• Not All Tragedies Are Impossible

    Hey. My name is Li Anders and my parents are criminals. They are currently in
    Jail and were forced to leave me to a foster home when I was 4 years old. I
    Haven’t seen or heard from them since. I know you might judge me and think I’m
    evil or demented or something but I’m not. I’m just trying to prove to the world
    that my parents are not criminals at heart. And now I’m always on the run.
    Trying to escape that cursed Foster Home. That place is like a prison. But I’d
    rather at the very least be in one along with my parents.

    I found myself running. I just kept on running until all I could hear was the
    blood pumping through my veins and the sound of my own, ragged breathing. Still
    running, I whipped my head around to make sure I was no longer being followed.
    When I was satisfied that nobody was there, I turned back. Before I knew what
    was going on I found myself face to face with the ground and pain ripping
    through my shoulder like a dagger. Kneeling facedown and clutching my shoulder,
    I looked behind me to find a root sticking out of the ground four or five feet
    away. I rolled my eyes. “What a wimpy way to get hurt.” I mumbled. I looked up
    and saw the trunk of a huge maple tree towering above me. I smiled. I lay down,
    exhaled and relaxed. I barely heard a twig snap and leaves crunch before I fell
    asleep. Turns out I was being followed.

    I awoke exactly and precisely where I didn’t want to be. The police. As I
    watched them running about like headless chickens I remembered what had happened
    the previous night. I looked under my right sleeve to my wounded shoulder. It
    looked bad. But it felt the opposite. I didn’t feel a thing. I inspected the
    bruise and noticed a little mark next to it. An injection shot. “Curses” I
    thought. I let this go. At least it didn’t hurt. So I started letting myself
    drift into my own world inside my head. A world where my parents still existed.
    Burrowing further into my memories I started remembering my broken arm at the
    hospital when I was eleven. Three …almost four years ago. What I remembered
    reminded me of how exactly badly this day was going so far. I hit myself in the
    forehead.
    “The pain killers” I murmured to myself. The ones they must of used in my arm
    then, are probably the same now. They made me foggy and unaware of my
    surroundings. As soon as I realized this I tried as hard as I possibly could to
    keep from falling asleep. By now I had figured I was in the questioning room. I
    failed to stay awake. I was nearly unconscious as a large, unpleasant looking
    man waltzed into the room. Looking at only one thing. Me.

    I awoke expecting to be under that enormous tree again. But as soon as I
    remembered what had happened yesterday, I wrenched my eyes open. The first thing
    I saw was that terrible looking man again. He looked at me calmly, which was
    unexpected from a man with the looks of him. He was large, and stunk of grease
    and onions. I was surprised when I found out he originally lead my parents
    investigation. He offered me bottled water, which I refused. Sighing, he sat
    down and looked me over for a second. As I saw that, I looked at myself too. I
    was practically covered in dirt, which was rubbed into my clothes and probably
    smelled of wet leaves. He then looked straight at me and began to ask questions.

    We had been talking for at least 2 hours before I started to get hot headed.
    “Did you see your parents commit any crimes?”
    “No way! If I did I would of told you already,” Which of course I wouldn’t of.
    By now I had figured that his name was Mr. Ryes. I had insisted on knowing his
    name because he already knew I was Li.
    “Do you think that your father and mother shot those people just for the
    money?” He asked calmly. Silence. “Do you?” Then I snapped.
    “ No! My parents may have been poor when I was born and yes, we needed money
    but they knew I would be taken away if they did something that idiotic!” I
    screamed at the top of my lungs.
    “ They cared for you”
    “What do you know?” I screamed as I ran for the door
    “Because I knew them beforehand.” He said. With sad eyes he looked at me. I
    stopped dead in my tracks and turned around. Wide eyed I just gaped, trying hard
    not to believe a word that came out of his mouth. Holding back tears I opened
    the door and just left with only one word of departing.
    “Liar!”

