I yawned and stretched looked out through the roof of my tent and saw the sun shining in.  Green, dappled glowing spots like the coat pattern of a newborn fawn.

The smallest smile remained on my face. Surprised that what I planned worked! Just as equally surprising, was the small amount of confidence I gained as I did.

Examining new feelings seems to have become a thing since I left home... Some realizations brought immense relief. Others brought me immense worry.

I must be careful not to get too big for my britches and remember I'm just a girl, not a superwoman!

My friends were coming today and I wanted to make sure I met them at the gate given my new routine of coming and going in random areas.

Crawling out of the tent, the thought occurred to me, that was the best sleep I've had since I've been here!  Another bonus! I made myself a small fire and considered what was left to eat. I still had a couple of cans of Alpha Ghetti a can of stew and two pieces of bread.  I opted for the stew. 

I and the Alpha Ghetti have a difference of opinion.

While I waited for the stew to warm, I prepared myself to walk out of the bush. I washed my face and brushed my hair. I took a small twig and picked out the dirt from under my fingernails. Brushing my teeth could wait considering food was on the fire.

I ate quickly and put out the fire. I brushed my teeth and washed my hands one more time. Then pulled tight the drawstring around my waist so my pants didn't fall while I was walking. Looking around the site to make sure outward signs of habitation were hidden as best as they could be, I then began the walk out of the bush. 

Although I was clean, my clothes had seen better days.  I thought to myself, "What does it matter, they're not that much worse than what I had at home anyway."

I approached the main entrance, found the logs lining the parking lot, sat down and waited.  I wondered if they found out anything about my sister and/or what my parents were up to if anything. And where my sister was I heard a young man's voice,

"Hey, brain dead! Didn't you hear us the first time?" M said with a smile.

"If I heard you call me that name the first time, you wouldn't be standing here now for the second calling me that." I retorted smiling back.  "Hey guys, glad you came.""How come you're out here? We know where you're at." S said.

"Some things happened since you were here last. I needed to change up my entrance and exit. We're gonna go separately this time." I answered.

An odd expression came over the faces of my two friends.

"No, I think we should take a walk up to McDonald's and have something to eat cuz you look like a bone rack that went on a diet!" M explained. 

Although pleased as punch that we were going to Mcdonald's, I needed an answer for that uncomfortable expression they were wearing.

"Guys what's going on tell me now I know something's happened so spit it out, "I demanded.

"It's your sister...she's gone...."