Forgetting Death: Rewrite

Chapter 1: The Moment She Died

The moon was a darker red than blood freshly drained from a corpse as it lie lifelessly on the ground. Annabelle laid there on the ground as the house had burned around her. Her body was as limp as a doll and she laid unconcious. Her mother had been pouring gasoline all over the floor until finally she splashed Annabelle with the remains. She shot up from her seat and choked at the thick smoke that ran through the air. She looked to Veronica as her eyes were bloodshot red-- emerging from her silky, blonde locks. Annabelle stepped back and began to look for sanctuary, but to no avail. She was trapped in this house with this woman. She was a fresh soul reaped by the devil himself standing before him in his burning kingdom.

"This is where you belong." She hissed.

Annabelle shook her head and stood as she clasped her sleeve over her mouth, "We have to get out of here!"

"I'm not leaving until I know you are dead." Her tone was cold as she held the scalpel in her hand, edging ever so slightly towards Annabelle as she stood back with each step she took.

"I'll kill you." She threatened. Veronica lunged for Annabelle as she dodged out of the way and looked for something to grab. She grabbed a lamp and threw it at Veronica, only for her to effortlessly smash it just inches from her face with her dainty fist. Annabelle reached for another object, but Veronica kicked her to the ground with a devastating blow and slashed away at her shirt. They both fought against the hardwood floor until suddenly, a tumbling beam came between them and split them apart. Annabelle laid on her side as blood spewed from her abdomen and she held her hand firmly around it. She looked frantically for her mother through the fire and smoke, but to no avail. She fell to her knees as the blood crept around her hands and she noticed the window in front of her was untouched by the flames. As she summoned all her strength and ran for the window, Veronica grabbed at her ankle and caused her to fall face first into the floor. She looked back to see her mother crawling towards her as she held the scalpel in her hand. Annabelle kicked at her head with devastating blows until finally she released her. Annabelle got up once more then hesitated as she looked between her escape and her unconcious captor. She reluctantly grabbed Veronica by her arm and tugged her along the window and braced herself for a painful retreat. She burst through the window with her mother in tow and fell to the ground.

Outside there were dozens of cops and ambulance. She looked in disbelief and collapsed to the ground. Paramedics rushed to her aid and pulled her to the stretcher that was ready for her. Veronica stood up and lunged for her body, but was quickly pinned down by officers. One emerged from the crowd and glared at her. She looked up and glared also in recognition.

"Virgil." She growled under her shrill voice as her burning blue eyes darkened a hue.

"Veronica, how could you do this?" He asked as he looked to Annabelle as they placed an oxygen mask around her face.

"You know what she did." She accused. "We all know what she did!"

The crowd was quiet with only the fire as the only sound to be heard. He looked away from her and shook his head disappointedly as he motioned the officers to take her away. They lugged her to the patrol car after placing handcuffs around her wrists. She stared out the window at him and he at her. He turned away his gaze and stepped back into his patrol car and followed behind the ambulance.

---

Virgil sat beside Annabelle and gently grazed his fingers against her forehead. The doctor walked in as he looked upon her face. "Poor girl." He said.

"How could she do this...?" Virgil asked in his deepened voice. His slick brown tresses were plastered against his skin as beads of sweat dropped from his dreary face.

"Calm down, Virgil." He eased. Virgil slammed his fist violently against the table as the doctor shook, "Liam, I should have been there with her. "

"There was nothing you could do." Liam reminded. "She took Annabelle away after the divorce and all you could do was wait for her."

"I should have looked!" He yelled. "I should have known Veronica would try and hurt her."

Liam placed a consoling hand on his shoulder and sighed deeply, "Make up for the lost time and be with her now."

Virgil looked to Annabelle whom was still sleeping soundly with an IV in her arm. Virgil teared up at the sight of seeing his daughter who he hadn't seen for several years. He smiled and pressed a hand against her forehead. Liam tugged Virgil away, causing Virgil to grumble, "I have to speak with you about Veronica." He said before completely tugging him out the door. As they left, a smoky figure slithered through the door and beside Annabelle. The wisp turned into a boy not much older than her and glared at her. His eyes were a bright green along his alabaster skin. His hair was a darker shade of brown than Annabelle's. He couldn't bare seeing her like this. Annabelle awoke and he eased his expression. She looked up at him curiously, "Who are you?"

"I'm someone important."

"Important?" Her expression was quizzical which made him laugh a warm chuckle.

"You will know me very soon, but once you do..." his voice trailed off as he eyed Virgil talking to the doctor.

"You will have to know who to trust." He warned.

She followed his gaze and saw Virgil then stared back at the boy only to find him gone. She sat up and looked at her surroundings, trying to recall the moments before. Suddenly, she remembered her mother dragging her out of bed and pushing her from the railing of the upstairs. She landed on the floor and fell unconcious until she smelled smoke. She held at her stomach which had been properly bandaged.

"Mom..." She said as tears formed.

Virgil looked in the window and saw her sitting there. He rushed in, but stopped as he saw her shivering uneasily.

"No one loves me... I'm alone." She chanted. Virgil stood beside her and held her tightly, knowing the troubles he would soon face.