    I walked hastily. Well, ran out the glass double doors of the police station a
    ways and collapsed. I let myself crack. I had never really been labeled as a
    wimp before but now I could have been. Because for what seemed like forever I
    cried. Not knowing what else to do.

    After ending my scene I wiped my tears and began running. Again. I slumped to
    the ground and sighed. “ There’s no way he knew them.” I said to myself, shaking
    my head. I began to look around. It was a fantastic day. Well, it was for
    nature, and everybody else in the world at least. I let out a smile and began to
    daydream. Trying to forget Mr. Ryes, Who was probably looking for me right this
    moment. They would probably find me in a couple of days anyway. Again. But I
    continued. Sorting through all of the memories I had made throughout my life.
    Then I remembered. I almost fell off of the rock I was sitting on from the blow
    of this memory. “Colorado”. I thought. They’re in Colorado. The man with the
    beard who arrested my parents told me they were going to Colorado! I was shocked
    that I remembered this just now.” I have to find them.” I said to no one in
    particular. “And I can’t let Mr. Ryes catch me in the process.” Luckily I knew,
    well, not consciously, but in my mind I knew, Mr. Ryes wasn’t going to come
    after me.

    The bus screeched to a stop. I had managed to catch one for about 3 hours
    before the guy driving it wanted me to pay again. I gave him a dirty look and
    walked off. I didn’t know exactly where I was but at the very least I knew where
    I was going. I really wanted to see my parents but I had to earn that. I sighed
    and began to get frustrated with myself. I had managed all these years but why
    can’t I even find which direction is East? I shook my head. “ I will not quit,”
    I said to myself. I repeated that as many times until I believed it for myself.

    I finally fell out of my trance. I had been so ignorant that I hadn’t noticed
    that I had walked so far. I was in a little city. I wandered into a gas station.
    There was an older, kind looking woman behind the counter. I asked her where we
    were. She looked puzzled for a moment, like I was insane. After a second she
    told me we were in Carson City, Nevada. I had made it this far now. I thanked
    the woman and left the gas station, the little bells on the door jingling behind
    me. I kept on walking until I saw I figure in the distance. I must have been
    hallucinating or something because I thought I saw someone that resembled my
    father on the sidewalk. I rubbed my eyes. There was no way that was he. But, by
    reflex, I began to run towards it. I was breathless and stopped for the moment.
    I sat down and almost had a heart attack when I voice said,
    “Hello.”

    I froze.
    “Hello . . .?” I said into the wind. I whipped around almost to a point where
    my neck could of snapped. I wanted to make sure there were no cops. I turned
    back around and again, tripped. Though this time it was on a rock. But someone
    caught me. I was shocked to look up and see a thin, dark haired boy above me.
    “ My name is Jake” he said and smiled. He put me down
    “Li.” I said choking up. Why was he here? Why did he catch me? What’s going on?
    But I have to admit that nobody ever spoke to me so nicely. He did seem really
    friendly. There was nobody with him. He must have been I loner. Just like me. I
    finally came to my senses and scanned my surroundings. We were in one of those
    tiny towns where it’s so small, everyone knows everyone. People were looking at
    us by now, wondering who we were. He looked at me and then looks back into one
    of the houses on the street. In the window, there was a woman on the phone,
    looking at us. Staring. When she saw that we were gazing back, she looked away
    and continued chatting. Jake grinned
    “ I guess she’s afraid of us.”
    I couldn’t help but smiling. Somehow, his smile is contagious. The lady we saw
    through the window was big, and probably strong. It was surprising that she was
    afraid of some teenagers that she didn’t know when she was in her (probably)
    locked house.

    Jake turned to me.
    “Where are you headed?” He asked me. How did he know I was alone? Of course
    this place everybody knew everybody and they obviously didn’t know me but still
    . . .” Don’t worry. I’m not some creep.”He said. It was scary how accurately he
    could read my face and tell exactly what I was thinking. It was as if he had
    known me for longer then 5 minutes
    “Um, I’m from Washington, heading for Colorado.”
    “Really?”
    “Yeah.” I said dully
    “Well, I can take you” he said. “I don’t mind. I’m- I’m heading for there too!”
    He said happily. I was surprised that he was willing to venture across like, 2
    or 3 states with a stranger. And that it would probably take forever because we
    either had to walk or take a bus. I grinned. A thought crossed my mind that he
    could be some kind of kidnapper. But he was my age. That thought was tossed
    almost immediately.

