Suddenly, the world came into view. Danika was shaking her repeatedly back and forth; screaming her name. Danika stopped when Kattie made eye contact with her.
"What happened?" Danika shouted.
"Flashback," Kattie said softly.
"Yeah? What did you see?"
"Some man took me operated on me made me what I am."
"What? Why would he do that?"
"He said he would give me a new life. That he wanted to help." Kattie paused for a moment and then continued.
"He erased my memories. He tried to make me forget everything. Some how it seems it didn't work. Perhaps, the memory was, by some means, saved on the chip he inserted before he tried to er
The next morning they woke up and began heading down the riverbank again. The terrain started to change and became rockier and the forest dwindled with each step. The river started to shrink as well. As they walked on the river dried up.
"Now where are we?" Danika asked almost rhetorically.
"I believe we're at the edge of the forest. It seems this is now a dessert. Perhaps we are far west of your town." Kattie answered.
Danika gave her an odd look. She wondered if Kattie had a map in her head too.
"We should head back." Danika advised.
"Alright." Kattie replied.
"Which way would be quickest?"
"That way!" Kattie exclaimed.
"We are sout
They woke early with the sun rise. After packing their belongings they started to follow the river downstream. Tired, they walked in silence for awhile. Danika finally broke the silence,
"What's the last thing you remember?"
Katie looked up with sad eyes.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me. I would understand." Danika said quickly.
She regretted even asking such a question.
Katie shook her head.
"No, it's fine. It's better that I tell someone."
Katie was silent for a moment. Finally, she spoke.
"I was walking with my mother in a town named Iceka. We had been doing a little shopping. The town was known for its unique gifts and ar
Danika kept walking into the forest. The farther away from that place the better. Soon though, she would have to find a place to sleep. It would be much easier to find her way in the day time. She came across a tree that was hallowed out inside. It smelt like damp would, but it would do. She had slept in worse. At least this would keep her somewhat dry if it rained. Danika crawled into the hallowed tree and covered herself. She began to fall asleep. Suddenly, she heard a snap of a branch coming from behind. Danika jumped. She feared it was her parents coming to get her. The noise moved around the tree slowly. More twigs snapped and
Ms. Brooks decided to go with the police for the investigation, rather than, venturing off to find Danika herself. Maybe she could be of some help. First, she led them back to the original house, using the snapped branches she had left to find her way. When the police searched the house the confirmed that the house was unsuitable for a child, and there was evidence of abuse. Just as she had feared Danika was in danger. The police didn't seem to find any tracks leaving from the house and that concerned her even more. While the police were busy Ms. Brooks spotted Danika's belongings; along with the box. She folded them up in the blanket that wa
They spent hours walking through the woods. It was so dark she couldn't see anything in front of her, yet her parents seemed to know where they were going. Suddenly, they stopped. Danika could barley make out the makeshift house in front of her. Her father handed Danika's chains over to her mother, and walked into the house. A few minutes later her father returned with some items in his hands. She watched him kneel on the ground and pull out a hammer. He began to hammer this spike into the ground. After he was done her mother handed Danika's chains back to her father. He yanked her forward, forcing her close to him, almost making her fall to
Danika woke with a sudden jerk. Her parents were standing above her. Her shirt was in her father's hand.
"Wake up you little twit. Don't think you can just sleep the day away," her father stated.
Danika didn't understand. What was she suppose to do in this dark room? How would she even know if it was daylight?
"You are such an ugly little child. It's really a surprise I gave birth to you," her mother said cruelly.
Danika hung her head in shame. She knew it wasn't her fault she was born this way, but she couldn't help feeling bad about it. People were always disgusted by her, including her own parents. Danika's thoughts were interrupted wh