I kept running like I was being trapped in a nightmare. My life's a nightmare. It always has surrounded by darkness, engulfed in it, swimming in it no way out nowhere to go, I couldn't see it crept all around me, no one heard the frightening cries in the pitch-black no one. I tripped on my shoelaces, my legs weak my body violently slammed against the marble floor. I panted heavily, my vision blurred from tears and exhaustion. I felt like I was dying, how I wanted death more than anything, the feeling of it felt exhilarating. ¨Hey are you alright?¨ Someone said I was dazed I looked up and squinted, was this a dream, was I dreaming? ¨How many fingers am I holding up?!¨ The mysterious voice said I couldn't see anything. Goodbye, cruel world. 

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Being in the afterlife felt nice, it was like being in the womb, no one bothered you, it was peaceful, and it felt gentle and safe. I wanted to be in it forever; Water was doused all over me, and I was taken right out of it. I suddenly began gasping for air, my whole body shaking.
¨You are not dying on me, do you hear I didn't come shopping to see a dead body!¨I was confronted with the mysterious voice, I could feel my cheeks turn bright red just by looking at her. She had bright blue eyes, dark skin like mine, but perhaps a lighter tone. With a few patches of white skin covering part of her face, she was beautiful. ¨ What's your name?¨ She asked

,¨M-My name is Jacqueline, but I go by just Jack.¨ 

She smiled at me, a genuine smile, something I knew I could trust. "My name's Annabelle, but I either go by AJ, ALAJA, Anna, Al, or Alley. I'm part middle eastern, so that's why the second one is a bit peculiar. She brushed away a caramel-colored strand of hair, putting it behind her ear, I blushed profusely, hoping that she wouldn't notice. "Where's you're Mother?" She asked as I shrugged unknowingly. ¨It's all right, I understand, I'll escort you back and reunite you with her.¨ I really didn't feel up to it. She made a gesture to follow her, and I did. She was the Sheppard, and I was the obedient animal. ¨My Mother and I got into a fight, as retaliation I ran away from her like I frickin' stole something!¨ I said jokingly. She tried her best to compress her laugh, ¨I also like telling jokes, but I never was successful at making someone genuinely laugh before.¨ She smiled. ¨Then allow me to be the first!¨

Annabelle wore black high heel boots up to her calves, a jean skirt, with a red hoodie crop top. I began sweating in my black hoodie. I unzipped the jacket, my shoulders now exposed to the cold conditioned air. I tied the sleeves around my waist, tying it into a knot for a longer-lasting grip. ¨Would you're Mother notice that you're also missing?¨ Annabelle shook her head, ¨Not at all, she works here, she works behind the security cameras, so she knows where I am all the time. The concept of a Mother continually watching over her child even if she wasn't present, was unsettling enough. ¨How do you feel about that?¨ She shrugged, ¨I feel as if I'm a lot more secure, but she trusts me to do the right things. After all, I'm almost going to be 17!¨ Annabelle was 3 years older than I was, I felt pathetic compared to her.

 Up ahead was Mother, Aunt Linda, and Stephanie. Two police officers comforted my Mother, asking her the last location I was at before losing me. ¨Is that you're Mother?¨ Annabelle asked as I nodded my head. That was her, alright. Out of the corner of Mothers eyes, she spotted me, ¨That's my daughter, right there!¨ Mother said furiously, she angrily marched up to me and grabbed my wrist. Her fingernails dug into my soft skin, I was afraid she might have popped a vein. The mall cops disappeared, giving Annabelle a dirty side glance as they went. ¨You're welcome miss?!¨ Annabelle said timidly, Mother lead me to the changing rooms I struggled to free myself, but it wasn't any use. 

¨Mother you're hurting me, let go!!¨ She threw me inside a stall.
¨You don't know-how much embarrassment you caused me, I was getting looks from other people and parents, thinking that I was a bad mother. If you ever run away from me again, that'll be the end of it. I'm ashamed of calling you my daughter or whatever you are!¨ She slammed the stall door behind her, leaving behind the ugly outfits that I had no choice but to wear. I had nowhere to go, nowhere to run, I was trapped with no way out.