Hidden Illnesses

Chapter One

I sit in front of the television. Breaking News flashes across the screen and my eyes widen at the sight of helicopters pulling a burning plane into the air. "No, no, no....", I whisper. The voice over says that there will be no survivors. They said that they identified some of the people on board. My parents pictures and some information pop up on the screen as well as a few other people. I start to cry and tears flow down my face. "NO!", I scream. A sob racks my body and my chest feels like it was ripped to shreds. Their gone. My parents. The people who raised me and cared for me. The people who were always there to help me with my homework and other things. They are gone and will never return. I grab a pillow from beside me and throw it at the TV. I lay down and bury my face in the cushion. They can't be dead. I take a deep breath and run to my room, shutting the door. I throw myself on my bed and force myself to sleep. The most I can do is roll off the bed, onto floor and cry until the dark wraps around me

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After a few days, Luna starts asking about them. Their still announcing the victims on the news. I stand behind the island next to the kitchen. I set out our pates and silverware for breakfast. She runs in from the hallway. "Good morning Maxy!" She giggles. I quickly change the channel because the news was on. Before I can change it, our parents faces pop up, recapping the deaths. "Why is Mama and Dad on the TV?", She asks, looking up at me with her big blue eyes. I can't hold back the truth from her any more. "Luna", I say and kneel down in front of her, "They died on the way back home..." She just stares at me, her blue eyes once full of joy, now filled with sorrow. "Oh", She whispers, wrapping her tiny arms around me. Hugging me. I hug her tightly. "I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner.", I say quietly. "It's ok Maxy. I understand", She tells me, gently patting my back, "Let's eat some breakfast." I nod and stand up. She runs over to the table and hops up in her chair. I give her some cereal and some milk. "I'm going to get ready. Their funeral is today", I had almost forgotten about it. I go to the bathroom and run my hand through my light brown hair. A few strands fall out into the sink. I don't worry about it. I wash my face, brush my teeth, then brush my hair. I go to pull it up in a bun, but as I run my hand through the back, a small clump of it lands in my hand. I stare at it and pace it in the trash can. I get my hair up in the bun and hope nobody can notice some of my hair fell out. I put on my black dress I had set out earlier. I don't put on any makeup, so that means my light freckles can dance around under my eyes and over the bridge of my nose without being covered with foundation. I take a deep breath and walk back out to the kitchen. Luna finishes up her cereal but her shoulders and head droop. I go sit next to her and pour some cereal for myself. "Luna?", I ask, my voice sounding strained. She looks at my, a tear gently rolls down her cheeks and her face is red. Her lip quivers and she shakes, letting out small noises that sounds like she's trying to hold back a cough. She's obviously crying. I was going to ask if she's mad at me for not telling her sooner but I just pull her onto my lap and hug her very tight. I prop my feet up onto her chair and let her sit on my lap as I quietly eat my cereal. "I'm so sorry", I repeat multiple times until her small finger rises up to my my lips. "Hush", she says quietly, almost like she's talking to a baby that won't stop crying. I quickly eat my cereal and carry her to her room. I sit her down on her bed gently. "Why don't you take a nap or pay with your dolls for a little while...", I suggest. I need her to keep busy while I finish the gifts I'm going to place in Mom and Dad's grave. She waits a few minutes. "I'll play with my dolls", She says finally and goes to the drawer she keeps her toys in. "Okay", I nod and close the door behind me as I walk out of her room. I hold my forehead in my hand, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I go to my room and sit down. I see my mother's necklace on my dresser. I reach up and grab it, staring at the silver moon with small diamonds surrounding it. I wrap it in my hands and hold it to my chest, sitting in silence. The door slowly cracks open and I look up to see someone standing above me.