AnimeGirl329(AG329) here! This is my first story on FictionPress, but it is not the first story I have written. I can also be found on FanFictionDotNet under the same penname. Anyways, this story was a short story that I wrote with my two writing partners from English Class. It was a project that we had to do, but since I thought that it came out pretty well, I would post it up here for all of you to read. Wow...I just realized something else...I don't have to put a disclaimer since this is technically my story...that's going to take some getting used to.

Running For Life

I watched in horror as the bullets punctured my parents’ chests, killing them instantly. Everything happened like it was in slow motion, and, as the bullet sliced its way into my mother’s body, my eyes fixated themselves on my mother’s precious pearl necklace, which had somehow managed to break free from her neck and plummet to the floor, breaking upon impact. Suddenly, my brother, Stevie, pushed me away as the second slick man in black sunglasses and a pinstripe suit yanked open the door that we were crouching behind, and the first man, the man who did the killing, left the site of the murder first.

Seeing only my brother, the man in the pinstripe suit quickly pocketed the gun he had just used, and with a swift motion of his arm, seized my brother by the collar of his shirt and lifted him up to eye level. I shrieked as Stevie yelled at me to run away and forget about him. Obliging his wishes, I hurriedly scrambled to my feet and sprinted out the door without hesitation. I looked behind me at the house that I loved so dearly, and thoughts of what would happen to my brother filled my mind as I ran through the darkness of the still night.

I sighed as I remembered that dreadful day exactly nine years ago, and made my way through the overly populated hallways of Clear Water High School. After exiting through the doorway, I strode toward the bus that would bring me home. Hopping on, I plopped myself down into my usual seat in a small, isolated corner at the back of the bus and gazed out the frosty window. Without warning, my sister, Kara, sat down beside me.

“Chrissy! How did you do on the math test?” I turned to face Kara, and I grinned. It never fails to amuse me how carefree she can be sometimes.

“Hey Kara. I got a B.” I watched as a huge smile broke out onto my sister’s face. She then clasped her hands together and gave a small chuckle.

“That’s awesome! See, I told you studying for the test would get you a higher grade! Anyways, I got an A+ if you were wondering.” I rolled my eyes at this and turned to face the window again. Lifting my hand up to the window, I rubbed off some of the frosty mist that had settled down and made itself at home on the window. After accomplishing this task, I sat back down and sighed. The bus drove down the street slowly, occasionally stopping to let some students off. Soon, I noticed that we had passed Lady of the Evening Restaurant and I got my backpack ready. My stop was coming up soon.

Finally, the bus slowed down and came to a stop at the end of my street. I stood up with a slight swagger in my step because I had been feeling lightheaded all day. Following Kara off the bus, we casually strolled home to 12 Appletree Circle, where we happily found a plate of freshly baked cookies and two glasses of ice cold milk waiting for us in the overly decorated kitchen. Upon finishing my share of the cookies, I decided that it’d be best for me to lie down on my bed. Kara decided that she wanted to come along with me, and not being able to say no to my sister, I agreed, just as long as she didn’t disturb me and prevent me from getting any of my much needed sleep. Quietly, we made our way through the kitchen and into the living room so that we could go up the stairs and into my room. But, when we got there, our parents were talking about something so dreadful that I came to an immediate halt and froze. Kara looked at me, but as she listened to our parents, her face soon turned into one that was expressing confusion, into one that was expressing shock and hurt.

“I can’t believe that it was nine years ago today that Chrissy’s real parents were murdered, and she was put into the Witness Protection Program and into our home.” I watched in horror as my mother sighed a long, heavy, depressed sigh. My father nodded to her comment and opened his mouth to add one of his own.

“I wonder how Chrissy is taking it right now...it must be really hard for her, especially since Kara doesn’t know about it.” Before my mother could reply, Kara spoke up and made our presence known.

“Chrissy is in the Witness Protection Program, and no one ever told me! She’s my sister, I deserved to know!” Tears were streaming onto Kara’s face, ruining her makeup and causing her mascara to run down her face.

Just as I was about to say something to calm her down and explain why we never told her something as important as that, she darted out of the room and up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door shut. My eyes glistened with moisture and I wiped them before any of that moisture could fall. Glaring at my so-called parents, I ran after Kara and knocked on her door. After several tries, I simply came to the conclusion that she was mad at me, and I left to go to bed.

When I woke up the next morning, my head was pounding even more than it had been the night before. Groaning, I rolled off of my bed and hastily finished my daily morning routine. Inaudibly, I trotted down the stairs and into the kitchen. The fresh scent of pine and citrus completely enveloped me, and I felt my headache worsen. My mother was watering the numerous plants while humming the usual tune without the usual happiness in her voice. My father was sitting at the oak table reading the newspaper and sipping at his coffee with a frown on his face. When they finally noticed me standing in the doorway, they both stopped what they had been previously doing. My mother placed some eggs, bacon, and toast on a plate for me, and then she poured a cool glass of orange juice to go along with it. The room was overwhelmed with silence, and I courageously decided to break it.

