Gypsy Girl
by Kylie Boner (aged 14)
“The end,” the little girl stated to her audience.
Applause filled the auditorium as the girl glanced towards her kindergarten teacher for guidance. He came on stage, smiling at the child who continued to look at him through her big brown eyes. Her long hair waved around her face and her cheeks glowed.
“Well done.” The man looked down at the girl, then turned his attention back towards the audience. “I think you will all agree that this girl has true talent, well beyond her years…” He droned on as the little girl skipped off stage.
She aimlessly wandered outside as the teacher continued. She peered in one of the windows and located her foster parents sitting side by side. Both were dressed formally. The woman, a tall, stern lady, was wearing a black shirt and jacket. The man wore a smart suit. The girl turned away from the window, glancing into the forest.
As she did she saw a woman standing in tatty, ragged clothes, her long hair waving in loose curls around her face, her deep brown eyes frightened. The girls’ face lit up and she ran blindly towards the woman. The two embraced, tears rolling down their cheeks.
Within minutes the wide double doors opened and people spilled out of the auditorium. The girl continued to cling to the woman. Her eyes were screwed up tightly, her head buried in the woman’s chest. Her foster mother strode towards them, pulling the girl roughly away. The little girl was dragged back with tears streaming down her face. She strained against the tight grasp.
“Stop it! You’re making a scene,” her foster mother hissed at her through clenched teeth.
“Let go…let me go.” The child screamed, throwing her head back. The girl continued to scream as she was dragged away. The screaming ceased and a tight smile was aimed in her direction from her foster mother. The girl shot her a hateful look then spun slightly towards the black-gloved hand holding her. Barely hesitating the girl lowered her head and sank her teeth in.
The strangled yell echoed through the valley as the girl ran. Back to the woman still standing in the shadows. Once more the girl grasped the woman, but this time the woman bent close and whispered in her ear.
Clutching the child’s arm the woman began to run, stumbling through the forest. Minutes later they were being chased and the woman bent to scoop up the little girl. The woman ran with the girl, peering over her shoulder with frightened eyes.
A gunshot echoed around the valley. Both woman and child screamed. The woman dropped to the ground, covering the child’s head. Soon people surrounded them and the girl was pulled from the woman’s grasp. This time she was swung up on to the man’s shoulder and could not kick. She pummeled her foster father with all her might, gaining nothing.
Another gunshot echoed and the girl looked up startled. The women looked at the girl for the last time, brown wavy hair hanging over her face, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her mouth opened with disbelief as her mother slowly slipped into unconsciousness.
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