Alone

The Dream

Laughter controls the whole room. Laughter, smilies, and the warm feeling of home. Mom and Dad are standing at the end of the table leaning into each other. My friends are surrounding the table. They are laughing at my brother who is trying to ice a bird onto the sweet chocolate cake that is placed in the middle of the table. Presents surround the outer edge of the table. There's little pieces of confetti all over the room.

I'm smiling and I feel safe. Feelings of comfort and warmth are running through me and my mind is at ease.

"Time to open your present sweetie.", Mom said as her warm and graceful voice fills the room.

Dad hands me the first box. It's wrapped in shinning silver paper. Vigorously, I rip open the paper and open the box. Inside is a little rag doll. Her face is pale with long, smooth, brown hair. She is wearing a white laced dress and her feet are bare.

"She's beautiful. Thanks mommy."

"Don't thank me, thank your father."

I rush over to dad and give him the biggest hug of my life. He hugs me back, pulling me deeper into him. His breathing is calm and his voice is gentle.

"Your welcome my little flower.", he says.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Tommy brings his present over next.

"Happy birthday Cas.", he says handing me the little bag.

I slowly open the bag to find a small stuffed animal. It's a little blue bird. There was a card at the bottom. I open it up.

"Happy birthday to the best little sister in the whole universe. My your soul take flight."

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

I run to Tommy and hug him. My friends laughter and my mother's sweet voice consume me all at once.

"Cassy."

Suddenly the laughter and warmth fades away. I'm being pulled into the grey blurry light that is now covering everything.

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

I don't want to leave, I want to stay here.

"Come on Cassy stay with us. We are almost there."

The grey light brightens into a bright white light. I see Tommy's face. It's covered in blood.

"I'm so sorry Cassy.", he says as a tear escapes his eye.

Then darkness fills my vision and soon . . . silence.