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Exy's siblings
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Daniel - Oldest brother, 23 years old, goes by Niel most of the time
Esther - Second oldest, female, 21 years old, nicknamed Essy
Ecclesiastes - Third child, male, 19 years old, Aster is his nickname
Ezekiel - Fourth, male, 17 years old, most people call him Zeke
Ezra - Fifth child, male, 15 years old, normally called Z by his friends (it is mentioned a few times in the story that Ezra is the older twin.)
Exodus - Sixth, female, 15 years old, goes by Exy
-(There was a baby boy that was still born)-
Ruth - Eighth, female, 10 years old
Jeremiah - Ninth, male, 9 years old, goes by Jerry a lot
Micah - Tenth and final child, female, 6 years old
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Parents
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Leslie - Mother, has been married six times
Jake - first husband, Niel's father
Obadiah - second husband, Essy's, Aster's, Z's, Exy's, and Zeke's father.
Rocky - third husband, Ruth's father
Kip - fourth husband, Jerry's father
Mark - fifth husband, Micah's father
Jose' - sixth husband, Current husband of Leslie's
Chapter 1
"The name's Exy." She said quietly.
"Exy, huh? Lame name for a lame girl. You're kind of chubby as well." grumbled the man.
Exy looked down and then at her brother, Ezra, who was glaring at the ridiculing man before them. "Don't say that." Ezra snapped.
"What did you say?" the man turned to Ezra, "I am your father now and I expect some respect from you. I can say what I want to your sister."
Ezra opened his mouth to answer, but Exy touched his arm. She gave him a calming look and turned to Jose', their new father. "Please sir, forgive Ezra. We haven't had a father in so long, it is a bit strange and we are not yet used to it."
Jose' appeared surprised by Exy's actions and didn't answer. Instead he moved on to speak with the younger children. Exy noticed that he treated them better than he had the others. She smiled slightly.
Later that day, Exy, Micah, and Jerry sat in one of the bedrooms, talking about Jose'.
"Exy, should we call him by his first name or Father?" Jerry asked.
"I think Father. After all, our Heavenly Father tells us to be respectful of our parents and those who are older than us." Exy replied.
Jerry nodded. Micah giggled, "Big sis, those who are older than us are elders, right?"
"Yes," Exy said "That's right. I forgot you're a big six year old as of tomorrow and can understand words like elders." Exy smiled at her little sister.
Micah grinned. "Yup! I'm gonna show Father what a big girl I am tomorrow and he's gonna like me more!"
Jerry laughed. "Yeah, like that's going to happen."
Micah stuck her tongue out at her brother. Exy sighed. "Alright. Jerry, go say good night and then go to bed. Don't forget to give Ezekiel back that baseball you borrowed this morning. Micah, go say good night to Mother and every one else." Exy kissed them both on the head and gave them hugs before shooing them out of the room.
Exy laid down, staring at the ceiling. Silently she prayed. 'God, please help this marriage stay. Help us all to grow to be a family with a father. Thank you for everything you've blessed us with today. Amen.' Exy finished praying just as Ruth walking in, shutting the door behind her.
Exy noticed a strange look on her sister's face. Without saying a word, she stood up and hugged her. Ruth clung to her sister. Neither spoke, but when Ruth pulled away, Exy was praying. Ruth whispered her thanks before going to her bed.
Exy smiled and followed suit. A yawn escaped her as she laid down. As her eyes shut, thoughts of her real earthly father came to her. Be strong, Exy. I'll be waiting for you. Believe and keep your faith no matter what. The words resounded over and over in her mind as if he had just spoken them. An eery feeling came to her. She tossed in her sleep.
1:34 AM...
Exy sat up quickly in her bed. What was this feeling? Something ran down her face, making her jump. Slowly, she reached up to touch her cheeks. Wet. She had been crying? She wiped her wet face on her shirt. Exy realized she must have had one really bad dream because her pajamas were sticking to her with sweat.
The only thing that remained, from the dream, was an eery feeling that Exy couldn't shake off. It made her nervous and a bit jumpy. Suddenly, her dark room seemed terrifying. Exy, shaking, stumbled out of bed and to the bathroom.
After turning the light on, Exy gasped. She was deathly pale, except for her face which was red from crying. Exy washed her face with cold water before going back to bed.
However, sleep was a long time coming. Exy tossed and turned until dawn's light broke the darkness. She fell into a troubled sleep until her alarm went off at 7:30. Today was the first day of school...
Exy had managed to get to school on time and stumble through her day. At lunch, her friends had been worried about her. She had been acting like a zombie, they said. I'm fine was all she could manage. The day seemed to drag on until she was finally home.
Exy didn't understand why she felt this way, it had only been a dream. She walked past Ezra without a word. He gave her a worried look. "Exodus...Are you okay?" He called after her. She didn't answer. Her father's words echoed in her mind again. What was this? What was wrong with her?
She stopped in the living room, beside her father's chair. Gently, Exy touched the soft, brown material of the rocking chair. Her eyes widened when she felt arms around her. She looked up to see Ezra. He smiled at her and she couldn't help but smile back. "Pray." He said and she nodded slowly. Together, they bowed their heads and prayed silently.
