Hello everyone Mackenzie here :],

this is for Esmé's contest through a child's eyes

which can be found here:

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/topic30589.html

I know it must suck to you guys but, please help me improve it

thanks ;]

--Mackenzie

As their voices emanate from below the staircase, my previous nightmare is erased from my mind. The warmth of the hearth rises up and gently brushes against my cheeks. I rub my tiny fists to get rid of the gummy goobers formed in my eyes. Dawn is filled with heavy snowfall, like a snow globe being shaken forcefully. My body has a self alarm system so i woke up to the sound of my parent's sing-song voices. I wonder if i have a song voice. Only they are not using their voices right; very loud and screech-like. I plop down on the first step making no noise.

My whole heart shivers when i see Mama's vase smash into the wall, I grind my gums together. The coppery taste of blood slithers down my throat. I squeeze my shiny green eyes making a gate for my tears. The salty liquid escapes only too easily, What's happening, i thought they were in deep love with each other... My mind begins to wander, i remember God explaining that I must keep my knowledge to myself on this sickened earth. As I continue to grow older my memories of him begin to fade, even at three years old.

"Bill stop! Your going to wake Anna!" Mama chokes out forcefully. They both come into my view but, are completely blind of me. Daddy smacks mama hard, she falls to the tile floor. Slowly Mama tries to stand up but, Daddy kicks her in the stomach with his black booted foot. My head falls into my little hands as the tears stream out faster, my black ringlets bounce around getting soaked.

Maybe I could be a super hero and save mama. When Mama lets out a groan I hear another shattering noise. All is quiet until Daddy let's out a low maniacal laugh. My thought soon disappears and i come to realize he has spotted me.

"Oh...This is precious..." He chuckles out, suddenly I feel like I must get away. I peek through my dark curls to see Daddy glaring at me with a wicked smile. My whole body begins to shake violently, I am afraid.Why is Daddy acting like this. He begins to walk up the stairs, his black boots making each stair squeak. I am paralyzed, he's going to get me just like he got Mama. I make a quick glance toward Mama and she is as still as a statue.

A huge hand gets a grip on my hair and pulls me upward, I scream at the pain.

"Poor put upon Anna, little spoiled brat is what you are!" He hurls me down the long staircase. My body hits each individual stair with the exact same force making everything hurt. On the last stair my head slaps against the tile floor. I listen closely as daddy walks down the stairs, pain springs up from my leg.

"Stupid girl, go back where you came from!" He shouts as his boot crushes my shin. I screech bloody murder at the curdling snap, as Daddy ambles into the kitchen. As I try my best not to move, I hear a familiar noise. The kind of sound you hear when you pull a sword out of it's place, Oh no, He's going to kill me.

Through the pain i pull myself towards the back-door, my little hand clawing at the tile floor. As i drag myself my foot goes through warm liquid, I glance back and notice my shin is bleeding. There no sign of Daddy in the kitchen, my heart is threatening to escape from my ribs. From outside thunder booms and a flash of lighting appears, It's silent in the house. Slowly I continue for the back door, a creak at the front door alarms me. Footsteps walk slowly towards me and I begin to panic trying to go faster. A cold hand touches my shoulder, I turn my head expecting the worst.

"Are you okay?" A deep voice questions me, I can't see who he is. I shake me head pointing at my leg with my tiny finger.

"Your alright now Hun." He says patting my back, before he goes upstairs to inspect the place. NO come back nice man! He's going to get me, please don't leave. A sudden gun shot sounds, the man shouts and a thump occurs in the ceiling.

"No." I gasp as the tears come again. Daddy's coming down the stairs now, his boots stomping loudly with each step he takes.

"Daddy i love you really i do, please don't do this." I whisper knowing he can hear me. He begins his evil laughing again and I burrow my head into the floor, wishing i could disappear. when i raise my head to the staircase He has the gun barrel pointing at me, the trigger sounds the entire room. All is in slow motion the bullet is coming for me and I can only watch it. On impact The image changes into my bedroom ceiling, Mama and Daddy waver above me both looking equally worried.

"Mama your okay!" I say through joyful tears jumping up to hug her. I examine my shin and it's perfectly fine, no bone showing. Daddy looks longing at me I frown, and try to think if this is my Daddy and not the one that killed Mama. Daddy opens his arms up looking for a hug from me and I wrap my little hands around his neck. Mama looks at Daddy with a look that could kill.

"Sweetie, what happened?" Mama asks with a fearful look in her irises. I feel the nightmare come back and the tears come unexpectedly.

"You died Mama, and...Daddy did it." I gasp through the shower of salty liquid. Mama pulls me into a hug as Daddy stands there.

"You know I would...never do that right Anna?" Daddy hesitates as he rocks back and forth. Slowly i nod my head, wiping my tears away. He leans in to give me a quick peck on my forehead and looks at his watch.

"I have to go to work...i love you two." He says with a slight smile, i give him a no teeth grin. Daddy gives me a blank look and gives Mama a kiss on her cheek. I wave at him as he grabs his suitcase heading down the stairs. He looks back and gives me a sharp wave back, a weird look in his eyes. When the front door shuts Mama puts her head in her hands and starts to cry.

"What's wrong Mama?" I ask sadly. She brings her head up and pushes my hair behind my ears. Her sad blue irises filled with doubt.

"You won't understand Dear...i'm sorry." Mama apologizes and continues to cry. I rest my little hand on hers and gaze into her fair face.

"It'll be alright Mama..." I encourage, not liking Mama so sad. She stands up quickly, mutters something under her breath and gives me a grave stare.

"Not this time." She forces out exiting my bedroom in a blaze. I keep my eyes on the empty doorway listening closely. Mama is whipping things through the air, when she returns to my doorway she carries a suitcase.

"Baby I am leaving, are you coming?" She questions her mind elsewhere. My little brain cannot grasp onto this new concept so i simply shake my head up and down. She drops her suitcase and goes to fetch me my own. We begin throwing my belongings into it and she puts a coat over my pajamas.

"Mama where are we going?" I ask in confusion.

"Somewhere where Daddy can't find us." She says. I hug her leg because I am so small compared to her.

"You going to be okay Mama?" I question tears filling in my eyes. She brushes through my ringlets with her fingers and squats down.

"We both are." She explains.

Mama and I walk down the stairs, open the door, and say goodbye to everything. We get into the car, take one last look at our home and drive.

"Goodbye Daddy." I whisper under my breath.