• [Anysa]

    I slammed my door shut and locked it, then jumped on my bed, ripping the pillows apart. Pieces of cotton were flying everywhere.
    “He’s insane, that b*****d!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. That man is a wretched monster! The devil himself! I can’t believe he’s doing this—
    “What happened?” Mini asked worriedly.
    “Everything!” I finally blew up, emotions running everywhere. My tears stung hard. “I can’t believe…just can’t…he’s finally…” I gulped.
    “No…he isn’t—“
    “He is” I hugged my knees close to my chest. “I...I…don’t want to…!” every inch of my body quivered at the thought of it. Even with my eyes shut tight, it didn’t stop the tears. I could feel Chee snuggle against my ankle. Mini was doing something but I didn’t know what. Then a click. Music started playing, soft, solemn, and magical. The music box Jen gave to me. That made me want to cry even more but the song was so enchanting that it made me calmer. My mind flowed with images of summer nights, fireflies floating around, cherry petals gliding on the warm breeze, the stars twinkling in the largest of clusters like a diamond river in the dark sky. The best part of it was that I was with Boa, Jen, Trek, Kert, and Roger. They were all messing around like they always did, but they looked like little kids. I wonder what they look like now. Do they still act the same? Kert with his proud skills and smart mind, Trek with his clumsy ways and positive energy, Jen with his sarcasm and sense of humor, And Roger. Roger…his kind words and determination. The way he chases adventure whenever it comes his way. He was always gentle and understanding.
    Something nudged against my arm. I looked at it—a box. Mini was handing me a box, a present. It was wrapped up and in a bow. I wiped off tears still clinging to my cheeks. I haven’t opened this yet. The gift Roger gave me on the last birthday together. I took it and ripped the wrapping paper. I hesitated before taking the lid off.
    “Oh…” it was so beautiful, the way it glistened silver and Deep Ocean blue. There was a sun and a gemmed crescent inside it. Swirls curved gently around it, smooth and delicate. I put it on. “This necklace…it’s amazing” I started to cry again, quieter this time.
    “What’s wrong?”
    I shook my head and hugged her and Chee. “You think they’re okay? That they must be living on their lives okay?”
    “Yes”
    Chee squeaked.
    “I wonder…” I paused. “If they’re already married…found the love of their life. Roger…I wonder if he too…found a different girl to—“
    “No. That can’t be true” Mini objected.
    “It’s been four years—“
    “Stop saying that. Don’t even think that”
    I know I shouldn’t but…but…
    “It’s okay”
    I smiled. That was Rogers’s line, my favorite thing to hear. “If they didn’t have a normal, settled down life, what would they be doing then?”
    “They could be…” she waited for me to finish the sentence. “For you they would…” she wanted me to say it.
    “Rescue me” I said it sarcastically but part of me believed it was true. No, it can’t be, can it?
    The music stopped playing.
    “If what they’re doing is true, I hope they’ll make it before—” I balled my fists. “Before new years, my sixteenth birthday” I took a stuttering breath. “The day I marry the Master”

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