Chapter 2: Changes
Despite being totally creeped out by that total stranger knowing my name and who most likely stole my i.d. or something, I let myself into the house to find my brother sitting in the house with a serious expression on his face.
"Hey bro," I said shutting the door.
No answer. I sat down next to him and turned on the TV. He grabbed the remote and turned it off. "Hey! What was that for?" I exclaimed.
He stared blankly at the wall then muttered "Chels," I looked at him puzzled. "Yess?" he turned slowly to face me.
"There was a wild fire back at home..." he continued but more slowly. "It happened during the middle of the night and everyone was asleep. I-it burnt down pretty much the whole neighborhood...including our..house.." I looked at him in disbelief.
"You're lying" I said shaking my head. He just looked at me with sorrowful eyes. "Everything?" He nodded. "What about-" I couldn't even finish, but he knew what I was going to say.
"No. No no no no no no no," I said over and over again. Denial. I would deny it until the truth finally came out. They weren't dead. They can't be. They're my whole life. What am I supposed to do once I move back to California after I'm done with school?
Charles was looking at me trying to keep his composure, but I could tell he was about to break. He was trying to be strong for me. Meanwhile, I'm sitting her bawling my eyes out. At least I still had Charles.
At this point silent tears were falling down his face too. He pulled me into a hug and I'm not sure how long we sat like that, but I finally calmed down. I felt his shoulder violently shaking as he was silently crying. He was trying so hard.
I had completely forgotten how hungry I really was until my stomach reminded me. Even with my stomach growling like a wolf, I still didn't have an appetite.
Instead I grabbed a glass of water and headed up to my room. I did what I always do when Something is on my mind. Play music. I pulled out grace and lightly started playing. I like to play Ed Sheeran a lot. I also hummed along because I'm a horrible singer.
Music gets my mind off things. It takes me out of the horrible world that we live in and puts me in peace. Charles came upstairs about an hour later. He said he had to go to a meeting. Great. Now I'm all alone.
I walked downstairs after he left and grabbed myself an energy bar. I decided a shower would also help get my mind off things.
I finished my shower then changed into my comfy pajamas. I decided to draw since there really was nothing else to do. I drew my feelings. When I finished my masterpiece, I decided to hit the hay. Even though it was only 9:30. Extra sleep will do me good.
Tears were slowly running down my cheeks and that's when reality hit me. They're never coming back. Ever. They will never be able to witness my 20th birthday or my 40th birthday. They will never be able to meet their grandchildren and for my sisters, their nieces or nephews. Why couldn't it be me. Why.
I will never be able to go back home to my mother's warm home-cooked meals, or my dad's stubbly forehead kisses, never be able to listen to my sisters bickering back and forth with each other, or me. My younger sister, Melanie, who was 12, might have never had her first kiss. As for my other younger sister, Tessa, who was 15, she would never get to attend her senior prom.
I slowly cried myself to sleep but woke up in the middle of the night sweating, and out of breath. I was dreaming about the fire back home, except I was in it. In the dream I was the only one safely out of the house, but I heard my mother screaming inside.
I started running towards the door but I never made it. No matter how much I ran I couldn't make it to the door. It was like I was running on a treadmill; not going anywhere. I ran until my mother's face was enveloped into flames. And to think the last time I would ever hear her precious voice wa today.
I must've screamed myself awake because Charles came running in. I was sobbing, once again as I told him about my dream and he sat with me until we both fell asleep. At least I still have him.
I woke up to find Charles gone, like most mornings. That was pretty much the routine now. I'd have the same dream every night, and wake up soaked in sweat and screaming. Charles would come in and comfort me and we'd fall asleep, and when I woke up he'd be gone.
I'd pretty much been sleeping the pain away. I slept for most of the day, highly resembling an old house cat, then I'd slump around the house in misery.
Also, I hadn't been eating very much at all, which says a lot. The most I'd eat was a slice of bread or two and a glass of juice that Charles would force me to eat.
Also saying a lot because the world knows that if it was up to me, I would eat every edible thing in the world until there was nothing left.
A/N: Welllll that was chapter 2! I hope you guys liked it and please keep reading and please comment your feedback! I really appreciate pretty much everything you guys have to say so please don't forget to comment & vote! :) xx
