Small Town Girl

         Dannie sat in the back seat of her mother car, quietly staring out the window.  She watched as each house would pass by and wonder what stories were being held in side each of them. Would the Green house have a little old lady in it, that had a best friend named Duke? Would the Yellow house Have children inside with a loving stay at home mother and a father that would come home after work every day with a smile on his face? Sighing she looked up to the front of the car where her sister and mother where sitting. " Mommy are we there yet ? " She could see her sister rolling her eyes in the side mirror and her  mother sighing again " No Dannie we are not there yet"          Their Mother was taking them to go see their aunt and uncle out of town. It was summer break, so this year they have been taking vacation trips  back to back. Which was odd for her family because they were not rich. Her father left them when she was only a few months old, but moved inside town. Dannie thought to her self "I want to be home right now. I could be playing with Sage and Summer. Instead of being cooped up in this stuffy car. " She looked around the car at all her coloring pages that she had been coloring had started to bore her. Yawning, her eyes began to shut, and the world around her became dark.             Dannie was awoke by her mother saying " Dannie get up we are here. " Jumping up she looked around and smiled. She had always loved her Aunt and Uncles house. It was a two story house that was built out of dark colored brick with english ivy covering the front of it. Right in front of the house was a walk way in the middle of the ivy that covered the yard leading right up to the front door. Trees covered the yard and little sun shown through. "Dannie, look how much you have grown!" She heard from behind her. Dannie Spun around and looked in the direction of the sweet voice.          Her Aunt Lana had been one of her favorite Aunts. She always was very stern, But she had a motherly vibe that She loved to be around. Dannie smiled  when her eyes landed on her Aunt. Dannie ran straight to her and bear hugged her as hard as she could. "Where is Uncle Benny ? " She aunt laughed as she hugged her back. "He will be here in a minute." Dannie alittle bummed that Her Uncle was not here, nodded her head. " Dannie Go in and wash up for dinner" Her mother said walking up. Dannie said Ok to her mother and walked inside. "Mandy, what did the doctor say the other day?" Lana said looking at her sister in law.  Mandy advoided eye contact as she contemplated if she should tell her or not. "I'm not going to make it christmas. If we are lucky, we might have thanksgiving together. " Mandy's Hazel eyes watered up, begging to be released.     Lana stared at Mandy at dinner while everyone was enjoying each others company. SHe studied Every detail, engraving it into her mind. Her long Blonde hair that was naturally straight, eyes that held a mysterious Grey color. Her lips were the color of a coral rose and the perfect amount of pout to them that even cupid would even fall in love.  "Lana, why are you staring at me like that?" is what brought Lana back down from her own little world. Realizing that the whole table was staring at her now made her nervous. "sorry I must have zoned out there. " Lana said kinda laughing it off. Mandy shrugged and continued on in a disagreement between Britney and herself.      After supper, Everybody was sitting in the living room watching Big Fish when all of a sudden the power went out. Lana reached for her husband but remembered he was at work. "shh Mandy stay here with britney and Dannie while I go get my phone to call the cops." Lana quietly got up and slowly walked to the kitchen. As she reached the hallway that lead to the kitchen, behind her was the front door.          "Ping" "Ping" "Ping" Glass shattered behind her. Bullets being shot and the sound of the front door beinged kicked made Lana Scream "Mandy Run !!" The stairs to the basement where next to the kitchen. Lana ran as fast as she could and almost didn't stop in time when Dannie walked out in front of her. " Dannie! hurry come with me ! " Lana Picked Dannie up and ran to the basement right as the door kicked in. Lana latched the door and went to the very back corner and grabbed one of her big suit cases. "dannie get in here and no matter what and I mean no matter what you hear do not make any sounds and do not get out until you see the sun through the window. Do you understand ? " Sounds of gun shots and screams rang up above them. Dannie, now crawling and laying down in the bag nodded her head in understanding.  With a final kiss, Lana zipped her up in the bag leaving a little bit of a gap to be able to free herself, still laying in the corner looking untouched. The foot steps above them where heading to the door to the basement. Lana ran to the door to hold it close. Dannie could see through the gap her aunt had provided her. The stairs and back wall were the only things that she could see.  "Bang" "Bang" and the scarlete blood splattering the back wall told her that was the last time she was ever going to see her family alive.  She held her mouth to keep the sobs and screams from escaping as she had just witnessed her aunt being murdered. But her heart stoppped when she heard the sound of foot steps coming down the stairs...