my head.

"What?" I groan into the phone.

"Morning sunshine." Rileys voice is far too awake and happy for my liking. "I need you to get your butt outside before we miss first period."

"I never liked Miss Foster anyway." I mutter into the phone before putting it back in it's cradle.

I drag a brush through my hair as I run to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror I see dark circles under my hazel eyes. "Fantastic."

I run down the stairs toward the sound of Riley honking her tiny cars horn. "Bye mom!" I call over my shoulder. I am still putting my long black hair in a pony tail as I jump into the back seat.

"Well don't you look fancy." Riley says. I am wearing green jeans and an oversized red sweatshirt that probably belongs to Paul. Whoops.

"Em looks fine. Just shut up and drive." Samantha tells her from the seat beside me. She has a small mirror that she is using to perfect her teal hair. After she is satisfied she moves onto reapplying her shiny purple lipgloss.

"Why do none of you understand the meaning of manners?" Blake asks from the front seat.

"Because that's your job." Rileys answers sweetly, then launches us down the icy road.

~
Blake and I rush into homeroom just as Miss Foster asks for Blakely Harrison.

"Ah, Miss Harrison, Miss Wes, so nice of you to join us."

"Sorry." We say in unison.

"Sorry, Miss." She corrects.

"Sorry, Miss Foster."

"Take these tardy slips to the front office." She says having already filled them out.

We reach for them as the late bell rings, but she doesn't retract her hand. "You're welcome." She sings her dark red lips forming a smirk.

"Thanks." Blake says but I turn away and walk out the door.

"One more week until we get out of this place. No PE, algebra, chemistry, choir or Foster for two whole weeks!"

"Sounds like heaven." Blake says blandly.

~

"Mom?" I shout into the dark house. I hear quite whimpering from her bedroom. I open the door and my ankles are seized by Chewbacca, my shih tzu.

"What are you doing in here boy? You know mom doesn't like you shedding all over her room." I pull him up into my arms, "Where's mom? Is she home?"

He squirms until I put him down. He runs to the kitchen. I follow after checking moms room, to see if she could still be asleep. Although it seemed unlikely since it's nearly four in the afternoon.

I flip on the kitchen lights and see a pile of thick blood dripping from the counter and pooling onto the floor. I gasp and stumble backwards.

I run next door and pound on the door. "Mister Elckleson! Mister Elckleson!"

An undistinguishable shout comes from within. The door creaks open. "What do you want?" A scratchy voice barks.

Mr.Elckleson glares at me from the crack the chain on the door allows. It's more than enough though, I can see is sweaty bald head and crooked yellow teeth. He smells like smoke.

"Have you seen my mom? She isn't home and I found blood in the kitchen. I'm really worried." I explain.

"I heard a scream and thump about four hours ago. It interrupted my Wheel of Fortune marathon. I called an ambulance but I didn't see anything." He looks as if I should be handing him a Noble Peace award for the act.

I open my mouth but he cuts me off, "That's all I know, Amber. Good day!" He says and slams the door.

"It's Ember."

I grab my backpack and the car keys from the hook by the front door, and race to the car. I drive as fast as I can to the nearest hospital. Elbowing people out of the way, I run up to a woman with perfect hair, makeup, clothes and everything else. She sits behind a counter playing crossword. "Eiley Wes! Where is she? What happe-"

She cuts me off, "What can I help you with?"

"Where is my mom?!" I demand. "Her name is Eiley Wes and an ambulance pictured her up a few hours ago."

"Could you perhaps tell me why she needed medical assistance?"

"How am I supposed to know? I WAS AT SCHOOL! Now where is she?"

"Calm down, honey. I will check the records."

She hums to Jingle Bells as she clicks seemingly random keys and scrolls. "Uh huh. Mmmhmm. E-L-E W-E-S."

"It's spelled E-I-L-E-Y." I say frustrated.

"Ah, yes here it is. There she is." She gives me some instructions and I hurry as fast as I can to the wing she said.

I grab the first nurse I see when I reach the wing. "Do you know where Eiley Wes is?"

"Yes she is right down the hall." She points to a room.

I start making my way towards where she pointed. "Girl, you can't go down there!"

When I don't listen she tries again, "Look sweetie, she has a brain tumor and is in surgery, you can't see her right now. If you tell me your relation to Mrs.Wes I may be able to contact you when she is-"

Surgery. The word is like blocks of cement tied to my limbs. Every movement is an effort. With some unknown source of strength, I struggle down the hall and open the door.

"SECURITY! Take this girl out!" The nurse calls from her station.

Two giant hands grab either of my wrists just as I see my mothers limp body on a table. "Mom." I whisper as the first tear escapes my eye. By the time I am in my car I am full fledged sobbing.

I drive not knowing where I am going. Snow has started to fall and I am driving more by muscle memory than anything else. I go to the one safe and happy place I can think of.

Before I know it I am crossing Deception Pass bridge. I drive along the twisty roads to my secret spot. The one my mom took me to when my father was home.

The snow has created a layer of water that blurs my vision. I don't see the turn in the road, I try to swerve into the other lane, but I slip on the ice. My car hits the guardrail and flips over. My car turns over and over as it grows nearer to the river below.

My last thought is, Mom.

The car hits the water, glass is flying everywhere. My head bangs on the steering wheel then on the back of the seat. I die on impact.

----------------------------------------------
Finally did it! I put the story that's been brewing in my mind since the beginning of 2016 on the internet! If you like this story please vote and leave a comment!