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Now or Never

Twisted Freedom

By Sarah AlexisPublished 6 years ago 4 min read
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Morgan and her family never settled down in one town. Ever since she was three, she moved from town to town, never staying in one place too long, longing for the day where she didn’t have to say goodbye, wishing her parents would stay put. She has always felt trapped within this endless cycle—waking up to the cardboard boxes, having to restart over and over again at a new school every year, hoping that one day she could break free from her parents, and it happened. Oakhill. That is where Morgan’s life changed forever. All because of Chloe. She is the one that broke this cycle for Morgan.

The only town Morgan could really call home was Oakhill. Most towns just fade away, but this one, this one was special, this one stood out, this one was memorable. Oakhill was very small, it only had about 4,000 total residences, so when Morgan showed up on the first day of junior year, she clearly stood out as the new girl. Oakhill High School had only about 1,500 students; roughly 375 per grade. The first day of school was the one Morgan hated the most, not because she hated meeting new people, but because she hated that people wanted to meet her. It was glorious torture. She established a routine to avoid the whole “Are you new to the school because I have never seen you before and I know everyone! Where did you move from?” conversation. Head down. No eye contact. Get to each class as fast as she could. Sit in the back. This process was a sure shot to avoid all contact from the outside world. This, however, did not stop Chloe from talking to her. Morgan’s coldness only made Chloe more intrigued and interested. They soon became very close friends, practically each other’s only friends. Chloe was spontaneous and risky and Morgan was reserved which made them a perfect pairing.

Every day, at 3:30, Morgan and Chloe would meet up at the Hot Pot, the local coffee shop in the middle of town. It was a tradition, never to be broken and never to be changed. Here was their safe space, their sanctuary. They shared their problems with one another, although it usually ended up with Morgan ranting about her parents and her constant moves while Chloe drank her usual cup of coffee.

“I’m so sick and tired of my parents moving me all the time. For once in my life I want to be a normal teenager, and have friends I don’t have to leave behind, and not having to be the constant new girl everywhere I go, and have a normal life. But of course my parents don’t understand that, they never understand anything”

Chloe, straying from her usual quite listening, offered her opinion. “If you hate your parents so much… why don’t you just… just… get rid of them? Then you never have to worry about moving and you can have your life back!” Morgan stared blankly at her trying to comprehend the words that just came out of Chloe’s mouth. But then, a small, devious smile arose; she liked the idea.

This, this is where the plan started, where the plan began, where the plan was put in motion. Morgan was skeptical at first, but Chloe managed to win her over. For the next couple of months, they planned, plotted, prepared, leading up to the divine deaths.

November 8. Dark clouds filled the skies the whole day casting a dark shadow over all of Oakhill. The wind hissed as it blew by while the dead fallen leaves got crushed as people walked over them. A day like any other day, but with a twist that changes Morgan and Chloe’s lives forever. Neither Morgan’s mom or dad felt any pain. It was quick like ripping off a band-aid. Then came the crucial question: what to do with the bodies?

“Here! Come here and help me” Chloe yelled frantically. “Help me now! Sit next to me and help me roll their bodies in this carpet. There’s a big dumpster in the alley around the corner from your house that we can just throw their bodies in.”

Morgan just stood there. Unable to understand what just happened. “They’re dead. I’m not trapped anymore in the endless cycle of moving.” She then ran over to Chloe and helped dispose of the unknown bodies she once called her family.

November 12. For the past couple of days since it happened, Morgan felt liberated. She no longer had someone constantly yanking her around from town to town, city to city, state to state, every year. She felt no regret. They deserved it, she thought. This is what they get for the constant pain they put me through all my childhood. Nothing is holding me back anymore. Suddenly, someone was frantically knocking at the door. Chloe. She had a worried look on her face, and Morgan knew something was wrong.

“Have you seen the news Morgan? They found it. Them. They found the bloody carpet in the dumpster last night. The cops have been searching for the people who did this! They barely let me into the neighborhood. We have to go NOW! We have no time to waste! I have my car and stuff packed around the car. Get your stuff we need to leave!

And Morgan went. And never looked back. And never questioned Chloe. They left and never returned to the beloved town of Oakhill where both of their lives changed forever. But Morgan never stopped thinking: I killed my parents to stop the constant change. To settle down. And now look where I am. On the run. Constantly. Never having the chance to be in one place forever. I am stuck once again.

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