Against the Odds: When opposites Attract.

Chapter 1: Photographs.


She looked up at the clock on top of the oak ledge hanging above the kitchen sink. Then back down to her freshly brewed coffee. Even at 3am she didn’t feel like sleeping. She tapped her foot nervously as she waited for the house phone to ring. The first night in three years they had been out. She was meant to be happy for them. Hoping that they were having the time of their Lives. But now all she could feel was the sickly swelling in her stomach after feeling that something terrible has happened.

The front Door started being battered on by an officers fist. Brooke slowly opened her left eye and frowned as the light from through the curtains shone in her right. The knocks from the door continued to echo into the empty space of the living room where Brooke lay, sprawled across the couch with a thin blanket half draped on the floor. Realising that the sun was out in the middle of the sky it must have been mid day. Brooke panicked. She promised her mom that she’d go out on the lake this morning and help her dad finish of the raft. Then she promised her dad that she’d return home and help mom cook a roast for dinner. But something seemed different. Suddenly she had that clenched feeling in her stomach again. She noticed the half empty coffee mug on the table beside her.

They never came home last night.

She sat still. With her hand holding her face. And took a long deep breath.

The slamming on the door Continued.

She rose from the couch. And slowly tiptoed her bare feet across the wooded floor. She didn’t want to answer the door. Her steps became slower and more quiet. Her face turned to look at the photo of her mom and dad standing together in the Lake. She faintly smiled. She was sure everything was going to turn out to be okay. She kept on walking until she approached the hallway. Many Family photos were located here. Some from vacations and others on the yard. They were old ones and new ones. In all different shapes and sizes. She came to the door that still continued to be beaten on. Her hand touched the knob. She kept it there, still for a moment. But continued to twist until the door swung open. Brooke smiled and looked down do the Officers shoes.

“Brooke Penelope Davis?” He asked. Brooke nodded, Straining to keep the smile on her face.
“ I have some bad news for you” He spoke softly. She closed her eyes. Trying to restrain the tears from falling. Her tears dripped down her cheeks after hearing what the officer informed her about. Like the river valley on top of the mountain were she lived. She grabbed the side of the handle. Trying to keep her self straight and presentable. As the news kept on coming she felt pieces inside her that were built up for many years, fall apart and die. Her legs caved in as she collapsed in the doorway in front of the officer. He stood. Giving her a moment. Brooke let out a mournful shriek, as she wrapped her arms around her legs and rocked Back and Forth.

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She Sat on her bed with her rucksack next to her. In her hand was her favourite family picture.

It was from when she was ten. It was taken right after the first time she ever kissed a boy. His name was Lucas Scott. He lived just across the lake in a small farmhouse. They had been friends for a few months. That day Brooke had fell on a rock on the beach. Her leg
Was bleeding so he carried her over to the lake. As small as he was he managed to carry her. He let her sit down and cupped his hand and dived them into the cold, fresh water. He poured the water from his hand over Brookes cut. She laughed. He told her that only a prince could make this lake magical. And only he can fix the princess that he loved. Brooke blushed. Puckered her lips and planted a small pop kiss on his. Continuing to laugh afterwards. He stayed for a barbeque that day. The sun was shining and everyone was out on the grass. Brooke grandma took a photo of her, Lucas and her parents.

She smiled at the photograph, But it quickly faded as she remembered not seeing him the day after. Or ever again in that fact. Just like she would never see her parents again. The taxi horned making Brooke bounce out of her haze.

She locked the front door. Stepped back and looked at the home she grew up in.

She was never going to see her home again.