It was only 27 minutes after my parents had left me alone that the door bell had rang. I had walked down the stairs and I could see the cop car lights flashing. I stopped and stared for a second. I didn’t know in that moment but once I open that door my life would fall to pieces. I walked to the door quickly throwing it open to Officer Nightingale giving me a look of pity, sadness, anger, and helplessness.
“What happened?” I asked in almost a whisper.
He stared at me before saying, “Aurora, I’m so sorry. It was a car crash, there was a drunk driver he ran a red light, hitting the tail of their car. The car span into the tree across from Galexi’s diner. Y-your parents they died on impact. Phillip… he was bleeding internally and when they had him in the ambulance his heart had stop. I’m sorry. I’m so—“
Before he could finish what he was saying I stepped outside and closed the door behind me. I walked off my porch without looking back. I heard him calling my name. I ignored him and started towards my calm place.
It a little creek back behind my house in the woods where my best friend, Quentin, and I had found it playing man hunt with his older brother Easton and his group of friends. I headed there, I always knew I was safe there, like someone was always watching out for me while I sat there thinking about life, school, and boys or in my case a boy. I’ve been in love with him since I was 13.
As soon as I got there I felt safe and did the one thing I haven’t done since I was 6, I cried. I haven’t cried since and no one has seen me cry except my mom. My mom, god I miss her so much right now, Phillip and dad too. What am I supposed to do now? Where am I going to go? I broke down sobbing. I swear I never cried so hard in my life. I must have been too deep in thought that I didn’t hear someone come up behind me. I tensed as I felt some arms wrap around my torso.
“Rory” the husky voice came from behind me.
A voice I thought I would never hear again. Easton Joseph Nightingale. He left us when he had turned 18; had disappeared without a goodbye. He kept in contact with his family but, forgot about me. I didn’t care now, I needed someone and he was here. As he pulled me into his arms I let out a sob and collapsed to the ground, bringing him with me.
I cried for what seemed like hours; after calming down some, I felt myself being lifted up. Easton was carrying me somewhere, his house maybe. I don’t think I could handle being in my house. Their smell, clothes, Phillip’s toys, and everything else of theirs will be all around the house.
What’s next for me? I can’t stay at my house. My grandpa was the last living relative I have but, he can’t remember me. First things first, I need to plan a funeral or three actually. Who would have thought an 18 year old planning her 5 year old brother’s funeral with her parents?
“They’re gone. I’m alone, E.” I whispered into the crook of his neck while he carries me through the woods.
“You’re never alone, Rory. You have me, and my family and we’ll always protect you.” He said as he stopped walking.
He set me down and I realized that we made it out of the woods and were now standing in front of his beautiful car. I look up at him, wiping my eyes and just wonder how someone could be so amazing. He takes my hand and squeezes it before walking to his car, opening my door for me then shutting it after I slide in. I buckle up and lay my head against the window. I hear him getting in, starting the car and driving off. I close my eyes for just a minute.
“We need to get her away from here and you know that, Gracie” the man said to the woman who held a baby, crying in to the blanket wrapped around it.
“She’s mine! I don’t want anyone to take her or have someone else raise her, E!” the women named Gracie yelled at the man.
“She needs to be safe and you know that! If she isn’t there will be no heir to the thrown!” The man yelled getting frustrated, as he rubbed his hands down his face.
