Sometimes, things happen that are scary and dangerous.
During those times one has literally nothing that can save them except God’s
mercy. Let me tell you, a situation like that can be very humbling. I recently experienced
such a situation, and diary, I am going to tell you all about it.
I couldn’t
believe that the school year had already ended. It seemed like just yesterday I
was on the bus sitting next to Rose, on our way to our first day of school. So
many things have happened this school year. Like when I went to a sleepover and
learned that I can always trust my sister, or when I figured out the true
meaning of a birthday party, or when Wendy became a Christian, and the miracle
of my baby sister, who will be born in November. Yes, God had blessed my
family, my friends, and I with many lessons that we will hopefully never
forget.
I woke up
that first summer morning completely rested. It felt really nice to be able to
sleep in. I walked downstairs to the kitchen to find Brooke already eating
breakfast. “Well, you seem excited.” I told her. “Yeah, and in a few minutes
you’ll see why.” Replied Brooke with a smile. While I was pouring milk in my
cereal, mom came down the stairs with a smile on her face. “Good morning
girls.” She said. “Roxanne, at the beginning of the summer, we give Brooke one
hundred dollars to spend. This summer your father and I have decided to
continue and give each of you fifty dollars.” I gasped. “Really? Fifty
dollars?” Mom answered by handing each of us one twenty, two tens, one five,
and five ones. “Wow! Thanks mom” I said with delight. I gave her a big hug and
so did Brooke. With fifty dollar, I felt like I was on top of the world.
After
breakfast, we asked dad if we could have our friends over. “Sure, he said, but
stay out of the woods. All the rain we’ve been having might make the creek have
a fast current.” We called Wendy, Katie, and Noel (who will be leaving next
month) and invited them over. Once we were all outside in our backyard, we got
the sprinkler out and were soon having lots of fun. That afternoon, we went to
the ice cream parlor and got some sweet treats. “Where did you get enough money
to treat all of us?” asked Noel curiously. “Our parents gave each of us fifty
dollars.” Said Brooke. “Really? Wow, that’s so cool!” said Katie. We heard a
snicker behind us and turned to look, Sitting at the table behind us was
Hillary, Lindsey, and Rose. “They’re probably gossiping about someone.” Said
Wendy, clearly annoyed. As I looked at them, I saw Rose look in our direction
with an interested look on her face. I quickly turned around. We soon forgot
about them and enjoyed the first day of summer.
That night,
as I lay in bed, I heard a noise. It came from downstairs and it sounded as if
someone was sneaking around. I wanted to go check it out, but I was so tired
that I just fell asleep. When I woke up the next morning, I went downstairs to
eat. “Hey!” said Brooke. “The money is gone!” “What! Are you sure?” I asked
jumping up and looking in the jar where the money used to be. I told Brooke
about the noise last night, and she told mom, who called the police. The police
said that it was very strange that only the money was missing and not anything
that was super valuable. One of them called a call, and told his partner that
he had to go. “Apparently, some girl named Rose is missing.” He said before
leaving. I looked out the window to see him leave and I thought I saw Rose head
into the woods.
I went
outside and ran into the woods. After walking around a bit, I noticed that the
creek did indeed have a swift current. I then saw Rose walk away. I followed
her until I was at the edge of a clearing. I peeking out from behind the tree
and spotting Rose almost at the end of the clearing. I was about to call out to
her when two men jumped out and grabbed Rose. I gasped and ran over to where I
last saw her. I spotted Rose struggling to get away from the two men. What one
of them said nearly made me faint. “So, Vivian, thought the witness protection
program would keep your family safe from us, well, guess you thought wrong.”
I was
stunned. Rose was in the witness protection program? Her whole family was? I
was shocked. “Well,” I thought. “If that’s the case, then I guess I had better
help her. I followed the men until they came to a helicopter. As I walked, I
stepped on a twig. The men whirled around and saw me, so I ran. The men quickly
caught up to me, however, and took me to the helicopter. They tied us up and
went to the front. I quickly wiggled out of the ropes and started to untie
Rose. “How did you do that? She whispered. “When they tied me up, I stuck out
my stomach so I could wiggle out. I saw it in a movie once.” I whispered back.
Rose and I quietly climbed out of the helicopter just as it took off and hid in
some bushes. “They’re bound to notice that we’re missing eventually.” Said
Rose. Just as she said that the helicopter turned around and started to land.
“You run back to my house and tell them what happened. I’ll distract them.” I
said “But…” she started to say. “Just go!” I interrupted. We went in opposite
directions and I saw the men started to chase after me. I ran faster and faster
until I came to the creek. I was trapped.
I turned
around and saw the men catching up. As I looked around, I spotted a log going
across the creek. I went to it and started to cross. I went slowly. Step by
step. I felt it wobble and I turned around The men were trying to climb on the
log. I started to go faster. I slipped, and with a scream, I fell into the fast-moving
water.
I was
shocked at how fast I moved. In only five seconds, the men were out of sight. I
knew that, even though I was a fairly good swimmer, I would never be able to
survive this. I went under and came up, gasping for breath. I prayed to God as I had never done before. I
begged him to save me. As I went under again, I held my breath. I looked up and
saw a figure standing there. The last thing I saw before slipping into
unconsciousness was the figure reaching towed me. The last thing I felt was
warmth.
“Roxanne?
Can you hear me?” I heard a voice. I felt so weak. “Roxanne?” there was that
voice again. I finally recognized it as Brooke’s “Eliza!” The urgency in her
voice combined with the fact that she used my real name caused me to open my eyes.
I was in a hospital, surrounded by mom, dad, Brooke, Rose (or Vivian, I
suppose), and a boy I did not recognize. Hi sweetie, I’m glad you’re awake. You’ve
been out for nearly a day. I widened my eyes and tried to sit up. I winced from
pain and fell back. Careful honey, you’ve got some bruises on your head and
your lungs are still a little weak. “What happened?” I asked in a whisper. “You
nearly drowned.” Said the boy. “I pulled you out just after you hit your head
on a rock.” “You saved my life, Roxanne.” Said Rose, with tears in her eyes.
“Thank you.” “Who are you?” I asked, motioning to the boy.” He looked around
fifteen and I had no idea who he was. “Roxanne,” said Brooke. “This is my
brother, Miles.”
It turned
out that Miles eventually escaped and stowed away on the helicopter, having no
idea who was on it or where it was going. Rose and her family were in the WPP
because Rose’s grandfather was in the mafia and had hidden lots of money
somewhere. Rose had taken mine and Brooke’s money to try to get away. Now that
the bad guys were arrested, Rose’s family was free. They are going to move in
with her aunt in Maryland. Rose told Brooke and I that she was really sorry for
all she had done. She was very grateful that I had saved her despite
everything. I told her that God said to love my enemies; she said she might
have to check out that church stuff in Maryland. With Miles back, I think this
summer is only going to get better. For now, everyone is safe, and we have God
to thank for it.
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