• Illegal
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    I looked into the mirror and saw no one, because that's what I am. I am a nobody. I've been nobody since the day I was born. From day one to now. I wasn't meant to be born but I was. And now I have to live with the mistake my parents made seventeen years ago. I was born like any regular child except I wasn't in the womb for nine months. I was only there for three weeks. I looked like a normal baby when I was born but I wasn't. You see I am the youngest child. I have two older brothers and two older sisters. Every family that I know has a father, a mother, two sons, and two daughters. That's what they consider perfect. I don't know who "them" is but mother says "they" must never find me. I don't exist and if I did I'd be illegal. I'd be taken away and locked away like an animal. Because of my parents selfish acts I have lived locked away in this house for seventeen years. Sometimes my father and mother visit me. My siblings don't even know about me. My parents thought they could never keep me a secret so they didn't tell them. No one ever knew mother was pregnant because my parents cheated. I don't know what they did because they have never told me. All I know is that my name is Damaris and I've been living a nightmare since the day I was born.
    Knowledge
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    Yep, knowledge that's all up in my head. I never learned anything because Mommy and Daddy did that for me. I know everything a very smart high school senior should know even a little extra. I don't think mother and father ever thought beyond the "now". They just got what they wanted. They had to make a choice. Looking at all the pictures that mom and dad bring me don't make me feel like I belong. I feel left out. They promised to come see me today to talk about my future. I see my older brother Josh on a picture smiling and it's a real smile he's truly happy. Then there's a picture of Melinda. She's the second child and the family "cheerleader". She defenitely knows how to give a true smile. Next is Alex, she's more of the loner of the family but still has more than I will ever have. And finally it's Lucas. Oh Lucas the one that I'm jealous of. Lucas is my twin brother. When mother and father told me I hated Lucas because he has all I can't have all I can't be. I hated mother and father because they made a choice and I got stuck with the bad end of the deal. Technically I'm older than Lucas I was born first but he's legal and I'm not. I put the picture down as I sense someone getting closer to the house. That's something that I never told mother and father. I can't really explain it but I can feel and see things "normal" humans can't. I can tell when mother and father lie to me and I can tell when they're being fake. I guess most people would call that a "gift" but I would rather be the worst loser in the world but be legal and free.
    The Unknown
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    Mother and father have arrived. I can see in their faces that something is bothering them. "Hi sweetie! How has your day been?" Mother asks in a much too chipper tone. "Fine." I answer cautiously trying to read what she's trying to hide from me. I stop trying and ask, "What's the problem now?" My mother looks at my father then clears her throat, "I know that you had your hopes up about being able to leave this place but I don't think that's possible right now..." mother pauses waiting for and outburst from me when she doesn't get one she countinues. "There's been a lot of talk in the news about children being discovered and they are doing house searches to find children like you." I feel like my nightmare of a life is getting worser. Father promises me that next time I might be able to go out but I can see it in his eyes that he doesn't even believe what he's saying. I nod and smile and say good-bye to both of them.
    I lie in my bed but sleep does not come to me. I feel like something is pulling me towards the unknown. This world that is unknown to me just like I'm unknown. I know that there are children like me out there. I'm tired of being alone. I've had this feeling before. I try to fight it away but it seems to get stronger. I hear voices. There's someone out there. I can smell my own fear and it frightens me more. What if "they" have come for me? I listen closely, I hear...teenage boys. I look out the window and see Lucas!