[One day I decided to run away. My mom had spent the last of our money and my dad was gone. I had enough money (of my own) to get from my town stop to the next town over. Little did I know that this would be my downfall.]
The train stops and I jump out before anyone can get a good look at me. I walk to a local bathroom, looking for a drink from one of the sinks. I take a drink and decide that I should go to the bathroom also. The women look at me strange but don't comment. I go into a bathroom stall and put my backpack on the hook. Suddenly something that feels like exhaustion overwhelms me. I sink to the floor, my hands raking against while tile. The floor shifts from under me and I yelp. I jump up onto the toilet seat as I watch the floor change into a wooden material. Then a door handle appears. I study it with fascination. It's a door. What exactly does it want from me? I squat down on the floor... or I guess, door and touch the handle. A current rushes up my arm and I pull away. Uncertainty tugs at my brain. Maybe I shouldn't be messing with this. But my hands thinks before my brain does and I pull the handle. It breaks off in my hand and turns into powder. I let it fall in between my fingers and to the door. The door starts to shake. I am pulled through and into darkness.
My eyelids fly open. Last I remember I was looking down at the door... what happened? The sun burns my eyes and I have to turn on my stomach. The smell of grass fills my nose. Where am I?
"Blare!" I hear a familiar voice cry. Seconds later a hand is on my back, turning me over. I look up onto the face of my ex-boyfriend, La-Shawn.
"La-Shawn?" I question.
"What do you think you were doing?! You could have died!"
"What did I do?"
"You jumped from the roof because of some stupid dare."
"Did I really?"
"Yes!"
La-Shawn's touch doesn't feel quite real. I usually get a tingle from his touch but now it's nothing. I feel no pain and suddenly remember what happened. The door sucked me into it. This has to be the world inside... right?
"La-Shawn, did you see a door when I jumped?"
His hand withdraws from my shoulder. He smiles but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"A door? No, Blare I didn't see a door." He says.
"I didn't jump into one?"
"No. Now let's get you inside. I'm sure your parents will want to know what happened."
I gasp at the size of our fake house. It's a mansion that towers over the other houses nearby. La-Shawn leads me inside the fake mansion and to a ballroom.
My parents are dancing in the middle of the ballroom floor, shaking their hips this way and that. La-Shawn turns off the boom box.
"Why, La-Shawn did you-" My mom starts to say but then she sees me. "There you are Blare. What have you been doing?"
"It was that stupid dare with Bear. He's always influencing her in a bad way. She jumped off the roof because of him." La-Shawn speaks up before I can say anything.
Bear? I think. The Bear I used to know and love? The one whom I held close before La-Shawn stole my heart?
"Blare, we know you like to run into trouble... but we don't want you to get hurt." says my dad.
Me, the trouble maker? It was my dad who was the trouble maker. He was the one who stayed out all night drinking and who couldn't keep a job.
"Go to your room and think about what you've done." My mom says to me.
"I'll walk her up." La-Shawn offers.
"Thank you La-Shawn."
We walk to my room in silence but La-Shawn stops me before I go into my room.
"Look, your parents are really concerned about you. They've been talking to me for quite awhile...they want me to do something."
"Like?" I ask impatiently wanting to have some time alone to think.
"Charm you. They didn't want me to tell you their and my intentions. But I knew I had to tell you. I don't want to have a relationship based on lies. I do like you but your parents started my interest in you. I won't try and change you though."
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll think about it."
I shut the door in his face before he can say anything more. I feel sorry for him but I can't deal with La-Shawn right now. Perhaps this is what happened in real life. Perhaps my mom and dad bribed La-Shawn to take interest in me but it developed into something real.
I wait until night comes and my parents are asleep. La-Shawn has left, much to my parent's dismay. I'm not used to all this concern from my parents... it's unsettling. I take little comfort in the fact that this is a fake world. I climb out my window and start making my way to Bear's house. I still remember every little detail about his home. To my delight, it's still in the same place and still looks the same. I go to ring the doorbell but I don't want to wake anyone up.
