I woke suddenly, pleased with myself for sleeping the rest of the night dreamlessly. I swung my legs over the bed and walked to the bathroom. I ran cold water over my face and dried with my personalized soft white towel, a gift from my mother. It was peacefully quiet, no honking cars, no screaming people, just tranquility which was uncommon in Richmondsville. The sun shone brightly through the window. lighting up the entire house. The birds tweeted happily and squirrels played in my front lawn. Sighing heavily, I felt less alone, the suburbian house felt less empty. I went into the kitchen and turned on the television to the news. I grabbed a bowl of Lucky Charms and sat at the table and listened in. 

" A sunny day, high of 76, low of 69. The winds from Michigan will be coming down into Richmondsville so a perfect day for a picnic, now back to you John" the weatherman said in a cheery voice. I contemplated the idea. A picnic. That sounded more fun than sitting home, forcing up visions of the kidnapping and pitying myself.  

I finished my cereal and stood with newfound vigor. I thought about who would be willing to come with me. I had been rather anti-social following the weeks after Anna's death so many people were bound to be wary of me. Maybe Annette...or James and Ruby. I climbed the stairs to my room and after searching intensly, I found my blue rather unused cell phone. I decided to first call up Ruby and James. After two tries I gave up, figuring they were avoiding me.  

I could see whether they were or if they were just not answering because they were busy. The first would annoy me and warn me not to bother calling again and the second would just make me call again. I hadn't tried to vision in a while so it took some time. Finally my eyes glazed over and the vision came 

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James held the cellphone in his right hand as it rang and buzzed repeatedly.  

"James? Who is it? We're already late" Ruby asked, her auburn hair long and flowing as she stood in a short black dress and red heels. 

"It's Bree. She's called like four times. Should I answer?" he asked. 

"Oh, her. Well, no. Call her back later. We're going to miss the plane" she said in an annoyed tone. 

"Yeah, okay..." he mumbled before placing the phone on their brown coffee table and walking away. 

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Well...that was strange. Me and Ruby had been best friends since 7th grade. I admit I had rejected her advise and tried to stay away for a while but please, my sister had just died! I dialed Annette hoping for a better response.