Spinning Worlds: Chapter Three

I stumbled across the icy pavement, trying to reach home. It was scary, because the night was dark and cold, and because I was actually lost. After the fight with Mum and then Nino, I had run away. But as soon as I escaped I wanted to come back again. Also I hate the dark, especially when it's Winter. In, Winter, it's dark AND cold, things I both hate, and fear. I'm all alone, a plastic shopping bag containing a bottle of blue top milk, a loaf of wholemeal bread, and a Toblerone for me, clutched in both my hands as I make my way back home. 1

"Adelaide, why don't you come home with me?" I heard a voice from behind me call out. I spun around to face it, but saw nothing. 2

"It must be.. my ears.." I convinced myself aloud. "Just.. my ears.."3

"Now, really! You can't want to walk all alone by yourself?" The voice taunted me.4

"Leave me alone!" I pleaded with the voice, frantically trying to find it's source. 5

But the voice just laughed, and teased me more.6

"GO AWAAAAAAY!" I screamed, and broke into a sprint. 7

"You can't run away from me.." the voice gloated. Then it snickered again. 8

The tears cascaded down my cheeks, my sobs growing louder and louder as I ran faster. I was a good runner, so I don't know why the voice seemed to be gliding next to me. It stopped when I stopped, it jogged when I jogged. I was frightened and my stupidity left me dropping the bag and running faster. 9

"You can run," the voice whispered. "But you can't hide!'10

I screamed in agony, then doubled over on the pavement, crying my hardest. It was then that the horrible voice disappeared, and a sweet, sorrowful sound filled my ears. It was my mother's voice, calling to me. 11

"Addy? Addy sweetheart is that you? Oh my gosh! Addy, what has happened?" 12

"Mum, it's Adelaide. Of course she's all right!" Ryan said, and although I couldn't see him, I somehow knew that he'd rolled his eyes. I broke into a laugh. It was my first laugh that evening, and I was somewhat glad that my little brother had cracked the joke. 13

"Mum.. I.."14

"Shhhhhhh.." Mum soothed, rubbing her hand through my hair. "It's ok. You didn't mean it.."15

"Mum it wasn't me." My plain statement obviously puzzled her, because she stopped stroking my hair, and turned to look at me blankly. 16

"I.. never mind.." I smiled. "Lets go home."17

I stood up, pulling my stooped mother with me, and glided back to the car. 18

"Do you think I could drive?" I asked, hopefully. 19

Mum nodded, and jumped into the back seat, slamming the door shut, while I slid into the driver's seat, and turned the key in the ignition.20

"Uh, Mum. I want to walk home.." Ryan panicked.21

"Why honey? Addy's driving." Mum responded.22

"Well, that's just it!" He said, a grin spreading over his bronze face. 23

I sighed, and yanked the gear back into drive. I pulled out of the park and tried my best to drive steady for the trip home.