"I'm out back, Cupcake." I hear a voice say.
I walk through the white gate and to the backyard. There sits Bear, his face illuminated by the pond lights. He looks mostly the same--but there is a different look in his eyes.
"Oh Bear!" I cry and wrap him in a hug. He pats my back and I take it as a sign to back off.
"Good to see you too sweetie. It's been awhile." He comments. His eyes stay on the running water.
"But you saw me this morning."
"No I didn't and you know that too."
My eyebrows raise in surprise.
"You know?"
"What?"
"That this isn't the real world?"
"I've been stuck here for twenty years. I'm an old man in this teenager's body. I've watched as this fake world has consumed me. But I knew you would come..."
"You're not one of them?"
"No... sometimes I wish I was."
I smile in delight and again wrap my arms around Bear. He does the same and we rejoice in laughter. He draws back first but caresses my cheek with his thumb.
"You look the same Blare. I never stopped loving that face."
"I wish I'd known. I thought you had just left. I felt so bad after I broke up with you... it was the wrong decision."
"I never should have let La-Shawn get to know you. He tore you apart in the end."
"At least you and I are seeing each other again."
"Yeah. Want to come in for a beer?"
"Oh... no. I don't drink."
"Oh yeah. I keep forgetting you're young."
He gives a hearty chuckle.
"Do you live by yourself?"
"My fake parents died years ago. They were the total opposite of how you knew them. This door world had been a terror to me. My fake parents didn't even remember my name half the time. They were too wrapped up in each other. But it still hurt when they passed away. Then I knew that I was truly alone."
"Oh... I'm sorry Bear. I'm so sorry."
"You get used to it."
I open my mouth to speak but then a sound fills my ears. It sounds like nails on a chalk board. I cringe and I see that Bear has the same reaction.
"You need to leave now." Bear whispers.
"Why?"
"Please... I'll find you later."
"Okay."
"Okay."
------
When I see Bear a few days later, he looks worried.. His hands twirl around each other and he bites his lip. I put my hand on his face and he barely smiles.
"Did you see something?" I ask.
"Yes... I don't think you should know though."
"Why not?"
"Please stay with me Blare. You'll be safer here."
"No I won't and you know it. Tell me what's going on."
"I went out today. I rarely go out as you know. I saw La-Shawn at the market. You told me he was gone on a trip. So I followed him. He met this guy at the edge of the beach. I hid behind someone's giant umbrella. They talked about jobs and money and things like that. But then La-Shawn's buddy mentioned you." Bear's eyes cloud over as he continues the story.
He asks La-Shawn how it was going with you. La-Shawn frowns and says "she's annoying. She won't have anything to do with me. In the real world she was easier to mess with. She glommed onto me until I broke up with her."
"What are you going to do now?" His buddy asks.
"I don't know. But I have to something soon. She knows this is a fake world. If she gains more knowledge about us... we'll have to take action."
"La-Shawn's buddy gives a nasty smile. Then they part ways."
Bear grabs my hands and looks me in the eye.
"He knows about the real world Blare. I think he's very dangerous. Please don't go back."
"I remember that he always loved things that weren't there. He was smart and had all of these... theories. I wonder if he came into the door world and figured out a way to go back to the real world. Now he's been going back and forth." I reply.
"Why did I ever let you go?"
"Bear I have to go back. La-Shawn will just get more suspicious if I stay here. I can take care of myself. Please, don't worry about me."
"I trust you. We won't be able to see each other for awhile..."
"I know."
We hug each other for a long time and part with a goodbye kiss.
