HAZE (On Hold)

Part 1

3 Years Prior

"Breaking News. We are getting reports out of California, that a private jet carrying Zane Enterprises, CEO, Randolph Zane III, his wife Elizabeth and their twin daughters Hailee and Hillary has gone missing. Zane and his family were reportedly returning from a vacation in the Bahamas when the Boeing BBJ Max began having engine issues. A mayday transmission was received just moments before contact was lost. Reports indicate that a search for a crash site is already underway in the Mojave. We will continue to update this story as more details become available. We now return you to regularly scheduled programming."

"MAYDAY, MAYDAY, THIS IS NZE1C, ZANE ENTERPRISES WE ARE GOING DOWN."

"BRACE FOR IMPACT."

"Breaking News, officials have now located the crash site of the private jet that was reportedly carrying Zane Enterprises CEO Randolph Zane III and his family. We have been able to confirm that the jet was experiencing engine issues, witnesses indicated that prior to it going down there was a trail of smoke behind it. We will continue to update this story once more details become available."

"Stay with us."

"She's crashing."

"She's gone."

"Sad news out of California today, a private jet carrying Zane Enterprises CEO Randolph Zane and his family crashed earlier today in the Mojave. Randolph Zane and his daughter Hailee have been flown to a nearby trauma and burn centre for treatment. Early word is that they are being treated for broken bones, internal injuries and severe burns. Both are listed in critical condition. We can also now confirm four fatalities as a result of the crash, deceased are the jet's pilot and co-pilot, Elizabeth Zane 38, and Hillary Zane 13. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by today's tragedy."

6 Months Later

After being in a medically induced coma, Hailee wakes up. She turns to look at her father, "Dad, what's going on? Why am I here? Where's Mom? Where's Hilly?"

Her father sitting the chair beside her bed breaks down in tears, "They're gone, they didn't survive the crash."

"What crash? Why am I here? Please tell me."

"Let me just get the doctor and I'll be right back, okay, sweetheart?"

Randolph returns with a gentleman, who Hailee assumes is the doctor, along with a blonde woman who she thinks is a nurse based on her scrubs.

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?"

"Hailee, we were a plane crash 6 months ago and your Mom and Hillary were killed in it. You and I were the only survivors. Because you suffered severe burns and broken bones, the doctors put you in a medically induced coma in order to help you heal. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"I've been asleep for 6 months?"

They all nod.

"Hailee according to the latest tests and scans, your injuries have healed with the exception of some burn scarring on your face, neck and upper back where the graphs weren't as successful. How are you feeling right now? Are you hurting anywhere?"

"No, I just want to go home."

"I'm afraid I can release you just yet, you will need to undergo physical therapy to learn how to walk again and look after yourself."

"Doctor, be honest with us, how long will it be before she is able to be released and come home with me?"

"I can't give you a definitive timeline as it varies according to the individual, but Hailee is young and was active before the incident, which bodes well for her recovery. In the meantime, we can start by getting her set up with a wheelchair to move around the hospital in and she will be allowed outside with supervision. I think that right night we should allow her to get some sleep and absorb things. I'll check in later."

Hailee closes her eyes and when she reopens them, she finds Anna their longtime housekeeper sitting in the chair beside her. "Anna." The older woman smiles at her and reaches for her hand, "Welcome back, Ms Hailee." "Thank you, Anna."

"Where's Dad?"

"Mr Zane had to return to the office. I brought you some clothes and stuff from home as well as some cookies I snuck in."

"Chocolate chip?"

"Yes."

Over the next few months, Hailee works extremely hard with the Physiotherapists and other professionals, and she begins walking again on her own. She also has regular appointments with the hospital Psychiatrist to talk about everything that has gone on and how things are going to be very different when she is released. She is told that each day she is getting closer to being released and she can't wait; she is tired of being restricted to the confines of the hospital grounds.

Her father's visits become less regular and for shorter durations, with the excuse that there are issues with the company and he is the only one who can deal with them. He shows up one afternoon and informs her that they are moving into a new house as he no longer wants to reside in their previous home as there are too many memories attached to it.

Anna comes to see her late one afternoon and they talk about the new house, how it is larger and has more bedrooms than the previous one, has a beautiful pool and a manicured lawn and grounds crew.

"Anna, is there something going on with Dad? Does he hate me for what happened? He never visits me anymore."

"Ms Hailee, it isn't really my place to say this, but I think you should know. Mr Zane is dating someone, she has a daughter not much older than you and neither of them is very nice. They are going to be moving into the house with you and your father. I fear that this woman, "Shay" is more interested in your father's money than him."

"What about the daughter?"

"Pardon, my language, but she is an entitled brat. Expects the staff to be at her beck and call 24/7. When she isn't going to her Private School, shopping or ordering the staff around she fancies herself a decent soccer player and apparently plays for one of the top teams in the area."

"I miss playing soccer Anna, do you think I'll ever be able to play again?"

"I hope so, I quite enjoyed being able to watch you and your sister kick the ball around. I miss Ms Hillary and Ms Beth."

"I know Anna, part of me keeps expecting Hilly to jump out and says it's all just a bad joke."

"Unfortunately, it isn't. I should be going now Ms Hailee, but I will come and see you tomorrow." Hailee hugs her, "Can you bring me more cookies?"

"I'll bake some fresh in the morning for you. Goodnight Ms Hailee."

"Goodnight Anna."