Nightmares

Courtney

"Okay, tell me about yourself and how you got here", I said to Courtney during breakfast.

"Well...My parents died in a car accident when I was four. We were on our way to the park after lunch. My dad was driving while my mum sat in the passenger seat. I was in the back seat playing a game on mum's phone. Suddenly, the phone went off and I started crying. My parents were worried as to why I was crying. They were not focusing on the road instead they were trying to console me. Then..." Courtney paused, she was crying. I patted her back and she wiped her tears.

"Our car got hit by a truck whose driver was drunk. I was the only one who survived the accident. I was brought here when the police couldn't locate any of our relatives", she sighed. "I have been living here everyday for the past twelve with guilt", she said and dropped her spoon. She cupped her face in her hands and said in a whisper "I killed my parents". She was sobbing quietly. I held her shoulder and whispered into her ear "You didn't, the truck driver did. Clear every form of guilt from your heart."

"Thanks Vicky", Courtney said and wiped her tears.

We continued to eat quietly. I looked around to see other kids chatting and joking while some were also quietly eating their breakfast. I wondered what their story was, I wondered how they got to this orphanage. I was lost in thought when Courtney suddenly tapped me. I gave her a questioning look.

"Why are you here?" Courtney asked.

My heart skipped a beat.
I stared at her like she had just grown another head. The whole senerio of how I landed in the orphanage played in my head.
I began to feel dizzy and breathless. I stood up and tried to get out of the dining area, at least to get fresh air. I could hear Courtney calling my name. But I didn't look back, I continued walking towards the entrance. I couldn't walk straight. I was out of breath completely. I held my chest, trying hard to breath.

"Are you okay?", a voice said behind me.
I looked back. My vision was blurry but I saw that the owner of the voice was a male.
I nodded and....

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#Gloria