(An amazing story written by Mbene with a lot of help from Abby Coleman, Danielle Sheeler, Sara Bernstein, and last but not least, all the people in my workshop. Thanks so much!)

Introduction

Hi, my name is Stephanie Jessica Anderson, and I am twelve. I live in California with my mom and little brother. My mom’s name is Jessica, and my little bro’s name is Luke, and if you are asking, I have a dad, but he died a long time ago. And I was being nosey, and I am embracing it out there so you don’t think I am lying. I think I heard the door shut. Maybe it was my mom. Wait, hold on.

Chapter One: Taken by Surprise

Hi, I am back. My mom just left. I looked all around the house, and I was alone. My little bro went to sleep at his friend’s house, so it was just me. I was going to get a snack.

There I was, standing in front of a guy. He picked me up, and then he put me in his or someone’s car, but I didn’t get to see the license plate. I looked around. I saw so many stolen things, or so I thought. But no people. I guess that there was no one home, but of course I was. Then I started to wonder where my mom was, but I had no idea because I thought today was her day off. I guess not? Then we started to move. I was so scared. Where was I going? What was he going to do to me? Will I ever see my family again? All of these things were all jumbled in my head. I did not feel so good. Then the car stopped. He opened the door. That was all I remember.

I woke up in this weird place, and I must have passed out from nausea. I didn’t know what to do or where I was, but I just knew that he was not in the room. I think I heard his footsteps. I didn’t know what to do. I just tried to get under the bed, but I was chained. I couldn’t believe that this was happening. I was so scared. Then for some reason he gave me the key to unlock me. I did not know what was going to happen, but I just listened to him because I was not trying to make anything worse. Then the weirdest thing happened. He brought me to a really cool room and it had, like, all these swords and things. Then he made me sit down. Then we talked for a little, and then I couldn’t believe I… I… I… I was sitting in front of my… my… my dad.

Chapter Two: The Surprise

I could not believe it. He could not be my dad, could he? No, didn’t my dad die? At least that’s what my mom told me. Then he said my name just the way my dad used to, and we hugged. Next thing I knew, we were going to my house. Then the door opened, and my mom screamed.

Chapter Three: The Big News

“Stephanie!”

“Mom!”

“Jessica!”

“Mark!”

After that, my mom said, “Sweetie, before we have this talk, I think I should get Luke. This is too important.”

All of us in one car was so weird. When we picked up my little bro, he asked who the man in the car was, and Mom said we would talk about it went we got home.

We were all in the living room, sitting on the chairs, and I heard my dad mumble, “I remember this place.”

Then Mom started to talk. We all looked around in silence. And as usual, I broke it.

First, I asked Mom, “Why didn’t you tell us this before?”

She said, “What is happening? How did you find him? I didn’t really know how to explain it or tell you before that things were so hard. You were so young.”

I thought in my head that I couldn’t tell her. I didn’t want to get my dad in trouble.

Then Mom said, “Kids, go to sleep. Your dad and I have some things to talk about.”

I said, “Mom? If something goes on, please just wake me up, okay?”

Then Mom said, “Okay sweetie, I will.”

I said, “Good night, Mom.”

But after she looked at me, I knew she thought that I was going to spy on her, but this time I just did not want to. I just didn’t know what would happen or what to do, and then as I got up to leave, I fell. The last thing I remember was my mom screaming.

Chapter Four: Hospital

I did not know what was happening when I awoke, but all I heard was Mom and Dad yelling. And if you wanted to know, yes, it did feel different saying “dad” in a sentence. I looked around, and I was in the hospital, and then my mom said, “Shh, honey are you okay?”

I said, “I’m fine, but where is Luke?”

Then Dad said, “He went to his friend’s house because he did not want to see you hurt, so he said he didn’t want to see you. Sorry.”

I said, “Why am I here again?”

Then my parents looked at each other, and then the doctor came in and said, “Can I talk to you?” and she pointed to my mom. They stepped out for a little, and when they came back, my doctor told me that I have… have…

Chapter Five: The Stay

… have cancer.

Chapter Six: The Wonder

I just came out of the hospital. We took Dad’s car, and my mom told me that Dad was moving in with us.

“It’s been two years, so I’m finally happy Dad’s moving in.”

That night I was reading, and then I just felt the urge to fall asleep and never wake up again. I went to bed. I fell asleep like I had planned and never woke up. In my dreams, I saw my brother getting married and my mom and dad living together happily, and I knew that I would never get to see it. But I just knew it would happen. Like I said before, my name is Stephanie Jessica Anderson, and I am twelve. I live in California with my mom and dad and little bro. This is the story of how I die happily.