The Writers' Circle

"Today is the first day of the rest of my life"   It is a phrase that I have heard over and over throughout my seventeen years but never has it held any meaning, well, until now. Today however is a very momentous occasion in my life. I have been officially adopted. I am currently sitting at the social service office in Uintah county Utah waiting for the finalized papers to be accepted. For the last fourteen years I have lived here in this invariable dust bowl bouncing around from foster home to shelter home, living a life that I did not get to choose. My life up until now has not been a happy one, there is no mistaken that.  I was abruptly awoken this morning by my case worker. She had informed me that my adoption had been finalized and that I was to be sent out on the next train to colorful Colorado to go live with Mary.
I started speaking to Mary about a year ago, at that point I had already thought that I would continue be alone and unwanted by anyone. But somehow, she came into my life I have never really asked any of the staff at the shelter home why she chose me but in all actuality anywhere is better than here. 
"Kimberly?"
I turned my head towards the gruff voice that I knew so well, It was Mrs. Stout, my case worker extraordinaire standing just inside the open doorway. She has been the bane of my existence for the last decade give or take a year. She is quite portly and wore out of date wrinkled dresses constantly, hair graying hair is always drawn up in a tight severe bun she reminds me of one of the proverbial school marms that you hear about in classic fiction novels. The thing that I don't like the most about her though is that she has been the person holding all of the cards my entire life but now, today, I am able to break the strings that bind and begin my life again, for the first time. 
"I had just received the last of the faxes from Mary's attorney so the adoption is completely settled. Your train leaves in about four hours so we had better get you on it." she clipped in an annoyed tone,  coupled with the fact that she still hadn't made her way into the room, but just stood at  tapping her toes with her large arms crossed over her chest made me question why she became a social worker in the first place. It is completely apparent that she does not like her job, but I suppose who am I to care she was no longer my problem. I rolled my eyes and stood with my battered grey suitcase in hand.
It does depress me though that my entire life can fit in this suitcase, I have nothing of value and no mementos from my time here in Utah. I trudged slowly towards the door while she turned briskly and waddled down the hall. I am excited but apprehensive at the same time. 
Although I have never met Mary on multiple occasions over these last few weeks we have talked on the phone but I still don't feel like I know her. Conversations were always very strained at best and most of it was spent trying to figure out something to say other than saying something.  The problem that is at the forefront of my mind though is What if she finds that she doesn't want me, and that I am not able to live up to her expectations. I suppose that I would find it all out when I got there. I arrived at Mrs. Stouts grey four door sedan placed my suitcase in the back seat on the floor board and then slid in and buckled up.
The trip was made in complete silence, she nor I uttered a word, not that there was anything that needed to be spoken, there was no love lost between us with my departure. I took one good last look at Varner City as she drove to the rundown train station on the edge of town. I kept waiting for the wave of nostalgia to flow over me as I watched the scenery pass me by, but there was nothing. Not even the faint tug of a heartstring. I didn't want to contemplate the reasons for that right now and I am saved from even attempting such an idea because we had pulled up in front of the one room dilapidated train station. I hurriedly opened my door then walked around to get my suitcase, and then say my goodbyes to Mrs. Stout, because even though she and I did not get along well, she still has been the only constant in my life thus far and I am a little apprehensive about leaving my comfort zone completely. But to my dismay, as I shut the back passenger door her tires spun on the loose gravel and kicked tiny rocks and dust into the air -she was gone just like that. 
So Here I sit in a dingy rundown train station outside of the town Varner, Utah. The stench of   sweaty sports socks and mint hangs heavy in the air. Dull sand colored plaster walls are chipped showing various layers of multicolored paint falling in chunks onto the solid concrete ground; hailing years of abuse and disrepair. 
	I have been sitting on this blue hard molded plastic chair for the last six hours awaiting the train that will take me to my new home. I have lived in Utah for the past fourteen years of my life. I was abruptly brought into the Utah legal system when I was three years of age. From what my case worker has told me I was found wandering Rocky mountain national forest in Colorado by myself, clothed only in a tattered filthy sun dress. 
