text: Bronte Shepherd Time 
   
   
   Mother 
   Time is the only thing i don't have. My mother used to say time was mean't to be spent doing what you love, but the world has changed since then. Mother passed away 5 years ago, when i was 11, tomorrow is my 16th birthday, and it is also the day mother left this world and entered the underworld. 
   "Kora, if your not going to eat atleast don't play with your food!" Father sighed. He hasn't been the same since mother passed, and i dont think he will be the same ever again. I rise from the table and take my plate to the sink. The normal routine, i don't eat, father just sits at the table and dead silence fills the air. i wish it could have been different, i wish mother was with us if she was we wouldn't seem so deppressed. But sadly you can't change the past, if you could i would have done it years ago. 
   "I'm going out." I sling my bag over my shoulder. Father says nothing, he just sits there staring at nothing. As I walk down the cold lifeless street i think of the last thing mother had said to me. " Time is just an illusion" . I never understood what mother meant by that. Time is just an illusion? If time was just an illusion wouldn't that mean it's possible to change the past. 
   All of a sudden i feel a hand grab a hold of mine, I was focusing so much that i almost didn't see the busy street right infront of me. I turn to see who had helped me, but they were gone, it was just me yet again, walking in the silence that was all too familiar. Who was that? 
     
    ~ 
     
   Back home father is still staring into space. I fix myself a small tea and read the paper.  
   "Father?" The sound of my voice slowly breaks the silence. Fathers eyes widen at the sound. "Nevermind." Always the same, i go to speak and he is frightened by the sudden change in pattern. His eyelids slowly drop down at the thought of me not speaking. As we sit there in silence, i can't help but think, Who saved me? Did i actually know the person or did they just help me because it was the right thing to do. Still, their touch felt so familliar to me, almost as if we were once one and why had they left without even waiting for a thank-you. I shake the ridiculous thoughts from my head. No need to be so paranoid all they did was save me from a few bumps and bruises.  
   Tomorrow is the day my life started 16 years ago and the day my mothers life ended 5 years ago. It's the day i loathe the most. It's the day that once was my favourite day of the year, a day i wanted to spend with friends and family and to just have fun. Now all i want to do is curl up in to a tiny ball and hide from the rest of the world, forever. My mother was my best friend, i could tell her anything, now i'm alone. Father is here but i'm alone and i will be alone until the day i die.  
     
     
   
   
   
   Alone 
    The light rays of the morning sun streak through the room. Music echoing around the house.  Happy Birthday to me . I thought as i lfted my head from my pillow. As i walk towards the door i see a red liquid seeping through the crack under the door. Bllood? I turn the handle and push on the door but something is blocking the way. 
   "Father? Father can you help me, i'm stuck." There is no answer, why am i not surprised. I try to open the door again, pushing as hard as i can against the door. It moves. I slide it open enough for me to squeeze through.  Why was that so hard?  I check to see what was blocking the door, but there's nothing there.   I notice a trail of bloody foot prints and streaks of blood that looks as if something had been dragged around the house. I follow the trail to fathers room. I slowly creak open the door only to see what was left of father laying in the corner of the room. I try to scream, but no noise comes out. I try to run, but my feet are glued to the ground. I shut my eyes and fall to the ground. First mother, now father, who would do such a thing? I sway as i attempt to stand. I run downstairs to the dining room, grab the phone and call the police. Father is dead, i don't want to beleive it but it's true. I'm alone, i'm all alone.  Why? 
     
   ~ 
     
   I sit in the police station waiting for someone to talk to me, to ask me if i'm all right, or to tell me what was going on. It has been three hours since i found fathers remains and the image is still fresh in my head. Father why did this happen? Why am i still alive? I should have been taken with you. How did i survive? All these questions float around my head. I start to feel dizzy. I shouldn't be here, father should, i should be the one who was chopped up in to tiny pieces.  
   "Miss Denton?" The officer is standing over me, judging by the look on his fasce he has been trying to get my attention for a while.  
   "Yes?" 
   "Please, follow me, i would like a word." 
   Without hesitation i follow him to a small room at the back of the station. 
   "Miss Denton, i am Officer Miles, i am going to ask you some questions if that's alright with you." 
   "That's fine." 
   "First of all, you are 16, yes?" 
   "Have been since 12 this morning." 
   "Ok." His expression is mildly shocked. He seems to be unsure of whether he should say something about it or move on. He continues in a slower tone. 
   "You lost your mother 5 years ago on this day, did you not?" 
   "I did." I try to hold back the tears forming in my eyes. 
   "This can't be just a coincidence can it?" 
   "It could be but i find that highly unlikely." 
   "Do you know of anyone that could be out to get your family?" 
   "Not that i can think of, no." My mind rushes through everyone i've ever known, but i have never met anyone or know of anyone that could be out to get my family. 
   "We can't be sure until we get more information, but i believe your life is in danger." I freeze at the thought of these words,  Your life is in danger .  
   "Until we can asure your safety we will be placing you under the protection of the state." Why is this happening to me?  
   
