Not Lost (Lauren)

There is something about the bouncing, gyrating rhythm in the locomotion of an old-fashioned passenger train that soothes the body and the mind. Bright lights filled the Springwood Depot with their unforgiving light, remaining this way all night and day long, changing for no one no matter the condition. Nate Willow just wished that they could shut off the lights, just for five, maybe ten minutes, so he could shut his weary eyes and try to catch some sleep before the sun rose. Then again, it would probably not be that easy. Sometimes Nate wondered if it was not just his case of insomnia that kept him awake, but also his paranoia of getting to sleep that prevented his eyes from truly resting. Ever since he was about six years old, Nate found great difficulty in sleeping, even under the best conditions. It started slowly, at first; an occasional night of needing to fall asleep with the light on in his room. Then, the sleeplessness gradually continued to haunt the boy, not allowing him to fall asleep with the light on, the TV on, the radio on, the shower on, nothing. He had been having terrible, terrible night terrors that would leave him erect against the headboard of his bed, his eyes bloodshot and staring wildly around him for some notion of a monster creeping behind the closet door or from over the end of his bed.

But there was never a monster. There was never any sort of boogeyman until Nate's eyes found some solace in the darkness of his mind. It was there that the monster would appear, and keep him there as long as it could before erupted from his sheets, screaming and convulsing on the floor. Young Nate would rush haphazardly down the hall, down the stairs to his parents room, his legs ever fueled by the adrenaline of having to cross the darkest sections of his home. But, more than often, Nate would reach his parent's bedroom door only to find it locked, his father yelling at him to pipe down from inside. Nate would slink down against the wood of the door, tears streaming down his face, before eventually gathering up the courage to sprint to his room, lock his door, and force himself to stay awake. And it was all downhill after that. After a while, not sleeping became a habit. His parents took him to the psychiatrist once after his constant begging, hoping that maybe this would shut him up for a while. The psychiatrist, not believing that the night terrors themselves could have induced the insomnia, diagnosed Nate with what he called "coincidental insomnia". He told Nate's mother and father, "The insomnia must have been within him all along. I'm very surprised he never showed signs of sleeplessness at a younger age. But yes, the night terrors and the insomnia, while perfectly timed, are unrelated, at least by all medical standards."

Nate blinked awake. He found himself slouched against a thick metal pole, his legs curled up on the red plastic covering off the train cushion below him, the door to his cart shut and his window covered with a flimsy roll-up curtain. A dim light streamed through a small break in the curtain, creating a streak of yellow that danced and jigged with the jerky movement of the train. Although he did not remember making it to the train cart, Nate was not too surprised he had managed to fall asleep. After everything that had happened the night before and having been deprived of sleep for two days straight, the insomnia could only hold up for so long. At least, that was what Nate could only guess. Ah well, even when I do sleep, it's only ever for a half an hour or so... The teenager estimated it to be about 6:30 right now, judging by the light and how long he usually slept. Nate rubbed his eyes and brought them down his face, wiping away a thin layer of spit that had gobbed around his lips. Eww... He gingerly reached into his pants pocket for his phone. And then the other pocket. And then both back pockets. Nate's eyes widened with horror. "SHIT!" Nate yelled aloud, jumping from his seat and staring down at the cushion. Then, he reached his hand down the crease between the bottom and back cushions, searching frantically for some sign of where he had left his phone.

Father... It dawned on Nate that before he had boarded the train, he had gone back home after his meeting with the cop to gather a few things. But, his father had attacked him in a drunken rage, forcing him to defend himself with his satchel... which had his cell phone in it. "Fuck..." Nate mumbled to himself, pounding the cushion and dejectedly dropping his body back to a seated position. He stared up at the red felt ceiling. There were bronze pins stuck at equal intervals, or at least there would have been if most of them hadn't already fallen out. Now, the felt sagged. Nate rolled his eyes, and sat still for a few moments, closing them again to see if he could fall back asleep. He still had a long way to go to wherever the fuck he was going...

WOOT! WOOT! Nate's eyes flashed open again at the sound of the train's whistle. The chugging and choo-ing of the train began to slow down in tempo. Nate grabbed the bottom of the roll-up curtain, tugged it down and let it go. The curtain flapped up to the ceiling to reveal the outskirts of a town. "What the..." Nate mumbled to himself, standing up and peering out the window. A sign nearby held all the answers he needed. "Welcome to Haddonfield, Illinois!"

