Family

Burning

Warning: Gets dark. Includes death, self-harm (Kinda) and severe panic attacks

The fire. It was consuming her. She couldn't breathe. Her heart pounding in her ears. Lungs on fire. The pain. It was everywhere. She was back at her first home. Her parents had just put her to bed. Somehow though she woke up to the horrible screams. they had lived a nice cozy apartment but then the fire came. Destroying everything. She was dazed and dint understands what was happening. She was still very young but that's all she could remember now. She heard the crashes of the building collapsing constantly. She heard the screams of countless families. She ran to her parent's room where she couldn't see them. She turned around when she heard her name being shouted. Her father was lying low to the floor beckoning at her to come. She ran to him as fast as her little legs could carry her. But before she could reach him a large firey wooden beam fell from the ceiling effectively crushing him. He let out the most strangled, horrifying scream she had ever heard in her life. She watched the fire engulf him. She was screaming at him but she couldn't hear herself.  She feels someone grab her harshly and quickly they evacuated the burning building. She doesn't understand though. Her daddy... He just... He just... The firefighter that rescued her was trying to console her but she was going into shock. She had severe burns on most of her body but, she couldnt feel that pain. All she felt was the nawing emptiness in her heart. The few words she uttered after that was a simple question.

"Wheres my mommy?"

The firfightergave her a sad smile. One of sympathy that she grew to hate. SHe hated that people gave her that pity. It was her own fault that everyone died. She didnt deserve that sympathy.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart, Your Mommy isn't here right now. She went somewhere else."

At the time Lauren didn't understand it. Where was her mommy? She wanted her mommy! Didn't the firefighter realize that? He needs to get her mommy!

Lauren screamed and began her fury. She began punching the firefighter as hard as her little hands could. It wasn't very hard. He didn't say anything and just let her do it while he attempted to treat some of her wounds. 

Back in the real world, Lauren was screaming. She was curled up in the corner of the large living room and Katherine had lead all the other children, as well as the new animals, out of the room. Katherine went to console the other children and keep them calmer. Christina had decided to stay down and just wait it out. Unless Lauren was going to hurt herself, others, or run away. She was prone to panicking and hiding away when especially scared.

CHristinaput on some calming music and dimmed the lights slightly. Maybe it would bring her out of the burning fire she was thinking of. Normally Christina would know what Lauren was panicking about but, she had been Screaming Fire and Daddy like a mantra that would save her.

Suddenly Lauren began digging her hands into the back of her own neck. Her knuckles had turned white from the amount of pressure she was putting in. Christina jumped into action grabbing Lauren's wrists, gently but firmly and prying them away from her skin. Small red crescent-shaped indents were left, a few of them had blood trickling out from where Lauren's nails barely penetrated her skin.  

Christina called out to Katherine as Lauren began thrashing, banging her legs on whatever possible. Christina hadn't realized that her voice worked. She couldn't process it right now. One of her babies was suffering right now and she couldn't just wait for her to calm down. She needed Katherine and she needed her now.

Laurens thrashing was most likely strong enough to leave bruises, Christina couldn't pin her child down to the floor, especially when her father died from being pinned down to the floor by a fallen piece of a building. Katherine rushes down looking very concerned she sees the situation and quickly grabs a weighted blanket and putting it over Lauren before gently restraining her legs from hitting anything else. Christina maneuvered Lauren's head into her lap, gently brushing Laurens hard with her fingers. Christina and Katherine both notice the sweat soaking Lauren's clothes, and dripping off her forehead and frown. They make eye contact and know that tonight will be rough for Lauren. She might have to sleep with them tonight.

Lauren slowly calms down, her screaming turning into little sobs. Christina whispers gibberish to her just trying to keep her calm. Katherine gently traces the scars on Lauren's arms and gently plays with her crooked fingers.

She had calmed down significantly so Christina stood up to clean up the broken vase. Katherine ha gathered up the small girl into her arms and went upstairs to put her to bed.