“Where’s Kara?” My mother nearly dropped the watering can that she was using when I asked this. Obviously Kara was still angry with me, but I had been hoping that she wasn’t that angry. I guess my luck ran out.

“She left for school early.” My mother gave me a sympathetic look.

“Oh.” That was the only thing I could think of saying. My father looked like he was at a loss for words as well, and so I did the only thing that I could think of doing. Quickly, I finished my breakfast, put my coat on, grabbed my backpack, and left the house without another word. I walked to the bus stop and saw that Kara wasn’t there. Figuring that she had decided to walk to school, I sighed. The bus finally came to my stop, and I climbed on. The ride to school was dreadfully silent without Kara, and it seemed much longer than usual.

All throughout the day, it seemed like Kara was avoiding me, and this made me sadder and sadder. After the last bell rung, I decided that it would be best if I didn’t go on the bus, and just walked home instead. As I was walking down the multiple streets, I was so immersed in thought, that I didn’t see someone in front of me, and I crashed into whoever it was, making us both fall to the cement ground.

“Ow…” I sat up and rubbed my lower back, which now had a throbbing pain in it. I should probably try to be more careful and pay more attention to where I’m going. Just then, I saw a hand in front of my face. I happily accepted it, and looked up to see that the person I had bumped into was a boy who seemed to be around my age. I vaguely recognized him from school as he hoisted me up from the floor and onto my feet.

“I’m really sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going...I was thinking about my sister and how she’s mad at me because I didn’t tell her something really important.” The boy smiled at me, and I felt my face heat up. His smile was perfect, not to mention that he was pretty good-looking himself. He had perfect dark brown hair with matching dark brown eyes. He had a tanned complexion, and it looked like he worked out every day to maintain his perfect torso.

“It’s no problem. I wasn’t watching where I was going either, so we’re both at fault. You’re Chrissy Clifton, right?” Afraid that if I spoke, unintelligent things would come out of my mouth, I simply nodded and returned his smile with one of my own. “Cool, I’m Tony Meriachi. I hope I see you again sometime. Oh, and I’m sorry about you’re sister, but don’t worry. I’m sure things will get better soon.” He walked away and I turned to gaze into the window next to me. Looking at my reflection, I noticed that a subtle blush had tinted my cheeks, turning them into a rosy color.

With a sigh, I briskly finished my journey home. When I got there, Kara was already home. Slowly, I peeped into the bright kitchen. My mother saw me, and knowing who I was looking for, she pointed upstairs. I nodded my head in appreciation and walked through the living room to the stairs. Carefully, so that Kara wouldn’t hear my footsteps, I made my way up the stairs. After accomplishing that task, I gradually made my way to Kara’s bedroom door. When I got there, I took a deep breath to help me calm down, and I knocked on her door.

“Who is it?” I could hear the sound of a keyboard being used from the other side of the door, and I figured that she was typing up that huge project we were given in Spanish class. Swallowing my fears, I spoke.

“Kara, it’s Chrissy. Can I come in, please?” Somehow, I had imagined that I would hear Kara screaming at me from inside her room, telling me to leave her alone, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, she unlocked her door and opened it just wide enough for me to poke my head in. I watched as she went back to her seat in front of the computer screen. Cautiously, I opened the door wider and paced into her room, sitting on her bed. After a few moments of a dreadfully eerie silence, she broke the ice.

“What is it?” Before answering, I looked down at my hands. I was twiddling my thumbs, a clear note that I was extremely nervous that she wouldn’t accept my apology.

“Kara, I’m sorry that we never told you the truth about my past. It’s just that it hurts too much for me to talk about it, and mom, dad, and I didn’t want to worry you with something that you didn’t have to get completely involved with.” Kara smiled, and seeing her smile helped to brighten up the mood a lot.

“It’s ok. I asked mom and dad about it when I got home. I’m really sorry that you had to go through all of that.” She gave me a sympathetic look, but I just waved it off.

“It’s no biggie. Anyways, on my way home today, I met this really nice guy. He goes to our school, and he’s really hot too.” Kara’s face broke out into a huge grin. She started jumping up and down in excitement and then sat down beside me.

“Who is it? Do tell!”

“He said that his name was Tony Meriachi.” The reaction I got from Kara, however, was not what I had anticipated it to be like.

“What?! You had a conversation with that jerk! I can’t believe you’re friends with him now! Take my advice, and don’t date that conniving little snake, he’s the worst influence anybody could have!” Feeling disheartened, I began to yell at Kara even though I really didn’t mean to.

