“Don’t let the wind blow you away. Let the wind sweep you off your feet.” Grandpa finished with a kiss on my forehead. I looked at him; my eyes open; pleading him not to leave. His white hair had grown thin, his wrinkles deeper, his skin paler, but the gleam in his eyes had grown bigger. Grandpa stood up, his musky wood smell slowly disappearing. I reached my hand out to Grandpa’s. A tough, leathery feeling came upon my hand. Surprised, I dropped it. Grandpa’s deep laugh vibrated through the room. I smiled.
“Honey, it’s,” He checked his watch, “midnight! I need to get you to bed!” I laughed, grinning. He tucked me in and gave me a quick hug. I watched him leave the room, and slowly close the door. Silence.
I tried to get to sleep, but couldn’t. I squirmed, twisted, stretched, but it was useless. Giving up, I swung my legs over the side of my bed and felt for my slippers. I walked out into the hallways towards the kitchen. Maybe some hot chocolate will make me sleepy.
“You had not right!” A voice shouted from the kitchen. I stopped. Who is that? A chill went up my spine; nobody has ever been here except for me and Grandpa. I leaned against the wall, trying to listen through it.
“Lorraine, listen to me! I had to! I thought-“I heard Grandpa shout. I felt my heart beating fast. Thump…..thump…..thump went my heart. I peered around the corner, holding my breath. Thump…thump…thump went my heart. A woman was holding Grandpa at gunpoint. Thump..thump..thump went my heart. I screamed.
The woman, shocked, stared at me.
“Liliegh?” The woman asked and ran towards me. I started walking backwards, trying to stay away from her. She enveloped me in a hug. Thumpthumpthump went my heart. I screamed again and kicked at her. Bewildered, she released me.
“Who are you?” I whispered. The woman looked at me, then to Grandpa. Then I knew. I remembered those eyes. Those hard icy blue eyes. I remembered them even after I ran away from them. The bruises and scratches were still on my body from the day I left. I ran towards Grandpa. Fear welled up.
“Liliegh, come here. Come to your Mama.”