The Maiden In The Mask

1

That smell again. Cigarette smoke. Its just like a routine now. It usually starts like this everyday. My mom is a single mom. Our bastard father took one look at our pregnant mother and decided to turn a blind eye. So now my mother struggles with depression. No one can stop her from smoking 2 packs of cigarettes every damn day for the last five years.

My older brother, Micheal, is the breadwinner. Unlike our father,  he didnt abandon us. As soon as he turned 18, he immediately started working part time, juggling school and work. As the middle child, I just do my best to control the people in my house. Though Micheal's job doesn't pay much, it was enough. And that's what matters.

But that was in the past. Just 18 months ago, our brother died of overwork while working sick to provide for all of us. Since then, me, my mom, and our youngest; Minney, never were the same. Our mom works at day, and spends her nights smoking and drinking often driving her to beat me and my sister almost every night for over a year now. Now its just routine.

Every morning. The smell of cigarettes.

Everyday I wish I had just gone with the wind. But I didn't even know that it will really happen. It was just one normal afternoon. Minney enjoying outside playing tag with her only friend, Tanya, who just lives next door. I was sitting in the couch watching TV while waiting for our mom to come home.

"Tonight we are expecting heavy rain in Minnesota. We also put Clay County and all surrounding areas on tornado watch."

Upon hearing the news, I rushed out to tell Minney to go inside. But it already came earlier than expected. A tornado twice as big as a normal one. It was almost as big as Clay County. I rushed out to grab Minney. But it was too late. Lightning struck the ground. It was both deafening and blinding. But in only lasted for a few seconds. Tears began streaming down my cheeks. Minney layed waste on the ground.

My body froze. My muscles refused to fight the shock. I wanted to run to her and bring her to cover but my conscience is saying that she is gone. My body was strong, but my mind is stronger. Living with a alcoholic and a energetic sister kind of pays of. But it was only for this part.

After a few seconds (though it felt like hours) my legs started to move toward Minney. I attempted to carry her but my body was still recovering from the shock. On instinct, i put my first two finger on her neck. Nothing. There was only thing I felt was the rain dripping down her neck. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to do CPR and whatnot. All I could do (and all that i could've done) was sob. She is gone. All because her big brother was not capable enough.

"F*ck you, Mickey! How can you leave us so soon?!!"

I shook my fist in the heavens like a madman and just screamed out of frustration. Maybe it was because I ran out of energy. Or maybe it was frustration. My wrath. I was angry. I was good all my life. I never hit my mother. I never hit my sister. I didn't even curse until moments ago. I beared with it for 5 goddamn years.

I didn't know what to do then. So I just closed my eyes. I just wished that this will all just be a dream. But like all stories, there's always a plot twist.