    It turned out he had a motorcycle. He was sixteen. Just A little more then one
    year older then me. He was so lucky. He had a license. I had never been on a
    motorcycle in my life but there has to be a first time for everything. I hopped
    on. He got on, and turned the key. It’s engine roared to life. I couldn’t
    believe I was actually doing this.

    All I have to say was it felt great. This was a lot faster then walking or
    running. Smiling I looked up at Jake. I was surprised to see that he too, was
    smiling. By the time we were out of that small town I was practically asleep on
    a roaring motorcycle. I hadn’t gotten good nights sleep in a long time. He
    pulled over, somehow sensing that I was wiped out. I practically collapsed when
    he parked. But fell into a deep, welcomed fog of sleep.

    I awoke to the warmth of the sun on my face.
    “Jake!” I called. But there was no reply. I looked around. I just noticed that
    his shiny motorcycle was gone! We had only been together or like, 2 days but why
    did he leave so suddenly? I slumped back down where I slept. I lay there for a
    long time, thinking about what had just happened. I was just about to fall
    asleep again before I heard the distinct sound of a roaring engine. I looked to
    my left and saw Jake! I was unbelievably exited. I had probably never been this
    giddy ever. He pulled over.
    “Hey!” he said and took off his helmet.
    “Where did you go?” I snapped. He looked at me and sat down on the grass. For
    the first time I noticed he was carrying a plastic bag. One of those you get at
    a grocery store usually. He opened it. He had sandwiches. I wondered where he
    got the money for them but forgot immediately. We devoured them. They tasted
    like heaven.
    “Delicious!” I said. He nodded, smiling. When we were all done I suggested we
    get going.
    “Wait” I said. Jake turned around. “Where exactly are you headed?” I asked.
    “Anywhere but Colorado Springs. I don’t mind going to anywhere else in Colorado
    though.” He grinned. We got on the motorcycle and again, the engine roared to
    life. I let my mind ponder. I wonder what exactly it is that he’s running away
    from in Colorado Springs.

    After traveling again for a few days via motorcycle we stopped again. This time
    we stopped at a gas station. I don’t exactly remember what it was called though.
    We got gas and bought a map there too. There was a red dot on the map. I was on
    Colorado. I asked the man behind the counter what it was.
    “This is where you are now” No way, I thought. My mind was racing. There is no
    way. Are we really here already? I don’t want to leave Jake behind. Wait. My
    mind froze. Maybe I don’t have to leave Jake behind! Maybe he could even come
    with and help! I was so happy. I turned to Jake,
    “We have to find the jail here.” I said happily. He looked puzzled.
    “What do you mean? You’re here now. I thought this was where you needed to be!”
    He said. I had forgotten that I hadn’t told him about my parents being criminals
    and about me trying to find them in the jail here.
    “Please.” I said. You have to help me. Wait. Why was he complaining about
    having to stay with me for just a little while longer? Does he hate me? Am I
    annoying? My brain practically crashed over me. And I ran. I ran outside until I
    got to his motorcycle. Without thinking, I got on and drove. It was almost like
    driving a bicycle. I heard him screaming and cursing as I drove away. I drove
    for about five minutes before I began thinking about what I just did. Maybe he
    was just tired. That must have been why he was acting so cranky and being so
    stupid!
    “Maybe I just made a huge mistake” Just like that I was already turned around
    and was going as fast as I could back to that gas station. I just hope he stayed
    put.

