Junie's first day

I had the sudden urge to cry to, but I had to keep it together. Yes, I'm sorry muffin. I tell her, kneeling down so I was eye level with her. It'll be fun, you can make friends and you have a yummy lunch. I tell her trying to convence my self she would be ok. I remeber clearly the lunch we had packed together; a PB&J sandwich, a mini sized yogurt container, a bannana, and a chocolate chip cookie for after. I sigh. I will pick you up right after, and we can go and get ice cream or something ok? I explain comfortingly. I kiss her on the head, and give her a quick hug. Then I inwardly curse at my self for showing feelings of compassion. I had a infamous reputation for being hard shelled, self centered and boastful. She was slowly causing that force field of first impressions that had built its self around me, and had taken so long to grow thicker, down. Only a week, and already she had changed me.

I promise. I tell her, torn apart at her sweet little girl face full of fear.

She'd be fine. I keep having to remind myself in the car on the way back home. I was ditching class today, and I didnt really care. I mean really, it's not like I'd be here on Earth soon. Junie would be fine. There couldn't be a Shadow as a teacher; could there?

I wait out in the car for Junie, feeling my wallet in my back pocket to get her the promised icecream. All the kids rush out from the building, and I expect to see her shining face bobbing alont towards me. Finally when the yard clears, and she still hasn't come out, I unbuckle and get out. A million awful ideas run through my head like the teacher was a Shadow, or she got in trouble or, or..... I push them from my head, and march to the front desk. Did Junie come out of school? I ask the lady at the desk trying to hold in my temper.
She got let out with the rest of her class. She snaps, and continues clacking away at her battered key board.
I let out a deep sigh, my eyes flaming, and my body heating the room up a notch. The secratary sheds her jacket, but her eyes never leave the computer screen. I kick her desk and sulk out of the room. On a door frame there was a small paper with the teachers names and homeroom numbers. I scroll down the list; Mrs. Kinlay, room 37. I head down the hall, and pass a few rooms getting closer. Room 29, 31, 33, 35-there 37. I try the door knob, but its locked. I peer in through the small safety glass slit, and the lights are all off with no one in there. Crap. I was starting to panic. I hurry down the hall breaking into a trot. I hear a muffled scream, and immediatly spin around and head into the gymnasium. There! I tip toe across the floor, leaping on to the back of the Shadow, I clutch at his throat, and squeeze it hard. I wasn't going to let him get away alive; he had harmed my Junie. For a moment, a thought flits across my mind; How was I so calm about killing someone, when before, I would have tortured them first.

I feel the man almpst evaporate under me, and I fall to the gym floor. I scream. NO! I look around the gym frantically. They were gone. I collapse to my knees, whispering over and over again to myself; no, no, no. This couldn't be happening how could I have lost her like that. I slap myself hoping when I did, I would jolt awake, and she would be right there sleeping next to me. Making this whole thing a dream...