The Power Within

Chapter 1

I look at the blurred television screen, examining the thin faced girl in front of me. The words "Missing Child" is on the top of the screen. Under the picture states her name, age, date she went missing and where. Sophia Vendira, age 7, January 12th, New York. She is the same age as me.

I hear the door slam shut and I quickly look for the television remote on the ripped green sofa. Papa never allowed me to watch television while he was gone, I don't know why. I grab the remote, which was on my left, and turn off the television. I then proceed to slide the remote underneath the television stand.

"Rosie, I'm home!" He steps into view and I quickly turn around towards the back of the sofa. I smile, excited to see my Papa. He is much taller than me and is surprisingly strong, probably because of his muscular arms. He has a brown close shaven beard, which matches his hair, his hair longer but the same color dark brown. His eyes are a calming green-blue. He wears a plaid flannel long sleeved shirt with a black t-shirt underneath with normal jeans. His arms and hands have leftover dirt on them from working at the mine.

"Papa!" I squeal and jump down from the sofa onto the old wooden floor. I run towards him and the floor creaks underneath my feet. I spring into his arms and he catches me, hugging me. He kisses my forehead and places me gently on the ground.

"I'm sorry I had to leave you alone again." His voice is deep, but calming. I shake my head in disagreement.

"It's fine Papa." I say and look around the small house. He smiles and kneels down so his face is right in front of mine.

"Can I make it up to you?" He says and I begin to be intrigued. "How about I take you to Oma's Diner?" I smile brightly and nod by head yes many of times.

"Yes Papa! Yes please!" He laughs and stands up, he briefly walks into the kitchen and I can hear the water running. I quickly run to the front door and grab my coat and place it on. I then step into my blue rain boots. Papa soon arrives and places in his brown heavy winter coat. He bends over and picks me up, causing me to giggle of happiness. I love to go to My Oma's (Grandmothers) dinner. All the people there are friendly and Oma always gives me a chocolate milkshake. Papa opens the door and the cool snowflakes suddenly whip around us. He opens the back car door and places me in the seat and buckles the seat belt. He then proceeds to hop into the drivers seat and we go towards Oma's Dinner, talking about random nonsense.
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I look out the dusty window of the car and see the sun setting, it's vibrant and calming colors lighting up the darkening sky. Papa opens the door, making me realize that we have arrived. He unbuckles my seat belt and helps me out of the car. I look up and see the classic diner, silver and small with a glowing "Open" sign hanging in the window. I take Papas hand which is very much larger than my own and walk through the snow towards the door. The bell rings as the door opens and I hear Oma's voice.

"Welcome..." she says the routined welcome of her diner, she steps into view. She is a short plump women with grey hair that is tied in a bun. Her face wrinkles, but her laugh lines are the most prominent.

"Micheal!" She says in a excited quiet voice. She hugs my Papa tightly and kisses him on the cheek. She turns and notices me. "Rosalina!" She says with more excitement in her voice and bends down and hugs me. After giving me a kiss on the cheek she lifts me up onto the tall stool in front of the counter. I giggle as she lifts me and places me down. My Papa sits down next to me and Oma goes behind the counter.

"So how's everything, Micheal?" She says talking to Papa. Papa talks while helping me take off my coat.

"It's the same old, but my boss says he wants me to start training the newcomers." My Oma gleams.

"A promotion?" She says excited, placing her wrinkled hands on the counter, but Papa shakes his head and Oma frowns.

"He's moving me down, giving me less pay." Oma shakes her head and speaks.

"Your boss doesn't know how to appreciate hard workers." She says, pointing a finger and walks away to the milkshake machine. I look at Papa and he stares at the picture in front of him.

"Papa?" I say, trying to get his attention. His head turns and he looks at me.

"Are you sad?" I say. I always hate when Papa is sad.

"No, of course not Rosie." He says with a smile. "How could I be sad when I have you here with me?" I giggle and begin to talk about what I did today when he was at work. I talked about drawing a penguin, making a snowman and practicing my cartwheels. All of which he seems intrigued in knowing, asking lots of questions. Oma returns shortly with a chocolate milkshake and places it on the counter. I quickly begin to drink it until Oma's warning.

"Don't drink it too quickly, Rosalina. Wouldn't want a brain freeze." I heed her warning and drink it slower. Suddenly the chef, Walt, brings me a plate with a smiley face pancake on it. I giggle again.

"Thank you." I say. Papa always taught me to use manners, it's the best way to get people to like you and to respect you. I begin to eat my pancake in silence, I like the quiet, that's why I love living in the woods where all you can hear are the chirps of birds. An hour passes of small conversations.

"It's getting dark, I think Rosie and I should start heading home." He kisses Oma on the cheek and leaves money on the counter. Every time we come Oma refuses and every time Papa leaves it in the tip jar. Papa places the coat on me and heads out first to start the car. I walk forward, following him, but suddenly a waitress that is not paying attention trips over me, causing me to fall and her as well, but the things she was hold also falls, falling towards me. Knives were the objects thrown in the air. Sharp Knives were the objects coming straight towards me. I hear Oma scream as a raise my hands above my head, cross them. Then silence.

I hear the bell ring, signifying that Papa entered. He runs over to me, calling my name in panic. I slowly move my arms away from my face and open my eyes, seeing my Papas. I look at the silenced people and they all stare in one direction. I look past my Papa at what they're looking at and I see it, the diner wall directly to my side has knives, sharp knives sticking out of it, as though it was a dart board and the knives were the darts. Papa quickly looks at what I'm looking at and then to Oma. He picks me up with no difficulty and brings me to the car.