The only thing I have left from my parents is a bracelet that encircles my wrist. It has been there for as long as I can remember. I have tried numerous times to take it off, but I have been unsuccessful. It is a very pretty bracelet multiple strands of what looks like silver, intricately woven into knots, there is no clasp that holds the bracelet on. The weird thing is that this bracelet has grown with me. It fit me when I was found at three-which I have no recollection of and it fits me now. I have a secret fantasy that this bracelet is enchanted and will grant me three wishes, but no matter how hard I wish for something it never comes true. Which brings me to now, my life as I know it is about to change again; it is not like I am a stranger when it comes to change. I have lived in three foster homes and various teenage shelters since I was found. I have never had any stability so I have adopted the motto go with the flow, it makes life so much easier to not resist the inevitable. Currently other people are in charge of my life but soon, I will have control in nine short months I will be eighteen and I will be able to decide what I want. Granted, I still don't have any idea what because I am still trying to figure out my past.
	It is very hard to see where you're going when you have no idea where you have been. The Uintah county social service has only sketchy details on my parents, according to records they think they were killed by a bear attack in the mountains of Colorado. They lived a transient lifestyle so nobody knew them really well and there is no record of my birth, how they linked me to them I will never know since their bodies were found years after I had been placed in the foster care system.  They tried to track down any relatives but their search came up empty handed. How I ended up in Utah they are still not sure. 
	I am actually going back to Colorado; I was informed about a month ago by one of the staff members at the shelter where I have lived for the last three years that a lady in Manitou Springs, Colorado is somehow distantly related to one of my parents and that she would take me in. I suppose that I should be grateful  to her that for once in my life someone wants me and I am not a continual burden on the Utah welfare system, but  I am still very apprehensive, hundreds of miles away from the place I know, no monthly meetings  with my case worker. I know precious little about the woman who I am to live with her name is Mary Conner and she is a nurse, she is about 35 years old. Very vague description, but that is how has been everything is in regard to my life-on a need to know basis. So that leads us back again to why I am sitting in a run down smelly train station.  I would think that they would be so excited to get rid of me that they would at least get me a plane ticket, but no, I am to spend 14 hours on a train, which I might add I have never been on one before.
	I looked around the sparsely occupied waiting room of the station; glancing at a petite woman who had a young child in tow trying to precariously balance a tower  three large blue suitcases . She had to be in her late twenties, straw colored hair, emerald eyes, but the thing that I noticed was even though she was scolding the young boy telling him not to dawdle there was a certain underlying look in her eyes, I identified it immediately- love. I have seen it countless times although not once directed towards me. A wave of melancholy washed over me, wondering if I would ever find where I truly belonged or if I am destined to just go through the motions of life but never being part of the big picture. 
	I was broken from my reverie by the sound of a nasally voice coming through an outdated speaker system, the static drown out the speaker and it continually cut out
"Train 234 to Colorado Springs now boarding please meet at platform B have your boarding pass ready." 
Well this was it, it is time for me to move on, I slowly stood stretching my arms above my head to alleviate my stiff muscles and then bent down to retrieve my small gray worn hard-shelled suitcase. It was a parting gift from the shelter home, Nina who was one of the very compassionate staff members there had purchased it from a local second hand store. The suitcase easily contained all of my meager belongings with room to spare. I suppose that has always been a positive, when it has come time to move from one place to another I was able to collect my possessions in record time and not to mention that I am not much of a girly girl anyhow, the only clothes I own are from the local chapter of the salvation army, even then I did not choose the women's clothing that they offered I find them very tight and extremely uncomfortable almost as if my lungs were not able to expand leaving me with a feeling of constant breathlessness; so I picked from the men's section. Jeans and baggy t-shirts are my preferred style of clothing. 	
Turning toward the door that leads to the train platform, I happened to glance out the window one last time at the Utah skyline. I have to admit, it is beautiful, Verner which is where I have been living is the biggest of the cities in Uintah County, population 23000, the county is  part of the prehistoric Uintah Lake which dried up millions of years ago. The claim to fame in this area of the world is our Dinosaur Park. I know that I will miss it here. I keep reassuring myself that I will be back in nine months to continue the life I have left behind.
"Last call for 234 to Colorado springs please board now!"
I heard the train attendant bellow as I approached the edge of the platform, I handed him my single suitcase, handed him my boarding pass, and climbed the stairs to the car. I took one last deep breath of Utah air; it was warm, dry and smelled of sand. I blew the breath out in a sigh and went to find my seat.
	I am quite fortunate because the state booked me into a window seat, I have never ridden on a train before so this is defiantly a new experience, and I slid into the soft cold smoke colored vinyl seats hoping that it wouldn't be too hot in here because there was nothing worse than wearing shorts and sweating, causing your legs to stick to the vinyl. 
