In loving memory:

Karen Gose.

Godspeed, my friend. Godspeed.

Two shots echoed into the night. One of them found its’ way into my exposed back; the other, who knows where. The wind whipped across my body, pouring into the holes caused by the bullets. I didn’t care to stop and assess the pain; I just needed to keep running. I didn’t know or care where I was going. All I knew was that I needed to get out of that house. I can't keep living with the insanity called my mother. If you're asking about my father I don't even know the guy. Probably some drunk guy on a friday night hookup. I could hear her coming after me. I skirted the corner and booked it up a tree.  

The sirens were unable to creep up on me and I thanked God for the miracle that someone came to save me. I jumped out of the tree and waved over to them and their cars flew to a stop and people hurled out and the next thing I knew I was on the ground, handcuffed. 

"Sir, you have the wrong idea. I've done nothing wrong! I'm the victim here" I stated loudly. 

"Save it for the judge" the police man barked at me. 

He flipped me up to my feet and dragged me over to a group of people.

"Ma'am, is this the delinquent that has been harassing you?" 

"Yes Sheriff. That's the one" My Mother replied. 

"Excuse me? Harassing you? All you ever do is harass me. You took a freaking gun to me twenty minutes ago."

"Well then why they hell do I have a bullet wound in my shoulder?" 

"Ladies, enough. You're coming with me, miss." The sheriff heaved me towards his car and then forced me into the depths of the backseat. 

This. This is the life I live.  

5661 of 5762.

Darkness. Nothing but darkness for the past couple of days. But then a door I didn't know to exist opened and in walked a group of people. 

“Jennifer, it’s nice to meet you. I am Dr. Tran, child psychologist and social worker. This is Sheriff Jones, and Detective Littalker. We're here to investigate." Crap, was my first thought. It seemed pretty accurate for a first thought. Dr. Tran picked up on my hesitation and added “Don’t worry. I’m here to help you."

I stood up and sat in the chair that was laid out for me.  

"Jennifer, I know you’re better than this, and you are worth what you’re going through. I know you can make better choices, and I want you to make them. You have so much to live for, which will all going to go to waste if you don’t make better choices.”

"Better choices? What wrong choices did I ever make?"

"Drugs? They're found throughout your body. You're quite lucky to be alive." 

"I'm sorry but you must have the wrong idea. I'd never do drugs."

"It wasn't found in your bloodstream, but you wreaked of alchohol and marijuana when you came here. Not to mention the bullets found in your back. And the gun with your prints on it" Dr. Tran stated. 

"You don't even know me. I don't feel like I have to explain myself to someone I don't even know."

"If you want to live, you'd better start talking. You're facing some pretty hefty charges."

I sat there in silence. What was I supposed to say?

Why would anyone who lives in a status of wealth, live such an undercover life?”

            “It’s the only way I’ve found to escape reality.”