Briana

"Briana!!!"

"Brianaaaaaaa!"

"Briana...."

"ughhh"

"Briana, get up! I want to eat."

"BRIANA!"

"UGHHHHH!!!"

"Oh my god I'm sorry Briana, I was just trying to wake you up, I didn't mean to jump on your stomach. Please don't tell mom." My little brother Wyatt begged.

"It's fine, I should've been up anyway so even If I did tell on you I would still get in trouble also." I sighed while climbing out of bed.

"True but thanks anyway, we are having Eggo waffles for breakfast!!! We haven't had those in forever. Come on last one there is a rotten egg!" He exclaimed excitedly while running down the attic stairs.

I put my shoulder length, straight dark brown hair into my signature ponytail and went downstairs to have breakfast with my family.

My dad, Enrique Storm, was at the toaster oven watching the waffles for they don't burn. He is a perfectionist making him a fantastic businessman. His clients and coworkers love him, we always have people over for dinner making my life sort of dull on most nights but I'm used to it. He travels around the United States making deals and sales for new medicine, machinery, and even assisting people with getting an occupation. We have a beautiful two story house, not counting my room AKA attic, because of his hard work ethic. He's an amazing dad, work never prioritized him over his family. Whenever my brothers have a soccer or football game, he is home to watch it. Whenever I'm struggling with my home studies, he takes time off to study with me. He's extremely goofy and gives me the best advice that helped me become an optimist in my situation.

My mom, Amelia Storm, was setting the Island up for three kids to sit and enjoy breakfast. Since my family is a sucker for the outdoors, athletic activities, and animals, we have big windows in every room but the attic. So it's hard for me to eat in the kitchen or dining room with them, or watch a simple movie In the living room. My mom studied the neighborhood scouts from Salem Balor's security troops and knows their schedules on the back of her hand. I can eat breakfast with the family on Wednesdays and Sundays because they don't start their post until 9 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. like the usual. Today was Wednesday.

Amelia Storm is a stay at home mom, mostly because Wyatt is 12 and just starting middle school, while Cody is 18 and trying to get accepted into Job academy. I thought it would be fun having my mother at home with me all day but honestly it makes my blood pressure rise. I swear I'll have a high blood pressure illness when I'm older because of her.

She thinks about every possibility and analyzes them thoroughly to make a decision about every action I do. She usually just makes me stay in the attic all day while she's downstairs drinking hot coco and watching hallmark movies. The only features I got from my mom were her green eyes and pale skin, everything else looks like a spinning image of my dad.

When my dad got me a computer from Ralph's father since they are really close friends (my dad even knows about Ralph while Ralph's dad knows about me) my mom almost made him take it back until he explained every part of the computer in extreme detail.

Either way, It is now set up on my desk in the Attic where I talk to about eight friends each day. It used to be a lot higher but I guess some of us just run out of luck. Ralph and I always had contact but one day he dropped something and leaned his elbow on the wrong thing at the wrong time and sent a group chat invite to every server that had no activity of government handling.

It was the best and worst thing he could've possibly done. I made a lifespans worth of best friends especially Alex, Dylan, and Ralph. They feed me pure enjoyment when I'm home alone or when I'm not allowed to go downstairs because of my mom's fretting.

Now every forbidden child I grew to know and love has an insane idea to go to Ralph's Grandpas Cabin in Logan Utah to meet each other. Now I live in Utah just like Ralph does so I wouldn't need a car since Ogden Utah is only a 14 hour walk to Logan Utah. I would also bring my dog Twix for moral support. He was trained to distract or attack any possible threats to people taking me or killing me. I just don't understand why everyone is risking something good they have, like I would get it if our lives sucked, but besides isolation, we're alive. That's more than most forbidden children get.

Most of them have already left or arrived. While I'm still stuck debating with the voice in my head. This is the last day I can debate about it though. If I don't leave tonight I won't make it by Friday.

The question I would always get from the other forbidden children is, "aren't you mad that one parents choice to save their ass changed your life and the way you were going to live it completely?"

I used to ponder that question all the time since my mom and dad decided to have a natural birth at home when the law was announced Just in case of accidental pregnancy which did happen because I also have a younger brother. I would get frustrated at the thought just because I would love the chance to experience school, making friends, playing sports outside, not needing to hide from new people, going to new places, and taking vacations with my family. Now the only thing I get upset about is the feeling of guilt since I restrict my family from experiencing those things too when they are legally allowed to. Besides if my parents didn't make that extremely difficult choice, my little brother wouldn't have the blessed life he does right now. He definitely deserves everything he has received by not being a forbidden child.