	The train then let out a loud deep whistle and then without warning lurched forward sending my head back to hit the back of the seat. It was quite a jolt.  As the train gained speed the scenery flew by very quickly and changed from the barren brown land that I was used to into lush green forests and mountains.  I was awed, I have never been to the mountains since I was found so this was a new experience to me, I attempted to open the window but for some strange reason the latch would not budge and it would not let me even crack it an inch. Disappointed I leaned back on the seat and rested my head on the window watching the world pass by, the steady hum that the train made while in motion on the tracks soon lulled me into sleep.
	I was awoken by a short portly man in a blue uniform; he was shaking my shoulders, as my eyes cleared from the sleep induced fog I heard him exclaim
"We are here miss, Colorful Colorado Springs Colorado." Through his thick mustache I could see the hint of a sincere smile. 
I shifted away from the chilled train window and stretched-reaching my fingertips down to touch my toes, I cannot believe that I had slept most of the way here. The small rickety train platform was all that I could see outside of my window. It was aged and in need of a good painting, the bared wood was bleached into a dusky gray that has been warped by the passage of time. I stood up further working out the kinks in my neck and shoulder muscles while walking over to retrieve my bag. It appears that I am the last one left on the train because my solitary suitcase was easy to spot. I have been known to be a dawdler; there has really been no reason for me to expend energy on anything when other people are constantly dictating my actions. Sighing I headed for the train exit.
	I stepped onto the platform and immediately squinted the blinding September sun had ridden halfway in the sky to east bathing the countryside in a warm glow. I inhaled the crisp thin mountain air noting that the smell of pine permeated my senses. So this is where I would call home. It is vastly different from the almost desert basin that I had grown up in. Everything was green and lush here, a big contrast to the washed out browns and tans of Utah desert. Perhaps living here wouldn't be that bad at all. 
	Inside the station there was a flurry of activity people hugging and smiling at each other Laughter carried throughout the small room.  Scanning the room I saw a woman, dressed in a loud floral peasant skirt and black blouse she is just about my height and has short cropped golden hair.  I noticed that she was looking around the room anxiously holding a sign that simply read "Kimberly." I strode towards her meandering through the crowds of joyful people. This must be Mary, the woman that I would live with the next nine months of my life. Dreading the meeting but wanting to get it over I hurried toward her.  
"Hello, my name is Kimberly, Is your name Mary Conner?" I quietly asked I could hear the quiver in my voice, to be honest I am petrified, not sure if life with her would be reminiscent of my earlier years in foster care. Before I could react she had dropped her sign and had encircled me in a tight hug, I was stunned and could only stand there. I have never been big on affection and physical contact had always been at a minimum I couldn't help but be stiff in her embrace it was new, foreign. Now don't get me wrong I am not opposed to hugs and the like but for me this is probably the first genuine hug I can remember receiving and I have no clue on how to react. I think that Mary sensed that too because she quickly released her hold on me and stepped back.
"I am so sorry" I heard the slight waver in her voice Tears were gathering in her amber eyes and slowly rolling down her cheeks.
"I completely forgot myself, I am Mary and I am so glad that you have chosen to come live with me." She smiled sheepishly.
 How could I tell her that I didn't have a choice -that I was sort of thrust into her life, I never get to make decisions on where I end up, it all has been decided for me. 
"Thank you" was all I could muster I didn't want to hurt her feelings. 
I kept my eyes focused on the ground. With trepidation she reached for my beat up suitcase and took it gingerly from my hand then started toward the front exit of the station. I followed her while she led me to a blue dodge neon srx that was parked about 300 feet of the entrance. She tossed my suitcase in the trunk and then opened my door. I slid into the car and noticed how small the interior actually felt, especially after she had climbed in and shut her door. 
	The drive to her house was made in silence; she had made no attempt at starting conversation. I just stared out at the passing countryside after we drove through Colorado Springs It appeared to be very spread out over the landscape so it did take a while to get out of city limits towards Manitou springs. It was then that I saw the legions of trees and woodlands still summer green standing proud and reaching toward the pale blue cloudless sky it -the sight was astounding almost humbling in a way.  Narrow winding roads lined with Douglas firs and pale aspen trees stretched out in front of the car. After about thirty minutes we approached a small two story cream and green house. It was nothing extravagant but very well maintained; I think my favorite feature was the cream colored wrap around porch and the rickety oak bench swing that hung from rafters above. After parking the car in a double parking space in front of the garage Mary quickly released her seatbelt and exited the car. Doing the same I found her already at the trunk lifting out my suitcase and setting it on the ground. 
