My Words Are Law

Prologue

The rain was pouring harder than usual. Amaryllis looked at the dark, gloomy clouds with a foreboding feeling. She felt as if the sky would suddenly open up and swallow her whole. She feels funny for feeling that way, but it's a fear that followed her into adolescence, ridiculous as it may be.

Thunder struck, and she winced as her grip tightened around the handle of her umbrella. It's different today, however. It isn't just the normal needless fear from your childhood. The fear she feels is palpable, ensuing a feeling of impending doom. As if something terrible would happen if she doesn't do something, but whatever that is- is hidden from her.

She trudged up until the crosswalk, pausing to wait for the red light. And then she stood, staring forward, dazed, until her vision focused on a black cat walking elegantly despite the heavy drops of water pouring on its fur. Slightly disturbed, she glanced in the direction of the approaching vehicles and spotted a truck barreling forward.

"S-stop!" Her body immediately moved to its own accord, rushing into the pit of danger to save the small, unsuspecting animal. At that time, she didn't think about the consequences of her actions. Whether she would die or not... Or if someone would die trying to save her... All these things didn't register in her young, naïve mind. In that split second, saving the cat was the most important thing in the world.

"Hey! That's dangerous! Someone stop that girl!"

Blaring honks and horrified screams from shocked bystanders filled her ears as she managed to catch the cat, bringing it safely to her chest. Her heroic act is irrelevant now, however, as she stares at the truck that has barely turned its wheels away from them. It was a terrible miscalculation on her part.

Bright headlights blinded her, but were soon replaced by dark spots dotting her vision. The last thing she saw before she lost consciousness was the black fur ball staring at her unnervingly.

What an odd cat...

...Unfortunate human...

You would have been better off dead, but this cloud of darkness seems adamant to you here.

An inevitable fate...

Amaryllis Larson. If it becomes too much that you can't bear to stay anymore, cry... Then I will come to you.

Till we meet again.

An inevitable fate... The melancholic voice echoing in her mind sounded ominous, injecting a feeling of restlessness in her heart. Later, when she opened her eyes, the words that haunted her dreams shifted to her world. There was no beating around the bush. No warning. No caution.

Even though she had just woken up on a hospital bed with bandages around her head, the people didn't mince their words, forcing her to accept the reality as if it were just a walk in the park.

"Your parents... They died due to a car accident on their way to see you. Fortunately, a first responder was able to save the baby in your mother's womb... She did well to hold out till then,"

She could only stare at the doctor's face in silence as he continued to tear her heart apart, shattering her happiness with a single narrative that sounded very rehearsed as he stuttered over the syllables while rolling his eyes up and down.

"Although it will be hard for you in the future, it is nice to know that you still have a family left... Treasure him well as your mother would have." The doctor's grave voice was gentle. Soothing even, but it had cost her the most irreparable damage nothing could ever possibly help to comfort. Not even time.

"I'm truly sorry for your loss..."

She was so shocked that she couldn't cry nor utter a single coherent response. For a while, she remained there, stiffly sitting while looking at the spot where the doctor once stood. Even when he left the ward, she couldn't bring herself to accept the truth.

Only after an hour had passed when she requested to see her brother that her tears began to fall in large, ugly droplets. The reality of it all began to sink in as her gaze fell upon him. The way his tiny body snuggled in her arms pulled at her conscience. He should be sleeping in his mother's arms. He should be listening to the gentle lullabies of their mother's voice, but he was nowhere even near to being able to experience those things.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry." Her heart ached as she held his lithe body close to her chest. "I promise I will not abandon you... Please forgive me..."

***

A/N: Edits