The Way Life Works

Chapter 1

A/N Italic writing is Luna's thoughts.

I awoke to my parents yelling for me to get up. I quickly jumped out of bed. I was already wearing the clothes for the road trip. I brushed my hair, ignoring the pain from the knots. I grabbed everything. Okay, bag, check. Clothes, check. Brush, check. Pillow, check. Phone with earbuds, check. Toothbrush, check. I have everything. I ran out and stuffed everything in the car then jumped in.

I put my earbuds in. Blocking out the noise Maryse makes. She's so loud. I lean against my pillow. I wonder where we'll go first. My eyelids feel heavy. I slowly start to drift to sleep.

~Dream~

I lay there staring into the dark abyss. Alone. I was alone. I start to panic. The darkness was overwhelming. I couldn't stand the silence. I stand up and start to run. Why am I running? There's nowhere to go. Wait, over there. There's light. I take off full sprint, running towards it. I feel a sense of immense dread as I approach the light. I see a figure standing in the light.

"Time is out, light is out." A low, sinister voice says.

" What? " I ask confused.

The feeling of dread was growing stronger. Just then the figure and light disappears.

~End of dream~

I awake to the sound of metal on metal. I hear glass shatter and people scream. I feel searing pain as glass cuts into my skin. I feel a hand grab onto me. The flipping and twisting came to an end. I hazily looked down to the small hand. Oh my God. The frail hand belonged to Maryse. Her bloody body looked barely intact.

"L-Luna help me. I-It hurts..."

Her normally squeaky voice sounded weak and raspy. I feel water running down my face. Tears. I see the life fade from her eyes.

"No no no, please no." I plead.

I glance over to see my parents both lying lifeless. Why? Dear God, why did this happen to me? I hear sirens in the distance. Feeling weaker with each agonizing second. I slowly drift off into unconsciousness.

I wake up in a white room. I hear beeping, realizing I'm in a hospital room. The memories come rushing back. My parents lifeless and mangled. Poor little Maryse begging for help before dying in front of my eyes. I start to cry. Ignoring the stinging pain of tears soaking into cuts. The beeping gets faster and a nurse dashes into the room.

"Calm down. Your safe now."

No, no I'm not. They died. I have nothing.

"Did anyone live" I ask to confirm my voice wavering slightly.

"Umm. No. You're the only survivor. But your sister Scarlett is here if you wish to see her. She lived since she wasn't with you."

"O-okay. Just send her in." I say sighing.

I knew it, I just had to make sure. Scarlett walks in with a death glare on her face. What's up with her. Why is she mad. Am I missing something. Scarlett shuts the door after the nurse leaves.

"How could you?" She screams

"W-what? I didn't do anything. What is wrong with you? I almost died! And you come in here yelling at me! Last time I checked, you're perfectly fine."

"Are you kidding me? You know what you did. God, he was right. Worthless."

And with that Scarlett storms out of the room. What? What did I do? Who is he? I questioned. Worthless. The last word rang through my mind. I don't understand. We never fight. She's always nice to me as I am with her. How come now that I almost die she yells at me? My breath hitches and my chest tightens. I'm having a panic attack. A nurse runs in and sticks a needle in my arm. My muscles relax as my eyelids get heavy. I fall into a restless sleep.