Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Chapter 3+4

Well, Reading over my story I decided that since chapter 3 is so short and ends in kinda a cliffhanger, I'll post 4 with it. A treat for you guys. Hope you like it! Chapter 3 Laina opened her eyes and squinted to try and make out where she was. Then she remembered. She looked over at her mother’s sleeping form and was relieved to see that she was still breathing. Her eyes opened and she looked over at Laina and smiled. “Laina...” she whispered. “Come here, my little one.” Laina walked to the bed and sat down. “What is it, mommy?” she asked. Her mom smiled again. “Laina, love... Promise me you’ll remember I always loved you,” she said. Laina was confused. “What do you mean, mommy? You’re going to get better and we’re going home together!” Laina stated firmly. Her mother shook her head. “I’m not going to make it. The accident did too much damage to my already weak lungs and heart,” she replied softly. “You’re going to go stay with your grandma and grandpa. I’ve already arranged it with them.” “No mommy! I want to stay with you!” Laina yelled. Her mother out her hand over hers and grasped it. “I love you Laina...” Her grip relaxed as she closed her eyes and breathed her last. Laina screamed. “No!!! MOMMY!!!!!!!” Chapter 4 Laina and her grandparents stood in front of her mother’s coffin. Her tears were hidden by the rain that fell from the gray, mournful sky. Mommy... she thought, Why? Why did you leave me? As tears ran down her face the coffin was lowered into the grave. “Mommy...” she whispered. Her grandmother rested her hand on Laina’s shoulder. “Come on. It’s time to leave,” she said. Laina nodded and walked to the car. They pulled up in front of Laina’s new home. As she stepped out of the car, she tripped and tore her skirt. “Oh, I’m sorry honey,” her grandmother said. She smiled and happily replied. “It’s okay, mommy will fix it for me...” She broke off, realizing her mommy would never be there to repair her clothes or kiss her cuts ever again. She’s really gone... she thought. Crying, she ran. Not even knowing or caring where she was going, she just ran for the sake of escaping. She raced over the field behind her grandparent’s house and into the forest. Branches whipped and tore at her arms and legs, but she couldn’t feel the pain. She stumbled and fell, but picked herself up again and ran farther and farther away. Laina finally grew tired and slowed, taking notice of her surroundings for the first time. She was so deep in the forest that it was impossible to tell if it was day anymore. Grammie must be so worried about me, she thought. A wolf howled and Laina flinched. That sounded really close. She looked around her for somewhere to stay for the night. The bushes rumbled and she jumped. A figure stepped out into the open and she shrank back, afraid. After a second look, she realized it was only only a boy about her age. “Are you okay?” he inquired. He walked over to her and looked at her face. “I don’t recognize you, are you from around here?” She shook her head. “No, I just moved in with my grandparents,” she replied. “Oh, I see. “ He frowned. “What are you doing way out here in the forest? You look like you were running from something,” he said. Laina looked away. “It’s nothing,” she lied. “I was only exploring and got lost so I panicked.” “Oh, okay. I can understand that, these woods are confusing even for someone who has lived here their whole life,” he said. Looking at her torn and filthy clothes and soaking wet hair, he held out his hand. Laina looked at him in confusion. “Come with me back to my house,” he said. “I’ll bet my sister has some clothes you could borrow.” Laina smiled and nodded. “My name is Laina. Laina Hanson,” she said. He smiled. “Nice to meet you Laina, I’m Andrew,” he replied with a smile. Laina smiled back at him and they walked to his house. He opened the door and turned to Laina. “Wait here, I’ll go get my mom,” he said. “Okay,” Laina replied. He walked inside and called for his mom. “Mom? Hey, mom!” he yelled. A crashing sound came from the house and Laina jumped. “What IS it Andrew?” his mom asked. annoyed. He smiled sheepishly and helped her pick up the pictures she’d been trying to hang. “Sorry mom, but I was in the woods and I ran into a girl.” he said apologetically. “Her name is Laina and she just moved in with the Hansons,” he added. “She got lost and her clothes are all messed up. I thought maybe Alissa had something she could wear.” His mom set down the pictures and walked out to the door. Seeing Laina, she turned and scolded Andrew. “She looks frozen! You made her wait outside in that condition?” she asked incredulously. She beckoned to Laina. “Well, come inside! Outside is no place to be in those clothes, all wet like that!” She ushered Laina inside and turned to Andrew. “Make her a cup of hot chocolate while I go find something for her to wear,” she ordered. She disappeared into the bathroom, but soon reappeared with a towel and draped it over Laina’s shoulders. “Hey, who’s the kid?” asked a girl standing in the hallway. Andrew’s mother glanced over. “Her name is Laina. Actaully, you have perfect timing. Go call the Hansons and let them know she is here so they don’t worry,” she replied. “I’m going to go find her a set of clothes. Some of your old ones should fit her.” The girl, who Laina assumed to be Alissa, nodded. Andrew came back in the room carrying a tray with hot chocolate and a sandwich. He set it down on the table next to Laina and sat down on the couch. “So Laina, why did you move here?” he asked. Laina flinched as she remembered the events of the past month. He noticed her hesitation and gently touched her shoulder. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you think of anything painful.” “I moved here because I had nowhere else to go. My mom died a month ago and my dad... I have no idea where he is,” she answered. “My grandparents were the only ones who would take me in.” Andrew stood up and walked over to her. “I’m so sorry,” he said. He bent down and hugged her, then stood back up. “I’m here for you if you need to talk, I promise.” Laina smiled for the first time since he had met her. “Hey, you’d better drink your hot chocolate before it gets cold,” he pointed out. Laina laughed. “You have a point there,” she replied. Picking up the mug, she smiled. They soon began asking each other questions and found that they had a lot in common. Andrew’s mother stood in the doorway, listening to their conversation. They came to a pause and she walked in. “Sorry Andrew, but I have to borrow her for a little while. After all, we can’t have her staying in those clothes, can we?” she said. He nodded reluctantly and Laina walked over to his mother. Together they stepped into the bathroom and she handed Laina a set of clothes. “Here, put these on. Come out when you’re done and I’ll make supper. You can stay in the spare bedroom tonight. Your grandfather is coming to pick you up tomorrow,” she said. “I’m spending the night?” Laina asked. Andrew’s mother nodded. Laina smiled. “This will be my first time sleeping over at a friend’s house!” she exclaimed happily. His mother smiled too, but for a different reason. After supper, Laina entered the spare bedroom and practically fell onto the bed, exhausted. She was soon fast asleep, not even noticing when Andrew opened the door and checked in on her. Well, things seem to be looking up for her, at least a little! Only my muses know how long that will last... ^^ Ja! ~Love conquers even death~

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