The same night I wake up screaming with fear as the events from the day replay in my dreams. Multiple times I have the same dream but the endings all differ in tragedy. I'm reassured that Athena is still there by my side as she was when I flat lined. I guess the doctor believes it was a miracle I lived through everything I have. I just think it's Athena she's always been my strength. They never made her leave the room when I died maybe they think shes the reason why my heart decided to beat again.
I lay awake in the darkness not able to sleep or really wanting to it doesn't help to know that you could stop breathing in your sleep at any moment you heart decides it's done with you. My thoughts take over and I barely notice the wetness on my side and for the first time in the last couple of horrific days, it's not blood. Athena sniffs and whips her eyes trying not to move much fearing she'll wake me and I can tell she's overwhelmed. We haven't really talked much about what's happen to me or her but I know we need to. I slowly move down holding her gently not wanting to rip my stitches apart causing more pain then what I'm already in.
"Fern, I'm sorry did I wake you up?" I can hear the difference in her voice, her shaky plea and I know she's terrified.
"No your fine, don't worry about it. Can I ask you something?" I don't wait for a reply I know her answer "How'd you know where I was and how'd you get here?"
She hesitates making me think I'm not supposed to no and then breaths out a sigh "Dad found me and brought me here"
"Dad?! Athena that's not possible you know dad's gone."
"No he's not Fern. He told me what happened. He never died in a car crash, mom left him and he's been trying to find us ever sense."
"If that's true then why didn't he stay here? Why isn't he hear now? How'd he know about Mark and how'd he find you, us?"
"He can't be here, he killed Mark at the house, he seen what he did to you. He ended it. He said noone would touch his daughter like that in anyway he doesn't know about the other stuff he did to you just what he seen. Fern he wants to be here."
I can feel the worry escape my body and the constant fear of Mark is finally gone. "He's gone really, he's dead?!?" she smiles and shakes her head. Im smiling and crying but there tears of joy not fear or agony because he's really gone and dad's back. I don't have to live in constant fear any longer I can finally be happy. I sit up and look at Athena "Where's dad I want to see dad" I try to start to get out of bed when Athena stops me.
"You can't just leave."
"I don't care about what I'm allowed to do, I want to see dad."
"Fern, you died today you need to rest dad will still be there." sometimes she acts like a mom more then a younger sister like she should but she knows I'm the mom in this relationship. Ever sense we moved I've been her mom because our mom was to busy working and partying to notice us.
"Fine, but I'm seeing dad this week and that's final." I lay back down and as does she "Do you even think mom notices I'm gone?"
"I'm not sure, I didn't wait for her but probably not. Probably to busy paying attention to the death of the piece of shit in my room" I feel her shiver and my hold tightens.
"She's probably looking for you, but I don't want her here."
"I don't want her here either if she would have paid attention you wouldn't be here"
We both sit silently holding one another afraid of sleep until finally our eyes drift close unwillingly and my mind doesn't take me back to today but to the past, back years ago with dad.
