When I joined Weight Watchers in May of last year, I decided to spend the year reading and responding to the Weight Watcher social media, Connect. It really helped me to stay motivated by helping others by answering posts. Well, my first year is done -85 pounds and I am ready to begin my new book. And the words are just tumbling out of my heart. Say a prayer for me that the words weave a wonderful story.
I don't have a name for the book yet, but here is the first draft of the prologue:
PROGLOGUE
The
child hid behind the putrid trash can. Crouching even lower, she
silently put one foot behind the other inching farther back towards the cold
brick wall. She shivered with fear, as much as from the cold and when her tummy
rumbled loudly, she was terrified it could be heard. She hadn't had
anything to eat since yesterday morning. This afternoon her mother
had ordered her to stay hidden in the dark alley until she returned with food,
but that was a long time ago.
Now
there was someone with a flashlight at the end of the alley searching for
something. As he pulled boxes away from the building the beam of light jerked
back and forth on the wall creating monster shadows. She squeezed her eyes shut
hoping if she couldn't see him then maybe he wouldn't see her.
When
the trash can in front of her was pulled away she screamed and tried to push
past the man. She stumbled over his feet as the laser flashlight
momentarily blinded her. She felt his huge hands grab the back of
her jacket lifting her off the ground. Just as her Mom had taught her she
kicked her feet and swatted the air with her hands and tried to bite
the stranger when she heard him say, "It's okay your mom sent me
to find you."
She dropped
her hands and made her body go limp in his arms. Constantly warned not to
trust strangers, especially strangers saying she had sent them, the child tried
this last maneuver her mom had taught her to use in a bad situation. The man
assumed the little girl was going to give up and set her on her feet as he
pressed the radio button attached to his coat announcing, "This is 134. Found
her, heading back to the station."
Now
that she could see again she shuddered as her worst nightmare unfolded in the
dark alley. It was a Policeman! When he let go of her hand to put
the flashlight back in his belt she bolted. The police officer shouted with
terrifying authority, "Get back here, now!"
She ran
as fast as her little legs could carry her, but it wasn't fast enough. This
time when he lifted her off the ground he carried her under his arm to the
police car, deposited her in the backseat and shut the door. When he walked
around the car to get in the driver side she reached to open the door to run
again. She screamed in frustration when she realized there was no handle on the
inside of the door; no way out. Tears ran down her cheeks faster than her
filthy hands could brush them away leaving streaks of dirt on her face. The
officer got in the car and looked in the review mirror at the little girl. He knew without
a doubt this would be a night he would never forget.
