Don't Forget

Fara

I watch Mom take her last breath as Tilia wraps her arms around her fragile body. The machines make a racket as the doctors enter the room. After a few minutes of futile attempts to bring her back to life, they put away the resuscitation equipment.

They finally notice my sister and Kenziel in the corner of the room and I see that some of the employees seem confused by her presence. The doctor in charge quickly leaves the room after asking for my sister's identity. I sense that something bad is going on.

I approach my mother's inert body, trembling.

—    Mom...I let go, running my hand through her body.

I don't have time to mourn her departure, because suddenly the door flies open. Hugo enters the room followed by Henry. The prison guard points his gun at Tilia, staring at her angrily. Henry turns to me with a mean smile and nods in greeting.

—    I thought you'd like to see your tormentor again, laughs Henry, pointing to Tilia, her old boyfriend.

Watching the demon make fun of my sister who was raped for months by Hugo, a powerful force forms in me to explode and throw the two men against the wall of the corridor.

Kenziel goes to the door to close it with alacrity.

—    Tilia, I have to tell you...

He is cut off by Henry pushing the door forcefully. The angel therefore stumbles forward. The demon, with blood red eyes, grabs him by the neck and throws him to the back of the room before walking towards me. Frozen in fear and exhausted by my surge of strength, I have no time to evaporate. The demon then grabs my shoulders with a firm grip and I am transported to a memory buried deep within my being.

...

"I am nine years old today. Dad, mom and Tilia are at the chalet preparing my party. I snuck outside while they were busy with the preparations, because I love playing outside by the lake, my favorite place. But I know Mom and Dad don't want me to go out alone, so I didn't tell them before I left. Anyway, I'm not eight anymore.

Arriving at the lake, I see an Asian boy about my age sitting on my favorite rock. I approach him, surprised to see another child nearby. He holds a Barbie with golden hair in his hands. It's the Barbie of the year! The one I begged for for my birthday.

He turns to me when he hears me coming to give me a warm smile.

—    Hi, my name is Henry, he introduces himself.

—    I'm Fara, I answer.

—    You like? he asks me, pointing to the doll.

—    She's so beautiful, I say, placing myself next to him.

—    Come see, he says, motioning for me to sit on the rock with him.

I sit next to Henry to take a closer look at the Barbie. He hands it to me and when I approach my hand to it, he grabs my wrist fiercely.

—    Ow! Let go of me! I scream as I feel his fingernails penetrating my skin.

—    That is not an option unfortunately.

He pulls me towards him with surprising strength for his size before wrapping his arm around my neck. I now face the river as Henry strangles me from behind. I try to get out of his grip by clawing at his forearm, but my punches have no effect. He squeezes harder and harder as my thrusts slowly decrease. My lungs are screaming for oxygen, but only a burning sensation greets them. The lake is the last thing I see before darkness gently envelops me. »

...

I'm back in the hospital, lying on the cold tiled floor... The cold! Why can I feel the coldness of the ground? Why am I shivering with cold, but sweating profusely? These feelings that I haven't felt in years overwhelm me. I curl into a ball, unable to control the tremors going through my body.

—    Fara! cries my sister.

I don't know how, but she sees me. Tilia comes running towards me to take me in her arms without hesitation. My shaking finally stops as I feel my big sister's warmth envelop me. I've dreamt of this moment for so long.

—    You were always there, she told herself, letting tears run down my cheek against hers.

—    He killed me, Tilly... I say shivering.

She looks at Henry with hatred before redirecting her attention to me. She caresses my cheek with affection, happy to see me again after all these years.

However, our reunion is interrupted by the appearance of an ethereal light. Its brilliance penetrates me to leave me with an unparalleled calm. The light is so soft, so restful. It is only waiting for one thing. That I let it take me. But I can't go with it and leave Tilly alone.

—    Go to it, Fara, Tilia tells me, understanding my dilemma.

—    I'm afraid...

—    Everything's gonna be alright. Do you remember the song mom used to sing to us? she says stroking my head.

She hums to me that tune that always soothed me when something frightened me. The song is about a star lost in space looking for its family. It lives a difficult journey requiring great perseverance to finally find its family with whom it will form the Sun. A huge star that will never stop shining with love.

I close my eyes, snuggling into her arms as the light envelopes my body to take me with it.

—    I love you Tilly, I sigh.

—    I love you, Fara, she tells me, holding back her tears.

It's the last thing I hear before going up to join mom and dad who are waiting for me at the end of this light.