Paralyzed (part 2)

Chapter 2

Life With The Greens

I see metal crushing around me. Slowly closing in around me. I try to scream, but no sound will come. I see my mother, I reach out to her. Try to call her name. She reaches for me as well, but then the metal closes in around her. Crushing her in its cold grasp. I see my father, and I reach for him as well. But the metal wins again, and he is taken from me as well. I then see my brother. My heart crumbles as I see him reach for me, running towards me. The fear in his eyes tear me apart. I spread out my arms to embrace him.But just before we touch the metal takes him as well. It continues to close around me, but it won't kill me. It won't let me go with my family. It continues to grow smaller, but I won't die it won't allow it. It wants to torture me. Take all I love, and wound and injure me. But it refuses to put me out out of my misery. It continues to grow smaller around me, and I begin to scream. And I can hear it. The metal fades, and is replaced by bed sheets wrapped around me. It was a nightmare. I shriek, and claw at the sheets. I know where I am, and that I'm in no danger. But I don't care. I don't stop. Soon Mr. And Mrs. Green rush into my room. Mrs. Green holds me in her arms rocking me back and forth. Speaking calmly to me, and I soon relax. " It's ok," whispers Mrs. Green soothingly," it was just a nightmare. It wasn't real. You're safe now. Nothing you saw can hurt you." When I am released from shock, I spring out of her arms. I hate her for doing that. That was something my mother did, and I don't like the fact that hers is just as effective. " are you all right Claire." she says extending her hand to touch my cheek. I lean back, and dodge it. " I'm fine," I say still slightly in a state of shock, " I'll be fine." I crawl back under the covers, and turn so my back is facing them. "Do you need anything?" asks Mr. Green. "No, just go back to bed." I say dismissively. "Goodnight Claire" they say on their way out. I feel like a fool how could I let her do that. Now she thinks I'm beginning to except her. I never will though. I fall asleep, with no nightmares this time, and wake the next day in the late morning. I sit up in bed, and drag myself into my wheelchair. I roll out of my room, (which is on the first floor), and see the Greens having breakfast. Why'd they adopt me. They have several children of their own. The youngest is a one year old baby girl named Alyssa. She is a quiet and cooperative baby. Next is a five year old boy named Jason. He is very active, and reminds me of my brother at times. The next is an eight year old boy named Garrett. He's very annoying, and I often find him searching through my things. After him are the eleven year old twin girls April and May. They are exactly identical in appearance and personality, they are very girly and a little bossy. Finally the oldest my favorite out of all of them a sixteen year old teenage boy named Chandler. He's smart, sarcastic, kind, and comforting. I would actually be proud to call him my brother. He's been very kind to me ever since I've been here. As I watch them, I begin to try to think of a way to sneak out the front door without them noticing. How I long to spend some time in the winter snow. Maybe it will help me to relax and find peace. I begin to roll towards the door. When I hear a voice break the silence in the house. "Where are you going Claire?" asks Mr. Green. I let out a long sigh. "Come eat some breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day." says Mrs. Green. I roll back into the kitchen, and join the Greens. After breakfast I try to make a break for the door again. When a voice behind me haults my attempts. "Where ya goin Claire?" says Garrett in an obnoxious voice. " None of your business squirt." I say back. "I'm tellin mom!" he yells back. I'm about to yell back, but another voice butts in before I get the chance. "What's going on here?" says Chandler calmly. "She's sneaking outside." Garrett sneers. "Well great then," says Chandler happily, "I'll come with you." Garret stares at him, mouth wide open. We put on our coats, and head outside. I roll onto the driveway, and scoop up some snow. I used to live in Alabama,Which got snow a few times during the winter, but the Greens live in Montana. In Montana it's Sometimes cold in the summer, so it gets lots of snow in the winter. I pick up some more snow, and pack it together I then toss it at Chandler. He turns around, and smile at him. We have a snowball war, but we are soon called back inside. "Alright kids listen up we have an announcement to make. Your grandparents and a few of your aunts, uncles, and cousins will be coming to our house for Christmas this year. They all wanted to come and meet the new addition to our family." Says Mrs.. Green. Everyone is excited, except me. I don't care to meet these people, they aren't my family. After the big announcement I go back outside, and stay on the porch. After about thirty minutes Chandler joins me. "You nervous?" he asks. "I guess," I say, "What else am I. I'm terrified about starting school here." I'll be starting school after Christmas break. "Don't be worried," he says, " you'll make plenty of friends. Besides you shouldn't be so down. It's the most wonderful time of the year." He smiles at me. " Yeah," I say back, " I guess you're right." Although inside I could not be more scared. I have to start over as the crippled new girl.