   
   
   Mysterious Protector 
   My life is in danger. It was my birthday yesterday, i'm now 16 and living alone. All alone. How could it get any worser than this. School holidays end in two more days, two more days of being alone. I could call a friend, i haven't heard from Chloe or Amy in a while, but Officer Miles told me not to speak with anyone because i don't know who i can trust anymore. I've been packing all my belogings since 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, and i'm still not even half way through it all. I stop at the sight of a cracked photo of Mother, Father and I, back when we were together and happy. I've lived in this house my entire life and the police expect me to just get up and leave it behind as if it were nothing. Tears fall down my face. 
   "I don't want to leave," I choke. "I want to stay!" 
   I fall to the floor, clutching the picture in my hands. Why? Silence falls through the house all that can be heard are my silent sobs. I sit on the floor for what feels like hours. The tears have stopped falling, now i just sit in silence and slowly fall asleep. 
   I awake to the sudden smell of smoke and burning wood. A fire? My eyes catiously open and i am greated by the sight of all my childhood memories going up in flames. I'm surrounded by the fire, my only escape is the window in my room. Without hesitation, i run in the direction of my room, but i am stopped by the flames. 
   " There is no escape! " i hear an eery voice call. " You will die in this house, just like your parents " 
   I cover my ears with my hands. "No!" I scream. "I will not die, this can't be happening. Why me, why my family, what did we do wrong?" I scream until no more words come out. The smoke is making me dizzy, i stumble and fall, but before my eyes close, i see a dark figure walk through the flames towards me. I try to move, but i'm too weak. My eyelids are too heavy to keep open. They shut and all is silent. 
     
   ~ 
     
      I can hear the beeping of a heart rate monitor beside me. As i open my eyes i see doctors standing over me with worried and hopeful expressions across their faces.  
   "Thank goodness she's alive!"  
   "How are her stats looking?" 
   "Sweety, do you know who and where you are?" 
   I go to speak but am stopped by a knocking on the door.  
   "Yes, come in." One doctor answers. 
   "I apologize for interupting, but i think you should give Miss Denton some time to rest, she has been through alot these past few days." 
   "Aren't you the one who brought this young lady to us?" 
   I turn my head to see the face of the one who saved me, but just like last time they are gone before i have a chance. Was it the same person as last time?  
   After half an hour the doctors and nurses are back checking my heart rate and asking me questions. 
   "Ok sweety, can you tell me what your name is and what you think the date is?" One nurse asks. After  some seconds of pondering, i answer her question. 
   "I am Kora Lee Denton, today is the 1st or 2nd of November." A huge smile spreads across the nurses face. 
   "It's the 1st today, you've only been here for 4 hours" I nod at her then stare blankly at the ceiling. Who was it that saved me, do i know them, how did they get into my house, and how do they know where i live in the first place? 
   "How much longer will i be in here." I ask. The nurses smile turns to a frown. 
   "I'm sorry sweety but you're gonna be here for a few more days." I continue to stare at the ceiling.  
   "Get some rest, you need it!" Another nurse interupts. I drift off to sleep in a matter of seconds.  
   
   
   
   Golden Light 
    Its been five days and i'm finally out of the hospital. I sit outside waiting, not for someone to come get me, just waiting. The night is dark and cold, the slight sound of a siren blaring in the distance, the night is pieceful. After an hour of sitting alone, i get up and walk. The city lights in the distance shine like the stars. When i was younger i would pretend it was the glimmering of fairy wings. I used to imagine all sorts of things, but once mother died reality gave me a big slap across the face and i let my imagination die with mother. I haven't dreamed since. 
   I turn and walk down a dark street. Graffiti spread across all buildings. The sirens can't be heard anymore, just the whistling of a man on the other end of the street. I try to not make eye contact as i pass, but he grabs a hold of my arm and pulls me back. 
   "What's a pretty little girl like you doing in a place like this?" He cackles as he continues to restrain me. 
   "Nothing, just passing through, now let me go!" I begin to panic, but i keep pulling. 
   "But you only just got here, i thougth we were having fun!" 
   "Let me go!" I scream. "Someone help me!" The man cackles loudly, amused at my crys for help. 
   "I believe she asked you to let her go." It's the same voice as the person that saved me. 
   "Who's gonna stop me, you?" 
   "Yes!" I feel the mans grip on my arm loosen and i pull my arm free. I turn to see what had happened, but both the man and my saviour were gone. I don't bother staying, i just walk. 
     
