I was playing in the mountains, being the kid I am. I am running around, chasing the wild animals there. What can I say? I'm an outdoors person. Wait, I haven't introduced myself to you guys yet. Sorry about that; the mountains just took my mind away from everything else. The name is Tobe Amaya. Weird name, right? I know, but I like my last name. It means "fly" in Japanese. Anyways, you were probably thinking that I was a guy since I play in the mountains. What's wrong with a girl playing in the mountains? It's not that dangerous, you know? Back to introductions, I am a five feet fifteen-year-old, have brown hair and eyes, and am very optimistic!

   Just when I was playing around with a mountain lion, I heard a sound. I slowly came closer in its direction, and there was a wounded man. "A-are you all right?!" He had been shot in the arm, and there was a cut just above his abdomen that was extremely deep.

   "This has nothing to do with you! Let me be. You're nothing but a stranger."

   "So, what if I'm a stranger?!" I ran to him and opened up my bag to take out the First Aid kit. I mumbled to myself, "Okay, medicine, alcohol, cotton balls, bandages, needles, threads..." When I got them all out, I removed his shirt and used the cotton balls soaked in alcohol to clean around his wounds.

   "Why does this even matter to you?! Why are you helping me?!"

   I stopped in the middle of applying the medicine on his arm. "Look, I'm trying to help you. If you don't want to die, just shut up so that I won't mess up." I went back to work. He stayed silent after that. Just he didn't want to die. I sewed his cut together before wrapping it in bandages. "Finished. Don't put strain on them. Even when it doesn't hurt, you can still rip it again. As for your gunshot wound, clean it with alcohol every few hours, but no hot water." I stood up on my numb legs. "Can you get up?" He didn't say a word, but instead, he got up himself when I reached out my hand. "I'll take that as a 'yes.' Can you walk?" He didn't move. "Anyways, I'll be leaving now. Take care of yourself." I walked and held a hand up without looking back.

   The guy was arrogant, but he has a heart. I know more about a person than you may think. I can't see all the way through them as if they were crystal clear, but I can see them...just fine.

   I reached the bottom of the mountain, and the pain hits me.

   I am lost...what should I do? I see my mom, but she can't see me...even when I'm screaming and yelling right in front of her like a mad man. She walked away, away from me, in the opposite direction. Mom...Mom! Mom, don't leave me here alone! I'm scared...I'm scared. Mom waved to a man and walked away with him, smiling all the while. She left me...and my little brother, Tommie. I held his tiny hand in mine as we watch our only other living relative disappear without us. Tommie was the only one I had left. He was all I had left. Then...he was gone, too. Tommie was only three. He missed her and went to chase after her. I was a little too late. The moment I got there, the only sight I saw was a truck hitting my little brother. I screamed and cried as I ran over to his limp body on the road. No one approached us; this is a scary world...a scary world, it is... Why did it have to be me? The Heavens just killed one bird with one stone and threw another out of hatred. Why did the Heavens hate me so? I was okay without my mom, but without Tommie...I was as good as gone.

   "Tommie..." I unconsciously held unto the ring hanging on the necklace around my neck. "I'll keep my promise. I won't let you down again. I promise; I promise; I promise. I cross my heart...and hope to die. Hang on, Tommie. Hang on. I promise that I'll live your dream for you, so just give me some time to do it."

   "Big Sis! Hey, Big Sis!"

   "Tommie..." A tear trickled down my left cheek. "I miss you...how I miss you so... It has been ten years since that incident, but I still can't forgive myself. I'll take this as a punishment for not being able to save you a decade ago. I know this is late and all, but...I'm sorry, Tommie."

   I was still standing in that same spot as I thought about all that had happened on that day. I don't want to lose anyone else in my life, but who is there to lose now? Every one of them is gone, gone as in gone forever. There's nothing I can do about what has happened in the past, but what I can do is to make the best out of life and live it for those who have passed away. They may be out of sight but certainly not out of mind.

   I took one step, and after that, I took it back. I just couldn't do it. I just couldn't go back to that place, or anywhere else in the world with such cruel technology. That is why I turned around and ran back into the heart of the forest. The heart of the forest is where I go when I just need peace and quiet. The animals know not to bother me while I sit on the tree stump in the middle of the place with my knees to my chest as I cry silently within the light for all to see. I don't mind; I mean, people rarely go here, so what's the point of hiding?

   "This...is home. This will always be home. This is where I will stay...at least for now.