"Well, this is it, it is nothing fancy but it is my home, and now it is yours too." Mary had a wide smile stretched across her face while the sun beamed down into her brown-green eyes making them appear to be sparkled with merriment.
 I couldn't help but smile back at her enthusiasm. I followed as she entered the modest house, as I crossed over the threshold immediately the smell of lilacs filled my nose. The house was very tidy, the color scheme was soft warm browns dark greens and dark shades of blue. Mary took me on a quick tour of the downstairs; there was a living room a small kitchen her bedroom and a bathroom. 
"I have remodeled the upstairs a bit, it is quite small but there was enough space for a bedroom and a bathroom so I fixed it up for you." She hurriedly spoke as we climbed the staircase to the next level, the landing opened up into a single room it had a slanted roof the walls were made of what looked like oak planks it was very bright due to the large window seat that faced to the east and the overly large skylight that let in the bright noon sunlight.
"This is your room, I hope you like it. I will leave you to unpack and get settled, after your done if you want you could join me downstairs so we can get to know each other. I am sure that this has been very hard on you, but hopefully it will become easier and you will be able to think of here as home." She smiled and then with a swish of her skirt she turned her bobbing blond tresses disappearing down the staircase.  
The room was very sparsely decorated there was a old black wrought iron framed bed in one corner of the room  A oak nightstand beside it with a small gray lamp and an alarm clock. On the opposite wall stood a long dresser with a large mirror on top, a closet to the right and a lovingly worn rocking chair near the alcove by the staircase. It in actuality is the nicest room I have ever been in, and it is the first time I have not had to share a room with other girls. I spun around with my arms spread out like a bird below the skylight I could feel the warmth penetrate the thick tempered glass and shine on me lifting my spirits. I quickly put away my clothes and stowed my suitcase in the almost empty closet. 
	I am dreading going downstairs to meet with Mary, she is nice enough I suppose but the whole getting to know you routine is something that I try to avoid at all costs, what is the point of getting to know people when they are just going to leave you or get rid of you. I have never been a problem child, I speak when spoken to and my grades are roughly about average. I have never given anyone a reason to complain; I stay out of sight and follow the rules. After a while it comes easy being at someone's beck and call, especially if you fear the person making the rules.  I plopped on my bed the mattress and felt it sag slightly with the addition of my increased weight. Confused, I started picking at the fuzz balls that were on my faded black hoodie. I don't now how it came to this in my life, then it dawned on me like a ton of bricks that even after living in Utah for the first part of my life that there is no one waiting for me to come back. I never had many friends and the few that I did have were in similar predicaments as me. It is hard to get close or to relate to someone if they have no idea what it is like to be completely alone, to have no family, Heck I don't even know when my real birthday is or if Kimberly is my real name. How depressing is that.  I stared out the open bay window and saw a wooded glen, I smiled to myself brimming with excitement at the though of being able to explore and to wander. I have never been so close to nature before and the thought of being a part of everything sends a shiver or excitement down my spine. Perhaps it is time for me to change, to try to be more outgoing and optimistic. Being a wet blanket never helped anyone achieve anything. Yes! That seems like the simplest answer.  Feeling lighter I stood up and decided to get the pleasantries over with Mary; Quickly I ambled down the steps. 
	I found Mary standing over the double sink in the outdated kitchen. I paused and looked at her before I made my presence known. Her face was twisted in concentration and I could here her muttering under her breath but I couldn't make out the words. She turned back to the stove and stirred something that smelled eerily like green peppers and onion in a blackened skillet. I leaned against the door jamb and continued to watch her prepare what I am sure is dinner. Her movements are very subtle but graceful as she flitted around the kitchen. After a few minutes I figured I would not get to know her any better just standing here without talking to her so I announced
"Hello Mary, the room is great thank you, and something smells really delicious, I cannot remember the last time I have smelled something so wonderful." To be honest I have no idea what she was cooking but it did smell good, My stomach took that opportunity to rumble I didn't eat at all on the train because I forgot the lunch my social worker packed for me back in her car as she drove me to the station. 
