The slight breeze sent sudden shivers up my spine. Sitting in the dark, soggy corner, I heard the voices of the past. They taunted me. The dripping rain made a tto familiar rhythm that echoed in my mind. The faint smell of smoke was starting to make me dizzy. As I sat I saw all my mistakes, the lies, the hate, everything. I didn’t mean for this to happen. It’s all my fault.
“She’s here!” shouted the doctor at 6:20 am on August 8, 2004. My mom and dad were crying with joy.
“She’s so beautiful!” they both kept saying. I stood there in awe. My little sister had finally come! I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy! This was the day I’d been waiting for forever. As I sat in the hospital holding the little 7lb. baby girl I started to cry. It occurred to me how beautiful and precious every life is. I made a promise to myself and to Katie that I would always love and protect her. No one would ever hurt my little, baby sister.
I remember that day just like it was yesterday. But if only I knew I would have to protect her from my own self. I started to cry. My family probably hates me now. After what I did to her they’ll never forgive me. I didn’t mean to do it though. I loved her. I would never mean to do something like that to her. I miss her so much. If only she were here now. She would know what to do to cheer me up. She could make anyone smile, no matter what. There’s no way I can face my family like this. Telling them the story will tear me apart even more.
Another breeze blew and I shivered once again. I stood up from my little, eroded corner and walked over to the ash scarred staircase. Looking up I saw the big, bright moon shining through a big hole in the roof. I slowly sauntered up the stairs remembering every memory. All the joy, the laughter, the fun, the pain and the sorrow. Even though times were tough at some points we made it seem as happy and fun as we could. When I reached the top of the staircase I looked out and saw the horizon. It looked like a painting from a museum. It sat exactly where her room used to be. Now her room was nothing but a pile of dust. I started to cry again. Why did it have to be her? Couldn’t it have been me? The memory of her death will haunt me forever.
As I headed towards the stairs I saw something move in the corner of my eye. It moved as fast as lightning. Why would someone be out here? I slowly stepped down onto the first step, trying to be as quiet as possible. As I put my full weight on the step it let out a loud CREAK. I cringe hoping nothing would happen. My heart is beating so fast I feel like it’s going to come out of my chest. I can hear my heart pounding in my head like the recurring pound on a bass drum. There was a quick breeze. This one felt cooler. One more step. Another breeze. Was there really someone there or was it just the wind? I couldn’t tell. I finally reached the bottom of the staircase. I looked back up to see if something was following me. Nothing. As soon as I turned back around something caught my eye. In the midst of all the black darkness, there was a white rectangle in the corner I’d previously been sitting in. Cautiously, I walked to it. It was a note. I picked it up and read it. It said REMEMBER.
I woke up in a dark, cold place. I don’t know where I am. My wrists and ankles are tied together to the chair I’m sitting in. What is going on? Who did this to me? I heard something. It sounded like a person. There it is again. A faint cry. A child?
“Why did you do it?” the voice said. “What did she ever do to you?”
“I didn’t mean to,” I answered. “I loved her.” Now I heard laughter, a child’s laughter. The slight sound of music began. I know this song.
“NO!” I screamed. “Don’t, no!” I was reliving my sisters death. The radio, the laughter, the sadness. Tears filled my eyes.
“How was your day?” I asked her as she shut the door and we headed for home.
“Okay,” she said. “I was bored a lot today.”
“That’s no fun,” I said.
Then the song came on. I turned up the music and we both started singing and dancing to the tune. “Good Morning” was our favorite song. We always had fun singing it together. This time we got a little carried away. I got sidetracked having fun with Katie and I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going. We ended up on the other side of the road. A car came and hit us straight on. Both airbags deployed. I went unconscious and when I woke I saw her in the seat. blood was everywhere. I called the ambulance and they rushed her to the hospital. I was fine but Katie wasn’t. She had broken ribs, broken legs and head trauma. She wasn’t breathing. They did everything they could. I couldn’t stop crying. I hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. I knew it was an accident, but it was all my fault.
I sat up in my bed breathing heavy and crying hard.
Wiping the tears from my eyes I said, “That was the worst dream ever. It was a dream right?” I instantly jumped out of bed and ran into Katie’s room. I looked at her bed and saw the lump under the covers.
“Phew! Thank goodness!” I whispered. “I don’t know what I would have done if that really happened.” I walked over to her bedside to give her a kiss. That’s when I noticed the blanket wasn’t moving up and down, like it would if she were breathing. Quickly I pulled the covers off the bed finding nothing but pillows.
“What!?” I yelled. I ran downstairs looking for her but she was nowhere to be found. I looked outside but she wasn’t there. Dad’s truck was parked so she hadn’t gone anywhere with him.
“Katie, where are you?”
By Corryn Keener