---
La-Shawn is keeping a very close eye on me. He watches my every move and his mood has changed drastically. So have my parents'. They lurk by the doors making sure I don't leave. When I ask them if I can leave they just smile and make up some excuse. But I see them glaring at me and I hear them outside my door in the middle of the night. I wan't to see Bear again but I know I can't. It will give a chance for these... creatures to snatch him up. Yes, I have come to terms that these are not real people. I loved how nice they treated me, it felt like everything I had ever wanted and more. But I know this isn't real, I know it can't be healthy. I had wanted a change but never something like this.
----
I wake up to a light shining in my face. Someone is shaking my shoulder.
"Get up, Blare. I found a door... we need to go now!" Bear hisses in a loud whisper. I spring up from my bed and grab Bear's hand. We climb out the window and scramble to the ground.
"Where do you think you're going?!" La-Shawn's voice thunders from behind me. I look and see La-Shawn and my parents hovering in the front door frame. I stumble and Bear picks me back up.
"Ignore them!"
We run to this car and Bear hits the gas.
"You really found the door?" I ask, breathing for air.
"Yes, I saw it. I was just out for a drive trying to take my mind off of you. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something in the park that was a very bright color. I turned back around and there it was."
"Oh this is amazing Bear! Now we can both go home. " Bear looks alarmed for a second.
"I guess that's true... I didn't of it like that. Yes, Blake we can go home together!"
A huge smile breaks out on Bear's face and I smile along with him.
"Everything is turning around Bear."
"Hopefully the door is still there."
"It will be. It has to be."
We drive in silence until we hear the sound of a siren. Bear looks in the rear view mirror and curses.
"Why now?" he asks, frustrated.
"It'll be okay. Just pull over and I'm sure it will go fast."
"I don't need to though. We're so close!"
"Would you rather be held in a jail cell for not stopping and miss our chance or just deal with him now?"
"You're right."
Bear pulls over and we wait for the police officer. He comes a few minutes later, rapping on the window. Bear rolls it down and gives the best smile he can.
"Can I help you officer? My daughter is in the hospital and we need to get to her quickly." He says, grabbing my hand. I let my head droop and my eyes focus on the ground.
"Oh yeah I'll let you go soon enough but first I just need to check your trunk." He says, his voice gruff but friendly at the same time.
"My trunk?"
"Just a quick check sir. To make sure there's nothing back there."
"Why me?"
"We're told to do random checks every so often. Sorry but you can take this up with my boss if you want."
"No that's okay. Let me just pop the trunk."
"Want to come with me? Just to make sure you don't drive off or anything."
"Of course."
Bear steps out and begins to shut his door. The police officer grabs the door at the last second.
"Don't you try anything little lady." He says to me.
The car door shuts and Bear gives me one last look. I give him a thumbs up. I watch the rear view window as the police officer pulls up the hood of the trunk. His eyes connect with mine as it slides up. I look away. I hear a thump and I look back. The trunk is closed and I don't spot the police officer or Bear. My stomach twists and I know then that something is wrong. I turn the door handle and open the door as quietly as I can. I crawl until I can see behind the car. There's the police officer and he's dragging Bear to the police car. I look around and see a crowbar underneath Bear's car. I dive for it and resume my position. The police officer's head snaps up and I scoot back. I hold my breath and pray that he didn't see me. I wait a few seconds and check again. The police officer is propping Bear up into the backseat of the police car.
Time to make my move. I creep towards the police officer from the other side of the police car. When I get to the back I wait. I hear the sound of the door shutting and decide to make my move. The police officer raises his head in surprise but before he can do anything I bring down the crowbar. He crumbles to the ground and I drop the crowbar. I move him off of the road. I grab his keys and run to the driver's side. I jump in the car and take off. My hands are sweaty, my heart is racing. Did I really just do that? I feel really bad about it but I knew this police officer wasn't one of the good guys. He knocked Bear unconsciousness. I knew that he was trying to slow us down. I drive down the street frantically looking for the door that Bear had described. Suddenly I see it ahead of me and just barely turn in the parking lot. Bear groans from the backseat just as I park the car. I help him get out of the car and we slowly make our way to do the door.
