A Fascinating Language

T W O

My condition had worsened over the past couple of days and the doctors decided it would be best if they kept me under observation for awhile.

I was in my room, pretending to be asleep when it suddenly hit me.

I was alone.

Dad

Mom

Oliver

They were all gone.

This was the final straw. I couldn't take it anymore. I got up from the bed and went outside the room I was admitted in at the hospital.

I heard people yelling after me but I started running as fast as I could.

Unfortunately, someone caught up with me and I felt a pinch on my arm. An unexpected dizziness followed by a blurry vision. And within seconds I felt everything go quiet.

"Will she be alright?"

"For now, yes. But you have to understand she's going through something you and I can't even imagine."

"I understand completely doctor."

"Good... hm I think she's waking up."

There were people in my room. I didn't recognise either one of the voices. With a great deal of strength I opened my eyes and they met an unfamiliar pair of hazel eyes.

"Arabella?"

I nodded.

"I'm afraid we haven't met each other for awhile. You were a baby when I last saw you."

My throat was dry. I couldn't speak. Fortunately, the man realised what I wanted and quickly got me a glass of water. He helped me sit up and I drank greedily.

"Thank you." I finally managed to say when the man set down the, now, empty glass, "But who are you?"

"I.. I'm your father's step brother, William."

Of course, I remembered Dad mentioning him once. He never really liked to talk about him so I never persisted on the topic.

"Why are you here?"

"For you.. I found out what happened to you through a newspaper article. I came as quickly as I could."

I looked away from his eyes. I couldn't stand hearing about the events of that night.

"I tried to contact your father for a really long time... but I'm too late now." I heard him take a deep breath, "I never got the chance to ask for forgiveness. I never got my second chance and now he's gone... my older brother is gone."

I felt my own tears resurface my eyes and they started pouring out. I felt him hug me and I let him. I cried my eyes out on his shoulder. I let out all of my sorrow in those few minutes we stayed like that.

When I finally collected myself, I told him what I was thinking.

"I'm alone. I have no one left."

"No. No you're not." He spoke in his calm voice.

I stared in his eyes and saw a glimpse of my dead father.

"That's why I'm here. I'd like to, with your permission, take you with me to New York. I even asked your Aunt Natalie and she thinks it'll be great for you."

"New York? But I.. I can't."

"Please, Arabella. You are the last memory of my brother. It'll put my mind at ease... and your father's."

He reminded me of Dad. And it brought a bittersweet feeling. I knew I had nothing left in Georgia.

"Can I think about it?".