Road To Recovery (MDIWT Re-write)

Prologue

A family of four sat together in the living room of their house. Silence hung heavily over them, but it wasn't as if they minded much. That family I'm talking about? Well, it's mine. My sister and I sat together, her comfortably seated on the sofa across from Mom and Dad, me leaning on her from beside her. Mom was sketching, as she tended to do nowadays. I didn't know what Dad was doing, but Skye and I were both reading our own individual books, Skye likely listening to English music while doing so. She was taking a class on it with her pre-college group, while I on the other hand was spending time focusing on what I already had to take. She was a year older, though, so it only made sense.

As I began to turn the page of my book, a loud buzz echoed through the room. The abruptness of it startled me, so I jumped slightly. I glanced over to Dad, who was reaching out to grab his phone with his left hand before pressing it to his ear. I raised an eyebrow curiously, but said nothing. Of course I wouldn't, this man frightens me. I raised my hand up to my face to fix my glasses momentarily, and while doing so, I noticed a startled and puzzled look on Dad's face. I assume Skye did as well, because she spoke up, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Dad? What happened?" Her gentle voice called to our visibly distressed parent. His expression darkened as he hung up the phone. He rushed to the coat closet and threw each of us our jackets. Skye's face became grim as she realized what was happening. "It's Grandma, isn't it?" She whispered. Dad didn't respond, only raced out the door to the car. Mom, Skye and I hesitantly followed after him, sliding our jackets on.

I approached the open front door with unease, seeing the darkness and downpour that was waiting for me. I couldn't tell why, but I felt nervous about this. Something just wasn't right. I opened the back seat door of the vehicle and slid inside, doing my best not to get caught up in the rain. Once safely inside, I slammed the car door shit and fastened my seat belt. Shakily, I spoke up as soon as everyone was inside. "What happened to Grandma?"

Dad was silent as he pulled out of the driveway and sped onto the nearby highway. "Grandma... went into a sudden cardiac arrest. It's possible... that she..." He trailed off, shaking his head in denial. "No," he murmured. The occasional sob echoed through the vehicle, but beyond that it was silence. That familiar word. I didn't mean to be morbid, but my mind wandered to my friends. Those friends I had left ten years ago when I moved. A smile began to form on my face when I thought of them. I miss Takky, I miss Haru, I miss Ryu and Ichy and Richy. Richy was always so adorable! Skye always thought Richy was a girl, but I knew.

Back in those days, Skye would always hang around Ryu. They were the oldest of our ragtag group, so it was only natural. I would always hang around Haru, Takky, and this girl... Mari. She'd love to hang with us, and we let her. She was my age, but she'd obsess over Ichy, despite him being mean to her. I'd always stand up to him for her and Richy though, so they didn't have to worry. I wondered how they were doing...

"If Grandma dies, can we go home?" I wondered aloud. Skye turned to me, understanding what I meant. I'm almost certain she had a crush on Ryu back then. Mother glanced at me, but didn't say anything.

"What do you mean, Azusa? We are home. Here," she finally said.

"No. I mean home with Haru and Takky and Richy and Ryu and Ichy and Mari. Home is where family is, and you're no family," I hissed. "It's not like I had to move here! I could've moved in with Uncle Jo! Both of us can! So-"

"SHUT UP!" My father barked, making me flinch. "SHE WON'T DIE!... She won't die..." My mother sighed as silence once again filled the heavy atmosphere.

"I know you miss your friends, Azusa... but we can't just pack up and leave Grandma. Especially not your father," Mom insisted. I sighed, slouching in my seat as I thought of my friends. Haruki always helped me out with little things, and we'd always help the other kids with their homework. Takeshi and I would race a lot, and sometimes he even shared his comic books and mangas with me! Ryuzo would always protect me from the bigger kids, and always make sure I was eating right. Ichigo would tease me and bully me a lot, but he'd always give me a strawberry muffin to apologize (not that he'd admit it.) Rihito would put up with the girly games Mari and I wanted to play, and when I was sad, he'd play piano music for us. And Mari... she was always so innocent and sweet. She'd always try to protect me and Richy, even when she'd get hurt.

"I miss Ryu..." Skye whispered. I nodded, hugging her quickly. "Why is it you don't like Uncle Jo?"

"It's because..." Mom began.

"He's immature and irresponsible. He thinks he can escape his responsibilities with the company by starting his stupid shop. Plus, he's a man, and doesn't have a girlfriend..." Dad snorted.

I sighed in disbelief. "And you think we'd bang him?! What the hell, dad?! I can't believe you!" I shouted, leaning back in exasperation. "I miss Haruki," I complained quietly. And Takeshi, Rihito, Ryuzo, Ichigo, and Mari, I internally added. I stared out the window, bored out of my mind as well as irritated.

Darkness was usual this time of night; about nobody was driving. To our misfortune, the car was suddenly filled with light as headlights of a large truck beamed inside. Startled, Dad tried to avoid the charging truck, but failed. I clutched to my seat-belt as we were hit, flipping the car over the divider and onto it's back. My vision went black as my face slammed into the window beside me, the vehicle slowing to a stop. I opened my eyes- or at least the one that would open- only to see the window had shattered. Pain exploded through my left eye when I tried to open- or even move it, for that matter. Though, I was more worried about the state of my family, so I ignored it and attempted to unbuckle my seat-belt.

The instant it released me from its grasp, I fell to the ceiling- which had now become the floor- with a loud thud. I noticed my right foot had gotten stuck between the front seats, though no matter how hard I tried to move it, it wouldn't budge. Eventually, I used my arms to free it, and what I saw of the dashboard mortified me. The windshield was cracked in numerous places, and while my parents were still stuck in their seats due to the belts, they had not helped them. Their faces were raw and red- if I had not known who they were before, I never would have. Blood was scattered everywhere. The sight made me gag. I turned away, worried about Skye first.

Just as I was, she was suspended by her belt, and while she was, she had a noticeable gash deep in her head. I was unsure whether this was due to a broken window, or if it was the only thing, but that was not the highest priority. First was to unfasten the locked restraint. I reached up the best I could, ignoring the blood and myriad scratches on my arms. Her unconscious body dropped down, and with all the strength I had, I dragged her body outside the vehicle. Once on the concrete road, I quickly checked her pulse. There was hardly one, but it was better than none at all.

Knowing she needed help as soon as possible, I pulled out my phone, only to find it had been smashed in the wreck. I reached over Skye to search through her jacket to find hers, and fortunate enough, it was working. I called for an ambulance, my hands shaking with fear. After alerting them, I pressed my bloody hand to her cheek. "You'll make it, Skye. You have to..." Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the severity of what had happened. My parents had died in a crash, and Skye had been unconscious. I was injured, and in pain.

In the distance I heard sirens approaching, which gave me hope. My vision swayed in my one eye, and I felt the strength in my body drain. I did my best to stay awake until the ambulance arrived, but it was no use. I passed out just as I heard voices from the medical staff.

In the accident, both of my parents had died. Grandmother died that night, as well. Skye had been put into a coma, with possible brain damage. Myself, well, I had been blinded in my left eye due to a shard of glass being stuck in it for so long, and my right leg was paralyzed. I had felt no pain in it while my body ached, and when my leg had been trapped, the force of the impact had caused nerve damage. It was possible, with rehab, that I might eventually regain feeling, though it was highly unlikely.

To think, I lost the majority of my family in one night. A matter of a few minutes, even. All when I was only seventeen.