The اگلے morning, I force myself out of بستر for breakfast. The smell of sausage, eggs, and پینکیکس brings me into the kitchen. "Look who's up," Jordan says with a smile. "I didn't expect آپ to get up so early." I take my نشست and laugh a little, "Well, I did go to بستر early last night."
"I see. That surprises me, too. You're usually in بستر سے طرف کی three in the morning."
"Oh, don't act like you've never done the same."
She laughs, and our small conversation ends there. After we finish our breakfast, she kisses me on the forehead and makes her way outside. I follow her, because I can be protective...

When we make it back to the house, Jordan picks me up like she did when I was younger. I feel guilty; like all of this that happened is my fault. And it is. If I would have never brought up the house, we wouldn't have to worry about that guy, Johan. "Jordan, we have to go back," I say. "Why? Did آپ not learn anything? Did you--did آپ even read that book?" I can't lie to her. I don't want to have to keep covering up one lie with twenty more. "No."
She sighs, looking away. "You didn't read it. So that means آپ know nothing about it. And because of that, I'm going to tell آپ myself." I hear...

It's been three years since all of that happened. I'm eleven now. Much older, and full of respect. Since then, I haven't laid a hand on that book Jordan gave me. She never asked me about it, though. When I go outside for a walk, Jordan stops me. "Where do آپ think you're going?" I stop for a minute, she must think I'm going down that trail. "For a walk," I say. "Oh, no, you're not. I think آپ should stay inside today. آپ need to spend مزید time with me." And I do, I can't argue with that.
We walk back inside and watch one of her پسندیدہ movies. She's happy, and I just can't be. I want...

When I was a little girl, I loved to go on adventures. The woods was my most favorite. There was this trail I'd always walk upon. Sadly, I never made it to the end. I was too afraid.
To have someone with me, I'd bring one of my پسندیدہ stuffed animals. When we reached the end, there was a very old house. I was surprised it was still able to hold itself together!
I ran up to the window to have a peek since no one lived there. It looked beautiful inside. Nothing there to scare me, until I saw a man walk by. He gasped and ran towards the window I was standing at, "Go home, little girl! Once...