![]() Though the bones were similar in size to a human’s, I could see that there was still bit of tan colored fur stuck to a few of them. I calmed some at that, and looked again into the pit. “It’s okay,” I heard Jane say through the pounding in my ears, “they’re deer bones”. I looked down at my hands, which now sported dirt and blood, and felt panic swell. Jane hugged me to her tightly, doing her best to try and quiet me. I had time to let out a high pitched scream, before I felt hands on my arms, pulling me out. Some were white and gleaming, others were still cased in flesh and sinew. ![]() ![]() Littered around its earthen floor, just below me, were bones. I lay sprawled in a small dirt pit – a hole in the ground no more than a foot or two deep. Groaning, I rose up on my elbows, and looked around at my surroundings. My arms flailed as I felt myself pitching forward. I had just looked behind me and spied the triumphant grin of Jane, when I felt the world fall out from under me. I was clearing the rear corner of the shed, when I felt fingertips brush my back. Its large red door loomed in front of me, but I ignored it, instead swerving around the left side of the structure. I had almost reached the shed by that point. “Na na na na boo boo, you can’t catch me,” I taunted her, as I picked up my pace. Her golden hair flew out behind her as she ran, exposing dainty pointed ears decorated with pink, sparkly earrings. I looked back and saw that her cheeks were flushed from exertion. I could hear Jane’s footsteps just behind me as I took off for that shape in the distance. Though he had made it clear the building was off limits to us, I didn’t think he’d mind if I simply ran around the outside of it. My wandering gaze snagged on the large shed in the distance. I knew it was only a matter of time before she’d catch up to me, so I looked around trying to find some cover. I laughed as I ducked and weaved, trying to avoid her outstretched hands. We were playing tag in the backyard, Jane was “it”. This time the scenes that played out were much more vivid in detail – when I thought back on them the next day, I wondered if they were in fact more forgotten memories. Eventually those dissipated, and I dreamt of Jane. Dreams of graveyards and car accidents bled into nightmares about chains and small, dark spaces. “Lights out,” he said, as if this were some sort of boot camp. All conversation had ceased by the time Father stuck his head into the room. Before I could question her any further, I heard footsteps coming down the hallway. I figured that information alone might help me figure out who she was. So, she was from some place in Minnesota. It was the Minnesotan version of the popular children’s game Duck, Duck, Goose. I’d read about Duck, Duck, Gray Duck once in an online post. The girl shook her head, and I thought that was the only response she’d give when she answered, “Me and my friends like to play Duck, Duck, Gray Duck.” I was so surprised to hear her tiny voice, it took a moment for her response to register. My parents had made it clear when they introduced me to my new sibling that I was not to pry into her past. “Very good,” I praised, “did you ever play a game like this back home?” I made sure to keep my voice down. When she grinned, she looked like a beaming Jack o’ Lantern. She was missing one of her upper front teeth, which created a large, dark gap. The little girl with the curly brown hair smiled. The series of rapid knocks echoed my own. I don’t anticipate her needing it for any future secret liaisons, but you never know. To put her at ease some, I taught her the Knock Knock Game. They likely plucked her right out of the middle of a loving family. I can tell she’s frightened, and I don’t blame her. Though we’re now sharing a room – the bunkbeds have made a return – she’s barely spoken more than a word or two to me. She’s five, and that’s really all I know about her.
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