Haddonfield? Illinois? Nate could not remember a thing about choosing this place the night before... And how had he gotten here so quickly? Had he slept longer than he thought he had? How had his insomnia let him sleep so long? Nate rushed over to the cart door, grabbing the handle and sliding it open before making his way down the hallway to the next cart. Seeing an old woman inside with what appeared to be her middle-aged daughter, Nate knocked on the glass window and then slid the door open without any permission. "What time is it?" he asked the two of them, watching as the middle-aged woman pulled out a small blue flip-phone. "8 o' clock." The old woman gave him a sweet smile as his eyes widened, while the middle-aged woman just peered at him confusedly. He stepped back from the door and made his way to what seemed to be the head of the train. The train was pulling up to the station now, and passengers all around him were making the carts abuzz with noise and vibrations. Nate had really done it. I did it... I'm out of Springwood. Away from that girl, away from the cop, away from my stupid parents... The moment of pleasure was fleeting.

What now? Nate stepped off the train as it slowed down to a whispering hush, the sole of his shoe making contact with ground it had never touched before. He hesitantly made his way past the ticket booth, passing an open iron gate, and stepping onto a sidewalk not unlike one back in Springwood. His face filled with worry, Nate looked around at all the sights. He might as well be back in Ohio... it was just a street with cars and streetlamps and traffic lights and occasionally a passerby. Where do I go? He thought after a few moments of standing there dumbstruck while a group of women passed him by, laughing to themselves. High school girls, maybe? He didn't care. He didn't even know the high school here. Haddonfield High, maybe? What did it matter? He was lost!

No... I'm not lost. I'm just... well, I'm not lost. I can deal with this. With drive and spirit, Nate began a brisk walk down the road, trying to find some sort of welcome center or maybe a hotel.

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How much more could she take? How many more years could she live like this? Hiding. Running. It was too much, she couldn't be like this for the rest of her life. Her Uncle, he was still out there. Waiting for her, waiting for her mother. After visiting the old Myer's house Lauren swore she saw something move behind her. She swore one thing, not to go back there. Now with her leg cut she returned to the Hotel. It was a fairly nice one, had a large water fountain in the Main Lobby, a free cafe, and a beautiful chandelier. Her room was nice too, it had a big soft white bed. The curtains and carpet was red, they even called these rooms the "Red Rooms". It had a small bathroom that was okay, it was a bit too small but what could she do? There was only a few Hotels in Haddonfield and this was the nicest one.

She laid there, in the comfort of the bed. Her leg was now bandaged up and the sun was setting. So much was happening recently, the box being the biggest. Who sent her that? Michael couldn't of, could he? Maybe it was one of those psychos who looked up to killers, she had heard of a few who followed Michael's work. If it was one, that means they have been following her, this was way too dangerous.

The darkness fell upon Haddonfield like a blanket. The little lights could be seen from people's houses in the distance. Lauren got up from the bed, wincing at the shock of pain from her leg. She quickly shut her curtains then fell back upon the bed, taking in the scent of the fabric softener that was still fresh within the blankets. It didn't take long before she drifted off, a song she wrote humming her to sleep.

The sun was bright, shining though the thin red curtains. Waking up she moaned a little. Oh how she hated waking up. Waking up to the real life, leaving the simple dream life behind. She sat up feeling her leg, which was now feeling much better. She jumped up getting into her duffle bag, taking out some clothes. She took out a pair of nice blue jeans, a purple blouse, and then her undergarments. After jumping in the shower she changed, now feeling nice and clean she decided to go down to the cafe and get a bite to eat. The walk seemed so long. Maybe it was because she was so hungry? Or maybe it was because she didn't really feel like leaving her room.

Once down there she looked around. Only one man was working. He was tending to the donuts, putting in some fresh ones and getting rid of the ones that had hardened. She walked up to the counter giving him a slight smile, which he returned with a nod. Shen took a tray grabbing a couple donuts and a cup of coffee. Sighing she looked around, trying to find a clock.

"Umm, excuse me, sir? Can you tell me the time?"

"8 o' clock." He replied his voice was pretty deep and scratchy, like most men who just have woken up.

"Thanks" She said with a sweet smile then spinning around.