   ~ 
     
      I should probably be at the police station now for my own safety, but i feel safe now knowing there is some mysterious person i have never met protecting me. I don't know why, it just feels right. I stop infront of my home. I walk in amongst the ruble from the fire and place two flowers in the middle of the ruins. One for Mother and one for Father. I kneel down by the flowers and begin to cry. 
   "I don't know why you had to go, but atleast you are together now," I croak. "Please wait for me wherever you are!" I wipe my face and stand up. I look around whats left of the house. Everything is black and scorched, but hidden in the darkness i see a bit of light. I walk over to the glistening and uncover my jewellery box i had got from my mother. Though everything else is burnt, the small golden box is untouched. Tears of happiness roll down my face. I don't know how its still here, but i don't care, it's just here and i couldn't be happier. In all the darkness i've been through these past weeks, this box is my symbol of hope. I open it to find the picture of my parents and i. It was in my hands the last time i saw it, someone, perhaps the mysterious person from earlier, must have put it in here for me to find knowing i would come back here. I sit in the silence, clutching the box and the picture in my hands. Tears still streaming down my face. I probably look like a wreck, but i don't care right now, i just want to sit here in this moment for as long as i can. I here police sirens in the distance getting louder, they must be looking for me, but i continue to sit and cry. I look back over to the flowers i left my parents and finally decide to stand. I make my way over and kneel down again. 
     
   "Good-bye!"        
   
   
   
   Searching for Answers 
   The protection programe isn't bad. 3 meals a day, comfortable living space and a bathroom, but having all the guards around outside is daunting. I just wish i could go outside, alone, and out of this place. If i did that though it would mean putting myself in danger and even though there is someone protecting me, i don't want to put them in danger by putting myself in terrible situations. There's a knock on the door. 
   "Miss Denton, it's me, Officer Miles." I walked over to the door and unlocked it. "Hello Miss Denton, are you settling nicely?" He asks me as if he doesn't want an answer. I simple look at the floor. 
   "Okay well, i just wanted to ask you a few more questions if that's alright." I nod. 
   "According to our files you have no living relations, are there any relations you know of that mightn't be on file?" 
   "No, the only relations i've met were my parents." It's sad but true.  
   "Do you have any family friends?" 
   "No, I can understand that i'm not helping, but my parents never told me if i had relations or if we had family friends the only person who knew my parents too was Aunt Peggie but last i heard she was dead!" My eyes swelled with tears. Officer Miles looks intrigued, but holds off his questions for a minesute. After some time he continues.  
   "Our records show nothing about an Aunt Peggie, was she a relation or a family friend?" 
   "I don't know, i've only seen her twice and that was when i was only a toddler, she used to baby sit me, but mother told me Aunt Peggie was her sister!" The tears came flooding out of my eyes. "I just want answers, please, tell me what happened to my father and my mother, who killed them, why were they killed, please please just tell me!" My cheeks were red and puffy, there were so many tears it felt like i was drowning. 
   "Please try to calm yourself down Miss Denton, we don't know who killed your parents or why, but we are trying as best as we can and i swear i will find the person responsible and lock them up for good." He stood and left. Leaving me all alone. Alone. 
     
     
   
   
   
