Camp Riverbed

Chapter 1

"It's sad when your friends ditch you. You feel lonely, and maybe a bit upset at them, but you know you'll forgive them. I wish they didn't leave me at home. I wish that they robber didn't break in. I wish that I wasn't shot, almost bleeding to death before I was finally at the hospital where I recovered." I say, telling Dr. Tómas, my therapist.

 Of course, I do hold back the part where I somehow set him on fire with words. The police think it was a freak accident. The only thing they got right was the "freak" part. Because it was definitely no accident, and I knew what I was saying.

"Everything happened to you for a reason, Zara. Your friends leaving you, the robber, you getting shot. All of it was the universe's doing." she replies.

"Gee, thanks for telling me that the universe is out to get me." I reply sarcastically. This is the worst part of my day, coming here. Thankfully, it's only 30 minutes a day, so I don't have to hear her rant on about fate, and destiny.

"That's not what I meant, and you know it. Unfortunately, our time with this session is over." She stands up and walks out from behind her desk. I stand up and follow her out of her room, and head towards the lobby. I pull out my phone and text my mom, telling her to come pick me up.

A few minutes later, I get into the car and ride home singing my heart out to "Halo" by Beyoncé. May not have known all the lyrics, but I still tried. I get home and go straight into my room, ignoring all the news reporters on the way. 

I put my headphones in, pull out a book and start reading. I get a few chapters into it, and then put it down. "How did I do that?" I mutter. My mother opens the door. "How did you do what, honey?" "Mom, what are you doing?! Are you spying on me or something?" I ask her, a bit creeped out. 

"No, I'm just keeping a closer eye on you. I wasn't here when you were shot, and if I was a minute later, you could've-." she pauses. "Mom, you were right down the street and pulled into the driveway like, 15 seconds later. I called 911, and I'm ok." I shift in my bed and wince in pain. "Honey, I just want to make sure you are ok, that's all. I love you sweetie. Take some Tylenol, it'll help the pain." she tells me, before leaving.

I lay back down. I still want to know how I set him on fire, and how I knew what to say. I would chase after it, but I'm too tired. I relax and close my eyes, and before I know it, I'm sleeping.