They stopped calling. You didn't care. What a naive, foolish creature you were. You thought you had life figured out, ready to take on anything. You were so excited for the last year of college, sure that you would make it the best year of your life. Exhilarated to be back with your friends after a long, dull summer helping out your father with is chicken stand. Of all occupations, your father had to choose to fry chicken wings. You were so humiliated at the time. 

Before you knew it, you were graduating. Returning home. You didn't know how to feel about this. You didn't know what your parents would think either. You suddenly realized how selfish you had been. realized how many times you ignored their calls, annoyed that they were calling you when your friends were over, interrupting the rare occasions you had recreational time. You can't remember the last time you had talked to them. Finally, the subway reached your station. Stepping out into the sunlight, you see the old fountain that your favorite birds used to sing by. You walk past your favorite bench and the cherry blossom trees not yet in season. Past the closed chicken stand your dad owned. Past the cute little stores and buildings where your friends used to live. You walked right up the doorsteps your little feet had trudged up so many times, this time, dragging your suitcase. When you opened the door of you 2 bedroom apartment, the atmosphere was all wrong. It was too still, too quiet... too empty. Like no one had inhabited the space for a very long time. You looked in every room of the apartment. It didn't take long,the apartment only had 2 bedrooms. Your parents should have known that you were coming home today. There was no note. Nothing. Thoughts were flashing through your mind. No. They couldn't have left. All their furniture was still here. You checked the fridge. Empty. That meant they had at least some time to prepare their departure. Several possibilities occurred to you but none of them seemed right. You went to the police. Absolutely no help at all. You were exhausted, concerned, and now confused. Praying that somehow, tomorrow matters would explain themselves, you went to bed.

~~

No such luck. You never got that kind of luck, who were you kidding. Now you were completely lost. You didn't know what to do. You had no job. You had saved only a few hundred dollars. Not enough for rent and food for even a few months. . It struck you eventually how screwed you were. No income, no job, no food, no family, no friends. You were now desperately alone in life. As you became aware of this fact you felt defeated. Weak. You felt the symptoms creeping up on you. Oh god no. Not these thoughts again. Please. God, no.