They said everything was going to be fine. Even if it was cold.

And dark.

I’m scared of the dark.

They said that they were playing hide and seek with me. Momma told me, “Find us and then we’ll go back home, okay dear?”

The other times, once I said, “I give up,” they’d make their way over to me. I’m saying it now, but they’re still hiding.

Where did Momma and Papa go?

I tried climbing those tall trees like all those adventurers did in those movies to get a view from high up, but it was too slippery and I fell. It hurt.

I’m bleeding now.

Momma will come out to kiss it better, right?

That’s what she always did.

Then why am I still standing here? I’m hungry. What are we having for dinner?

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I don’t think I like this game anymore.

Am I going to die?

Wait, five year olds don’t die so that means I’m alright. Only the old people die.

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I hear thunder.

I hate thunder.

Papa would hug me when I was scared.

Where is he?

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I’m scared.

I’m not a crybaby.

But I’m really scared.

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They’re not coming back…are they.

The rain pattered on the window pane, the fierce wind caused the house to creak and groan. my bedroom was by the window and even though I had my Star Wars blanket wrapped around me I was still very cold and alone

I was supposed to be in bed an hour ago but I just sat there with my arms propped on my window ceil and my teddy bear in my lap Coco my little white and chocolate Pom Pom doggy laid besides me sleeping. Everyone was sleeping but I couldn’t I just looked out the window and saw the world stand still peaceful yet eerie. Until I saw in the distance a car pulled up to our house then a figure got out and started walking to the door. I turned to look at my door and light bled through the bottom I heard my fathers heavy footsteps go down the hall There were low voices I could barely make out what they were saying I heard the voices get louder then a gun shot rang out

My heart dropped into my stomach my stomach felt in my throat I heard screaming then foot steps to my door Mom came in crying as she pulled me protectively close

“Everything will be ok, Romingo stay strong for mommy please.” The person came up the stairs then dragged me away from my mom

I tried to break away but I couldn’t the man held me down while another guy put a muzzle on my face

My mom was begging for them not to take me

The gruff voice said “Go live a normal life Marry a real man, and not give birth to a Wolfbane freak.”

Roughly led me to the out of the house and to the care moms last words still echoed in my head “it’s gonna be ok..” but I knew it wasn’t parents always lie Now mine are gone

It was early one morning. Raining. Cold. I was five.

My parents said everything… Everything was going to be fine. Well… Parents lie.

It was Christmas. Actually. We were at Grandpa Tom’s house. And he was dying. Brain cancer.

I was five. Well, when you’re that age, You don’t understand death. Death is like, “I’ll be on a vacation for the rest of my life.”

Haha. That is actually probably exactly what I was thinking. Oh, Grandpa Tom isn’t waking up for his vacation.

Now I look back on that and think, He passed away in his bed. And I was in his room when it happened. I watched as his eyes closed.

I watched as his breathing stopped. I remembered that day vividly. Right after, Grandma Cheryl cried. I just continued playing.

I wish I told him I loved him so much. I wish I told him how happy I was, that he battled cancer for four years. But I was five.

And now… he’s gone.

(Very personal prompt for me. It hit home.)

It was late one night. Raining. Cold. I was five. Hiding upstairs. It the grownups room. Under the sheets. Suffocating, I could hardly breathe. That’s when she approached me. My friend. Or so I thought. She took advantage of me. Did things I never dreamed. Took my very innocence. Broke me at every seem. Told me I needed to learn this so I’d know how to be with others. I was FIVE, I didn’t have a lover. Too stunned to speak. So I kept it inside. Until I was to troubled to continue to lie . My parents said everything was going to be fine. Parents lie. They also never did anything about it. Said to much time passed. And I think that hurts the most. That they got away with it. Every unwarranted thing. I was just a kid. And now it’s too late.

Ghost

They repeated their false assurances until the words had blurred into each other. Until the rain stopped beating against the windows and the shattering of glass stirred the ruckus. Until they were found in the cellar. I was in a hidden compartment. Now, as I heard their screams and pleas for mercy, the words rushed back. We love you. Everything will be fine. Parents lie.

I love y’all so much for the pictures and you guys are awesome thanks so much I appreciate you

It was late one night. Raining. Cold. I was five. My parents said everything was going to be fine. Parents lie.

That must have been the first time I came across the concept of lying. I guess in this case it was a white lie.

It’s going to fine.

They kept repeating it. Over and over. Till it became a meaningless slogan. An echo with no emotion.

Father packed his bags over the next couple of days. Slowly. Taking his time to make sure everything was in order. He’s only paused to hold my mother close as she wept.

I’d hide under my bed. Sometimes I’d see his feet in the doorway. He’s lean down and his face swallowed my vision.

You okay champ?

No

If you want to talk...

No

And then he’d leave.

We had our last dinner together on the Sunday. Mother made us say grace. Her hands held my father’s. Tight. My sister’s hand held mine, who I turn held my mother’s. Our heads bowed as my sister gave thanks for the meal that lay before us. My father squeezed my hand softly, and I looked up. He winked at me and we said amen.

The next morning we all got up early to join him at the train station. The place was busy with tears and strong brows. Men with packs slung over there shoulders.

It’ll be fine

I’ll be back before you know it

I’ll bring you back a stone from the beaches For your collection

He hugged my mother one last time. Kisses my sister on the forehead.

Finally he kneeled down in front of me. My eyes were glued to my feet. He drew my head to his gaze. He began to start speaking, but the words trailed off.

In that silence, instead, he stared at me. He didn’t say any words, no final goodbyes. He just smiled, and I smiled back. Cause I knew that we didn’t cry. We didn’t show emotion. My grandfather hadn’t when he’d been sent off. His father before as well.

He drew me close one last time, and boarded the train. We waved amidst the crowd. Mother was worried he would lose us. As the carriage drew away, he never took his eyes from us. Mother broke down in my sisters arms. I stood still, and wished I’d said something. Anything.

He was brought back the following year. His eyes closed. His smile faded.

It’ll all be fine, they said.

Parents lie.

It was late one night. Raining. Cold. I was five. My parents said everything was going to be fine. Parents lie. I’ve tried my best to squash the memory down, to pretend like it was all some bad dream, but every once in a while- when I was listening to melancholy tune, or hiding in a dark and small place, or on quiet nights like this one, while I was lying on my side listening to the tap, tap, tap, of the rain- I would recall the banging on the door as my father rushed my brother, Soren, and me into the back of the closet. The unlocking of the door, click. The false cheer in my mother’s voice, “Sean! How is your wife?” The gruff reply, “Don’t play dumb, just hand them over.” The last words my father said, “Made wise concerning men.” Tap, tap, tap. Banging. Shouting. Metal scraping. Glass breaking. Silence. Tap, tap, tap. The door slamming. My ragged sobbing. Soren’s whisper, “It’ll all be alright. I’m here, I’ll always be here.” Turns out brothers lie too.