Revealed

Chapter One

I clutched onto the iron gate, hoping that it wouldn't squeak as I slipped my heals off my aching feet. If I were to get caught now, it would be game over. Most of the flooring was wooden in our house, the click clack of hard shoes would only serve to give me away. I didn't know why I was trying so hard to keep quiet, I was an adult; only my parents continued to treat me like a baby.

I pushed on the metal tentatively, closing it as far as I dared behind me. I shimmied my way down the thin alley way, temporarily plunged into deeper darkness. My heart accelerated. I tested the back door – it was unlocked. Just like she promised it would be. A giddy smile took over my face, a combination of adrenaline and fear coursing through my veins as I locked the door behind me, pressing my bag against my chest as I took the stairs. One step at a time, slowly, quietly.

The rest of the house was as quiet as I was, Mum's snores absent. I'd have a better chance of getting some sleep, though it was already early morning. Despite that, the quiet was no comfort. Mum always snored. My body and mind were being stupid again, overreacting to such a small change of environment.

The atmosphere was just as normal as every time I snuck in after a late night out. It was silent, thick with the lack of noise. Everyone was sleeping, only the stars were watching me, moon lighting my path just enough to see. Except when I was inside. I felt my way along the wall, reaching out blindly in the dark. I wasn't about to turn on the lights. My breathing halted as I passed my parent's room, door left slightly open.

It was usually shut.

My palms were getting clammy, eyes constantly scanning back and forth across the hall way. A sensible me would have carried on walking past the door, back to the sanctuary of my room where I could collapse on the bed. So why weren't my feet moving? I closed my eyes, squeezing them shut, shaking away the notion that something wasn't right. I'd had a vodka and coke: I don't remember being such a lightweight. Then again, I didn't remember most things in my life.

I turned the door handle to my room, lifting the frame up a few centimetres off the ground – it always caught, rubbing against the carpet. My TV flickered, illuminating the room with flashed of blue, white, and patches of black. Kate would always leave it on, made it look like I was at home and staying up late even if it was a Saturday and I had work in a few hours.

My nerves settled as I dumped my things in the corner taking note of a small form curled up underneath my covers. That was something that hadn't changed; Kate asleep in my bed. She always hated how I had the bigger room, a double bed with a large wardrobe. She said I got special treatment after my accident. I don't remember, I forgot how things were before.

I smiled softly as I brushed her blonde hair back from her face, pulling it over her shoulder so that I could place a soft kiss on her cheek. I'd sleep in her room tonight. My smile faltered as my lips brushed her skin. It wasn't because her flesh was ice cold, more so because her eyes were open.

Blue crystals that were usually bright and shiny now dull, empty. She didn't sleep with her eyes open. With shaking fingers, I reached out, tapping her shoulder. Something was settling in the bottom of my stomach.

"Hey, Kate." No response, so I shook her, talking louder as I repeated her name, trying to stay calm despite my rapid breaths.

"Kate." She didn't move. Her chest didn't move, she wasn't breathing. She needed help, I couldn't remember CPR.

"Mum, Dad," I ran into their room, but it was empty. Their things were strung about, the strong smell of aftershave filling the area, a bottle was smashed on the floor and wardrobe doors hanging open and only half full. They had left? I cursed, flying back into my room, pulling back the covers from my little sister as I fumbled for my phone in my jeans pocket. I was taking too long.