"We can do this. Keep going Blare." Bear whispers to me, grunting in pain. In what seems like hours, we have almost reached the door. Bear lets go off me and I sprint the last distance. Just as my fingers brush the door handle the door disappears.
"No, please no." I cry out tears starting to form in my eyes.
"Looks like you were too late. Poor, poor you." La-Shawn says to me, standing right where the door was.
"What did you do?!" I ask, my voice filled with rage.
"This door had a time limit on it my dear. And you just happened to miss it. Now it is time for you to pay. You've gotten on our last nerves and we're tired of you." La-Shawn says with a sneer.
I run to Bear and he wraps his arms around me. I can feel my fake parents and La-Shawn surrounding us ready to pounce.
"I love you, Bear. I'm so glad that I got to see you again." I say, holding tight to Bear.
"I love you too. Please don't forget me."
"I won't."
I feel a sharp pain and my vision fades out. I hear Bear crying out but I still feel his body weight on mine.
"No!" La-Shawn growls. My eyes open and I see La-Shawn reach out and grab Bear. Everything around us is black. We seem to spin around and around. I close my eyes to get rid of the dizziness I'm feeling.
The sound of laughter and voices fills my ears. Light floods into my vision. I open my eyes to see myself on a boardwalk. People mill around smiling and holding hands. I feel the weight of someone's hand in mine own. I look and see La-Shawn standing next to me. He looks so happy, joy fills his eyes. He squeezes my hand and brings it up to his mouth. That's when I see the ring on my ring finger. It's silver and simple, something that I know La-Shawn would pick out. That's when I see Him. Bear with his light brown hair and green eyes. He's walking away from me, further up the boardwalk.
"Bear!" I call out.
He pauses, turns and looks me right in the eyes. I see me in his eyes but then they cloud over. He shrugs and starts to walk away.
La-Shawn tugs at my arm and pulls me away in the other direction, away from Bear and towards our own path that I don't wish to take.
(Picture credit to Google images)
The train stops and I jump out before anyone can get a good look at me. I walk to a local bathroom, looking for a drink from one of the sinks. I take a drink and decide that I should go to the bathroom also. The women look at me strange but don't comment. I go into a bathroom stall and put my backpack on the hook. Suddenly something that feels like exhaustion overwhelms me. I sink to the floor, my hands raking against while tile. The floor shifts from under me and I yelp. I jump up onto the toilet seat as I watch the floor change into a wooden material. Then a door handle appears. I study it with fascination. It's a door. What exactly does it want from me? I squat down on the floor... or I guess, door and touch the handle. A current rushes up my arm and I pull away. Uncertainty tugs at my brain. Maybe I shouldn't be messing with this. But my hands thinks before my brain does and I pull the handle. It breaks off in my hand and turns into powder. I let it fall in between my fingers and to the door. The door starts to shake. I am pulled through and into darkness.
My eyelids fly open. Last I remember I was looking down at the door... what happened? The sun burns my eyes and I have to turn on my stomach. The smell of grass fills my nose. Where am I?
"Blare!" I hear a familiar voice cry. Seconds later a hand is on my back, turning me over. I look up onto the face of my ex-boyfriend, La-Shawn.
"La-Shawn?" I question.
"What do you think you were doing?! You could have died!"
"What did I do?"
"You jumped from the roof because of some stupid dare."
"Did I really?"
"Yes!"
La-Shawn's touch doesn't feel quite real. I usually get a tingle from his touch but now it's nothing. I feel no pain and suddenly remember what happened. The door sucked me into it. This has to be the world inside... right?
"La-Shawn, did you see a door when I jumped?"
His hand withdraws from my shoulder. He smiles but it doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"A door? No, Blare I didn't see a door." He says.
"I didn't jump into one?"
"No. Now let's get you inside. I'm sure your parents will want to know what happened."