“You don’t know anything about him! He’s really nice! You know, I thought that you’d always be there for me, but I was totally wrong!” With that, I bolted out of Kara’s room. I grabbed my purse, but I didn’t bother to put on my jacket. Instead, I yelled out to my parents that I’d be back whenever, and I went out. It was starting to get kind of late, so I bought some McDonald’s for dinner. After eating, I went to the park because it had always been my place of refuge…the place that I could go to if I was ever sad about anything. As I was rounding the corner, someone attacked me with a hug and spun me around in a circle. When the person put me down, I finally saw who it was.

“Tony!” I clung on to him and started to cry into his shoulder. He simply patted my head with one hand and rubbed my back with the other. When I finally stopped sobbing uncontrollably, he led me to one of the park benches and turned my head so that I was facing him.

“Chrissy, what’s wrong?” He had a sincere look of care and worry on his face, and I could see the frown marks etched onto the finest crevices of his delicate cheeks. If I wasn’t so sad, I probably would have been smiling at the thought that someone cared so much for me.

“I thought that my sister had forgiven me, but I still think that she’s mad because she told me that you’re a jerk and that I shouldn’t hang around you.”

“That’s ridiculous. I would never do anything to hurt you, Chrissy.”

“I know.”

“So what exactly is going on between you and your sister?”

“Well, it all started nine years ago. My real parents, who were FBI agents, were murdered by a couple of mob people who were disguised as FBI agents. I don’t know who the leader of the mob was, but my older brother, Stevie, and I witnessed the murder. Anyways, one of the mob guys captured my brother, and he yelled at me to run away while I still had a chance. I didn’t want to leave him, but I didn’t want him to be mad at me either, so I ran. I ran all the way to the police station, and luckily, a family friend of ours, who was also in the FBI, was there. I told him what happened, and he put me in the Witness Protection Program so that the mob wouldn’t find me. The next day, I was brought to the Clifton’s home, and they agreed to take me in. And so, my name changed from Roxy Stone to Chrissy Clifton. We never told Kara about it, and she just found out yesterday. She was really mad at me, and I thought she forgave me, but then she started getting all defensive, saying that I shouldn’t be around you because you’re a bad influence.” After I finished rambling on and on about something that I had never talked about with anyone other than my…new…parents, I stared at Tony. Beads of sweat started to pour down my face. I had never been so nervous in my life, and I really did not know what to expect.

“Wow…um…I really don’t know what to say.” Great, now Tony’s at a loss for words. He probably hates me now too because I didn’t tell him about this when I first met him! I can’t believe I just lost another friend! I got up from my seat and turned away from Tony. I was about to sprint back home, but Tony grasped my arm before I could go anywhere. “Wait. Chrissy, I don’t care if you’re in the Witness Protection Program. That doesn’t change who you are, and I like who you are.”

“Really?” Tony grinned at me with that perfect smile of his, and I couldn’t help but fell a bit flustered.

“Yes. Well, we should probably go home. It’s getting kind of late. I’ll see you tomorrow at school?” I nodded my head. He turned around and started to walk away, but what I didn’t see, was the unmistakable smirk that was tainting his innocent face.

I proceeded home feeling very lighthearted. When I got home, I asked my mom if there was anything she wanted me to do for her, and when she said no, I asked my dad the same question. After completing the task of taking the trash out for him, I crossed the living room and headed up the stairs into my room. My parents looked at each other oddly, but neither of them took my newfound happiness into any serious consideration. For the first time in a long time, I finally had a good night’s rest, and my dreams were not haunted with envisions and memories of the murder of my parents and kidnapping of my brother.

Kara and I were once again not on speaking terms that morning, but surprisingly enough, it didn’t bother me. I was anticipating seeing Tony at school way too much to care much about what Kara was thinking at the moment. After a long morning, we reached the school, and I was once again attacked with another huge hug. Kara, seeing that it was Tony who hugged me, had a scowl on her face as she turned her back to me. I ignored her, however, and said hi to Tony. As we were talking, I thought that I saw a man in a black, pinstripe suit and sunglasses walk behind the school. Talk about déjà vu.

“Chrissy, are you listening to me?” Tony stared at me with a questioning glance. I chuckled nervously and apologized for not paying attention. Tony gave a light laugh and rolled his eyes. “Anyways, like I was saying, I was wondering if you want to be my girlfriend.” I squealed a girlish squeal and clung to Tony, hugging him tightly.

“Yes!” I sat through all of my classes that day daydreaming about my new boyfriend and wondering where he would take me on all of our dates. After a long six hours of school, I met up with Tony, and he told me that he wanted to take me somewhere. I was so ecstatic, that I didn’t bother to ask him where we were going, and instead, I just followed.

