Their Sister, Their Strength

Chapter 2: Sorellina

I bounced higher and higher on the trampoline, my little heart bursting with the joy of my sixth birthday. The thrill of trampolining filled my veins, making me feel like I could touch the sky with every jump. The air lifted me, carrying me to new heights as I giggled with pure delight. Birthdays were the best, and trampoline parks made them even better.

Amidst my adventures, Mum called me over with a wave. Her smile was like sunshine, making my own grin stretch wider across my face. I loved it when she smiled—it made her green eyes twinkle in the corners, and it felt like a warm hug.

She told me something super exciting —she was going to get my special birthday treat, Slush Puppies. Not just any Slush Puppies, but the blue ones with lots of E-numbers. Mum said birthdays deserved lots of E-numbers to make them extra special. I didn't really like numbers in Maths class, but the ones in my slushies were different. They turned my tongue all blue, and that made me giggle. Mum only let me have them on special occasions like today though.

Pointing up at the café window where lots of parents were gathered, Mum assured me she would be within view while she was gone. She asked me to stay by the bench, promising she would be able to see me from there.

With a wave, I sent Mum off on mission Slush Puppy, while I stayed back with my best friend, Elly, by my side. Everyone thought Elly was just a stuffed bunny, but I knew better. Elly was the bestest friend in the whole universe. We shared secrets, whispered dreams, and we stayed up past bedtime talking.

Even though I had invited some friends at school to celebrate with me today, they didn't come. That's okay, though. Making friends wasn't easy, and Mum didn't have time for school activities like baking cookies or sharing school runs with other parents. But Elly was always there, and that made everything okay.

Sitting on the bench, my legs swinging back and forth, I spotted an obstacle course nearby. It looked so much fun, and for the first time, there was nobody on it. The bubbling thrill inside me couldn't resist the invitation. Leaving the bench behind, I hurried towards the obstacle course, my smile stretching wider across my face. I was determined to conquer it, to show Mum just how brave and strong I could be. I wish she was here to take a picture of me and put it on the fridge at home.

But when I reached the top of the climbing frame, I felt scared. It washed over me so suddenly. The ball pit below seemed so far away, and the thought of jumping sent shivers down my spine. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I couldn't hold back the choked sob that escaped me. Panic took hold of my heart, and I felt lost and unsure.

Then, out of nowhere, a man appeared beneath me, standing at the bottom of the climbing frame. He was wearing the same purple t-shirt that the friendly woman at the front desk wore. He looked younger than the others, though, but his smile was kind and gentle, like a ray of sunshine.

"Can I help?" he asked, his voice sounding soft and caring too.

His words reached my ears, and through my teary gaze, I looked down at him. There was something about him that felt comforting, like he was my very own guardian angel. Sniffing, I nodded hesitantly.

"Don't cry," he said, his voice a soothing melody. "You can trust me. I'll catch you."

Suddenly the pitch black space gave way to a blinding white light and I couldn't help but wince.

"Maddie, can you hear me?" the voice was distant, from another realm.

With great effort, I managed to half-flutter my eyes open, only to be met by a blinding white light that pierced through one of them, causing me to emit a pained whimper.