I gasp at the size of our fake house. It's a mansion that towers over the other houses nearby. La-Shawn leads me inside the fake mansion and to a ballroom.
My parents are dancing in the middle of the ballroom floor, shaking their hips this way and that. La-Shawn turns off the boom box.
"Why, La-Shawn did you-" My mom starts to say but then she sees me. "There you are Blare. What have you been doing?"
"It was that stupid dare with Bear. He's always influencing her in a bad way. She jumped off the roof because of him." La-Shawn speaks up before I can say anything.
Bear? I think. The Bear I used to know and love? The one whom I held close before La-Shawn stole my heart?
"Blare, we know you like to run into trouble... but we don't want you to get hurt." says my dad.
Me, the trouble maker? It was my dad who was the trouble maker. He was the one who stayed out all night drinking and who couldn't keep a job.
"Go to your room and think about what you've done." My mom says to me.
"I'll walk her up." La-Shawn offers.
"Thank you La-Shawn."
We walk to my room in silence but La-Shawn stops me before I go into my room.
"Look, your parents are really concerned about you. They've been talking to me for quite awhile...they want me to do something."
"Like?" I ask impatiently wanting to have some time alone to think.
"Charm you. They didn't want me to tell you their and my intentions. But I knew I had to tell you. I don't want to have a relationship based on lies. I do like you but your parents started my interest in you. I won't try and change you though."
"Thanks for letting me know. I'll think about it."
I shut the door in his face before he can say anything more. I feel sorry for him but I can't deal with La-Shawn right now. Perhaps this is what happened in real life. Perhaps my mom and dad bribed La-Shawn to take interest in me but it developed into something real.
I wait until night comes and my parents are asleep. La-Shawn has left, much to my parent's dismay. I'm not used to all this concern from my parents... it's unsettling. I take little comfort in the fact that this is a fake world. I climb out my window and start making my way to Bear's house. I still remember every little detail about his home. To my delight, it's still in the same place and still looks the same. I go to ring the doorbell but I don't want to wake anyone up.
"I'm out back, Cupcake." I hear a voice say.
I walk through the white gate and to the backyard. There sits Bear, his face illuminated by the pond lights. He looks mostly the same--but there is a different look in his eyes.
"Oh Bear!" I cry and wrap him in a hug. He pats my back and I take it as a sign to back off.
"Good to see you too sweetie. It's been awhile." He comments. His eyes stay on the running water.
"But you saw me this morning."
"No I didn't and you know that too."
My eyebrows raise in surprise.
"You know?"
"What?"
"That this isn't the real world?"
"I've been stuck here for twenty years. I'm an old man in this teenager's body. I've watched as this fake world has consumed me. But I knew you would come..."
"You're not one of them?"
"No... sometimes I wish I was."
I smile in delight and again wrap my arms around Bear. He does the same and we rejoice in laughter. He draws back first but caresses my cheek with his thumb.
"You look the same Blare. I never stopped loving that face."
"I wish I'd known. I thought you had just left. I felt so bad after I broke up with you... it was the wrong decision."
"I never should have let La-Shawn get to know you. He tore you apart in the end."
"At least you and I are seeing each other again."
"Yeah. Want to come in for a beer?"
"Oh... no. I don't drink."
"Oh yeah. I keep forgetting you're young."
He gives a hearty chuckle.
"Do you live by yourself?"
"My fake parents died years ago. They were the total opposite of how you knew them. This door world had been a terror to me. My fake parents didn't even remember my name half the time. They were too wrapped up in each other. But it still hurt when they passed away. Then I knew that I was truly alone."
"Oh... I'm sorry Bear. I'm so sorry."
"You get used to it."
I open my mouth to speak but then a sound fills my ears. It sounds like nails on a chalk board. I cringe and I see that Bear has the same reaction.
"You need to leave now." Bear whispers.
"Why?"
"Please... I'll find you later."
"Okay."
"Okay."
