Hope

This is my first contribution. It was written from a picture prompt. It is meant for middle grade readers. The title is a working titlte. I couldn't think of a better one. Maybe you can. 983 words.


It wasn’t just raining. Water was tumbling from the sky in sheets. As Adele lumbered off the bus, she knew she’d never heard the rain make such a racket in her life.


The weather in Houston was so different from their hometown in Seattle. Sure, it rained there all the time, they were famous for that, but not like this. Adele could barely see through the rain to the other side of the street. It was almost enough to make her long for home again.

She turned to her older brother, Emerson. He was busy checking his cell.

“I left a message on his cell phone last night. If we don’t get an answer soon, we’ll take the bus to his house. I downloaded the directions before we left.”

He looked out into the blur that blanketed the scene before them and scowled, “Oh man! How are we going to get there? This rain is ridiculous. We’re just going to have to wait it out for a while. Let’s go inside and find a bench or something.”

He picked up one of the duffle bags that sat soaking on the ground, whipped it over his shoulder and trudged his way into the bus station. He didn’t even check to see if Adele was following. Of course she’d follow. She’d followed him on this insane journey, hadn’t she? She’d never questioned his ability to get them safely to their destination.

The bus station was crowded with travelers, all taking refuge from the torrent outside. People were spread out on every bench; mothers with small children, many of whom were screaming from hunger or fatigue; men dressed in long, dirty trench coats reading rain splotched papers, couples huddled together for warmth or affection. And then there was Adele and Emerson, lone teens looking lost and exhausted.

“I’m hungry,” mumbled Adele, sliding down to the floor and leaning against a dirty wall, “Do you have any food left?”


She glanced over at her brother. She relied on him totally. Even at 15, he always seemed so much older than the 3 years that separated them. But she knew that there was no one else she could trust more. That’s why they were here tonight.


Emerson pulled a soggy Ziploc out of his bag. He shook it out a little and handed it over to Adele.

“Sorry. It kinda got squashed in the last bus ride. It’s the last one, so eat it slowly.”

Taking the sandwich, she tore it in two and handed half to him. They devoured it.

“Do you think this will work, Em? I mean, do you think he’ll want us?”

“We don’t have much choice, do we? If our real dad won’t take us in, then we’ll be homeless. There’s no way I’m going back. I’m never going to let that monster hurt you again. I’m your big brother and it’s my job to protect you. I’m sure once we tell dad about what happened, he’ll let us stay. He has to.” his voice trailed off.

The ‘monster’ Emerson referred to was their Mom’s latest boyfriend. Four nights ago he’d lost his temper and had taken it out on Adele. It wasn’t the first time. Adele flinched as she recalled the yelling, and her hand automatically stroked the side of her head where his heavy hand had come down on her. All their mother could do was cry. She wouldn’t stand up for them. Emerson couldn’t let this go on anymore. He’d locked himself and Adele in his room for the night. That was when this crazy plan was hatched.

Two days ago, instead of going to school, they’d run away. Emerson had decided that the best place to go was their dad’s home in Houston. They hadn’t seen him in almost five years, but he’d always kept in touch. Well, he’d sent them birthday cards every year with $10 in it, and occasionally he would email. That must mean something. He must still care, even just a bit. With that flicker of hope in their hearts, they began the long journey across the country. The two day bus journey had cost them their entire savings.

Adele glanced over at Emerson again. There was a thoughtful, faraway look in his eyes.

“Are you scared, Em?” she asked timidly.

He didn’t answer for a long while. Then, he inhaled deeply and looked into her eyes. In a tone as serious as she’d ever heard from him, he said, “No, Addie. I’m not scared. We’re going to make it. We’re going to persuade Dad to take us in and if that doesn’t work out, we’ll still have each other. I promise I will always take care of you.”

“We’ll always have each other,” Adele echoed.

Leaning on Em’s shoulder, she allowed her exhaustion to take over. As she began to drift off to sleep, the sound of heavy, wet boots sloshing towards her interrupted the dream that had begun playing in her head.

“Adele, Emerson! Thank God you’re safe!”

She rubbed her eyes and looked up to see a gruff looking man in a rain soaked coat staring at them. His face was creased with anxiety. Adele recognized him immediately.

Uncertainly, she whispered, “Dad?”

A grin broke out over his lined face and he opened his arms. Without thinking, Adele sprung to her feet and threw herself into her father, holding on as tight as she could.

“You came!” she whispered.

Emerson approached more cautiously, extending a hand. Their father took it in his right hand and then pulled Em in for a group hug. They stayed that way for quite a while.


As they walked out of the bus station, the clouds had begun to dissipate. The sun was breaking through and Adele felt the warm rays give strength to her tired body. She knew it was going to be a good day.

The Unpublished Voice - Children's Stories

I am starting this blog for writers who have never been published. I am an one of those writers. I have no connection with anyone in the publishing business. This is just for fun.

If you have a short story, 1000 words or less, written for young children, middle graders or young adults, you are welcome to have it posted here. Then we'll see what kind of responses we'll get to the stories.

Here are the rules:
1) You should be largely unpublished.- illustrators are welcome too.
2) Content must be suitable for children up to the teen years.
3) You must limit yourself to 1000 words. It can be a short story or the first 1000 words of a book you are working on.
4) You can email it to me in the body of the email, not as an attachment. Email it to unpublishedvoice@gmail.com
5) When submitting your work, please state what age it is written for and what name you'd like to post it under, any contact information you might like listed with the work, etc.
6) I reserve the right to not post your submission if the content is not suitable.
7)Pleases read the appropriate stories for yourselves or to the kids in your lives and leave your comments.

Thank you and let's have fun!