I knelt on the floor in a puddle of sunlight, my hands were dug into a small card bored box. I moved into this apartment about two months ago, I still hadn’t unpacked most of my things. There were still boxes piled in the living room, kitchen, even some small boxes in the bathroom!
And the apartment is a fairly decent size, it has a big open kitchen and living room. – very modern looking – At first I thought the bathroom was going to be ridiculously small, but it’s actually pretty big. It also has a deep bathtub! Bonus! Because of my Mother the place is already decorated with plants, she is not a big plant person but she says that plants give off positive energy and that I could use some of it. I started college about a year ago, I had just raised enough money to move out on my own almost five months ago. Honestly I was scared to leave my Mother’s house, I grew up there, I was raised there. Why would I want to leave? I felt safe there, that was my true home. That’s why it took me three months to actually move out. But as I got older my Mother started bugging me more and more about getting off my butt and getting a job, maybe even going to college. So I deiced to try and get a degree in law. My Mother was so proud of me, but at the time I didn’t know why going to college was a big deal. Other than it meant I wasn’t stupid. But now I know why it’s such a big deal, I’m all grown up and I’m starting the next chapter of my life. I will get a very good job some day in the future.
I pulled a framed photo out of the small box, its a photo of me and my Mother on my first day of high school. I remember that day, as well as how embarrassing it was. In the photo my burnt black hair is tied up in a vary messy pony tail, oh my hair was so frizzy. I also had braces at the time, which I got bullied a lot for. But the straight teeth were worth it. My Mother looks a lot younger in this photo, this was around when she got the job as an accountant. She always told me she loved her job but she always came home exhausted and depressed. I know she tries her best, I also know she never wanted kids. As soon as she found out she was pregnant with me she freaked out on her boyfriend, telling him it was his fault he ruined her life. I only know this because she talks in her sleep.
I set the photo aside and took out another framed photo, my heart stopped for a moment. I forgot I even had this one. I see me standing against a maple tree in one of the most popular park in the city, I had such long hair at the time. And siting on the ground right beside me was Grace, my sister. She wore her favourite pair of jean shorts and a hoodie our Mother had just gotten her. She looked so happy, I mean… She was so happy that day. Because that day was her Birthday, Grace had just turned the big 16. Grace had always been the one to get excited when growing up, she couldn’t wait to get a job, to get married, to move out. To do all of the things she couldn’t do at a young age. She wanted her life to start. I loved her so much, and I still do.
I leave my thoughts as I hear my phone ring on the counter. I stand up and gently set the photo down.
“Hello?” I said as I picked up the phone. First there was just empty silence, the kind of silence that scares you and puts you on edge. “Hello?” I said a little more impatient this time. Was this someone playing a prank on me? Or maybe it’s a spam call, hmmm.
As I take the phone away from my ear I hear a subtle breath escape the phone. “Seriously, hello?” What is wrong with people? They get entertainment out of annoying others. I don’t understand it, not even I did that as a kid. The only thing I did as a kid was stay out past curfew.
“Chloe?” Said a quivering voice. “What-?” No this can’t be, no no no no! Her voice has the same tone, come on this has to be a prank! But it sounds exactly like her. It can’t be real!
My knees buckled underneath me, hot tears slowly started streaming down my face.
No just stop! It can’t be her, I can’t believe their lies!
It’s sounds like Grace, exactly like Grace. But… She disappeared five years ago.
“G-Grace?” I said weakly into the phone. “Is that you?” My body tensed as my ears filled with a small whine.
“Chloe. Help me Chloe.” Grace’s depressed voice squeaked, then she let out a loud sob. My hands started to shake, salty hot tears streamed down my red cheeks. It’ my sister! She is alive! All this time I gave up hope, I just thought she was dead because she never came home. But she is alive! And scared, I have to save her. I can’t loose her again.
“Grace! Oh Grace were are you? Answer me Grace! Grace? GRACE!!!” I screamed in to the phone, my throat sore from sobbing. My fingers can barley grasp the smoothness of my phone. The whines on the phone went silent, then the line went dead.
“Grace? No, no no no no no! NO! GRACE? Come back!!! Not again! You’re my sister I can’t loose you again, I’m sorry! I’m so so sorry! I didn’t mean for you to get kidnapped at the party! Please Grace forgive me. Grace? GRACE?!” I screamed and screamed into the phone, still no response. No! I can’t loose her again! This is all my fault, I shouldn’t have taken her to that damn party! I lost Grace, my Grace! I lost her once, I can’t loose her again. Not when I am this close to her!
All the weight of my body was pushed up against the island between the living room and kitchen. The tighter I griped the phone the more my heart broke inside of my chest. All I could do was mumble out Grace’s name over and over. Were could she be? Oh this is all my fault! If I hadn’t brought her to that stupid party she would still be here!
I forced myself to take a deep breath to try and calm down but the gasp for air just got stuck in my throat. My weak body then lay on the hard wood floor, I hugged my knees close to my chest and just cried, I cried until I couldn’t cry anymore. Until my tears were all dried up and my feelings went numb.