The Game We Play

Prologue

A/N: There are intentional misspellings in this chapter.

Dear Diary,

My name is Ashley Robins! Im 6 years old today and mommy got me this book to right in. Daddy still hasint come back and mommy says dont worry because there's no way heull miss my birthday. She says that even if he doesint come today he'll come around soon! I got a cool race car set and a feenicks stuffed animal and im so exited about my partee today! Nigil mite eet all my cake agin tho, so i gotta make shur he doesint get to it beefor me. I just herd the doorbell ring and that mite be daddy! Ill tok to you later diary! Bye bye!

xoxo Ashy

Dear Diary,

It's been a few years hasn't it? I can barely read that entry from nine years ago, but I'm happy you've preserved it. Dad never came back. Mom decided drinking would solve all her problems and now she's gone too... She died yesterday from alcohol poisoning. I feel empty... She may not have been the best mother but I loved her nonetheless. Nigil and I will be moving in with Maia asap since her parents are trying to adopt me. Maia's family has pretty much been my family since my dad left- I'm so grateful that they're doing this for me but I wish I didn't have to a burden. I still have that phoenix stuffed animal and it's the only stuffie I've kept this long. Nigil is torn up. He didn't ever know our dad and now Mom's gone too. I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure he makes it through this okay because I know he needs me now. I'll do everything I can to be the best big sister I can for him. The sky even seems sad because it has't stopped raining since I found Mom on the floor, lifeless... Oh god how am I supposed to keep going? At least I have Nigil.

Yours in sorrow,

Ash

Diary

He's not even here anymore. Nigil, Maia, and I were on our way home from school when a drunk man swerved onto the sidewalk. Maia's leg is broken, I got a concussion, and Nigil fractured his ribs before falling into a coma. The man drove away and nobody caught his license plate because we were to busy trying to help Nigil. His light green eyes were clouded over... and that the last time I saw them. He's been in the hospital for weeks now and no one knows when he'll wake up. I have nothing to lose- when I turn 18 next month I'm going to participate in the game. I've heard miracles have been granted to winners before, and a miracle is exactly what I need right now. I'll do whatever it takes to get Nigil back...

Goodbye,

Ash.

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Hi guys! This'll be my first story on this account and I'm so excited to get into it! I'm so sorry about that first entry- I know it's painful to read. Poor Ash has gone through so much... but maybe she'll be able to save her little brother! Thanks for your view <3

Double thanks to @DiscountDeacon for the cover!