    By the time I got there I had been gone for at least 20 minutes. I looked
    around. He was gone. No sign of smiling Jake. He was always grinning and always
    there for me. Jake. I knew we would be best friends since I met him. And now,
    because of me of course, I’ve lost him. I was so angry and sad. He was the only
    person I had in my life. And now even that was ruined. I would never forgive
    myself. He was probably just tired. That must have been why he was so cranky. I
    parked the motorcycle in that back. The gas station had a field behind it. I
    slept there for the night. Because what else would I do? He had all of the
    money, the food, and the water. Now what was going to happen to me? And what was
    going to happen to him? He couldn’t go far. I had his ride. With that as my last
    thought I went to sleep, clutching my left side. Well, what was in my left
    pocket.

    I awoke to a crash. I jerked my head up but saw nothing. I flopped back down on
    the ground. I had found a blanket under the seat the previous night. So for once
    I wasn’t all cold when I woke up. I heard another boom. This time I stood. I
    turned around to find Jake sneaking up behind me. He scratched his neck, as he
    always did when he was nervous.
    “I guess you caught me.” He said
    “What were you going to do if I hadn’t seen you? Steal the bike? Leave me
    behind?”
    “Now don’t forget what you did to me yesterday, Li” Remembering this hit me
    with a pang.
    “Yes, but as you can see I came back. I’m here now. You wouldn’t of come back.
    I know it. I just want to know why you don’t want to come with me. Will you tell
    me Jake, Please?”
    “It’s just-,” He sputtered. He looked at his feet. “This is opening old wounds
    for me.” He said. “My Sister and brother were shot in Colorado Springs near
    here. He pointed to his left. They were going to college there and got caught up
    with a kid with anger management issues.” He looked up from his feet.” So if you
    don’t mind going alone from here on out . . .”
    “No.” I refused “ I will not go alone. This will make me some good memories for
    once. If I get to meet my parents . . .”
    “Wait. Your parents?”
    “Whoops. I guess I forgot to tell you.” I struggled to find the words I wanted
    to say. “My parents are criminals. I am trying to find them because I know their
    jail is somewhere around here.”
    “Sucks.” He said, nodding.
    “Yes. And I really want to find them. After finding-that.” I stroked my left
    pocket. “I really want to see them as soon as possible.”
    “Finding what?” He asked curiously.
    “Oh.” I said “This.” I pulled a case out of my pocket. It had been there since
    I had been at the foster home.
    “If you didn’t already know, some of the police can be pretty ignorant.” He
    nodded. I told him about the tape.

    “My house had originally had security cameras in it. The old kinds that make
    VCR tapes, you know? Well, the investigators knew that and watched the tapes
    over and over but found nothing that would prove my parents innocent. When they
    finally prosecuted my parents they released the tapes to me. I watched them over
    and over again.” Jake nodded, almost as if he was exited in a way. “Well, I
    finally agreed to myself that this one time would be that last time I watched
    them because they only caused my pain.” Jake looked hurt. Like he was feeling
    exactly what I felt. I continued “ So I watched them for the last time. But for
    the first time I noticed the mirror in the hallway behind the living room. We
    had the kind of house where the living room was right there when you walked in
    the front door. Well, I watched the mirror the whole time instead of my parents
    watching videos, playing with me, and just walking through. During the
    approximate time that the crime was committed my parents were on the
    couch. The cameras had no microphone but I could tell they were fighting,” I
    inspected my shoelaces. “When it was 15 minutes before the bank was robbed they
    stopped fighting. I saw my dad walk out the door and through the mirror, drive
    away. But after about 3 minutes, He came back. I rejoiced at first.” I looked
    back up to Jake’s face. He was listening to me like I was the only person in the
    world right now. “ My father came back and my mother heard him. She ran outside
    to meet him. But through the mirror I saw more. Much more. My father knocked her
    out and dragged her to the car, knowing that that was the cameras blind spot and
    not knowing about the mirror. He forced her to rob the bank. He wanted her to
    gem both leave, he was convicted too. So I know my mom is innocent. And I want
    to get her out of jail.” Jake nodded his approval.
    “Then we should get there as soon as possible, just like you said.” I smiled. I
    could always trust Jake. He would always understand me. Right then and there I
    was perfectly happy. Until we drove off and I realized that the police were
    looking for me. Telling them the truth was going to be a lot harder then I
    thought.

