Cause/Effect

Author’s Note- I wrote this piece to show my understanding of Cause and Effect. While reading this piece, look for content.

Hollis is a young foster girl that just wants one thing: a family. When her foster care place gives her to the Regan’s, everything changes. The Regan’s were a family of 3: The old man, Izzy, and Steven. Before you know it, Hollis and Steven were the best of friends. Doing everything together, including taking wild adventurous journeys. Hollis always heard Steven and the Old Man talking about the mountain and how the view from the top was indescribable. Drawing was her passion, so she desperately wanted to make her way to the top of the mountain and sketch the beautiful sight. Although, she wanted to go, she knew it was a dangerous adventure. Her heart over ruled her mind in this one; she decided to go.

When Steven, Izzy and the Old Man all left, she packed a bag and made her way up the mountain. It took all her strength to make it to the top, but she did it. Hollis got to the top and was speechless; the view was unbearable. She just couldn’t imagine how majestic it was; she started drawing right away. The sun was setting by the time she was finished drawing. She just wanted to get one last look at the view and she stepped out when she lost her footing and slipped over the side of the mountain. With all her strength she held on to the side and managed to pull herself up. When she slipped over the side, she twisted her ankle and had a limp now. She was nervous about her trip back down and didn’t think she could make it before the rest of the family got home.

 She knew she’d have to start walking if she wanted to even have a chance, so she began her journey. When she was about half way down, her ankle was throbbing and she could barely walk. She fell to her knees and questioned her next move. That’s when she heard the sound of engines coming towards her. She shakily got to her legs and looked ahead. There was a faint light in the distance and she knew, Steven had come for her. Steven whipped the car around and Hollis jumped in. They started going down the hill and next thing you know, they were going 50 mph; next, 60, then 70. Steven tried to stop, but the brakes didn’t work. Panicking; Steven quickly spun the truck around, hoping it would come to a halt.  Instead, it continued to spin and flipped over, rolling down the hill. Hollis and Steven, both trapped inside, frantically thinking of ways to escape. That’s when, it went black. The next thing Hollis remembers is waking up in a hospital with doctors and nurses surrounding her. “Hollis, due to your severe accident, you’ve seemed to have broken your leg.” Hollis could hear the Old Man and Izzy yelling at Steven in the hallway; saying it was his fault. She desperately wished she could say something, but it was too late, they’d already blamed Steven.

Hollis is similar to David Pelzer, in A Child Called “It”. They’re both looking for two simple things, a family and to be loved by that family. Both of them are truly good kids and they don’t ask for much. Sure, they come from different backgrounds and have different scenarios. They have different lives, but they have the same personality and just want to be loved. In the end of both books, they both end up escaping the harsh life of being alone and find people who truly love them. I liked both books, but I personally think that A Child Called “It” was more engaging. So if you like sadder books that warm your heart in the end, either of these are great books!