Truth of a Rose

"Stay in the closet Arianna, do not move a muscle! No matter what you hear my darling do not make a noise!" mommy said in a panic. "Mommy? I'm scared, please don't leave me." I sobbed, confused and terrified just as any other 7 year old in this situation would be. My mommy was always so composed. Like a Queen and I was her Princess. She was strong and never afraid, but now something has changed and her fear told me this was serious. "Arianna, do as you're told. Fear only controls you if you allow it. take a deep breath, chin up, no fear and no matter what remember, everything I have ever done has been for you. Most importantly DO NOT move or make a sound." Her deep blue eyes poured her emotion and seriousness into mine. She kissed me on the head and placed her rose tattooed index finger on her lips instructing me one last time on my silence as she stood up and closed the white closet doors. The doors had slits where I could see out but I knew she couldn't see in. When she turned she shook her arms and cracked her neck to the sides. she smoothed her disheveled long blonde hair that was plastered to her beautiful porcelain face and tied it into a tight hurried knot behind her neck. She smoothed her long sleeved cream colored silk blouse, smoothed out her long black trousers and took off her cream colored strapped heals and placed them neatly on the hardwood floor against the wall on the opposite side of the hallway. I remember when we would laugh and play dress up and she would let me wear those heals while I sang into her hairbrush. My mommy is the best mommy. I wish we could do that now instead of being scared of the bad men. She looked back at me and her face was serious and her eyes were filled with determination. From her sleeves she pulled out two black and very sharp looking curved blades. I was not prepared for what came next.