Retaliation ✔

Chapter 15 - Gone Away

ashton and i skipped merrily through the crowds of people, hand in hand. my young self pointed up at the tallest roller coaster in the mall of america, squealing, "i want to go on that one!" seven-year-old ash looked up at it with wide green eyes, shaking his head no vigorously. 

"that looks wayy too scary!" he exaggerated, facing my tiny body. "i want to go on the smaller one.' 

"you're such a wimpy wimp," i joked, ruffling my brothers cropped hair. he giggled loudly and pulled away from me. turning in the opposite direction, he began to run. "you can't just run from your problems ash! face your fears!" 

ashton ignored me and continued sprinting towards the small coaster, tiny legs moving quickly. he jogged into the line which left me no choice but to follow him.

"ya know, even this ride looks kinda scary, aveline," he pointed at it, whining in his high-pitched child voice. 

"hush it," i snickered at the silly phrase, telling ashton to quit his groaning. "you don't even go uphill on this one."

ashton glared at me before pointing at the miniature hill that would feel like nothing if he was any taller. "look at how spooky it is," he wailed as he stomped his foot on the ground. 

"wimpy wimp!" i sang in a taunting voice, causing us both to giggle happily. our childhood innocence made even the simplest things very dramatic. 

after giving our worker the tickets, ashton and i walked onto the tiny roller coaster hand in hand, not yet ready to take any real risks. 

€£€£€£€

It was all a blur. My mother picked me up from school, not telling any of the teachers why I was leaving. She sped her way to the hospital, not caring about if she got a ticket. 

"Mom, what the fuck is happening?" I screamed, watching her tearfully pull into the hospital parking lot. I never got a reply. 

My mother quickly exited her car, sprinting inside the emergency room entrance. I dreadfully followed, running just as fast. Almost in slow motion, my mom pushed open the doors and sobbingly ran to the front desk. 

"A-Ashton Summers," She mumbled with tear-stained cheeks. The lady looked at her blankly, not understanding what she meant. "Where can we find Ashton Summers!?" 

The woman nodded and smiled sweetly, slowly typing on her little laptop. More tears leaked out of my mother's old eyes as she impatiently waited to know where to find my brother. I still didn't know what was happening, but I could tell it was absolutely awful. 

"I'm sorry ma'am, he is not available for visiting right now. He is in fatal condition while the doctors are trying to get him breathing again. I must sadly inform you that his heart has stopped pumping." 

I choked on my own breath, not understanding. "W-what? What is happening?" My mom ignored the lady and my questions, sprinting down the white hallway to the waiting room. I followed her, tears streaming down my own face. 

I found my mother seated on the old couch in the waiting room, blankly staring at the grey wall. She was crying, but showed no other emotions. 

"MOM!" I screeched, shaking her shoulders. I needed answers. "What the fuck happened to Ashton!!?" 

She took a shaky breath, resting her head in her hands in devastation. "H-he took a bath and fell asleep. He was all alone since he was bathing and didn't have his mask. Ash stopped breathing," She rushed out before choking on her words and sobbing more. My heart stopped. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think.