Chapter One page 1

   
    The screaming, yelling, and crashing of things being thrown in the other room filtered through the walls and her three year old brother began to shake.  Laying her head down beside him she began to hum softly... hoping that it would drown out the commotion from the opposite room. She only prayed they'd not come in the closet where she'd hidden herself and her little brother.  

      Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
And I say it's all right.

   Pulling the thin blanket over them as hums became a soft singing, Allora wrapped her arm around him in a comforting yet protective way.  Whispering against his soft blonde hair.  ''Shh, Daniel, I know you're scared.  Just lay here with sissy and you'll be okay.  It will stop.  I'll protect you.''  Her voice was steady and calm, it had to be for him. It didn't convey the shaking quivering little seven year old girl inside, the girl who was terrified, who wanted to scream herself, run from the room, the house, and never look back.  She knew he needed her strength.  She knew that strength would be tested through the night's long dark hours but she also knew she would not break.

    Sometime in the night the noise subsided and she was able to drift off to sleep, her nightmares keeping her entertained.  The morning early sun  filtered through the slats in the closet door, willing her to wake up. She carefully slid away from Daniel replacing her body with the stuffed bear, so he'd not lose the comfort of having something soft to lean against.  Opening the closet door slowly she stepped out and then closed it back just in case.  He was always her first thought... protecting her Daniel.  Yes, her Daniel.  She'd helped raise him since he was born and now felt very much like he was hers. 

    Opening the bedroom door as quietly as she could she stepped out into the hallway that lead to both her mothers room at one end and the living room at the other.  Where would she be? Where did Allora avoid? Why did her mother insist on having such horrible men over? Why did they live in constant fear? A few things swirling about the young girls head as she tiptoed past the living room into the kitchen.  Rummaging through the cupboards as quietly as possible to find something for Daniel to eat when he woke wasn't an easy task. They had nothing.  She took the saltine crackers and jelly, along with a spoon and a glass of water back to their room, set them out on the little table beside the mattress that lay on the floor and plopped down on that mattress.  Then and only then did she allow herself to cry and shake.  Doing it silently not to wake anyone she let the flood of emotions pour from her body, from her soul. Crying herself back to sleep.