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Rain beat down on the car as it drove through the New York streets. Casey was so tired. Why had her mom even taken her here in the first place? She almost never went out with her mother, and especially not in a town, let alone a city. It had been hours in the car, and Casey was happy it had whittled down to only one hour, which just shows how long they had been driving. One hour was forever!
She sighed as she stared out the window, her dolls long forgotten. She was actually bored of making them fight now! How crazy! “Maaaamaaaa, when are we gonna get thereeee?” She kicked the passenger seat, wishing it was the one her mother was sitting in. “I’m bored, mama!”
“Casey, quiet down.” Her hands gripped the wheel tighter, and Casey could hear the squeak it made. “It’s late. Sleep. It’s past midnight.” A command, not an offer.
“Mama! This is no place for a seven year old!” She was very proud that she was seven, after just turning seven last week. “I should be free of this car prison! I want to demolish things!”
“You are not to speak again for the rest of the ride unless you must use the bathroom.” Mother snapped. They drove through a puddle and it splashed the side of the car, going on the closed window. “Qīn'ài de*?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you know my name?”
“No. Auntie says you have one but she just calls you Imōto.”
“Well I do have one. Remember that, and someday you might learn it.” That made no sense! “And always remember that you must succeed, Cassandra.” Casey shrugged.
“I know.” And Casey did know.
“You will not deserve things if you don’t succeed at everything. You must be smart and strong, or else you are not good enough for your fate.”
“I knooooow.”
“Don’t be rude, Casey. You must always follow your superiors, no matter what. And respect your destiny. You will bring about change the world has never seen before.”
“Yup!”
“Honestly, Casey, be more formal.”
“Okay, mother.” She said sincerely. She truly did respect authority.
Casey didn’t know she was tired, but she must’ve fallen asleep, because she was out of the car now, and there was silence besides the rain. It smelled. She opened her eyes and looked around. Where was she? In an alleyway, under an over-hang, she realized. She walked a bit, exhaustion clouding her judgement, which was already not good as an immature 2nd grader. At least she would be in second grade if she was in school. Actually first grade? Maybe?
Where was she again?
The pouring rain hit her and she darted back to the overhang. She teared up. Where was her mother? “I know what I saw!” A squeaky voice said. Footsteps splashing in the rain. Casey looked up, and a strange man looked down at her. “Wow, you really do look familiar.” He muttered, then he spoke up. “Hello, little one, we saw you from inside. Do you want to join us for food?” Casey didn’t even think before grabbing his hand, clinging to it and looking up at him.
“Yes, please.”