Hide From the Light

Mom and Dad always told me to stay out of the sun because of my sun allergy. Of course, I listened for fear of getting hurt. But, it wasn’t until I accidentally left the curtain open in my room that I began to grow suspicious.           

The warm, golden light hit my skin as I struggled to keep my eyes open. Suddenly my eyes fluttered open trying to close the curtains as soon as possible. I sat on my bed waiting for my eyes to water and my skin to break out in hives but nothing happened. I think to myself, Should I tell Mom and Dad?

I throw on the same basic outfit that I wear every day, jeans and a hoodie. Then I make my way to the kitchen where my mom greets me with a smile as she prepared breakfast. “Your dad already left for work so you’re stuck with me”, she joked. I smiled back as I study her more closely than ever. She turns her back. “Yesterday night I left the curtains open. I woke up with the sun in my face.” She turned around sharply and exclaimed, “Well are you okay?” She examines my face to try and find any evidence of an allergic reaction. “That’s the thing, I didn’t feel any symptoms”, I pronounced. She turned away to the over-cooked eggs. “That’s odd”, she replied. I agree, that was odd.

As I lay on my bed that night, my mind begins to wander. I thought that maybe I lost my allergy. Or maybe I was never allergic in the first place. But why would they lie? What if they weren’t lying? After a few minutes of thinking, I decided that I would investigate in the morning.

I wake up in darkness much like any other morning. I get dressed in pants and a long sleeve to “protect my skin” I cautiously moved to the curtain getting ready to open it. I decided to do a test first. I slightly opened the curtain and stuck my hand out, face up to touch the warm sun. I kept my hand there for a little over a minute. Then I removed my hand, examining my palm to see if it broke out in hives, or if I’ve developed a rash. Exactly as I thought, My hand was fine. I put on the gloves that my mother gave to me as a gift for my 14th birthday when I had just barely grown out of the other gloves that I wore every day. I walked to the kitchen and to my surprise I saw my dad. He goes to work early and always works overtime. I didn’t even see him yesterday, at all. “Hey Emily!”, he bellowed. I replied with a smile. “Your mom told me about your adventures in the sun yesterday.” “I would hardly call it an adventure”, mom scolded. I continue to eat my breakfast, same as always, burnt eggs, toast, and milk. Walking away, I hear the whispers coming from my parents’ mouths.

“Hey, kid, me and your mom are going shopping. We should be back soon!”, shouted dad. “Alright see you soon!” I took my chance. I turned the doorknob of my parents’ door. “Of course it’s locked,” I grumbled. I took a bobby pin out of my hair and move it around the keyhole. I twist the knob hoping it worked and to my surprise, the door creaked open. I look around the room for any evidence of who knows what. I search under the bed, behind the doors, I even checked to see if any of the walls were hollow. But it wasn’t until I checked in the nightstand that I found something interesting. Under an old T.V remote, pack of gum, loose cash, and a book, there was a hole in the wood. I lifted the wood plank which revealed a small tin can. Making sure to be careful, I slowly opened the tin full of confusion. The object that laid in the tin was, a stack of papers? When I read the paper I understood why it was hidden. MISSING CHILD: Emily Miller. Overwhelmed, I sat on the floor unknowing of my next move. Out of nowhere, I hear the car pull into the driveway. I rushed to put everything back in the same place I found it. The sound of the door unlock hit my ears as I locked and closed the door. “Hey, Em. We’re back!” “Hey guys,” I shouted warmly. I’m not sure how I was able to keep this new secret to myself. I lay in my bed that night, planning my escape. I concluded that I was going to wait for my parents to go out shopping again. Then I pack my bags with the necessary belongings. Lastly, I run as fast as I can.

The next few days I was waiting for an opportunity to present itself. But I never got the chance. It seemed that obstacles were constantly being placed in front of me. I began to grow impatient. One day my dad had already left for work when my mom shouted from the kitchen “I’m going out for some groceries!” Yes, this is finally my chance. I gathered my things and shoved them in an old backpack. The faster I moved, the faster I was to freedom. I packed some money that I saved from past birthdays. This is it. I ran over to the kitchen snatched some snacks from the kitchen and made my way out the door. I ran, and I ran, and I ran not looking back. I realized that I did not know where to go. Mom and Dad never let me go outside. I get my phone out and search for the police department. I run until I reached the outside of the building that read “Police Station”. I felt like I might finally be safe until the people I called Mom and Dad for 14 long years burst through the doors. “There you are Em”, said the woman you once knew as Mom. “Come on kid. Are you safe?”, says the man as they guide you home.