He says"Hi."

11

Back again, in the same field, viewing same sky. Nothing seemed different from the last time, except for the fact that I knew all of this would disappear, shortly.

Sigh

I took in as much of my surroundings as I could. The bright colours of the surrounding flora and soft orange light of the setting Sun, were all so... mesmerising. I couldn't help but smile.

I was suddenly snapped out of my relaxed daze to the sound of laughter. I turned towards the noise and found three figures near by a familiar tree. Out of instinct, I moved closer to the point where I was able to recognize their facial features. I was taken back when I had realized that the figures were Marcus, Mom and... Dad.

This sight instantly brought tears to my face. And as if on autopilot, I started sprinting towards them as fast as I could. But for some reason I wasn't getting any closer. Quite the contrary, I was being pulled further away.

What the hell?

Becoming desperate I soon began calling out to everyone.

"Dad! Marc! Can anyone hear me?!?"

Unfortunately, my voice was barely audible, almost blending in with the faint breeze. I lowered my head in defeat. Facing, the fact that there was no hope of gaining their attention.

Play Music Now
Out of nowhere, my breathing grew shallow, followed by an intense tightening in my chest. I hissed at the feeling, hugging myself tightly as it intensified.

I was on the ground at that point when I heard a few faint footsteps moving in my direction.

"Please, help...huff ...me." I begged, my words barely coming out as a whisper.

"Help you?!? HAHAHA!" exclaimed a familiar sounding voice.
"You were not much help to your father! So, what makes you think you deserve any better, you brat?!?"

Mom?

"Hey! Look at me when I am talking to you. Understand?!?" She yelled.

Mom knelt down in front of me and grabbed me by the head. Forcing me to look at her. To my horror, what I was a looking at was a disfigured version of my mother. Her skin was pale, completely devoid of her natural dark hue. There were large black holes in face where her eyes should have been. And she looked angry, practically vengeful.

Next to Mom was Marcus with the same features only he looked more sad, almost heartbroken. And Dad... was no where to seen.

"Where is he? Where is Dad?" I asked softly.

"Your father is gone remember? And whose fault was that? Hm? Who is responsible for ripping our family apart?" She asked as she rose, a terrifying smile plastered on her face.

My hands formed into fists as I shut my eyes in remorse. My breathing quicken as the tears soon poured down my face.

"I-I am sorry. I'm so sorry. I did not mean to..." I sobbed.

"Ana-Lia, you didn't help him. You didn't even call for help. Why did you just let him leave us?" Marcus asked, his tone full of disappointment.

That alone was enough to make me lower my head in shame and guilt.

"It was all because of me. I could have have called someone. I could have called someone and gotten Dad some help! He would have been alive if I wasn't such an idiot." I cried.

Mom and Marcus stepped closer, their shadow casting over me. Making me feel even smaller than I already did. I closed my eyes as the pain in my chest grew to an excruciating degree.

"Forgive me, gasp, please." I whispered, in between my sobs.

"It was all my fault. I-" I was cut off by a light pressure on my head.

I sat still for what felt like hours. Hoping for this nightmare to end.

"Stop."

My eyes widened in shock. That voice, it was so stern yet soothing and all too familiar.

"Daddy?" I asked in disbelief.

"Sweetheart, lift your head up." He said calmly.

I can't! I won't! What if... what if he looks like... them?

I continued to stay still, not moving a single muscle.

"Daddy, I'm so scared." I admitted as I weeped.

"Don't be."

I felt a hand on my cheek, making me shudder. The touch was gentle, warm, so much so I slowly leaned into it.

"Ana-Lia, please?" He begged.

"Ana-Lia?"
"Ana-Lia."
"ANA-LIA!"

"Wake up..."

"What?" I asked, confused.

"I said, wake up."