The strange thing was, Exy didn't feel any better after they finished praying. Ezra let Exy go and went to his room. Exy sighed. Prayer always made her feel better, why didn't it this time?
Exy went about the rest of her day without really knowing what she was doing. Everything just faded into nothing. When she went to bed that night, she couldn't sleep and her father's words echoed through her mind again. She tossed and turned all night, not falling asleep until morning's light peaked through the curtains.
Several weeks later
"Exy, what is wrong with you? Your grades are falling, you've practically stopped eating, and you have dark circles underneath your eyes. In fact, you can barely keep your eyes open!" Avera stared at Exy.
Exy sighed. "I don't know, Ava. I just can't seem to sleep, at least during the night. I always fall asleep when the sun rises."
"I think you should go to the doctor. They could give you some sleeping pills or somethin'."
Exy shook her head. "Not yet. I haven't given up that much!" She smiled slightly. "Anyways, we don't have the money to take me to the doctor. We have other things to pay for."
Avara smirked. "You sound like an adult, Exy. Okay, you win. I'll be keeping an eye on you though. If you get any worse, I will pay for the doctor visit myself."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Exy smiled good-naturally at her friend. "Let's just move on for right now, okay? It's about time for the bell to ring."
Avera shook her head slightly. "How do you know things like that?"
"I pay attention to detail." Exy looked at the clock hanging above the cafeteria's doors. One,two,three.
BRIINNGGG!!! Exy smiled, right on time.
As the two girls walked to the doors, Exy hooked her arm through Avera's, sighing softly. Now began the rest of a long day.
-------------------------------
Exy lay in bed that night, staring at the moon. Her bed had originally been against the wall, as far from the window as possible. She had recently taken to sitting on the floor and just staring at the moon, so she finally just decided to move her be over. This behavior had worried her siblings, as she normally hated sleeping anywhere near the window.
She didn't understand her own behavior. Everywhere she went, she had this feeling of dread, of fear, and yet nothing had happened to her. Maybe the loss of my father has finally caught up to me , Exy thought. A memory of his funeral went through her mind. I didn't even cry. I just sat there, as happy as ever.
Her own mind shouted to Exy how stupid she was. Quietly, she slipped out of her bed and room. The house was lit by the eery light of the moon. Exy's breathing grew heavier, from fear, as she moved to the kitchen. She unlocked the deadbolt and walked into the crisp fall air, closing the door behind her. A shiver went down her spine as the gentle wind caressed her.
She walked down the moon-lit sidewalk, the light of the street lamps occassionally lighting her path. The faint sound of cars eased he fear. She wasn't alone in this dark, she felt welcomed and loved, instead of hated and shunned, like she had always felt when in the dark. Now the night cleared her worried and confused mind, the fear and dread just washing away.
The sound of a possibely approaching car, she ignored, she was absorbed in the moon smiling down at her. She did not turn her head until the approaching vehicle grew close enough that it's headlights shone upon her. Exy turned to see the blinding glare of headlights that seemed to be headed straight for her. The fear and dread returned in an instant. Was this vehicle's driver after her or was she just crazy?
"The name's Exy." She said quietly.
"Exy, huh? Lame name for a lame girl. You're kind of chubby as well." grumbled the man.
Exy looked down and then at her brother, Ezra, who was glaring at the ridiculing man before them. "Don't say that." Ezra snapped.
"What did you say?" the man turned to Ezra, "I am your father now and I expect some respect from you. I can say what I want to your sister."
Ezra opened his mouth to answer, but Exy touched his arm. She gave him a calming look and turned to Jose', their new father. "Please sir, forgive Ezra. We haven't had a father in so long, it is a bit strange and we are not yet used to it."
Jose' appeared surprised by Exy's actions and didn't answer. Instead he moved on to speak with the younger children. Exy noticed that he treated them better than he had the others. She smiled slightly.
Later that day, Exy, Micah, and Jerry sat in one of the bedrooms, talking about Jose'.
"Exy, should we call him by his first name or Father?" Jerry asked.
"I think Father. After all, our Heavenly Father tells us to be respectful of our parents and those who are older than us." Exy replied.
Jerry nodded. Micah giggled, "Big sis, those who are older than us are elders, right?"
"Yes," Exy said "That's right. I forgot you're a big six year old as of tomorrow and can understand words like elders." Exy smiled at her little sister.
Micah grinned. "Yup! I'm gonna show Father what a big girl I am tomorrow and he's gonna like me more!"
Jerry laughed. "Yeah, like that's going to happen."
Micah stuck her tongue out at her brother. Exy sighed. "Alright. Jerry, go say good night and then go to bed. Don't forget to give Ezekiel back that baseball you borrowed this morning. Micah, go say good night to Mother and every one else." Exy kissed them both on the head and gave them hugs before shooing them out of the room.
Exy laid down, staring at the ceiling. Silently she prayed. 'God, please help this marriage stay. Help us all to grow to be a family with a father. Thank you for everything you've blessed us with today. Amen.' Exy finished praying just as Ruth walking in, shutting the door behind her.
