Dark Departure

Chapter Four

I arrived at the police department and was guided to the autopsy room where two cold metal tables laid covered with white cloth. I approached the closest one timidly as the officer pulled back the cloth to show my mother. I didn’t look at first as I knew what I would see, someone cold, pale and lifeless. Someone who couldn’t be my mother, but somehow at the same time was. I fought a battle in my head, my thoughts butting heads as to whether I should just leave or see this through.

I had finally, after many minutes, mostly due to the fact that police officer was getting exceedingly exasperated, agreed to participate. I remembered back to the day my Granma died and the sound of the long constant beep as her heart stopped. I lowered my eyes to the body and drew in a deep breathe, as undoubtedly the face that appeared showing in my eyes was my dear Mum. I took in the state that she was in, her seemingly calm face destroyed by the scratches and cuts. But the one thing that showed the horror of what really might have transpired during that fateful car drive, was the long claw marks that ran from the right of her face to left. The three tears had split open her nose and the top of her lip, the gruesome marks showed the cartilage of her sweet nose.

My body shook as it began acknowledging the coldness of the room, the nightmare that my life had become in less than an hour. I closed my eyes for a moment trying to escape but the clean, sterile smell of the room hung in my nose. I nodded slightly and made my way to the next body, my father in the same state as mother dearest, the claw mark running in the same direction as the one upon my mother’s face. It puzzled me so much, I was sure when the officers first came they said our parents were in a car crash. But they look as if they were attacked by some wild animal.

“I thought you said they were in a car accident.”

“They were.”  The blonde guy said insensitively.

“Well how come they both have the same claw marks running across their face? It looks like they were attacked by an animal.” I asked the man as I continued to stare at the claw marks.

“I’m sorry miss I don’t know what you are talking about.” He said doubtfully.

“Don’t you see? The three lines that are evidently claw marks scarring their faces. It is obvious, you can’t miss it!” I cried in irritation, pointing furiously at the evidence of my argument.

“Miss Bluebell, I think you are in shock. It is a lot to take in.” He replied uncompromisingly.

“I guess you must be right since you are the one who knows all here. I suppose my time here is done. ” I snapped, I couldn’t look at my parents anymore, and I couldn’t bare a moment more of the policeman’s existence around me. I exited from the room and made my way to the front of the building. I could hear the man’s hurried footsteps and feeble attempts at getting my attention. Though once I arrived at the bus stop I had no choice but to listen to what he had to say.

“I’m sorry, miss you can’t leave just yet there are some documents to go through.”

“I’m not eighteen yet.” I replied stubbornly.

“I understand that you don’t have any family. We need to discuss adoption and foster care.”

“SHUT UP! JUST SHUT THE HELL UP!” I screamed at the officer, why couldn’t he see I just wanted to be alone. That his presence was unwanted, I was disgusted that he just continued with the questions!

“Excuse me, we have to arrange housings and schools.” I spun around and faced the man.

“Ok here’s the deal, my sister and I will be living in our house going to our school, so if you find someone who will accept that, that’s great otherwise I am quite capable of looking after my sister. I’m seventeen, I believe I am capable of living without a guardian.” I thrust out a hand to the oncoming bus signalling it to stop. The policeman stood shocked at my outburst.