   An Old Friend 
   Ever since that day, i haven't been able to sleep peacefully. No matter how hard i try to relax. I have been waking in the middle of the night screaming, guards would run in thinking i'm being murded then just see me in my bed hyperventalating. Officer Miles has made me see a psycologist every week, but nothing has changed. I haven't spoken to any of my friends and i really need a shoulder to cry on. Why?  
   There was a knock on the door.  
   "Come in." I said.  
   I assumed it was Officer Miles, but as the door opened my jaw dropped. The figure standing in the doorway was a boy around my age with ash blond hair and a devilish side smile.  
   "Hey Kora, long time no see." He says as if i know him. He didn't sound like he was gonna kill me, but i didin't want to take any chances. I ran past him and out the door. There were no guards around anywhere. Where were they? The boy simply just turned and gave me an adorable yet dissapointed look. 
   "To be honest, it's kinda upsetting you don't remember, after all we were bestfriends before your mother died." The sudden mention of my mother makes me freeze. Who is this guy? I want to run, but i can't move. There is something about this guy that is making me want to stay.  
   "You, your name is Romeo." i blurt out without thinking. His face lightens up. 
   "Oh, so she does remember." He starts walking towards me. I should run, but i don't want to.  
   "You're the one who has been saving me, you've been protecting me ever since mother died." He gives me a smile then frowns and looks to the ground. "You told me you were moving away and then you left, but this entire time." Tears start streaming down my face. Everyone I've ever cared about left me. Romeo walks over to me and holds me to his chest, petting my head.  
   "I'm sorry!" He says. We stand there for what feels like hours, the tears have stopped falling but i'm still sad. He eventually lets go of me and just looks at me.  
   "Go back inside, don't worry, I'll protect you." I nod and walk back inside, not looking back. I close the door then lay in my bed and for the first time in weeks, I fall peacefully asleep. 
   
   
   
   The End? 
   I wake to the sound of chewing and as i open my eyes i see Romeo sitting at my dining table eating an apple. 
   "Morning!" He chimes. "Hurry up and get ready, we are going out!" Without questioning him i get up and go have a shower. After some quick breakfast we leave. 
   "Where are we going?" I ask him. 
   "You'll see." We walk to his car and we're off. We stop infront of a small warehouse in the middle of the city. 
   "What are we doing here?" I look at him in confusion.  
   "This is where i do my investigating," He says i an enthusiastic voice. "You could say it's my head quarters." He laughs. We walk over to the big roller door and he opens it, the sight that greated us was not pleasent. There was a gang of men inside all staring at us. I feel my hand entwined with Romeos as he pulls me back behind him still holding my hand. A very large man walks to the front of the group and gives a hideous toothless smile.  
   "Welcome kids," He chuckles. "Thanks for joining us!" 
   "What are you doing here, Scratch?" Romeo says in a panicked-yet-trying-to-be-calm voice. The man simply laughs and looks at me. 
   "Hello there Kora, we haven't been introduced yet, i'm Scratch, mob-boss, rich guy, the man responsible for your fathers death!" He and all his men break out into a cackle. 
   "What about my mother?" I stupidly blurt.  
   "Why don't you tell me!" All of a sudden i feel another hand wrap around my other arm and i raise off the ground. It takes me a moment to realise i am being carried by a large muscular man with a huge scar across his face. He places me infront of Scratch, who then wraps his arms around me and holds a knife to my neck. 
   "I don't know what happened to my mother." I struggle. 
   "Are you sure?" He asks. "After all it's your fault she's dead!" He begins to laugh. 
   "The Kora i know would never do something like that!" Romeo shouts as he gets restrained by one of Scratchs men.  
   "Well clearly you don't know Kora!" Scratch yells. I try to think back to what happened to my mother, then it hits me. 
   "He's right." I say to Romeo. "It's all my fault, i'm the reason she's gone!" Scratch laughs at my confession. 
   "No you're not," Romeo yells. "Don't believe him, it's not your fault!" 
   "Yes it is!" I begin to choke on the tears that are streaming down my face. "If i wasn't so selfish she would still be alive. I'm the one who fought with her, I'm the one who made her leave, I'm the one who just stood there as she was being killed. It's all my fault!" I bow my head at this sudden realisation. Romeo doesn't respond. All i can hear is the laughing of Scratch and his men. In the laughter i hear choking, i raise my head to see Romeo being strangled by the man who brought me over to Scratch. 
   "No!" I scream at the top of my lungs. "No, don't kill him, please, don't kill him!" The tears in my eyes making it too hard for me to see.  
   "After everything that pest has done, he deserves to die!" Scratch cackles. 
   "No, please, don't, don't kill him!" I scream so much, i begin to feel weak.  
   "Alright fine." Scratch says. I hear Romeo wease and fall to the floor. Scratches grip on my loosens and he throws me over to Romeo. His eyes are shut, but i can hear him breathing. I reach for his hand and hold it in mine. 
   "Thank you," I whisper to him. "For everything!" His eyes open and his grip on my hand tightens. He looks at my neck and I realise Scratch had sliced it. I smile at him through the pain and he smiles back. We then close our eyes for the final time. 
     
   
   The End 
   
   
   
   Publication Date: November 27th 2014 https://www.bookrix.com/-vf7599a83142545