Excerpt: Our Changing Summer

Have you ever felt terror? Real terror? The kind that leaves you paralyzed as your life rushes from your thoughts like blood from a deep wound. That's what I'm starting to
feel now. I know if I open my eyes all the way, I will remember what happened. I will feel that panic again. So I lie here, not moving, not wanting anyone to know I'm awake. I lie here praying, that darkness will drown me. But my eyes open in betrayal.

"Get the doctor." I hear a woman say, "She's waking up."

"Should we get the police and her mother?" another voice asks.

The police? My mother? With a flash of recognition, I swallow in an attempt to push down my fear. As the nurse leaves, an officer comes in and starts asking questions about what happened two nights ago.

Two nights ago? My mind is so foggy. I see my mom over the officer's right shoulder. She's crying. The nightmare I have been trying to avoid plays across her face. My mind rushes into fast-forward. I remember it all before sweet darkness wraps me in its soothing arms and cradles me to an escape...

They say another day has come and gone, but I can't tell one from another. Mom has not left my side, of this I'm sure. Each time evil chases me back into the cruel world, she is there to calm me. It's during those moments, not quite awake not quite asleep, that I remember.

How we came into each other's lives. How alike we were. How much time we had to grow-up and to live. Our future together. Or so we thought.