• Chapter 2

    The sky turned dark blue. Clouds were concealing the emerging bright moon as my mom and I gave up trying to find my lost little brother, Ren. We had searched everywhere for him, even the park. But we still couldn't find him, so we went home, exhausted. Where could he possibly be right now? No, let me rephrase that question. Where could he even be right now?

    When we arrived home, I plopped down on the sofa in the living room and turned on the television. The screen was talking about a court trial. I changed the channel. I saw a girl with a plain old T-shirt and jeans who tried to sell tires in a commercial. Boring, and uninterested. I switched the channel again. This time, the TV played a soap opera. I never knew what a soap opera is. Were they about soap and operas?

    I was getting sleepy and weary. So, I turned off the television and went to the kitchen to see what my mother is cooking right now. There was no smell, so I opened the door that led to that room. There was no one there, except for three empty plates. One for me. One for my mom, and the other plate for Ren, so that if he comes back, the food was already there for him. But there was no appetizers, and no Ren. This is a sad sight, if you think about it. I am alone, which I was never that solitary in all my life, except at school. It was either my mom by my side, or my younger brother bothering me. This time, not one of them is here for me.

    Suddenly, a loud crash sounded upstairs. I jumped, and glanced towards the pathway up the stairs. No one was there, but that clash was ear-splitting. Upstairs, with caution, I tiptoed to the door that was slightly open. The light was on, showing the yellow room, which means that someone is inside. Trying my best to not make any noise, I peered through the open crack at the door.

    Surprisingly, I saw Mom and Ren, tied up tightly with brown thin rope, and their own mouths were taped completely. Literally. Also, there was a man trying to search through the drawers and cabinets, while another man guarded my family. I was shocked. I did not now how to react to this situation. Do I call 911? Do I tell my neighbors? My heart is beating so fast. What should I do?

    Instantly, the man who scavenged the cabinets, who had a black scarf wrapped around his mouth and also wore a hood, saw me peeking through the door. Crap. Now I am done for.

    "Hey, you, stop right there!" he yelled. Speechless, I immediately slammed the door, hard, and ran as fast as I could downstairs, my heart beating faster and faster. I could hear hurried footsteps heading towards to me, so I sprinted outside. Running as quick as I can, I went all the way to Jennifer's house. My mom had once showed me where she lived, and I had went to her house with her and Ren. That was ages ago.

    Opening the door, I swiftly closed it behind me. I did not know why she did not lock her door, but I didn't care. The most important part was staying alive, and helping my family.

    Inside, the room was warm and orange, which what seems like Jennifer's familiar living room. Curious eyes were examining me as I quickly examined the room with a terrified look.

    "Jennifer!" I blurted out without thinking. "Where is she?! I need her!"

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    The police had arrived at my house, which they arrested the two masked strangers that had appeared unexpectedly. Everything was a blur of flashing red, blue, and black.

    In the room I had spied in, Mom laid on the floor, her mouth still covered in black tape, covered in her own blood. Beside her, Ren sobbed and cried after he was untangled from the ropes that were tied around him.

    But, I just stood there, watching the crime scene silently, hoping that everything was just a bad dream. Unfortunately, I couldn't wake up from this horrible nightmare.