	Mary turned from the stove and grinned, "Hello Kimberly, I am glad you like it. Dinner is nothing extravagant just some basic stir fry, I was pretty sure that you would be hungry and I have to be to work at 7 but if you want we can talk until then." She then faced the stove again and turned off the burner
"Have a seat and make yourself comfortable, this is your home too you know" she said offhandedly as she filled two plates with rice.  I looked around the homey kitchen and slid into one of the kitchen chairs. Mary set a heaping plate of stir fry in front of me it really did look good. For the better part of an hour, Mary talked and I just listened. I found out that she is a nurse at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs; she works a lot of overtime and varying shifts so either she is sleeping or she is working. There would not be much time for us to catch up but she assumed that I was used to taking care of myself.  For that sentiment I am very grateful, maybe things are looking up and I will be more in charge of my own life.	
We cleaned the kitchen together as soon as it was done she had to rush and get ready for work. "Bye Kimberly I hope to see you before you go to school tomorrow. Sleep well, and there are extra blankets in the hallway closet downstairs... If you need me call Memorial the number is on the fridge. I think that is it, she quickly reached out and gave me a tight hug and placed a kiss on my forehead then just as suddenly, hastened out the door locking it behind her with a click.
I sank into the tan leathery sofa in the living room leaning my head against the back I looked up at the ceiling fan and wondered, how school was going to be tomorrow, The school year had already started so I would be starting late, I really hope that my teachers don't make me introduce myself in front of the class. I hate being singled out; I would rather fade into the background. 
I also realized that I had forgotten to ask Mary how she knew my parents, it has plagued me the last ten years or so to know who I am and where I come from, or at least did I get my mousy brown hair from my mother or my brown eyes from my father. Most importantly, did they love me? Knowing I was not going to figure out anything tonight I trudged up the stairs to my room. I went to my dresser and pulled out a pair of black ratty sweats and a dingy white tank top, changed into them and climbed into bed. I am more exhausted than I thought I fell promptly to sleep but not before checking my alarm clock and made sure that it was set and on.  
	It's amusing to me how you remember some things in your life and then there are others you don't because the next thing I realized is that I was caught up in a dream, or a nightmare for that matter. Opening my eyes I realized that I was standing outside, the frigid air seeped through my plaid pajamas brushing up my heated skin. I shivered involuntarily
Peering into the darkness around me I started to see outlines of objects that surrounded me as my eyes started adjusting to the lack of light. I recognized that I am standing somewhere in a small forest clearing. I could hear nothing beyond the thrum of my heart. There was neither a whisper of wind nor the call of an owl just mind numbing silence. I was almost tempted to make some noise so I could keep my sanity but the silence was abruptly broken for me. Faintly I heard rustling sounds behind the curtains of blue black pine trees. 
Subtly, the full moon slunk out from behind wisps of silvery clouds that sporadically filled the night sky and bathed the clearing in a pale silver haze. The crunching of leaves and snapping of branches steadily came closer and I could make out voices. At first they were too far away to make out any intelligible conversation or how many but as they finally ran
 into the clearing through the dense thicket that settled on the forest floor I was finally able to hear and see them clearly. It was if the moon had transformed into an enormous florescent light bulb and inundated the clearing with light. Just there just beyond the canopy of trees were three of them, a young woman and a man who carried toddler who's years could have totaled no more than four. 
My eyes zeroed in on the woman was about ten paces in front of her companion while she stumbled forward falling most ungracefully to the ground and landing on her knees. She was very petite woman she had auburn hair that haphazardly hung in front of her face while she faced the ground but I could see patches of flawless pastel skin that graced her arms and legs. Pushing herself up from the ground her face came into view. Contorted in terror that is the only way to describe it. Her eyes were as cesspool of pain and fear. Before I could even move toward her to assist her up her male companion was at her side and grabbed her slightly bleeding elbow helping her to stand. 
	The man was very tall he had very broad shoulders the material of his t-shirt stretched over his russet skin. From this vantage point I could not see his face as it was obscured by the small child. She was beautiful, chocolate colored hair and her eyes are like brown endless pools, reflecting her emotions to the outside world. Tear streaked cheeks and ruddy skin were proof that she was crying. She was afraid. But of what I am not sure. 
The woman brushing off her now mud caked ivory sun dress started to speak.

"Do you think that it is still behind us?"
"I don't hear anything but that doesn't mean its not there, you know it wants her."  He said breathlessly. 
He turned slightly and I could finally see his face. He had very prominent cheekbones that set off his deeply set amber eyes His mouth was drawn into a straight line as he looked deep in thought. It was then in the distance that I heard a low guttural howling. The slight woman stiffened and looked at her companion fearfully

"What are we going to do?" 