Wyatt has curly brown hair and so many freckles, he also has a natural tan that brings out his inviting brown eyes. He's a pro at video games and soccer even though I beat him in both. He's my true best friend. My one and only. His laugh with his big buck teeth could warm up a room. His mind just automatically knows when I'm upset and he comforts me and makes me laugh like there is no tomorrow. He is wise before his years.

Empathy and compassion are his biggest traits and he exemplifies them so well and in a respectful manner. He's already more mature than Cody who is ready to become an adult and move out of the house. Cody is a spinning image of my mother, to his black hair all the way to his small feet. He's never been a big fan of me, if he is he definitely doesn't show it. We've probably exchanged three words so far this week. I don't know what his problem is but we just never bonded the way Wyatt and I have.

Wyatt is the only aspect holding me back along with my dad, but I feel like my dad would understand in the long run or at least try to support my decision when I came back and my punishment was over because trust me if I do this I will have an extreme grounding created by my one and only Mom.

I was silent during breakfast trying to make a final decision for I can create a plan If I decide to go.

"Didn't get a lot of sleep?" My dad asked me.

"No, just thinking..." I replied quietly.

"About?" He questioned.

"If I should do something." I summarized my problem.

"Ah well remember, if it excites you and scares you at the same time. It probably means you should do it." He stated while winking at me.

He does have a point, when will I ever have an opportunity like this again. To get out of my comfort zone and explore things I thought I would never be able to see in my lifetime.

I said goodbye to Wyatt and Cody as they left for school and rushed to the attic before my mom told me the plan for the day. I logged into my computer and entered the group chat.

Forbidden Fellas😈

Hey, I'm leaving tonight with Twix. Wait up for me it's a 14 hour walk so bear with me guys.

I had a lot of planning to do so I decided to quit out of the group chat before anyone could reply and take out a notebook to jot some simple actions leading up to me sneaking out.

First, I have to pack lightly just in case something happens and I have to run.

I ran downstairs to grab little snacks that no one will notice are gone and if they do they won't get suspicious since mom and I are home all day. It was perfect timing too since my parents were outside saying bye to each other because my dad was flying to the capital for a week.

I grabbed granola bars, trail mix, Pringles, and cookies. I stole Wyatt's soccer duffel bag and ran back into the attic where I packed the food, four bottles of water, a few pairs of T-shirts, shorts, and leggings, and a nice brown leather jacket. I couldn't fit my laptop which sucks because I wont be able to contact them if I'm close or in trouble. I slid my pair of Nike's under the bed to use them tonight and threw bras, underwear, and socks into the duffel bag as well. I put some dog kibble and treats into plastic bags and packed them up. Twix, my German shepherd, was staring at me intently the whole time. He can feel my nervousness and my conscious going against its self.

Do I really want to do this?

**********************************************************************

Later that night after everyone was at least in their bedrooms and hopefully sleeping I snuck down the steps of the attic and then went all the way downstairs to sneak out the front window since it's broken and doesn't lock, but no one knows that since I'm the one that broke it.

That's when I heard the fridge slam shut and Twix began to growl.

I quickly turned around surprised to see Wyatt getting himself a glass of water.

"What are you doing?" He whispered.

Wyatt is the only one who knows about the group chat and all the other forbidden kids. He stumbled upon it by accident when he was looking for his air pods. He swore not to tell a soul if it didn't hurt my safety.

Shit

"I'm going to have a playdate with the other forbidden kids." I said slowly back.

"With Twix?" He questioned further.

"Well yeah, safety reasons just in case, I'm not even allowed to be outside." I tried to lie.

"Fair enough, how long will you be gone?" He shrugged his shoulders.

"Hopefully I'll be back Sunday." I sighed.

He put his glass of water on the island and started walking towards me real slowly.

"Promise me this..."

He knows Im lying...great I mentally rolled my eyes.

"Promise me you'll stay safe and come back to me." He pleaded while holding my arms.

Him allowing me to see him like this, cowering in fear, is heart breaking enough to make me change my mind, but I didn't, even though I should have.

"I promise." I stated confidently while squeezing him in a Briana hug.

"I'll cover for you." He whispered as he helped me open the window and put Twix through.

"Thank you Wyatt, I owe you my share of ice cream for a month." I stated as he closed the window and "locked" it.

He put his hand on the window and so did I, but I couldn't wait out here under the porch light forever. I dragged my eyes away from him and ran off into the woods with Twix. Desperately wanting to turn back but the force pulling me forward was stronger.