------
When I see Bear a few days later, he looks worried.. His hands twirl around each other and he bites his lip. I put my hand on his face and he barely smiles.
"Did you see something?" I ask.
"Yes... I don't think you should know though."
"Why not?"
"Please stay with me Blare. You'll be safer here."
"No I won't and you know it. Tell me what's going on."
"I went out today. I rarely go out as you know. I saw La-Shawn at the market. You told me he was gone on a trip. So I followed him. He met this guy at the edge of the beach. I hid behind someone's giant umbrella. They talked about jobs and money and things like that. But then La-Shawn's buddy mentioned you." Bear's eyes cloud over as he continues the story.
He asks La-Shawn how it was going with you. La-Shawn frowns and says "she's annoying. She won't have anything to do with me. In the real world she was easier to mess with. She glommed onto me until I broke up with her."
"What are you going to do now?" His buddy asks.
"I don't know. But I have to something soon. She knows this is a fake world. If she gains more knowledge about us... we'll have to take action."
"La-Shawn's buddy gives a nasty smile. Then they part ways."
Bear grabs my hands and looks me in the eye.
"He knows about the real world Blare. I think he's very dangerous. Please don't go back."
"I remember that he always loved things that weren't there. He was smart and had all of these... theories. I wonder if he came into the door world and figured out a way to go back to the real world. Now he's been going back and forth." I reply.
"Why did I ever let you go?"
"Bear I have to go back. La-Shawn will just get more suspicious if I stay here. I can take care of myself. Please, don't worry about me."
"I trust you. We won't be able to see each other for awhile..."
"I know."
We hug each other for a long time and part with a goodbye kiss.
---
La-Shawn is keeping a very close eye on me. He watches my every move and his mood has changed drastically. So have my parents'. They lurk by the doors making sure I don't leave. When I ask them if I can leave they just smile and make up some excuse. But I see them glaring at me and I hear them outside my door in the middle of the night. I wan't to see Bear again but I know I can't. It will give a chance for these... creatures to snatch him up. Yes, I have come to terms that these are not real people. I loved how nice they treated me, it felt like everything I had ever wanted and more. But I know this isn't real, I know it can't be healthy. I had wanted a change but never something like this.
----
I wake up to a light shining in my face. Someone is shaking my shoulder.
"Get up, Blare. I found a door... we need to go now!" Bear hisses in a loud whisper. I spring up from my bed and grab Bear's hand. We climb out the window and scramble to the ground.
"Where do you think you're going?!" La-Shawn's voice thunders from behind me. I look and see La-Shawn and my parents hovering in the front door frame. I stumble and Bear picks me back up.
"Ignore them!"
We run to this car and Bear hits the gas.
"You really found the door?" I ask, breathing for air.
"Yes, I saw it. I was just out for a drive trying to take my mind off of you. Out of the corner of my eye I saw something in the park that was a very bright color. I turned back around and there it was."
"Oh this is amazing Bear! Now we can both go home. " Bear looks alarmed for a second.
"I guess that's true... I didn't of it like that. Yes, Blake we can go home together!"
A huge smile breaks out on Bear's face and I smile along with him.
"Everything is turning around Bear."
"Hopefully the door is still there."
"It will be. It has to be."
We drive in silence until we hear the sound of a siren. Bear looks in the rear view mirror and curses.
"Why now?" he asks, frustrated.
"It'll be okay. Just pull over and I'm sure it will go fast."
"I don't need to though. We're so close!"
"Would you rather be held in a jail cell for not stopping and miss our chance or just deal with him now?"
"You're right."
Bear pulls over and we wait for the police officer. He comes a few minutes later, rapping on the window. Bear rolls it down and gives the best smile he can.
"Can I help you officer? My daughter is in the hospital and we need to get to her quickly." He says, grabbing my hand. I let my head droop and my eyes focus on the ground.
