Across the Lake

Chapter 6: The Storm

The afternoon had hit, and I still couldn't bring myself to leave my bed. Claire walked into my room; her footsteps soft against the floor. She paused at the door, her gaze lingering on me before she spoke, her voice carrying the weight of everything.

"Mom left. The doctors called," she said, her words sinking into the stillness of the room.

She walked over and sat beside me, her presence comforting in a way I couldn't explain. "It might not be the best news but stay strong. We can all get through this."

Claire gave me a quick hug, then left the room, heading back into the living room. I stayed there, staring at the ceiling, unsure of what to do with myself. I didn't have the energy to get up, but I wanted to be around others, to escape the quiet chaos inside me, even if just for a little while.

I looked out the window, the sky overcast and heavy with the lingering threat of rain. The world felt just as cloudy as my thoughts. I forced myself to get up and step outside. Claire was quick to run up to the door as I was about to leave.

"You're not running away again, right?" she asked, her tone mixed with concern.

I reassured her that I was only going to talk to friends. She sighed in relief. "Have fun!" she called, her voice fading as she went back inside.

I wandered through the camp, but I didn't see Paige like I usually did. The families around me were talking, laughing, and having fun, their voices carrying in the air. I felt like an outsider, walking through a world that seemed so far removed from my reality. I was hoping to find Maya, though. I'd left her hanging the night before, and I couldn't shake the guilt.

I looked around, calling her name, but there was no answer. I continued walking, the disappointment weighing on me more with each step. I felt so alone in that moment. The sound of campfires crackling and laughter from other families surrounded me as the sun started to set, and I could feel the emptiness growing inside me. It was hard to watch others enjoying themselves when everything at home felt so broken.

I walked back toward the cabin, my heart heavy. Claire was sitting on the couch when I walked inside, her eyes scanning me with that familiar look of concern.

"Had fun?" she asked lightly, but I could see the worry in her gaze. I walked straight to my room without answering, feeling too tired to even pretend.

She followed me a moment later, stepping into the room. "You, okay?" she asked softly.

I shook my head. No, I wasn't okay. She sat down beside me, wrapping her arm around me, a silent comfort. I could feel the weight of her words even if she didn't say anything more. She stayed there with me, just being present, even if it didn't make everything better.

"I'm sorry you didn't have fun," she said, her voice filled with genuine regret. "I wish I could figure out a way to make you have fun."

I didn't respond. I couldn't find the words. The silence stretched between us for a while, until Claire finally broke it.

"Want to play your guitar for me?" she asked, her voice softer now.

I looked up at her, feeling a flicker of something, something that told me I needed to do this. "Of course," I said, the words coming out more easily than I expected.

I reached for my guitar and began to play. The first few notes were slow, uncertain, but then the melody started to build, carrying my emotions with it. Claire sat back, watching me, her eyes fixated on the ceiling. As I played, I noticed the tears beginning to glisten in her eyes, but she didn't say anything. She just let me play, and I kept going, pouring every ounce of my sorrow and confusion into the music.

When I finally stopped, Claire stood up and walked over to the window. The rain had started falling lightly outside, tapping against the glass. I put my guitar down, the weight of everything still pressing against me.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried she wasn't fine, though she'd hidden her emotions so well.

She turned around, offering a weak smile. "I'm fine," she said, though I could see the strain in her eyes. "You play guitar so perfectly."

I wasn't sure if she meant it or if she was trying to distract me, but I appreciated the gesture. She walked up to me and placed a hand on my shoulder, praising my skills. It felt good, but it also made the moment more painful, as if the music had made everything too real. She left the room shortly after, giving me space to continue practicing.

I picked up my guitar again, determined to keep playing. The song meant everything to me right now, it was the only way I could express how I felt. It was a dark, sad tune, but it gave me something to hold on to. Something I could keep working on until it felt just right. Maybe someday, it wouldn't just be for family. Maybe someday it would reach more people.

I continued playing for a while, perfecting the song, but eventually, I heard the sound of my mom rushing into the living room. I could hear the panic in her voice as she spoke to Claire, though I couldn't make out the words. My heart skipped a beat when she walked into my room, her eyes full of tears.

"Your dad won't make it," she said, her voice trembling. My guitar slipped from my hands, clattering to the floor as I sat there in stunned silence. I didn't know what to feel. The world had just stopped making sense. I didn't know how to process it, or even if I could.

Mom rushed out of the room before I could say anything, her sobs echoing through the cabin. The silence in the house grew heavy, oppressive. I didn't know how to react, and I couldn't even make sense of the emotions swirling inside me.

Claire was at my side in an instant. She rushed in, her face full of concern as she pulled me into her arms. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream, to let it all out, but I couldn't. I was frozen, shocked by the suddenness of it all. I didn't know what to feel. I just wanted it all to stop.

She held me tight, her own tears threatening to break free, but she stayed strong, trying to comfort me in a way I couldn't comprehend. She whispered, trying to soothe me, but I couldn't speak. I couldn't find the words. The shock was too overwhelming, and my mind couldn't catch up to the reality of it.

She stayed with me, never leaving my side, until I felt like I could breathe again, though the pain was still there, lingering. I wasn't ready for this. I never wanted to face this. And now, with everything that had happened, it felt like I was falling apart. I was supposed to be strong, but in that moment, I didn't know how.

Claire stayed with me for hours, offering comfort, silence, and presence. Slowly, time passed, but the weight of the news was still there, pressing down on me. I had no idea how to deal with it. I wasn't ready for this nightmare to be real. And yet, it was.