"It hasn't stopped we cannot keep running this is what we're going to do" he whispered while running a tan hand down her cheek. "You are going to take the baby and run, run as far and as fast as you can. I will buy you some time but I probably won't last long." He trailed voice echoing with despair. 

"No!" I will not leave you" the woman adamantly stated. 

"Kenzy, you know he will stop at nothing to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled. He will kill all of us if you stay." he admonished

	Kenzy looked at him her eyes brimming with tears." I love you, Sean" Then she rose on her tip toes and gave him a kiss and retrieved the baby from her companions arms and then she was gone.  At this I felt a flicker of recognition shoot through me. It was almost a deja-vu moment.
His eyes followed their exit and stayed transfixed on the spot where they disappeared until a very thunderous crashing noise reverberated in the woods. In an instant Sean broke out of his trance and turned around. He pulled a knife out of a scabbard and took a defensive stance all the while the noise was approaching, and sounding more malicious. 
The ground shook. Trees groaned and snapped and then toppled like they were mere matchsticks.  I tried to back away from the sound but I could not move. It was if someone had glued my feet to the ground. The noise was almost deafening. Then without warning a creature leapt from the forest right toward the man in the clearing. 
The beast was hideous, from where I stood I could only see the brown/black wiry hair that covered its body as it stood on two legs easily dwarfing the man that stood a good ten feet away. Its face was similar to a human but more sinister its black face was covered in the same hair that covered its body and its eyes were narrowed and iridescent red. Gnashing its teeth as it growled it then crouched I could see the muscles bunching then releasing as he lunged at the man. The male deftly ducked low to the ground and the creature sailed over him. 
While the beast was landing with a loud thud the man whipped around and ran towards the saskwatchish figure with his arm raised, the dagger glinting slightly in the moon light. Fighting with every ounce of strength that he possessed the man attempted to plunge the knife it into the back for the foul beast. But the evil being was   quicker, it rapidly spun around and swung his gigantic hand connecting with the comparatively elfish man and sent him sailing completely across the diminutive clearing Slamming into a nearby aspen tree with a hollow thud.  Without wasting time the animal sprinted over to the now crumpled human.  
No sound erupted from my lips as I inhaled deeply and forced the air out.  And I couldn't move either I felt as if I was coated in cement and it was hardening freezing me in position.  There was nothing that I could do, I just stood there watching this ghastly scene unfold before my eyes, I have never felt so helpless in my life. The man was slowly raised his head struggling with all his might to right himself, cherry colored blood seeped out of a deep wound on his forehead. His left arm contorted into an unnatural angle. Before the man could react the creature pinned him back against the side of the pale tree trunk. My vision was obstructed with the back of the beast hovering over the now captive man. I could hear the creature growling deeply I could actually picture the large razor sharp  teeth, and the saliva dripping out of the gums mixing with the putrid smelling coarse hair that lined his mouth and chin.
 I felt my heart pounding in my chest expecting it to beat through my rib cage and falling onto the ground in front of me. I could hear the muffled cries of the man growing stronger as the beast continued his assault until the minute screams erupted into a high blood curdling screech. It was at that point I believe my heart stopped beating, all that I could see beyond the backside of the monster was an occasional movement of the mans bloody limbs as he tried to free himself from the slow torture. The scream quickly turned into a deep gurgle and soon fell silent, I also saw the legs that were fighting to get free from the hideous animal has also become still  
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flash of white, it was the woman who had run off but somewhere she had left the baby behind. An anguished war cry sounded reverberating in the cool night air simultaneously with the plunge of the woman's ornate dagger sinking into the flesh of the oblivious animal. The beast howled in pain and turned unexpectedly knocks the woman to the ground while concurrently thrusting its razor sharp claws into her stomach then retreated hastily into the forest all the while the whimpers of pain decreased until there was only the deafening silence of the now still forest. 
The woman lye on the ground for a few moments while I was futilely trying to move my body so I could go attend to her wounds all the while watching her once ivory dress become marred by four crimson spots that were spreading at an alarming rate. I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. Only able to watch but not able to help, it was wearing on my body and my spirit I want this nightmare before me to end.   I saw the woman take in a deep ragged breath, I was sure that it would be her last, but to my surprise she forced the air out into a scream.
 "Eibhlihin." The woman sobbed.
