Over Time

Autumn Tears

Really a fire started this. Arson, the police called it. Not that I don't think it was. But that fateful Autumn day--night, really--was what started this mess. It was the snowball that began the avalanche.
I was six at the time. My family was poor, a direct result of my parents being addicted to not only cigarettes, but several prescription medications. We stayed at a shabby apartment that overlooked a construction site.
I remember I was sick that day. I had an awful head cold and I was severely congested. I told no one I was staying home from school, because if I had, I wouldn't have been allowed to.
I hid in my room the remainder of the day, studying mostly. I would often put earplugs in my ears to drown out the sound of my parents fighting.
Then night came. Since I didn't leave my room to take medicine, my condition only worsened. At about twelve I woke up to screaming. This was not from one or two people, but about fifteen. There was something terribly wrong.
I quickly observed my surroundings. I saw nothing out of the ordinary. I decided it was safe to go outside, so I went to open the door.
But it burned me as soon as I touched it. I screamed as loud as I could.
"Mommy! He--," I choked out. My voice gave out to coughing. I soon realized the room was filled with smoke. It was too late to get help, but what if I...
No. We lived on the fourth floor. No one would see, not even the fifteen-ish people screaming below.
My eyes started burning, not only because of the smoke, but also because of my tears.
In minutes I passed out.

"...iver? Oliver? Stay with us Oliver..."
I was barely conscious, but I heard my name. I tried responding, yet nothing I tried to move moved.
I woke up much later in a hospital, finding out my parents were dead, and that they caused the whole thing.
I agree it was arson. My father had a criminal record in committing arson, and my mother often did time for assaulting people.
We lived in a fairly large apartment building yet we were the only young family in the building. All of the other families were elderly couples. They couldn't commit arson if they tried--although I don't believe they would.
So I was made an orphan that autumn night.
I stayed in the hospital for weeks, getting treated for burns I had. The doctors were amazed I survived. I would be scarred for life, physically and emotionally, but I would live.
Once the hospital discharged me, I was put in a foster home. I traveled a lot, but didn't really mind it. As a six year old, I was almost excited to have so many families take care of me. They were always sympathetic, and sometimes even affectionate.
Then I found one family that wasn't either of these things.
I'm Oliver Willow.
This is how it began, really; with a sick day and an arson.

ᗩᑌTᕼOᖇ'ᔕ ᑎOTE:
Thank you for reading! This was the first chapter of "Over Time". I hope you will enjoy it, and if you have any suggestions, questions, or anything you may want to say, don't hesitate to comment!