Take A Step (unrestricted) (on hold)

Three: Conversation

Three: Conversation

Sophie Call

            I really hoped I was dead after Nolie ran away. I saw Carl swimming towards me, my vision blurring in an instant. Please, no. Just kill me already, so I won’t remember, or feel the pain. Just don’t put me into hell with him, please. Please.

            I closed my eyes, and I saw mom. She was smiling and holding her hand out. How could she smile? Was she finally going to take me with her? Will my nightmares finally be over? Will all the pain subside? Was Dad with her in heaven? My questions bubbled into the tip of my tongue, but I bit my lip and instead, I ran to her. I embraced her with all the energy I had left, my heart about to explode. I felt the water that pressed down on me evaporate. I could breathe again, and mom’s arms were around me.

            “Mom… thanks for saving me… And I thought you couldn’t swim like me…” I told her.

            She just smiled again, and kissed my forehead.

            I felt tears slide down my cheeks.

            I turned into a little girl again, and my mom lifted me into her arms. She rocked us back and forth, humming my lullaby. Even when I was already thirteen, she still sang until I fell asleep. I missed her voice, I couldn’t help but ask her.

            “Mom… why did you die…?” Why didn’t you take me with you?

             “Why did you have to go…?” Why didn’t you carry me like this?

            “ How could you have left me to Carl…?” How could you have let him hurt me… and destroy me… like that?

            My unspoken questions were turned into ash when a flash of lightning struck the back of my mind, and I felt as if my head was cracking, “My head hurts,” I groaned.

            I felt someone pat my back, it wasn’t mom anymore. But I knew I was safe… or not. Maybe it was my guardian angel?

            “It’s okay… I’m not your mother… But I’ll be right here,” I stiffened when I heard a male’s voice, but relaxed right away when I realized it wasn’t in any way Carl. I couldn’t help but yawn. I felt so tired.

            --

            I wake up to find myself in a white bed, my clothes… changed? Last I could recall, I was in my uniform. But now I was in my pajamas, and a blanket was pulled over me from the neck down. I looked around, and beside me were two chairs, one occupied by Jean who was asleep. I realized I was in the clinic.

            I looked up again, but then I saw light from the windows. Must be morning.

            “Jean…” My throat felt dry.

            I sat up, my body feeling so stiff, and there was a buzzing noise inside my head. I shook it (my head) while I stretched my arms, my back arching as I did. God, I felt so good. I went all the way, hopping off the bed, doing some jumping jacks. It was also when I slipped and fell on my butt.

            “Ow!” I hissed to myself, but Jean stirred, and then opened her eyes.

            When she didn’t see me on the bed, her eyes searched until she found me on the floor.

            “Golly, Sophie. What happened?” she picked me up like a small child, grabbing me under the armpits and made me sit on the bed.