Approximately ten or so minutes into our walk to wherever he was taking me, I found myself in the deserted part of the town. I got a little scared and held onto Tony’s hand. This part of town was the area with all of the alley ways, the ones where all of the criminals, gangsters, prostitutes, etc resided. I was about to ask Tony why we were in that part of town when all of a sudden, he led me into an alley and pushed me into the arms of a large man who was wearing a black pinstripe suit and sunglasses. I opened my mouth to scream, but he covered it with his hand.

“Good job, Tony.” I looked at my so-called boyfriend and saw that he had an evil, conniving smirk on his face. Kara was right, Tony is nothing but scum! I can’t believe that I listened to him over her! Just then, my attention got turned back to the large man. “Why hello, Chrissy…or should I say, Roxy. I went through a lot of trouble trying to find you the past nine years.” I finally gathered the strength to pull away from his hand and speak.

“It’s you! You’re one of the guys that killed my parents and kidnapped my brother!” Upon hearing me say this, the man and Tony laughed a maniacal laugh. “It’s so great to see that you remember me, but I do believe that we were never totally introduced. My name is Tom Meriachi. Tony is my nephew, and heir to my mob. Emphasis on my, you see…I murdered my “boss” a long time ago and took over.” Tears were stinging my eyes, and with one last shred of hope, I glanced at Tony, praying that he was still on my side. My hopes were shattered, however, when I saw that he was enjoying this.

“Where’s my brother?” Tom Meriachi smirked.

“Your brother is fine. In fact, he’s here with me. You see, I’m not that bad. I’ll let you two have your little reunion, after I kill you both that is.” I gasped. He was going to kill my brother and me! “Oh, no. I’m not going to kill the two of you myself. I never do the dirty work! No, in fact, your brother will be the one doing the killing!” Just then, a figure revealed himself from the shadows. Even though I hadn’t seen him in nine years, and he changed a lot from the eleven year old boy I once knew into the young, twenty year old man, I knew who he was instantly.

“Stevie!” Stevie lowered his head in shame.

“I’m so sorry, Roxy.” Even despite the circumstances, hearing my brother say my name, my real name, made me incredibly blissful. But all of a sudden, that bliss was ruined when Stevie held up a gun and pointed it at me. My face went white as a ghost and I saw my life flash before my eyes. I knew what was going to happen, but never once in my wildest dreams did I imagine that it would be my own brother who would pull the tiny, metallic trigger. Closing my eyes, I prepared for the worst, but it never came. Instead, a high-pitched scream filled the alley.

“NO!” I opened my eyes to see that my parents, Kara, and the police were standing there. Kara had pushed my brother, and the gun he was holding flew to the other side of the alley. Tom Meriachi dropped me and instead, he grabbed a hold of Tony and they made a run for it. The police followed them and, free from Tom Meriachi's grasp, I ran to my brother.

Kara gave me a questioning look, wondering why I was hugging the man who almost killed me, but I ignored her. Instead, Stevie gently pushed me away and made me look at him. I could see the sadness in his eyes, and that he was really sorry for what he had almost done. I smiled at him. That one smile held so much meaning for the two of us. In that one smile, I forgave my brother for almost killing me, I apologized to him for leaving him nine years earlier, and I told him that everything would be alright now that we were together again.

“I’m so sorry, Roxy. I never wanted to hurt you, but he told me that if I didn’t, he would kill you himself, in a much more painful way.” I nodded in understanding.

“It’s ok, Stevie.” I then turned to face my parents and Kara. “Mom, dad, sis, this is Stevie Stone. He’s my brother. Stevie, they’re my Witness Protection Program family, my mom, dad, and my sister, Kara.” They smiled and exchanged greetings.

Afterwards, we all decided to go back home and get cleaned up. There was nothing to do now but wait until the police came back with the news. And finally, a few hours later, they did. They had a solemn look on their faces, and my heart sank.

“I’m sorry, but Tom and Tony Meriachi got away.” It was my father who was able to speak next.

“Is there anything we can do to insure the safety of Chrissy and her brother?”

“Yes. You can send them away into a new Witness Protection Program family, or you can all move to a new state and be under constant protection.” My father looked at my mother and they shared a common understanding.

“We’ll move to a new state as a family.” The police nodded and left our home.

A month later, we found ourselves living in a new home under constant watch by the FBI, so that Tom Meriachi and his mob wouldn’t be able to find us. My brother was living in the house next door to us, and every other day I would switch residence between my family, the Cliftons, and my brother, Stevie Stone. My Witness Protection Family was like a family to Stevie as well, and we did everything together. And as for me, well I now go by the name Roxy Stone, and even though we will probably never be completely safe, I’m still hoping for the day that we’ll get that well deserved call saying that Tom Meriachi has been captured.

Thankyou for reading this, and I hope that you enjoyed it! I have an idea for a story, and hopefully, I can get the first chapter done soon enough to post it soon! It'll most likely be in the Romance/Drama catergory under young adults or something like that. Information for it can be found on my profile! Please leave a review!

AG329