I Was Next
An author once told me during a booksigning session, if you can not think of anything to write about and you have hit a wall. Just start writing a new story. A new beginning where the past does not matter and where you are in control of how you want things to end. I guess this is where it all started.
It was a summer and my friends decided that a summer vacation to a nice exotic island was ideal but i was never one to follow the crowd. Something they had been planning since high school started. The day to day plan was set in motion for the whole summer. I was never interested and as soon as my opportunity came to say no. I took it was both hands.I find solice in my room. My sanctuary. My parents have always liked it when I stayed in. I guess it makes sense now. I spend most of my time in my room while the neighhood kids would play outside in all the beauty of nature. I was told about the dangers of outside from a young age and to stay inside was the safest choice.
But my past has taught me some else too. The world is quite dark out there or sometimes the darkness is nearer than you think. I figured if I saved enough and moved out after high school. I would be okay. My dream is to move into a cottage on a land far away from civilization. I once saw a cottage in a film and I thought I really liked that. Something that's hidden away .Where I don't have an identity or where I wouldn't be judged.It is better this way. Less interaction with humanity will be best for all. Less lies and dealing with people that do not appreciate your opinions. This way I can be truly happy and at peace.
Sorry I digress. As I was saying. I started my summer vacation on a different note than most kids in my high school. I started writing. Not about some fantasy world or about some sweet romance story with a fireworks ending but I started writing about my story. Its been years and keeping such a big secret does take its own place in your soul. I've tried telling my story before but no one gave me the time of day . I suppose adults do not know when kids are telling the truth or if its another make believe story. Adults believe adults and kids would believe kids. But even my childhood friends thought I was being paranoid. How could something so dark be true. Maybe for everyone it was better believing in a soft lie than to face the true darkness out there.
As the sun shined brightly and vibrantly through my window and sits calmly on my bed. My fingers are working tirelessly, word for word to get the truth out. I could never imagine that it would have carried such a weight. I find myself silently trying to save my paper from my hurt tears. All these years and all the pain I had to endure. The rejection added more weight to my soul. But it was the confidence from my favorite author that inspired me to not give up.
I continue writing but on the days when I'm forced to join my parents on shopping trips or dinners. Wondering why they never had other children to save me from this obligation. Other days I'm wandering the isles of my favorite local bookstore. After my last visit, I found a interesting read that I'm probably going to return so that I can get a different book. I headed to the deserted part of town. It's one of two lakes we have. Years back it was crowded here but as everything moved with the times. People just forgot about it and moved on to the more central and modern one. Our mayor decided to become eco friendly to gain points with the locals. Behind the scenes he is anything but friendly or economically aware. Our town has been barricaded with tall buildings and factory fuels. But I'm glad this lake gets to survive.
I always felt a connection with the lake. I too feel deserted. People know I'm there but they do not really acknowledge me. I find my favorite tree and lean back and take my new book out but I accidentally take hold of my notepad instead. It was a sign for me to continute my journey. A story that needed to be told. The silence that surrounds me with a dash of wind that gets me go back into my writing flow. I silently ponder on things. Thinking too about this lake and all the secrets it might hold. Decades of untold stories. I suddently gain the courage to finish my story and get it out there.
5 more days of summer and then Senior year starts. Its only been a few mintutes since I published my story online. To say I'm nervous for the outcome is an understatement. It is the time when most people are returning back home from vacation. A nice pleasant time with family away from the daily mundane things. A breakaway from a town that loves routine an tradition. If only they knew what kind of darkness this town keeps hidden away. Behind all those smiles and fake laughs.
My friends are the first to text me. But it is my parents that are standing in front of me in shock. They know the truth is out and nowhere to run. I could see the horror in their eyes. In their final attempt to run. They tell me to quickly pack my things and to head to the garage. My dad is worrily sitting in the driver's seat of the car and he is ready to bolt us out before anyone sees. I called the cops beforehand. A detail that they didn't expect. Waiting outside the garage was the cops.My parents or so everyone thought , walked away in handcuffs. I was finally set free.
The End
