Sight (UNDER MAJOR CONSTRUCTION)

Chapter 2

Chapter Revised

 I woke up to bright lights above me and someone holding my hand. That's when it all came flooding back to me. The fire, that man, my parents. Oh no, my parents. I tried to sit up but restraints were on my arms, keeping my down. I sucked in a breath ready to scream but a voice interrupted me.

"Whoa, not to fast. You suffer from strong smoke inhalation.” someone next to me said.

I looked over and saw my grandma, with a smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes.

My grandma is my mother's mom. She’s about 5'7 with gray hair and bright blue eyes. If I had to guess I'd say she was about 75, but to me she is ageless. My parents must have had a falling out with her because I only see her every couple of years when she takes me on a camping trip deep in the Maine woods where my parents grew up. She still lives in the same house my mother grew up in.

"Grandma?" I croaked out.

She handed me a cool glass of water. I drank it all in one gulp despite the metallic taste. That’s when I looked around. I was in a stark white hospital room. An IV was attached to my arm dripping liquid into my system.

"Where are mom and dad?" I asked.

Grandmas' already red from crying eyes filled with tears. 

"I'm so sorry, sweetheart. They didn't make it. It's a blessing that you made it out." she said, tears brimming over and streaking down her face.

A ringing filled my ears and everything seemed to stop. My parents were literally the only people I had. I had no friends to confide in, no boyfriend whose shoulder I could cry on. No anyone. Tears didn’t fill my eyes and that I didn’t understand. It’s not like I’m a baby but I cry at everything, from movies, to books, to the news. Now I just felt numb.  I think I’m in shock. 

"What about Lady? Where is she?" I asked.

"She's perfectly safe and is back at the motel that I am staying at." Grandma said with a watery smile.

I tried to smile and failed.

"I know it’s too much to ask but there are some police men here wanting to find out what happened. I sent them away but-"

"Let them come in" I interrupted.

She left for a few minutes then came back with two men, both wearing police uniforms, both in their 40s with already graying hair. My grandma came and held my hand next to me.

"Hello, Miss Holmes" One of them said "I'm sorry for your loss."

I nodded.

"We have pinpointed the starting location of the fire to your parent’s room." the other one stated, "Do your parents ever have anything burning in their rooms? Candles or incense maybe?"

The first cop was definitely nicer.

"My mother only burned candles in the kitchen. She said they helped her concentrate." I said. My eyes were still dry. What’s wrong with me?

"Did you see anyone or anything suspicious around your house that night?” the nicer cop asked.

I thought about the man outside after I escaped. They'll probably think I'm crazy.

"I didn't see anyone that night." I said finally.

 "We have no further questions." the meaner one said and left the room.

“Here is my card if you remember anything from that night. I’m sorry for your loss.” The nice one repeated and left.

 "I have already organized a funeral for your parents." Grandma said and burst out in tears again.

"Oh.” I whispered. My grandma was the type to organize things and fast.

"You’re also going to come and live with me because I am your only living relative. School starts on Monday. Its Friday , you’re going to be going to Salmon High, the same school your parents went to."

Friday huh…I’ve been in here for two days. I was passed out for two days.

"I'm going to go check you out of here, honey." Grandma told me.

"Thank you Grandma, for everything." I said

She smiled then left.

The next day I was checked out of the hospital after they said my vitals were good.

"Oh Lilly! I forgot! Something was saved in the fire!" My grandma exclaimed. She opened her bag and took out a metal box about a foot wide and long. It had a big thick lock on it that you need a letter password for.

"I'm not sure with the pass code is but you can try it a little later." she said with a small smile.

I took a quick shower and quickly dressed in a black dress my grandma bought while I was in the hospital. As fast as I could, I brushed my hair and teeth and swiped some mascara on my lashes. I wasn’t in the mood to do any more pampering. I don’t get why people like to dress up at fu-funer- at bad occasions.

The car ride to the cemetery where the bad occasion too place was short. I walked out of the car and into the building.

It was totally full with people. Some people were there that I didn't even know. A few people rushed up to me, tears already pouring down their faces. 

"I'm so sorry Lilly." They would say. Everyone wa the same. I had bitter thoughts. They said they were sorry but no one really understood. Everyone here hasn’t lost the only people the really knew. They would all go home tonight with their families and not have to worry about freak fires and men with knives.

My response to all of them would be the same. I would smile and nod and try to feel not so numb. I wanted to cry, to feel something instead of all this nothingness.

"Ladies and Gentlemen please take your seats." the pastor said after a few minutes of talking. 

Everyone sat down.

"We are gathered here today to celebrate the lives of Lucy and Carl Holmes. Would anyone like to say a few kind words?" he continued.

Some of my neighbors and my parent’s friends stood up.

“Lilly Holmes would you like to say a few words?” The pastor said. All heads turned to me. I coughed and shook my head franticly. Some people looked at me with pity, others with disgust.

When the funeral was over I walked into the grave yard and saw my parent’s large grave stone, a marble angel. They're really gone; they're never going to come back. I'm never going to see them again.

That is when I broke down.

I dropped to my knees and deep sobs racked my body. 

"I'm so sorry, I’m so sorry." I said over and over.

Tears streaked down my face and I was shaking so hard I couldn't breathe. I think I’m dying. My hair rustled with the wind and stuck on cheeks. I cried my eyes raw until tears refused to come out. When the tears stopped I didn’t know what else to do so I sat there, head in my hands. Will anyone notice if I just sit here forever?

I heard a rustling right in front of me. Guess someone noticed.

But when I looked up it wasn't someone telling me to shut up. It was my parents.