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A stroke can happen within a flash. Affectively semi-paralyzing its victim, slowly killing off brain cells until the person is only a lifeless shell of a once happy person. Eliza's mother was one of these unfortunate people. On a normal Friday afternoon her and her mother were watching tv together bing watching their favourite series until suddenly her mother shut down, but unfortunately Eliza already drifted off to sleep to noice the sudden change. He father, Samual Smith, came home to see his wife lying on the floor unconscious and his nine year old daughter sleeping soundly on the coach.

His screaming woke up the young girl as he quickly scrambled to call emergency response. When the girl finally realized what was going on she ran to her mother's unconscious body sobbing. "Get out of her girl! This is your fault! YOU HEAR ME YOUR FAULT! She would be at the hospital right now if you weren't sleeping! How could you not notice... your own mother!" Her father screeched as he threw the closest object to him at her head. "Dad, I didn't no please I would never want anything to happen to mom! Please!" She said as every word came out more broken as her sobs  began getting even more uncontrollable.

These long seconds felt like hours and in times like this she wishes she was fast. Faster then anything know to man to make things right. Zoom her mother to the best hospital and get her to the doctors she needed but she couldn't. She was only a young girl whose worst problem should be how many marshmallows she should have in her hot chocolate.

The ambulance finally came and picked up her mother while her father raced after her in his car leaving the girl alone in the house. Traumatized and sad. Without a second thought she went to her neighbours house, basically a second family to her and rang on the doorbell.

Joe answered the door immediately wrapping the girl in a large embrace after noticing her tears. "My sweet girl what happened? Where is Emma and Samual?" At the names of her parents she began to cry harder as Joe guided the girl into the house. The two younger children peer from down the stairs at there normally happy go lucky friend in shambles as they share looks not knowing what to do.

"My mom, they-they took her to the hospital. Dad when with her. What if something happens to her and it would be all my fault!" She whales as Joe brings her in for another hug as Joes face also saddens.

Joe, Barry's parents, and Eliza's parents all used to be the best of friends. Unstoppable all of them. All kind and caring but everything shifted between them when Barry's mother was murdered and his father was sent to jail. The atmosphere got sadder while the kids got closer together. Eliza would basically live at Joes house with the other too and they would talk about anything. Seeing the younger girl so heart broken and hearing about his friend was almost too much to bare.

"Hey everything is going to be alright okay? It will always be alright because you will never have to face anything alone." He murmurs to the girl as the other to children come to give their friend a hug.

Joe left the room to let the children have a moment alone and that's when he got the call that broke Eliza's heart. Her mother died of a stroke because the paramedics didn't get to her fast enough.

——

It has been five years since Eliza's mother died and her life got flipped upside down. Her father began drinking after her mother's passing due to the depression of his wife haunting him. Instead of realizing that it was the cruelty of faith that took her away, he blamed it on his daughter. If she had only never of fallen asleep maybe then she would still be alive. Keeping this now broken family together.

"Go make me dinner you ungrateful brat before you abandon me to go eat with fucking Joe West... just like how you abandon you mother." He said as he through a bottle at the wall causing her to jump as it missed her head by a sliver. "Of course sir." She say quietly before rushing to serve her father dinner eagerly ready to leave the house before her father could do much worse then through a bottle at her.

Quickly she got out of the house and knocked on the Wests door. Instantly changing her sad demeanour to a happier one because well fake it till you make it was her number one moto. "Hey Joe! How are you!" She says happily as she embraced the man in a hug. "Great darling come on in! Iris and Barry are upstairs."

The short light brown haired blue eyed girl skips happily to Iris' room where she spots Barry with his back away from the door giving her the perfect opportunity to scare him. "Boo!" Eliza says as she hugs Barry from behind as the boy chuckles hugging her back but when she looks at his face she frowns. "What happened to your face?" She says noticing a couple bruises sprouting from under his eye. Iris answered for him, "Some jerks cornered him on his way from school." "It's nothing Eliza no need to worry." The teen boy says quickly as his face heats up as Eliza inspects his face in such close proximity. "If they bother you again I'll make sure to punch them in there face." She says bitterly as they both laugh at the 5'3" girl saying she could beat someone up. They shouldn't be doubting her because she already did it on multiple occasions.

During dinner with her friends, no her family, this was the happiest she has ever been. Despite everything going on this is what kept her going kept her happy.

When Eliza came home that night her father was furious. "Why were you out so late! I give you a damn curfew and you can't even listen to that you ungrateful brat!" He yells as she slowly backs away with her head down. "I'm sorry dad really sorry but I just wanted to help Joe out with the dishes." "Wow and now you dare back talk to me!" He says as he slaps the girl on the face causing her to fall to the ground. "Dad please stop." She cried as she got repeatedly kicked in the stomach until she couldn't think anymore.

Next thing Eliza knows is that she woke up in a hospital bed with a worried Barry holding her hand and Iris and Joe sitting on a chair not so far away. When she begins to shift it draws their attention immediately. "Thank goodness you're okay Eliza! We were so worried!" Barry says as he hugs her before quickly feeling embarrassed and Iris nudges him at Eliza's winced face giving him a knowing look. She would definitely be teasing him right now if the situation wasn't so serious.

"Kids go wait outside for a second." Joe states as he gives them a stern look leaving him and Eliza alone. "What happen Eliza. I want the truth only okay?" Eliza begins to stutter not wanted to rat her father out because she understand why he hates her. It is her fault that her mother's dead or at least that's what she believes. Noticing her hesitation Joe continues, "Eliza it's okay to tell the truth. I just want to help you and I know it was your father... he is in custody right now so you're safe." Eliza shoots out of her bed eyes wide, "what! No you can't lock him up! It's my fault anyways if someone she go to jail it should be me. I am the reason my mother is dead." "Oh darling it's not your fault okay. Your father should have very been doing that okay?" She slowly nods her head as she begins to cry in his arms.

"Joe... I- i can't stay in central city anymore. It's too painful with my father and mother. I- I got a scholarship in another city and I was thinking about it but I want to ask you." She say with sad eyes. Joe sighed, "if this is what you think is best of course you should go. But remember you always have a family with us. You should tell Iris and Barry." With that the two kids come in and gave her a giant hug.

When she revealed the news the two kids were said for Eliza. Especially Barry but he knew she needed to go even though he would miss her dearly. Or for another reason that he hasn't discovered completely.

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