Whispers After Dark

Prologue

The flames danced wildly, painting the night sky with their fiery embrace. Our house which should've been standing on our street, providing a roof over our heads under the moonlight, was now engulfed in an inferno, that crackled and roared like an enraged beast. The strong smell of burning wood and smoke filled the air, suffocating my senses. Tears streaming down my face, paralyzed by fear and desperation, I stood in the chaos, staring at Mum lying on the floor, trapped beneath a massive burning wood plank, pinning her down mercilessly. With every ounce of strength I could muster, I tried to lift the heavy wood off her. It wouldn't budge. I tried again. It didn't budge. Again. Again. Again. Again. It was hopeless. Panic gripped my heart as I stumbled through the fiery labyrinth of what was once our home to find something. Anything, to get her out of there.

The flame licked at my hands, but I didn't care about the pain. All I wanted was to save her. Through the billowing smoke, I caught a glimpse of Dad. He lay motionless near the bottom of the staircase, blood gushing down his head as it rested on the lowest step.

The weight of the moment pressed down on me, and fear gripped my heart. I didn't want to accept it. Mum was going to make it out. I frantically searched for something to pull her out with. Amidst the turmoil, Mum's voice seemed to break through the chaos, though I couldn't make out her words.

"Mum, please! Hold on!" I cried, my voice breaking as I reached for her hand. I choked on my words and continued to wail. Hopelessly, I tried numerous times to lift the heavy burden on her back, but I was unsuccessful. Her words blurred behind the roaring flames surrounding us and all I could catch was a forced smile through all her pain.

Her eyes locked onto mine, and she reached out a hand to caress my fingers. Her rough, burnt hands didn't make me flinch away. I raised her hand to feel my teared-up face, so she could know that it wasn't just her in pain. Tears clouded my vision, but I could catch a glimpse of a twinkle in her eyes, as her hand grew limp, falling on the floor. She felt my touch one last time, and with a final burst of strength, she pushed a baby swaddled in a blanket.

My little sister's innocent eyes stared back, her body unscathed from the flames. I stared helplessly at Mum. I couldn't bear to see her like this. Her lips formed a word, but the noise around us drowned it out. I could make out what she was trying to tell me.

Go.

I wanted to stay, to help her, but a falling antique piece reminded me that Mum had sacrificed herself to keep my sister safe.

As I turned away from Mum, a lump formed in my throat, and my cries grew louder. The weight of the guilt and grief bore down on my shoulders, but I knew I had to keep moving. I stumbled towards the exit, the heat of the flames searing my back.

I clutched Emily close to my chest, her tiny body trembling in my arms. My heart pounded as I looked back at the house ablaze. Mum lay stranded behind the curtain of flames that arose. It tore me apart to leave her behind, but there was nothing I could do.

The night air hit me like a cold wave as I walked away from the entrance. My sister wailed in my arms, her cries blending with my own. Sobs racked my body as I collapsed on the grass, the chaotic scene of my home collapsing on itself behind me.

The distant sound of sirens echoed through from afar, carrying a faint glimmer of hope. But deep down, I knew that the rescuers wouldn't be able to save Mum. It was too late as her body burnt, trapped in the house behind me. I was too ashamed to look back as her life was consumed by the flames.