Beyond The Mirror

Prologue

The quiet and placid evening had suddenly gave way to a heavy rain. There were howling wind and claps of thunder. It was three years after Mareth's birth when Lilian was first diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma. She went through surgery when they first found out and it was deemed successful and because she was the type who seemed young and healthy, she successfully lived a healthy life without recurrence. But she had another recurrence three years after. She had gone through radiation therapy and year-long of chemotherapy. They know that patients who underwent surgery for recurrent glioblastoma exhibited a significant increase in survival compared with patients who did not. They knew that her tumor was not fully removed after the second surgery. And what they did not registered was that a third surgery for a second recurrence does not contribute to any significant survival benefits. "Mr. Michener, she will need to undergo surgery as soon as possible." the doctor had told Ronald and he had given them a 'go ahead' Jagged lightning streaks raced madly across the sky, briefly illuminating the darkness outside as Ron and Mareth await in the waiting room. "Dad," Mareth called. Mareth had a long blond hair, round charming face with big olive eyes. Ron who had been pacing back and forth paused and turned towards the child. His brow raised in a responding gesture. "Will Mom be all right?" In response to her question, Ron came to her, sat next to her and drew the child closer to himself. And it was then that the door opened and the doctor came in. Ron immediately stood up. "Doctor, how is she?" Ron asked. "We did everything we could, Mr. Michener. But unfortunately, we lost your wife during the surgery process." Ron did not react on what he heard, he just stood there, looking at the man, as if his entire world was crumbling down. He felt like his world was crumbling down into ashes, as if the sun, the moon and the star all fell down at once. His heart, his soul, felt like it was being crushed as his whole body went numb. Ron had arranged for a wake at the funeral home. Soon the place was filled with friends and few relatives. At the wake, Mareth was the first to say goodbye. It was a small room, filled with different types of flowers. Lilian was so beautiful,even in death. She had an expression almost like she wanted to smile. Very peaceful. The man at the funeral home had told Mareth she could put anything she wanted in the casket with Lilian- a letter, even, if the child wanted to write one. Instead, Mareth placed a photograph of both her parents on the front dress. Then she stood quietly looking into the face of her mother. "Goodbye, Mom." she muttered and raised a hand in farewell.