    We rode on the dark streets for what seemed like forever. I had no idea where
    their jail was. I had no sense of direction here. I sighed
    “We’ll never find them.”
    “Huh?” Jake said. He pulled over.” We should stop for the night.”
    “Yeah” I agreed tiredly. We went to sleep.
    “ Do you want to tell me anything?” he said wearily.
    “Only that I couldn’t have done this without you.”
    “Yes you could’ve,” I agreed on not arguing so I just went to sleep. Jake
    patted my head
    “You tire easily don’t you, Li.” And he went to sleep.

    I woke up to Jake rattling things around, trying to pack our stuff on the
    motorcycle.
    “Aren’t you parents worried about you?” I asked. He turned to me.
    “Oh, you up!” He smiled. “Sorry about not having breakfast ready. I thought you
    would sleep in today.”
    “You don’t have to bother making any. I’m not hungry.” I said sleepily.
    “Okay, neither am I.” He said. I looked him over for the first time since we
    met. He had gotten thinner but stronger. I smiled then frowned.
    “Why do we keep on driving?” I asked, “We don’t even know where the jail is!”
    “Well, lets look on this map of ours.” He had it out already as if he knew I
    would ask this.
    “Do you think it would really have the jail on it?” I said. “I don’t think
    tourists looking at maps would really want to visit there.” I joked. “Unless
    we’re really in California and they want to see Alcatraz.” I said. Jake laughed,
    “You’re right, Li. I don’t think they’ll have the Jail on here either. He
    carefully folded the map into its most compact form. And tucked it away into his
    bag.
    “We should find a library.” I said without thinking
    “Why?”
    “Well, they might have some books or maps of the state or something!” I said.
    “Okay, but we need to find it though.”
    “We need to ask around that’s what we need to do!” He nodded and happily got on
    his motorcycle. We drove away.
    We rode forever around and around that town. Luckily we found a gas station
    again. We were starting to get good at finding those. We went inside. A young
    girl maybe 11 years of age was standing behind the counter. We asked her if
    there was a library anywhere around here. It was good she was there because she
    probably went there a lot for school.
    “Yeah, it’s down the road from here. It used to be the police station so it’s
    painted blue. You can’t miss it.”
    “Thank you!” Both Jake and I said simultaneously. I was so happy. I felt like I
    could almost see my mom there now. Tears managed to escape my eyes.
    “What’s wrong?” Jake said. “I thought you would be happy . . . “
    “I am, Jake.” I said. I smiled. I finally felt in reaching distance from my
    parents. Happiness was practically gushing out of me. But about one week from
    now, that feeling would be crushed.

    We arrived at the library about 15 minutes later. Of course the young girl at
    the station didn’t tell which street it was just down on. Or which direction it
    was in. So it took us awhile to find it. But we finally arrived .We walked in.
    You could tell this place used to be the police station. The places where the
    cells would have been are now filled in with books. Huge shelves indented into
    the walls. The whole place was kind of dull at the same time. The walls were
    white painted blocks so the place did kind of seem prison-like. But now there
    were paintings on the walls, people walking around, and shelves and shelves of
    books everywhere. It was very nice. I smiled. I loved the scent of all of the
    paper, the fresh smell of it all. But it was time we found a useful map. We
    looked around for a long time. It was getting dark again. The lady at the
    counter finally grew tired of waiting to close and decided to hobble over and
    help us.
    “We’re looking for a map of this city.” Jake said.
    “With the buildings and stuff on it.” I chimed in. Wait. I remembered. My
    parents had taken me on vacation to Lake Mellville when I was little. There was
    a little town there. What we’re looking for is a-
    “Tourist pamphlet.” I said fairly loudly. Jake and the lady both snapped their
    heads to look at me. I scratched my neck. Like Jake did sometimes when he was
    nervous.
    “That’s what we need ma’am.” I said, embarrassed.
    “Well, go down to the traveling agency down the road. They should have some.”
    She said. Then she shooed us out of the building. “Have a nice night now.” She
    said and slammed the door.
    “ Gee, someone touchy.” I said. Jake smiled.
    “Yeah, I agree!” So we got on his motorcycle and drove to the traveling agency.
    They were just about to close when we got there. We burst into the door panting.
    “Would you happen to have a traveling brochure or tourist guide?”
    “For what city?” That man in the store said.
    “Here.” I said. He handed me a pamphlet. He looked kind of shaken up. Like we
    had really scared him.
    “Thank you” Jake said as we walked out the door.
    When we got outside it had begun to rain. I shielded my eyes.
    “We have got to find cover,” I said screaming as a bolt of thunder crackled in
    the sky. We quickly drove to the park. Luckily there were picnic tables under a
    shelter there. And that’s where we slept.