The cafe was rather big, and yet only she and the worker was in it. Then again, she might be the only one staying there, seeing how Haddonfield isn't that popular of a place. She took a seat over by the big windows, she sat there watching people walk by. Occasionally looking at her phone to see if she had missed any calls or text messages. She watched as a group of women waked by, very giggly. At east some people could have normal lives.... Yes. Lauren was jealous, why did she have to be cursed with this..... curse? Why did she have to be born into a family with a maniac serial killer. As she thought of this a pepper shaker started to spin rapidly at her table. Noticing what she was doing she quickly stopped, then looked back to the man. He was luckily facing the donuts still. Letting out a sigh of relief she read the sign outside the Hotel saying you could eat here even if you're not staying here, but you have to pay. Must need the money. Hard to make money off of a place that people usually try to avoid when on a road trip. Looking out she noticed that almost everywhere else was close besides a few stores across the street.



Word Count: 761

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After he had passed down the sidewalk to the right of the train station, it dawned on Nate that he should probably work on asking someone around him for directions to the nearest hotel; there, he could sit down for a while and work out exactly what he intended to do in 'Haddonfield, Illinois'. Remembering the high school girls he had seen a ways back, Nate spun on his heel and watched as they bounced along down the sidewalk at least two blocks away. If there was anyone he could hope to trust in a town he was quite a stranger to, it was going to have to be people around his age. At first, he took a brisk jog toward the girls, but as soon as they turned the corner Nate decided to kick it up to a run to make sure he would not lose them turning down some unknown side street. Upon turning the corner, Nate nearly collided with an elderly woman carrying a wicker basket of fruit.

"Oh excuse me dear..." the old lady muttered as she hobbled along as if nothing had ever happened. An idea sparked in Nate's mind as she slowly passed him by, adjusting the basket's strap into the bony crook of her shoulder blade. He stumbled against the curb trying to get in front of her, but managed it without her ever noticing something was amiss. A bit out of breath, Nate began. "Miss, I'm new to town, where is the nearest hotel?" he asked hurriedly. The old woman gave him a sweet, wrinkly smile, waved her hand for him to follow, and turned around. Slowly, the woman crept around the corner Nate had just passed, pointing down the street directly at an overhanging sign that read: "Haddonfield Hotel". Nate could very well facepalm; he had just been about to go down this road...

"Thanks a lot..." he muttered aside to the old woman, jogging down the sidewalk until he stood beneath the hotel sign. The front of the hotel was comprised mostly of glass, with a small alcove of brick. Nestled within the brick alcove was an overhead light and a glass door that led into the hotel. Taking a deep breath, Nate gathered his courage and strode into the Hotel. A cold wave of air hit him head on, refreshing against his warm skin. It was a warm day in Haddonfield...

The first person Nate noticed was a man behind a counter doing something with some donuts. Gulping, he moved toward the man, opening his mouth to begin- what? What exactly was Nate going to do now that he was out of Springwood and away from his parents? Any money that he had somehow acquired was stowed away in the satchel he had used to make the great escape from his drunken father. Now that the satchel was not his possession, neither was his money, his phone, his license... nothing. What was he going to do? Nate froze in place, wide-eyed, staring at the man who stared back inquisitively. Flashing back into reality, Nate turned and looked to a small lobby area, where he found a blonde girl with a purple blouse sitting at one of the tables. She looked young.

Nate walked over to the table, pulled out a chair, and started talking before she could ask why he was suddenly joining her for breakfast. "Hey, my name's Nate. I'm new to Haddonfield." he said with a smile. Oh boy...

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Lauren watched as a group of kids played tag kiddy cornered at the small park. It was filled with beautiful trees swaying above the small heads that were pirates on a deserted island. One of which had a pirate hat on and what seemed to be an eye-patch. Lauren giggled watching them look for treasure. How she missed being a child, with no cares in the world. Just living to play with your friends and go on little adventures through space and time.

She sighed as she looked down, going through pictures of her and Katy on her phone. Katy was always snapping shots of them both when they were out and about, and whenever Lauren needed a good laugh she would always look at them. Looking up she noticed the man was still messing with the donuts, he was making them look perfect. He really must be bored.

A teenage boy popped out of no where it seemed, standing in front of the Hotel's door right under the Hotel's gaudy sign. He took a big breathe before coming in, was he running from someone? Eh, it wasn't her business. She returned to picking her donuts apart and then taking a small sip of her coffee. She heard the bell ring as the door opened and footsteps soon after. She looked up out of curiosity to see the boy was just staring at the worker, then looking at her. Lauren flashed a quick smile then looked down back at her photos which at the moment it was the picture of her and Katy at McDonald's after having an ice cream war.

