Empty Eyes : Ch. 3 - A Memory of The Past

   Lainey sat down across from the two fakest people she's ever seen. They had million dollar smiles and they might as well had 'Rich Bitch' written across their foreheads. "Hello there..." They greeted. She faked a smile right back, "Hi." Mr. McKinley sighed, "Sorry we were running a little late." "So you're 17?" The woman asked, her diamond earrings wearing down her ear lobes. Lainey nodded, "Yep, turning 18 this October.." "We don't mind adopting a teenager, keeps life around the house less boring.." The man chuckled. Lainey rolled her eyes and picked up the menu infront of her. 'Didn't know I was being adopted just for entertainment..' She thought to herself as she opened the menu.

 Aaron sat back at the computer and looked at the old picture of Lainey and him when they were just kids. He had his arm around her and she was smiling with one tooth out. Aaron smiled, remembering how she lost that tooth. Lainey decided to fight a boy at school, he wasn't raised right and hit her square in the mouth. She might've lost a tooth but she sure gave him hell once he punched her in the mouth.

 "Lainey, would you like to know where we're from?" The man asked, his cheeks burning red. Lainey rested her head on her hand and she smiled, "Sure.. where are you from?" She raised her glass to her lips and took a drink of water. "We're from Monroe, Mississippi!" The man exclaimed. Lainey's eyes widened and she spit out her water. Mr. McKinley, the new foster mother and the pig faced man all gasped and stared wide eyed. Mr. McKinley nervously laughed, causing the other two to laugh. "Monroe you said?" She asked, rubbing her neck. He nodded, "You bet." Lainey shook her head and pushed her chair back. She sighed, "Excuse me.." She turned and practically ran to the restroom. Everyone exchanged glances. "Is she alright?" The man asked. Mr. McKinley frowned, "...I'm not sure.. you're aware thats her home town correct?"

 Lainey threw open the nearest stall door and threw up. She gripped the sides of the toilet and felt her whole stomach flipped in all sorts of directions. When her gag reflex settled down, she had tears streaming down her face as memories hit her like a semi truck. Aaron's smile flashed in her mind along with the mixture of their giggling. "No.." She cried, "This isn't happening... I can't go back now..."

 Aaron turned off his computer and rose. The picture he was looking at before fell onto the floor and cracked. He frowned, knelt down and flipped it over. The only side of the picture that was cracked was Lainey's half. "Lainey.." He whispered, "... where are you?"

 "Lainey?" The woman's voice echoed as she entered the desolate bathroom. She knocked on the first stall and the door immediatly swung open. "Oh my God!!" She cried, "Somebody help!!"