Nothing but silence, I looked around the clearing and it reminded me of some of the horror movies that I had seen at the movies or on TV but never thought that I would witness in my lifetime. The lifeless man slumped near the base of the white tinged aspen trunk his body covered in congealed blood, blank eyes fixed but not seeing. Then the woman struggling to get up calling something and quickly depleting her energy I could tell that she does not have much time left the blood has left her face and each intake of breath was followed by a gasp. She screamed again "Eibhlihin" her voice broke gurgling the last syllable.
 Across the clearing I could see some of the low lying leaves stirring the little girl that had been with the brown hair woman crawled slowly out from beneath the lowest of the branches of the shrubbery I could not see her face he head was bent down so she was staring at the grass as she avoided the tangle of sticks and twigs that littered her path out of the foliage. Once in the clearing the little girl braced her hands on the ground and pushed herself up in to a standing position then ran over to the woman who was fading fast. I could see the sickly white sheen of her face and the ever growing pool of red that spread over her once pristine dress. 
The chubby dark haired girl stopped abruptly as her vision narrowed in on the body that was resting at the base of the tree. I could actually feel her sobs of agony tightening the now present noose around my heart with every step as she ambled towards the almost dead woman. 
"I know baby, Daddy's gone now." It took great effort for the woman to grab the girl and encircle her with her arms pulling her closer to her chest and burrowing her lips in the soft chocolate curls.
"Mommy does not have much time left either, but there is something that I need to give you"  From my vantage point I couldn't  see exactly what she was doing but I could hear the anguish in her voice and the sorrow at leaving what I now know is her daughter. I wanted to help, help her, take the girl but I am stuck I cannot move from this spot held by some unnatural force. 
"This is for you Eibhlihin it will keep you safe and protect you from the evil that will undoubtedly surround you. This is the last thing I can give you, oh my precious baby, I love you." Tears streamed down her face as she attached as bracelet on the little girls wrist. Her sporadic shallow breathing prevented her from speaking anymore her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her body fell flaccidly to the ground, arms that were holding the little girl to her released and she too died. I looked at the little girl who had thrown herself over the top of the woman sobbing uncontrollably and noticed a faint glimmer in the quickly receding light. 
I came into consciousness simultaneously with the incessant buzzing of the alarm clock. Still paralyzed with fear I stared up to the ceiling and gazed through the skylight, concentrating on the pale pinks and purples that swam in my vision, trying to block out the horrifying scene that I had just witnessed.  I could feel the pounding of my heart trying to make a conscious effort to slow it down to a normal pace because echo of such beating was pounding in my ears furthering my anxiety. I remained still for what seemed like hours but I am sure it was just minutes the shrilling pitch of my alarm clock reverberated through out the room. I rolled over and turned off the alarm clock with great effort as my legs were tangled in my stiff comforter. Running a hand through my damp hair I mustered enough energy to untangle myself and swing my legs over the side of  bed into an upright position. By this time my heart was well on its way to becoming a gentle gallop instead of the raging stampede that it was previously. The shadows which were spattered across my room started to disappear as I got my breathing under control. 
	I glanced to over at my alarm the neon green display read ten after six. Relief flooded through me I would not have to rush to get to school on time today. This made me feel a little better.
	I have had this vision before twice that I can remember, The first time was when I was around 8 years old, it was the night before I was removed from my at the time foster mothers house her husband had come home in a drunken rage and took it out on me and I ended up in the hospital with 2 broken ribs and a collapsed lung.  The tone in that dream was different though, it was not so ominous it was just of the three people running through the forest, I had woken before anything had happened. 
The second time the dream replayed was when I was 10 years old living in the shelter home, no one paid attention to the children. The staff would instead pass the time reading or watching the TV, as long as you didn't bother them there was no problem. I vaguely remember that I had been ill for days but I didn't want to bug my caretakers because upsetting them would result in losing the few privileges that I had earned at the time like going out into the backyard and playing on the decrepit swing set that they had built there.  My room was in the basement, I shared it with six other girls about my age, everyone had gone to school and I was the only one home at the time.
 I remember staying huddled in my scratchy thin cotton blanket my temperature was raging but I extremely cold. So I slept most of that afternoon, the dream took a more sinister turn it was again like the scene from a horror movie but I did not get past the point where the lady attacks the hideous beast, I do remember the acrid smell though of his fur.. It is a stench that you do not soon forget. I don't actually remember waking up from the dream, but the next thing that I remembered was lots of people in white hovering above me, examining me.  That night I had emergency surgery to remove my appendix, had the staff not checked on me and rushed me to the hospital I was told that I would have been dead by morning because my appendix had already ruptured and the toxins were invading my body.