    When I woke up Jake was reading the pamphlet.
    “Curses!” Jake said as he threw the paper to the wet grass.
    “What’s wrong?” I asked.
    “Nothing! There’s nothing in that stupid thing!” He exclaimed. We both sighed.
    It’s no use anymore. We’re never going to find my parents.

    We decided to take a day off. We just drove around. I hadn’t had ice cream in
    like, 3 years! It was awesome. We drove off.
    “Wait!” I yelled. Jake flipped out. He immediately pulled over.
    “What?” he asked.
    “Look!” I pointed behind him. There was a yellow poster. with an advertisement
    for a job in construction.
    “What?” he asked and looked at me. “What does this have to do with anything?”
    “Read it.” I said. The construction project was for the Denver City Jail.
    “That’s it!” I yelled “That’s the jail they’re at!” Jake looked at me
    “Really?” He asked.
    “Yes!” We can really find my parents!” I was practically overflowing with joy
    that we had figured this out. All on our own, I smiled. That was probably the
    happiest moment of my life. So far, at least.

    The only problem was we didn’t know where the jail was. We both sighed.
    “Well, what now?” I said.
    “We find that jail, that’s what!” Jake said with determination. I smiled. Jake
    was always like that. I respect how much he believes in us. We are going to find
    that jail!
    “Well, it’s not like the whole city knows where it is!” I said. “Its probably
    not a common hangout.”
    “I agree.” Jake said. “But someone has to know where it is!” We zoomed past and
    enormous pile of black dirt. There were a lot of people there.
    “Construction workers.” I murmured.
    “Hmm?” Chimed Jake. He looked over “Well, ill be . . .” He said not even having
    to finish his sentence.
    “ That must be the construction project we saw on the poster!” I cried. I
    leaped off of the shiny motorcycle and ran. Jake put up the kickstand and
    sprinted after me. I ran into a strong, grizzly looking man. He was a
    construction worker.
    “Oof!” he said. “You shouldn’t even be here missy!” He said
    “Was-is. Is this the Denver county Jail?” I asked.
    “Yes sir.” He said. “Well, it was. It burned down just about 6 days ago.” He
    continued. “There were a couple o’ deaths too.” I started to tear up but stopped
    myself. There’s no was that could be a coincidence. There’s no way the dead
    people are my parents. “Err; I think there names was Kally. Yes, Kally and her
    cellmate, Mac.”
    “No.”
    “What?” He said, rubbing his neck.
    “No.” I insisted. Jake had already been there for a while now.
    “Li.”
    “No! There’s no was that’s them there’s no way. No way!” I screamed. By now
    everybody was looking at us. So instantly, I ran. I was crying so I didn’t
    notice when I ran into Jakes motorcycle. I had begun raining. He sat down next
    to me.
    “It’ll be okay.”
    “No it won’t.” I said softly. “It won’t be okay because my parents are gone
    Forever!” So I sat there, crying in the rain. Not knowing what else to do.