by Cheryl Williams

Created on: June 28, 2009

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Keisha wrapped her little girl up in the blanket and held her close. She could feel her trembling. The temperature outside was 23 degrees, but felt closer to zero with the wind fiercely blowing around them.

Keisha knew they needed to get out of the wind. She looked up and down the street at the large homes with smoke pouring out of the chimneys. The tree lined street made for a picture perfect neighborhood.

Her mind was racing. She needed to find shelter soon, but knew she could not go back home. She glanced up the street at their house, which looked just as picture perfect as the rest of the houses did. But Keisha knew differently. She knew that houses have secrets. Her house certainly did, and as she looked up and down the street, she was certain that all of the houses were home to a secret or two.

A blast of wind hit her in the face, and she buried her face into the blanket and pulled her daughter closer for warmth.

"Mama...I'm cold!" said the voice from underneath the blanket.

"I know, Honey. I'm going to find us a warm place very soon. Just snuggle close to me for now."

Keisha felt her little girl move closer and she wrapped her a bit tighter with the blanket as her mind began to work furiously. She looked up the street at the vacant house with the "For Sale" sign and wondered if it might be unlocked. She knew the chances were slim, but thought perhaps the garage might be unlocked. That would at least provide shelter from the wind.

"Honey, let's go for a little walk. See that house down there... the pink one with the white shutters? We're going to walk down there. Okay? It isn't far and we can get out of this cold wind."

"Why can't we go home, Mama? I wanna go home," the little girl replied through tear filled eyes.

"We just can't. Trust me. It isn't safe right now," she replied.

"But what about Daddy?"

"Don't worry about Daddy. He's big and strong and can take care of himself. Now come along..." she answered, pulling the child to her feet.

The moon was bright, illuminating the snow on the ground...making everything look beautiful. The wind was blowing toward them as they were walking, making the short distance seem twice as long. Snow stung their faces and their vision was blurred as they walked. Everything was totally white.

"I can't see, Mama!" the little girl cried out.

"We'll be there in just a minute, Sweety. Just keep holding mama's hand."

Soon they were at the pink house. Keisha looked around to make sure nobody was looking,

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