FINDING LIFE

Chapter - 1

CHAPTER -1

"Hello 911...There had been an accident on Street no. 57 opposite Arcade gaming center."

"No, I am not involved in the accident...but, please hurry up."

The scene in front of me was horrifying. A truck rammed into a still car which had two kids and their parents. I have already phoned the police. The other bystanders have already pulled the kids out, but the parents seemed to be stuck and pulling them out forcefully without any medical knowledge might cause them more damage.

Hearing the police siren and hurried footsteps of paramedics, the crowd parted and soon they were taken away leaving behind traces of blood that might haunt that family forever.

"Beep Beep...5:00pm"

Hearing the alarm caused dread to settle in my stomach. The fear for the family that might not make it immediately dissipated and the fact that I wouldn't be able to survive made my heart thump crazily. The only thought that I had was "I was late, and they will kill me".

We human beings can't help but act selfish. See the moment I remembered my problems, I completely ditched worrying about the family that is on their way to hospital fighting death. Apparently, we human beings work like that, to us our problem is the biggest...enough to drown us in the darkness and turn a blind eye to others.

But I can't help it, they are the biggest fear of mine and soon that fear would be death of mine.

As I neared the abode that had provided roof over head to my 15 years old self, I could feel the heaviness rising from the stomach to my throat. I tried to come up with any possible lie, but I know that it's not going to work.

It took me an hour to get here given I recently received a "gift" from them to discipline me and I don't think that I would be able to handle another precious "gift" from them. I was supposed to be in this humble abode of mine by 4:00 pm, since we would be having over special guests of him and on other days, I must be back by 6:30 pm... not because they care. But they need someone to cook for them. Well, who doesn't like a free maid?

The moment I turned the corner and had a good look at my house, I felt relieved. "Well damn! Lucky me." because their car was missing from the driveway, which means they weren't home and they will never know about the fact that I was late. And now that I am not praying for myself, I hope that family survived.

I ran inside into a semi modern house (which could use some renovations) and started with their dinner and after finishing up with making Macaroni and cheese for dinner, I cleaned the living room which had beer bottles and cigarettes scattered around. Oh, my lovely adopted parents are very health conscious and definitely love me to pieces...do note the sarcasm guys. More like, they are always high unless they are at work and would definitely love to beat me to pieces.

When I was at the orphanage, probably since birth... because just like me there were fifty other kids who were also curious about their birth parents or any information at all but the caretaker or social workers were not up to entertaining kids, which led to the assumption that most of us had been abandoned right after our birth.

As a kid growing up in orphanage, the dream to actually belong somewhere, to be actually wanted by someone or a family led to many sleepless nights thinking the burden that I might have brought to my parents. This was the kind of dream that most of kids had there. Life at the orphanage was all about survival and fighting my way through until I got adopted. The day I was getting adopted, I felt something...hope of finally getting to call a place "my home". My adoptive parents had a big smile on their faces, which was a welcoming sign for my 7-year-old self.

Everything was great until... (car honking sound) "seems like they are back".

After hearing the sound of their car, I immediately went to the door to welcome them back like a wonderful daughter.

"Hello mother, father" not receiving any response I continued further "dinner is ready and if you may allow, shall I set the table?"

A nod of the head was all I received, but enough of a sign for me to get to work to which my body protested due to the searing pain in my ribs with every movement. But this pain is the proof that I am still alive. After setting up the table, I waited until they were finished...so that I can eat the leftover and do the dishes. Weird enough, they were talking in hushed voices which is very unusual but I didn't pry. I try to keep myself out of trouble as much as I can.

After wrapping up the remaining chores, I was off to my room which was "THE ATTIC" ...which is spacious enough but way too cold at night. Well, my parents make sure that I receive the best of services. There are two more rooms but they don't want me getting in their way. So, I have been living in this attic since the age of eleven. Like many other kids, I wasn't afraid of dark or some ghost hiding behind the curtains. Because I have seen monstrous reality from way too close. The reality that won't let me sleep at night. Like any other night, today too most of the night will be passed trying to keep away those miserable stories of my past and the worries of future.

I just wish to be a blank slate for a while and to float in that unconsciousness. With these thoughts, I slipped away into a few hours of sleep...good night, Vincenzo.