Eternally Yours

Chapter 1

14. That’s how many homes I’ve been in in my life, and I’m only 12. My current family wasn’t that bad I suppose, not as bad as some have been; and though they only wanted the check they got from the state every month, they still took care of me…until the accident at least.
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“When we get back I want you to do your chores and go straight to bed, understand?” My foster dad asked from the driver’s seat and I nodded. “Speak up!” He demanded, making me wince. He was a quick to anger kind of man, however the last home I was in, I was there for a year and I wasn’t allowed to speak at all so I was accustom to keeping my mouth shut.

“Yes sir.” I whispered and he sighed, having heard me. He looked to his wife, snatching the whiskey bottle that she had in her hands and drank before handing it back, though just as he did and took his eyes off the road I felt as if the world slowed down. There, barreling towards us, was a semi-truck, seemingly out of control. “LOOK OUT!”

“Jesus, I wanted you to speak, not shout!” He demanded, looking back at me.

“Daniel!” My foster mother screamed, and by the time he spun back around it was too late. Our car hit the truck head on and the car seemed to almost fold in half under the pressure. I pulled my legs up as my father’s seat was shoved back into mine. The car hit the rail on the side of the road and I felt it flip over, flying into the air before landing upside down in the dirt on the side of the road.

I began coughing as dust was kicked up all around the car just as I began hearing voices. “Get them out of there!” A few people shouted.

“Mom! Are they okay? Mom!” A young girl’s voice yelled next before I saw a woman’s face beside my now destroyed window.

“Can you move sweetie?” She asked and I nodded, feeling slight pain in my neck as I hung upside down, my hair hanging limply against the roof of the car. “Okay, unbuckle your seatbelt for me.” She was trying to sound calm but I heard the urgency in her voice and did as she said immediately. “Bella, go back to the car! NOW!” She yelled at someone behind her and I assumed it was the little girl. “Alright, crawl to me, can you do that?” I inched forward, feeling severe pain in my ribs and left leg, but just as I got to the window I felt her grab ahold of me and begin pulling me out carefully. I clung to her as tightly as possible as she lifted me and ran from the car when not a second later it exploded into a blaze of fire. “Are you alright?” I winced as I shook my head and felt her lay me on the ground. “What’s your name? Can you tell me?”

“Hope…” I mumbled, hearing sirens in the distance as people began crowding around me.

“Alright Hope, I’m going to follow you to the hospital okay? It won’t do to have you all alone.”

“And I’ll bring you something to eat, hospital food is gross, trust me. I’m Bella, and you’re going to be okay.” I felt her hand in my own, looking up at the brunette girl no older than me as the ambulance pulled up and paramedics began assessing me. I felt myself drifting out of consciousness as a brace was placed around my neck and I was lifted onto a flat board and placed on a stretcher. Bella was the last thing I saw before black took over my vision.
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“Hey. My mom is talking to the doctor, nice to see you’re awake.” As soon as I opened my eyes again Bella was right there, hand in mine as if I was going to slip away if she let go.

“Thanks for staying.” My voice sounded like shit as I tried to clear my throat and she handed me a cup of water.

“Of course, couldn’t leave you alone…the doctor said those were your foster parents in the car, I’m sorry that they didn’t make it.” I shrugged, sitting up as she adjusted the bed so I could be leaning back.

“I’ve only been with them for 2 months, it’s not like we were close…they were actually pretty mean.” She nodded slowly be perked up as she slid a bag over to me.

“I walked down the street while you were out and got some chicken nuggets and fries, are you hungry?” I grinned, nodding and quickly digging into the food she gave me.

“Thanks Bella, this is awesome. I don’t get fast food all that often.” I smiled and she laughed happily. We talked for the next few minutes about our hobbies and things like that, and I found out she enjoys reading, though she paused as she tried to talk to me about books.

“You don’t have a favorite book?” I shook my head.

“I don’t know how to read…I never went to school, I was always home schooled and that was where I learned about cleaning and whatever kind of drugs the family I was staying with used.” I joked and she looked very saddened by this.

“That’s horrible! Maybe you’re better off having been in the accident then, you have a chance for a better place now right?” I shook my head.

“I’ve been in 14 homes in 12 years, all homes are the same Bella, they want money or a little maid, that’s it.” I shrugged, as if it didn’t matter but she was appalled before storming from the room. I finished my food quickly before she walked back in, followed by her mother and a doctor.

“Hello Hope. I’ve looked over your scans and x-rays, there’s nothing internally wrong, but you have 2 broken ribs and a fractured leg. We will tape up your ribs and you will be in a boot with crutches for the next month, other than that, you’re free to go.” The doctor explained and I nodded, seeing Bella’s mom sit beside me, brushing the hair from my eyes.

“Hello Hope, my name is Renee. Bella told me what you said to her and I spoke to the representative that was sent over for you. How would you like to come and stay with Bella and I?” I was stunned that she was being so kind after already having saved me from a car wreck but I nodded none the less, feeling the tears fill my eyes as she pulled me to her. “Alright. I’ll fill out the paper work and get to cleaning you a room. You’ll be free to come home tomorrow. For now, you get some rest.” I watched the nurse switch my IV bag and began to feel sleepy a moment later, feeling her stroking my hair gently, lulling me into the first peaceful slumber I’ve had in quite a while.