"Oh yeah I'll let you go soon enough but first I just need to check your trunk." He says, his voice gruff but friendly at the same time.
"My trunk?"
"Just a quick check sir. To make sure there's nothing back there."
"Why me?"
"We're told to do random checks every so often. Sorry but you can take this up with my boss if you want."
"No that's okay. Let me just pop the trunk."
"Want to come with me? Just to make sure you don't drive off or anything."
"Of course."
Bear steps out and begins to shut his door. The police officer grabs the door at the last second.
"Don't you try anything little lady." He says to me.
The car door shuts and Bear gives me one last look. I give him a thumbs up. I watch the rear view window as the police officer pulls up the hood of the trunk. His eyes connect with mine as it slides up. I look away. I hear a thump and I look back. The trunk is closed and I don't spot the police officer or Bear. My stomach twists and I know then that something is wrong. I turn the door handle and open the door as quietly as I can. I crawl until I can see behind the car. There's the police officer and he's dragging Bear to the police car. I look around and see a crowbar underneath Bear's car. I dive for it and resume my position. The police officer's head snaps up and I scoot back. I hold my breath and pray that he didn't see me. I wait a few seconds and check again. The police officer is propping Bear up into the backseat of the police car.
Time to make my move. I creep towards the police officer from the other side of the police car. When I get to the back I wait. I hear the sound of the door shutting and decide to make my move. The police officer raises his head in surprise but before he can do anything I bring down the crowbar. He crumbles to the ground and I drop the crowbar. I move him off of the road. I grab his keys and run to the driver's side. I jump in the car and take off. My hands are sweaty, my heart is racing. Did I really just do that? I feel really bad about it but I knew this police officer wasn't one of the good guys. He knocked Bear unconsciousness. I knew that he was trying to slow us down. I drive down the street frantically looking for the door that Bear had described. Suddenly I see it ahead of me and just barely turn in the parking lot. Bear groans from the backseat just as I park the car. I help him get out of the car and we slowly make our way to do the door.
"We can do this. Keep going Blare." Bear whispers to me, grunting in pain. In what seems like hours, we have almost reached the door. Bear lets go off me and I sprint the last distance. Just as my fingers brush the door handle the door disappears.
"No, please no." I cry out tears starting to form in my eyes.
"Looks like you were too late. Poor, poor you." La-Shawn says to me, standing right where the door was.
"What did you do?!" I ask, my voice filled with rage.
"This door had a time limit on it my dear. And you just happened to miss it. Now it is time for you to pay. You've gotten on our last nerves and we're tired of you." La-Shawn says with a sneer.
I run to Bear and he wraps his arms around me. I can feel my fake parents and La-Shawn surrounding us ready to pounce.
"I love you, Bear. I'm so glad that I got to see you again." I say, holding tight to Bear.
"I love you too. Please don't forget me."
"I won't."
I feel a sharp pain and my vision fades out. I hear Bear crying out but I still feel his body weight on mine.
"No!" La-Shawn growls. My eyes open and I see La-Shawn reach out and grab Bear. Everything around us is black. We seem to spin around and around. I close my eyes to get rid of the dizziness I'm feeling.
The sound of laughter and voices fills my ears. Light floods into my vision. I open my eyes to see myself on a boardwalk. People mill around smiling and holding hands. I feel the weight of someone's hand in mine own. I look and see La-Shawn standing next to me. He looks so happy, joy fills his eyes. He squeezes my hand and brings it up to his mouth. That's when I see the ring on my ring finger. It's silver and simple, something that I know La-Shawn would pick out. That's when I see Him. Bear with his light brown hair and green eyes. He's walking away from me, further up the boardwalk.
"Bear!" I call out.
He pauses, turns and looks me right in the eyes. I see me in his eyes but then they cloud over. He shrugs and starts to walk away.
La-Shawn tugs at my arm and pulls me away in the other direction, away from Bear and towards our own path that I don't wish to take.
(Picture credit to Google images)