	I sat for a while wondering why the dream occurred this time  I can tell  for certain  that I am not sick or hurt, nor am I endanger of dying so I was left feeling unsettled again.  I clearly remember the lady, and how the little girl looked up at me, her haunting brown eyes staring into mine as if she was trying to tell me something.  Then I remember the bracelet.  I have one just like it on my wrist. I looked down and rubbed it.  Hmm that is odd.. It to me seems like an ordinary bracelet but I have never figured out how to take it off, there are no clasps to release the intricately woven silver band  that encircles my wrist, the seriously weird thing about it though is that it always seems to fit. As I grow the bracelet seems to grow with me. I am not superstitious and I don't believe in fairies and creepy crawlers that go bump in the night. If anything I am practical and level headed since the only one I have been able to count on is myself. Well now I have Mary too. 
Breaking me from my reverie the snooze had run out and the piercing noise resumed with vengeance. Wobbly, I stood then reached toward the alarm clock and turned it off.  While stretching I realized what today was; the dream now forgotten.  I reached my arms upward trying to shake off the stiff feeling, and walked to my closet and grabbed the first pair of jeans and shirt that was in the cramped space
	Jumping into the shower I hurriedly washed myself and set out to get dressed, I had chosen a pair of baggy jeans and a plain black t-shirt it was quite comfortable, and there is nothing more that makes me smile than being comfortable.  Making short order of the shoes and socks I abruptly stood and brushed out my hair. I think that Brown is such a dull and boring color. I sometimes picture myself with blonde hair, I am always hearing about how blonds have more fun.  Why not be a different me? New school new town new me hey I have nothing to lose. I file this to the back of my head for future reference. I looked over to my nightstand where my alarm resided, Seven o'clock.  I swiftly grabbed my favorite hoodie and black backpack then casually trotted down the steep stairs two at a time.
	About half way down I smelled bacon and eggs.  Taken aback I realized it was Mary and she was cooking breakfast so I quickly jumped down the last two steps and landed on the ground then skipped into the kitchen. Mary was in front of the stove completely dressed in her scrubs, pushing scrambled eggs onto a plastic dinner plate. Gracefully lowering myself into the chair parallel to the kitchen I chirped to Mary,  
"Morning Aunt Mary, did you have a good day at work yesterday?"
I think that I startled her because she almost dropped the pan of eggs onto the plate recovering only at the last minute.
"Oh my goodness Kimberly Don't sneak up on me like that again; I thought I was having a heart attack." Mary admonished while setting the empty pan back on the stove. She then walked over to the table and sat the heaping plate of food in front of me.  
Awkwardly she hugged me from behind, 
."Did you sleep alright?"
"It was alright, I am  not used to it here" I replied then cringed as the nightmare I had last night tickled my consciousness but then recovered hoping she wouldn't read to much into it I covered "I am a little anxious though about starting school though I have been so out of touch with people lately." I said dejectedly trying to cover up my lie but inside I was truly excited to start my new school, to have the chance to start a new life. 
It's not going to be that bad, you will do fine, I am sure you're a good hearted person, and everyone will love you. Come on now and eat your breakfast."
I looked at the plate of food in front of me, grabbed my fork and began eating. Mary sat down on the opposite side of the kitchen table sipping a cup of coffee full of cream and sugar. 
"Mary do you want some coffee with your cream?" I asked. 
"Ha-ha very cute Kim." She said while scrunching her nose at me 
"Well I have no idea how in the world that you can drink that even with the extras. it is so bitter-ewww.."
"I must admit it is an acquired taste. I didn't care for it much in high school myself It was more a college thing, you know late night cram sessions with lots of caffeine mmm Yum." She admonished. 
It surprised me how we just jumped into playful banter this morning, Perhaps it was because I want this to work I want to figure out who I am and eventually be happy. 
 Mary glanced at her watch.  "Oh my goodness will you look at the time, She hurriedly put her empty coffee cup in the sink and went into the other room grabbing her purse.
	 "I have some errands to run this morning so I have to get going but I will see you after school and we can catch up on your day then."
 "Okay, I will see you then."  Mary walked back to the table and abruptly dropped a kiss on the top of my head and then all but ran out the door.