[Untitled]
an excerpt

Suddenly there was a crash of thunder and rain came pouring down on the rooftop. The windows were wide open and everyone rushed to close them. Melissa's head was spinning. Hope was only nine years old, and she hated rain. Where could she be?
Then, a sharp, frightened scream was heard across the mountain. They all stood silent. The scream sounded exactly like Hope.
"She shouldn’t be out there. It isn’t safe!" Mrs. Gardener yelled over the wind. "We're going to have to go out and look for her."
Melissa nodded and ran to the coat closet. The pulled out yellow raincoats, rain hats, and umbrellas covered in mud. Everyone grabbed the things and headed for the door. Melissa also pulled out a dark, brown box which was marked, in bright purple marker, "Emergency Box." The Gardeners lived far from the nearest hospital or fire station. They needed to be ready if there was an emergency. In the box were six, small candles, a few yards of frayed rope, and an old compass. She threw them into her backpack and ran after the others, out the door into the pouring rain.
They headed for the entry to the forest, onto the path that lead to Charles's house. The rain seemed to be falling harder as they followed the trail. Their boots sloshed in the wet mud. Just as Melissa was about to suggest a different route, thunder cracked again. Her suggestion was caught in the loud thunder.

* * * * * * * * * *

Knock knock knock.
“Come in,” Rosie said from behind the closed door.
The door creaked open. Rosie was lying on the floor, looking up at the celing fan. It was going around and around as she watched it, thinking.
“What are you doing on the floor?” her mother asked.
“Thinking.”
“On the floor?”
“Yeah, I like to think on the floor,” Rosie said, still looking at the celing. ‘What does it matter to you, anyway?”
“The phone’s for you.”
“Why didn’t you say so in the first place?” She picked up the phone. “Yeah hi. Hello? Oh! Hi, um, yeah. Could you hold on?” She waved her hand, directing her mother to leave. “Can’t I have some privicy? Gosh!” she hissed, holding her hand over the reciever.
“Okay, fine,” her mother said, leaving.
“Okay I’m back,” Rosie said into the phone. “Mhm. Oh! Really? You’re kidding! Who? No WAY! Are you sure? No, well, I talked to her today at school.... What did she say? Well, I guess she was in a good mood, but she didn’t say much. Something about-- No way! THAT’S why? What a bitch! Oh, um, sorry. Okay good. But seriously. No, I don’t think so...”
The convirsation went on like this for awhile. After about forty five minutes, Rosie said “Bye” and “G’nite!” with renewed enthusiasm. Then she hung up.
“OH MY GO-O-O-O-O-O-O-D!” she screamed. Then she did a little dance. She grabbed the phone again and dialed.
“Hi! Is Ana there? Yes, It’s Rose. Oh, sorry Mrs. Jade. It’s really important, though.