A Light In The Dark

Waiting, Emma was starting to feel very alone in the world. It was hard for her to focus on any positives of this trip right now. First she had to deal with her parents ****, then family that wished to comfort her, but only when it suited them. Emma crossed her arms as she stared through the raindrops on the bedroom window. She feared that she was being irrational. The weather was playing tricks on her or something. She couldn't blame Jenny for wanting to sleep off a hangover. If Emma was as lonely as she thought, there were others she could go find, or even call.

As she continued staring out into the darkness, watching the storm, Emma wasn't thrilled with her options. Her extended family wasn't the company that she wanted right now. She missed the comfort of her friends back at school. She missed her parents.

Emma was wondering if this visit wasn't a huge mistake, when the flicker of headlights became visible from the road. Hoping that her secret rendezvous had finally showed up, Emma held her breath as she watched the car turn into the driveway. With any luck, her plan would lift her spirits.

"Kill the headlights, Craig", Emma said to the empty room.

The car in the driveway obeyed. Emma watched for a second, hoping Craig was smart enough to wait. When nobody exited the vehicle, Emma turned to sneak down the stairs. Luck was with her as Emma descended the staircase. Not one creak, not one nosy family member asking what she was up to.

Emma opened the front door, doing her best to shield herself from the cold wind, and rain. Emma took a second to close the door quietly behind her, then bolted through the biting rain to the parked car at the end of the drive.

In the dark, her family members preoccupied, only the old house watched her go.