Scortched

Prolog

This is the first time I have gotten the nerve up to publish my own work, so don't judge me too harshly. I would love some feedback. and don't forget to vote! thank you.

So this is my story and i would love your feedback.

Juliet sat on a wooden stool, pushed up to the island, as her mother mixed cookie dough. "Now you add the chocolate Momma," she proudly announced.

"You are such a good helper," her mom told her, as she poured the chips into the dough. "Now, read the rest of the instructions, then put Nona's book back."

Juliet scanned the worn pages of the old book. "Um, we roll it into balls and bake it for twelve minutes exactly! Nona wrote that." Juliet was a bright six-year-old, who loved to help her mom bake, using her Nonas old book.

Hopping down, Juliet put the worn book away and scooched up to the island, next to her mom, to help roll the dough. "I'm going to make the biggest cookie ever. It's going to be as big as daddy's hand!"

Her and her mother baked most of the day until it was time for Momma to make dinner. "Ok Baby, go play. I have to make dinner. Daddy will be home soon."

"Yah! Juliet squealed, hugging her mom around the waist and scampering out the garden door.

#

Juliet tried to mask her nervousness as she crept down the hall to her daddys study, carrying the tray of milk and giant cookies she had made that afternoon. Ever since he got home her dad had been in a bad mood. He and Mommy had gone into the study and shut the door. Juliet hated it when they did that, she couldnt hear anything they said.

As she reached the study, the door was ajar. "Daddy?" Juliet tentatively peeked around the heavy oak door.

"Come in, Sweetie." Her fathers deep voice rumbled.

"I brought you a surprise" she said in her sweet voice. She skirted the huge desk and put the tray on his lap. Moving it to the desk he lifted her up to his knee. Her father looked as if he was trying to make a decision. Juliet could sense the anxiety.

She wished that her parents would trust her with the truth. She was six. Old enough to know what was wrong. "Daddy, whats wrong? why are you mad?" She saw the decision on her fathers face. You are too intuitive for your own good. He sighed, running his hand over his clean-shaven face. "I ran into someone that I use to know today in town. He was not friendly; in fact, he is dangerous." He rubbed his eyes. "Never mind, Honey. Did you make these cookies? They are so big! I don't think I can eat them by myself."

"Yep! Me and Mommy did. These are the biggest ones. I made them especially for you, but I think I can help you eat them." She giggled as she took a huge bite out of the cookie in his hand. They ate and giggled till mommy came searching for her at bedtime.

The next moment Juliet remembered, was waking in her bed as Mommy scooped her up, covers and all. "Shush Baby." her momma crooned. She could hear her father shouting. Only the urgency in her mothers voice kept her from crying out. Her momma carried her down stairs to the study and ran for the closet pulling out boxes and a few coats that had been knocked off the hangers. She lifted the hidden trap door and eased Juliet down to the earth below. "Stay quiet baby, and stay put till someone comes and gets you!" Juliet could hear the anguish in her mothers voice. I love you, my Jewel.

I love you, Mommy. Juliet whispered, as her mother closed her into the dark cramped cavern. Juliet could hear muffled yelling and crashing coming from above and the scraping of the boxes back into position overhead. The chaos did not last long, the house got deathly quiet. Juliet lay in the dark for a very long time, waiting for her mother and father to return.

They never did.