Exy noticed a strange look on her sister's face. Without saying a word, she stood up and hugged her. Ruth clung to her sister. Neither spoke, but when Ruth pulled away, Exy was praying. Ruth whispered her thanks before going to her bed.
Exy smiled and followed suit. A yawn escaped her as she laid down. As her eyes shut, thoughts of her real earthly father came to her. Be strong, Exy. I'll be waiting for you. Believe and keep your faith no matter what. The words resounded over and over in her mind as if he had just spoken them. An eery feeling came to her. She tossed in her sleep.
1:34 AM...
Exy sat up quickly in her bed. What was this feeling? Something ran down her face, making her jump. Slowly, she reached up to touch her cheeks. Wet. She had been crying? She wiped her wet face on her shirt. Exy realized she must have had one really bad dream because her pajamas were sticking to her with sweat.
The only thing that remained, from the dream, was an eery feeling that Exy couldn't shake off. It made her nervous and a bit jumpy. Suddenly, her dark room seemed terrifying. Exy, shaking, stumbled out of bed and to the bathroom.
After turning the light on, Exy gasped. She was deathly pale, except for her face which was red from crying. Exy washed her face with cold water before going back to bed.
However, sleep was a long time coming. Exy tossed and turned until dawn's light broke the darkness. She fell into a troubled sleep until her alarm went off at 7:30. Today was the first day of school...
Exy had managed to get to school on time and stumble through her day. At lunch, her friends had been worried about her. She had been acting like a zombie, they said. I'm fine was all she could manage. The day seemed to drag on until she was finally home.
Exy didn't understand why she felt this way, it had only been a dream. She walked past Ezra without a word. He gave her a worried look. "Exodus...Are you okay?" He called after her. She didn't answer. Her father's words echoed in her mind again. What was this? What was wrong with her?
She stopped in the living room, beside her father's chair. Gently, Exy touched the soft, brown material of the rocking chair. Her eyes widened when she felt arms around her. She looked up to see Ezra. He smiled at her and she couldn't help but smile back. "Pray." He said and she nodded slowly. Together, they bowed their heads and prayed silently.
The strange thing was, Exy didn't feel any better after they finished praying. Ezra let Exy go and went to his room. Exy sighed. Prayer always made her feel better, why didn't it this time?
Exy went about the rest of her day without really knowing what she was doing. Everything just faded into nothing. When she went to bed that night, she couldn't sleep and her father's words echoed through her mind again. She tossed and turned all night, not falling asleep until morning's light peaked through the curtains.
Several weeks later
"Exy, what is wrong with you? Your grades are falling, you've practically stopped eating, and you have dark circles underneath your eyes. In fact, you can barely keep your eyes open!" Avera stared at Exy.
Exy sighed. "I don't know, Ava. I just can't seem to sleep, at least during the night. I always fall asleep when the sun rises."
"I think you should go to the doctor. They could give you some sleeping pills or somethin'."
Exy shook her head. "Not yet. I haven't given up that much!" She smiled slightly. "Anyways, we don't have the money to take me to the doctor. We have other things to pay for."
Avara smirked. "You sound like an adult, Exy. Okay, you win. I'll be keeping an eye on you though. If you get any worse, I will pay for the doctor visit myself."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Exy smiled good-naturally at her friend. "Let's just move on for right now, okay? It's about time for the bell to ring."
Avera shook her head slightly. "How do you know things like that?"
"I pay attention to detail." Exy looked at the clock hanging above the cafeteria's doors. One,two,three.
BRIINNGGG!!! Exy smiled, right on time.
As the two girls walked to the doors, Exy hooked her arm through Avera's, sighing softly. Now began the rest of a long day.
-------------------------------
Exy lay in bed that night, staring at the moon. Her bed had originally been against the wall, as far from the window as possible. She had recently taken to sitting on the floor and just staring at the moon, so she finally just decided to move her be over. This behavior had worried her siblings, as she normally hated sleeping anywhere near the window.
She didn't understand her own behavior. Everywhere she went, she had this feeling of dread, of fear, and yet nothing had happened to her. Maybe the loss of my father has finally caught up to me , Exy thought. A memory of his funeral went through her mind. I didn't even cry. I just sat there, as happy as ever.
Her own mind shouted to Exy how stupid she was. Quietly, she slipped out of her bed and room. The house was lit by the eery light of the moon. Exy's breathing grew heavier, from fear, as she moved to the kitchen. She unlocked the deadbolt and walked into the crisp fall air, closing the door behind her. A shiver went down her spine as the gentle wind caressed her.
She walked down the moon-lit sidewalk, the light of the street lamps occassionally lighting her path. The faint sound of cars eased he fear. She wasn't alone in this dark, she felt welcomed and loved, instead of hated and shunned, like she had always felt when in the dark. Now the night cleared her worried and confused mind, the fear and dread just washing away.
The sound of a possibely approaching car, she ignored, she was absorbed in the moon smiling down at her. She did not turn her head until the approaching vehicle grew close enough that it's headlights shone upon her. Exy turned to see the blinding glare of headlights that seemed to be headed straight for her. The fear and dread returned in an instant. Was this vehicle's driver after her or was she just crazy?
