Pulling the plug

chapter 1

A knock on the door of the classroom silenced Mr Bishop mid-sentence. It opened revealing Mrs King and two policemen. All of them looked grim. I understand why the policemen were all doom and gloom, they have probably seen all the crimes in the book happening before their very eyes. But Mrs King, she usually is rainbows and sunshine. A lovely lady. But today she looked disturbed, sad and depressed. It wasn't really a good look for her. The mood in the room immediately shifted. What was once a normal forth period history lesson now became much more. And I had that feeling. You know, that gut feeling you get when something horrible is about to happen and you can't stop it. The feeling was amplified when Mrs King looked me straight in the eye before turning to sir and asking if they could 'borrow' me. Of course he agreed wholeheartedly. I have had him since year seven as my history teacher so he knows I am a total and utter goody goody. I haven't been in proper trouble in school since year three. I lifted my bag onto my shoulders and cautiously made my way past the various grey desks spotted in rows round the classroom. I was ultra aware of my surroundings. I could hear every beat of my heart, every shaky breath I took, every step I took. I felt all of my classmates eyes on me as I briefly smiled at Amanda and Nicky before heading out the door. They were two of my only friends. I know that sucks but I guess that's just the way it is.

I didn't used to be like this. I used to be popular, confident and a leader. People literally fought over me. I had a large group of followers who copied and looked up to me. I was invited round the popular girls houses. We were friends then. They didn't call me a freak or a weirdo or a geek. Freak, Geek. Ha that rhymes. I mentally scolded myself. Not the time Cleo , not the time.

A stone cold dread settled in my stomach as I pulled open the door, heard sir carry on the lesson and met the eyes of the oh so scary police officers and the head teacher. I mumbled a hello and quickly closed the door behind me before giving them my full attention.

"Miss Smith, I think it is best for you to come with us" The tallest officer said . I looked wide eyed up at him.

"What? why? Am I in trouble?"

I was fully aware my voice was a high pitched squeak as I followed all three adults down the hallway. But at the moment I couldn't care less. I just wanted to know what was going on.

The officer smiled a slightly forced smile which didn't reach his eyes and shook his head.

"Don't worry miss, I assure you you aren't in trouble"

In any other situation I would tell him to call me Cleo, not miss. But they are obviously here, talking to me for a serious reason. So I let it drop... this time anyway.

I then stayed silent the rest of the way to where ever the hell we were off to.

When we reached a brown door with a white plaque nailed to it reading;

MRS R KING.

Knock before entering.

I almost face palmed. Of course we would be heading here. The office of the one and only,Mrs king.

As we walked in, the shorter officer, who had stayed silent the whole time he was here said.

"You may want to sit down"

I nodded slightly and sat in the nearest chair, but didn't take my eyes off of the them.

A million questions flitted through my head at one hundred mules per hour. A million senarios played out in my head.

I was scared of what it was they wanted from me.

Am I a suspect?

Did someone want to kill me?

Did they hear about me stealing a lolly-pop from the corner shop when I was six and so now they are here to arrest me on the charge of theft?

I admit it. I was a criminal child. But I repent, I changed my ways.

Before I could make a fool of myself and beg at their feet for forgiveness they started to speak.

"It's your family" Tall officer started. Monitoring my expression closely. My heart clenched in anticipation to his next words.

Anticipating the worst.

"They was in a car crash"

I closed my eyes and took in a shaky breath.

"What's their injury's officer?" I asked, suprised at how strongly it came out when inside I was a wreak.

"Your father is on life support with fatal injury's to his head and chest. Your mother is in a similar situation. The doctors could probably keep them alive but they'd have to stay on their life support at hospital for the rest of their lives"

As I took in his words I slumped foreword in my chair and put my head in my hands. This couldn't be happening. Suddenly something hit me. Hard.

"What about Robbie?" I asked, my voice hardly above a whisper. Robbie was my five year old brother and was one hell of a cutie.

"Robert Smith passed away an hour ago due to internal bleeding. We are so sorry for your loss."

Inside I was a sobbing wreak but I couldn't manage to form the tears that were stinging my eyes. I was well and truly numb.

My innocent five year old brother. Dead.

I thought back to the weekend. It felt like it was weeks ago though in reality it was only a day ago.

____________flashback-_______________

Robbie laughed hysterically on my lap ,his small frame shaking with laughter. His golden blond hair fell down to his eyes and swayed slightly in rhythm with his laughter. He was going slightly red now. I looked to the tv to see what was so funny. It was some cartoon called Life on mars. I don't really know what it was about, something about astronauts and... rabbits. I think that's what it is anyway from what I saw. The astronaut with the abnormally large head was chasing the rabbit round the planet in a mad, idiotic attempt to catch it. I smiled, though I didn't really get it. It was quite amusing, I will admit. But it wasn't pee your pants funny. At least, that's what I thought... My darling younger brother had another opinion. He turned to me with wide eyes which shined their amazing misty grey. He pointed his small finger at the TV and cackled some more. 

"Did you see that Clee?" He squealed joyfully. I couldn't help but match his boyish grin with my own. I nodded and smiled so much it felt like my face would rip.  

"Yeah Robbie, I did" I said. This made him grin wider if that's even possible.  

That night me and Robbie ended up passed out on the sofa. Tangled in each others arms.  

____________End of flashback_______________

I couldn't believe this.  

I'd never hear his innocent chuckle, never see his beautiful grey eyes, I'll never be able to see who he turns out to be. That hurt, allot. 

To make it even more worse than it already is my parents may be gone forever too. I was alone.  

It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. It was worse.