And Then What?

Am I home?

As Hannah opened her eyes and glanced through the car window. Her brown eyes could see the bury dim and familiar green, her mother looked through the review mirror. "Hannah?..." Her mother's eyes drifted back to the road. Hannah's eyes adjusted to her mother. But Hannah was unresponsive.

She didn't know what to say and neither did her mother.
Hannah finally said, "Are we home yet?", "Not yet, honey." Hannah nodded. Taking in her mom's response.

The remaining five minutes in the car was in awkward silence.

After Mis. Wilson parked the car in the driveway, a crowd of the town's paparazzi rushing, trying to get a peek of Hannah. But her mother wasn't having it. Hannah covered her face from the bright lights of the cameras flash. While her mom quickly rushed Hannah in the house, locking the front door.

Mis. Wilson looked at Hannah, apologizing for the late notice of the crowd on the front lawn.
"It's okay, Mom" Hannah said softly.
"They were bound to question me being the only survivor." She continued.

Mis. Wilson looked at her daughter with concern in her eyes, tears began to fall gently down her cheek. Hannah's eyes were numbed. She began walking towards her mother, placing her thin arms around her sulking mother.

Sorrow slowly makes its presence in Hannah's face and deep down in her chest. Hiding it on her mother's shoulder. Hannah managed to swallow, causing a sharp sensation in her chest. She slowly smelled the flowers and blowed out the candles. She began thinking the word and the color black in her mind. She quickly but slowly let go of her mother's embrace.

"I'll be fine, mom." Hannah said.
"I just need a moment." She continued.
"Alright if you say so, Honey." Mis Wilson answered. Hannah again quickly but slowly made her way towards her room. Once Hannah made it to her room, she closed her door and locked it. Walking to her bed, then getting into bed. Wearing the same unchanged clothes, pajama pants and an oversized hoodie.

She glanced up at her ceiling and began remembering memories of her friends. Making her laugh, cry, mad, happy, worried, scared, and numbed...

The more memories she thought of, the more she began tearing up. Her tears fell to the side of her face. She cried in silence for hours until she fell asleep.

The next morning, Hannah was starting blankly at the ceiling.

Her mind felt empty, and numb.
"Why am I even here?" She whispered.