Suddenly the boy walked right over to Lauren, pulled out a chair, and sat with her. What in the world? Some random kid just came and took a seat with her, this wasn't strange at all... Before she had the chance to say anything the boy spoke up.

"Hey, my name's Nate. I'm new to Haddonfield."

Well that's nice, but what was it to Lauren? Looking at the boy as he smiled Lauren gave him one back.

"Umm, Hi Nate. I'm Lauren"

She held her hand out signaling him to shake it. Putting her phone in her pocket she kind of scooted over, not obviously, but she didn't want to be so close to some stranger who just pops up out of no where and sits with her while she was eating her breakfast. She pushed her food over a little to give more room to Nate and looked back at him smiling.

"Is there something you need?"

Suddenly her previous thoughts swarmed her brain. What if he was the one who was in the house with her? What if he was one of those crazy people and was following the work on her psycho Uncle? It gave Lauren the chills to even think it was possible, but you never know. She just looked into the young boys eyes as she waited for the answer.

Not soon after the man behind the counter walked over to the table. His face looked very unpleasing and tired.

"Hey, you gotta buy something or leave. It's policy." His voice was still rough and scratchy as ever. Lauren just looked over to Nate as the man spoke.

Word Count: 533

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Nate settled himself into a more comfortable position atop the rather modern, thick-backed chair. The thin teenage boy tucked his right leg neatly under his left, causing him to have to slightly raise up a little off his seat beforehand. Unsatisfied with the comfort this leg formation provided him, Nate decided if he was going to sit here in front of this stranger and explain all he had been through, he would need to switch legs. Lifting himself again off of the chair, Nate correctly put his left leg under his right instead, chuckling to Lauren with some embarrassment as he did so. Vaguely, Nate heard the teenage girl mention her name back to him, a fitting reply for him telling her his name. Lauren... he thought to himself, pictures of Laurens he had known in the past flashing in front of his mind's eye. There was a short brunette with a physical disorder that stunted her legs growth... And a blonde who this Lauren actually reminded her of.

Finding himself caught off-topic, Nate brushed the thoughts from his mind and focused in on the young lady as she continued to speak to him. "Is there something you need?" Lauren asked him, almost too simply for the astounding amount of different phrases and words Nate could pour out of his brain in return. There was so very much he needed, and not just as a result of the events of the night before; Nate bore an emptiness for as long as he could remember, which was only since he was five years old or so. When his parents had begun to neglect him. That chilly November day on, Nate knew that he would always require something more that no earthly entity could give him. A love that was not grown or nurtured or produced, but a love that is acquired at birth and is unattainable once lost. A familial love. The love of his mother and father. Sure, maybe they had loved him then. Maybe they loved him the next year. But as far as Nate could tell by the way Mr. and Mrs. Willow acted, there was no love in their shriveled little hearts for a boy named Nate Willow any longer. Any love that had been present when Nate was five had gradually shrunk until Nate was nothing more than a painful reminder of something lost.

Nate brushed away those thoughts too. All these memories floated up and down in the course of about ten seconds, during which Nate did nothing but stare blankly ahead at Lauren's pretty face, shadowed by her sandy blonde hair. Despite all the things he desperately needed in this world, despite all the times he had sat down alone and mourned over not having these things; love, a real home, a true friend, love again...; Nate could not possibly bring himself to ask anything of a complete stranger. "No, I don't rea-" Nate began to speak, but caught himself. Well, he could not ask anything of a complete stranger, except for maybe a buck or two. Ya know, for living. "Actually, and I know this sounds awfully pathetic and cheap, but could you spare a five or something?" Nate asked with some frantic anticipation in his voice. By this point in his request, he now wished that he had never asked at all. This girl would probably never want to speak to him again, and then where would he go. He would have to go back out into the city and find someone else his age that looked nice enough not to turn him in when he eventually told them the truth. "I'm sorry, that was really rude of me..." Nate said hurriedly, attempting to backtrack to the beginning of Lauren and Nate's conversation.

Before Nate could think of a better way to carry on this chat, the man behind the counter started yapping about the cafe's policy requiring Nate to buy something. Well great. I have no money. Nate certainly did not want to get kicked out of the first establishment he visited here in Haddonfield. But, there was no money is his pockets... Giving the man a momentary glance, Nate turned back to face Lauren, his hands on the table in front of him pleadingly. "Actually Lauren, a few dollars wouldn't be such a bad idea right now."

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