I'm in the dark edge of a room dimly lit by can lights at the other end. Looking around from where I'm sitting, the room is small and empty aside from the grand piano in front of me, a door leading out to a hallway in the corner to my left, and two dark hallways positioned in the corners in front of and behind me. My sister is sitting on the bench next to me, and on top of the piano is a framed picture of an average-looking, white, middle-class family. The wall to my right is a large glass pane, behind it I can't see anything but darkness, which is making me feel uneasy. But I feel safe because my sister is with me.
I decide to investigate the picture with the family a bit closer. It looks like the grandparents are also included, but it doesn't seem to be a typical family portrait. It looks like a candid photograph of a family get-together; kids playing on the floor, adults sitting on sofas, having a carefree chat. They appear comfortable and content in each others' presence.
Suddenly, what's behind the glass pane is illuminated. I look up too see a large, blinding-bright, open room with white walls and white sofas and a white middle-class family engaging in what seemed to be a lively discussion. I wasn't getting any sound but I could clearly see them smiling and talking and laughing with each other, oblivious to my watch. Upon close examination of their faces, I can't help but realize that I am looking at the same family in the picture in front of me. This causes my heart rate to spike. I know something awful is going to happen next. I don't know what, but I know that something absolutely horrible is about to happen.
I quickly turn to my sister, looking for reassurance, but she's already halfway across the room and running for the door. "DON'T LEAVE ME!", I try shouting with a muffled voice. I reach out to her, "WAIT!". No response; she doesn't even stop to turn around. She only runs right out the door and disappears around the corner. I'm paralyzed by the shock I'm feeling. Her too, now?? Why don't they care? Why don't they ever listen to me? It's happening again. It always happens... every time. I keep being abandoned in my time of most need.
