(Sorry for being inactive. Wattpad just stopped working on my computer which was where I was writing so it's taken me awhile to switch it over to my phone)
Dear Diary,
Sometimes I wish I could just fly to New York and strangle Alex. I can't believe he got roped into bringing more people!! That's the last thing we need!! Frances and I have been walking for an eternity it feels like, but We're in Virginia now I know for a fact. I have a feeling we're getting close to Mount Vernon, I just hope it'll be a suitable place. According to Alex, Washington's n New York and was there for the eruption, leaving just his wife and son. I doubt Martha would've been able to rectify their whole estate to suit their new needs, but who knows. Frances has steadily getting better, but her illness has made her much weaker so we're forced to stop more frequently, plus I have to carry basically everything by myself
We've been fortunate to find some Lobster free zones, but when we come to an infested area, I'm forced to hide my true feelings about that dreadful group and mascaraed as just a poor father with his sick daughter looking for shelter. It works pretty well, plus Frances is a great actor even though she's actually sick. She can really ham it up, forced herself to cry once when some Lobsters were about to kill us. As proud as it makes me, I wish we didn't live in a world like this. My daughter should be going to school with her friends, studying to become an
actress like she's dreamed about
Instead we live in this hellhole-
"Papa my throat hurts.." Frances said as she turned over. I sighed softly and set my journal down before going to get our canteen. "I'm sorry Pumpkin.. I know it feels bad but soon we'll be somewhere where you can rest. After that, we'll be moving to a place with no ash" I said as I carefully helped Frances drink her water and manage her gas mask. We'd been forced to sleep in the woods as there was no civilization around us for miles, and we'd pitched a tent to spend the night in. It wasn't much, but it would protect us from the elements
Once Frances had enough water she sighed shakily before laying down, nuzzled up close to me "Papa can you tell me a story about Mama..??" she asked and I bit my lip before nodding and sighing softly "Alright.. what do you want to hear??"
"Swim to Mommy Pumpkin" I said as I held Frances above the river water as she kicked her legs and pumped her arms "Like this Daddy??" she asked and I chuckled as I slowly walked with Frances to my wife who wasn't too far away and waiting with open arms "You're doing so good baby" she said softly and Frances squealed happily, nearly loosing balance had I not had her "Focus on swimming Pumpkin" I said and Frances giggled before focusing intently on kicking her legs "Kick kick kick baby" My wife called and Frances giggled before I slowly let go and let my little girl swim the last foot to her mother's arms. Once there my wife scooped her up and covered her faces in kisses "My little baby is such a good swimmer!!" She said happily and Frances clapped to herself before turning back to me "Daddy Daddy did you see that?! I swim!!" she said and I laughed before hugging her and my wife close, kissing her plump cheek softly as he mother kissed the other "You did so good Pumpkin" I said and Frances squealed happily as she nuzzled into me and her mother
I sighed softly and looked down at Frances who was smiling softly, though she was a bit teary eyed "I miss Mama.." she said and sniffled softly. I laid down with her and held her close to my chest as I rubbed her back "I know Pumpkin... I miss her too..." I said and sighed softly as I tried to calm Frances down before more painful memories bubbled up to the surface and forced me back down in their dark depths
"What do you mean?? Speak English!!" I yelled at the doctor against my better judgment "Mister Laurens, we've tried everything we could but the infection is just too severe" the doctor said and I collapsed in my chair in his office. What was I going to do with Martha- and what about little Frances?? God.. what was I gonna do.. "Your wife wishes to see you.. I suggest you use this opportunity to say goodbye.. I'm sorry Mister Laurens.." the doctor said and I tried to choke back my sobs. I nodded slightly, my anger from earlier dissolving into the deepest depression I'd felt as I filed into my wife's room. She was laying in bed, with Frances, our daughter, asleep next to her. She was so little.. she was too young to loose her mother... Martha turned to face me and mustered up a slight smile as I sat down on the edge of her bed
"I don't have much time do I..??" My wife asked, her voice barely above a whisper and the tears sprang from my eyes "Martha no- no you've got more time, just please keep fighting" I begged as I took her hand. My wife sighed shakily as she weakly squeezed my hand "John... I'm too weak to fight... she said as she turned her face towards Frances and gently stroked her back "She's such a beautiful girl... she'll be such a beautiful lady" she said and chuckled lightly before gasping for air. I squeezed her hand tightly and tried to wipe my eyes "P-please don't leave me... sh-she needs you.." I begged as Martha turned back to me "I'm so sorry John.. I wish I could... I love you so much though.." she whispered as the monitor by her bed slowly decreased in speed until it flat-lined and my wife's hand went limp in mine "No.. no Martha-"
"Papa..?? You're crying.." Frances said as she pulled me from my mind. I sat up and touched my cheek to find it was wet. I wiped it off and tired to steady my breathing as I laid down and pulled Frances close "Just thinking about your mother.." I said softly as Frances nuzzled into me "I miss her her so much.. I muttered and Frances sniffled softly "I know Papa... I wish I knew her more.." she said and I sighed shakily "We should sleep.." I said as I reached over to turn off the lantern. Frances nodded slightly as I sensed her close her eyes and settled into a deeper sleep. I sighed softly and looked at my discarded Journal, deciding to leave the entry unfinished for the night
YOU ARE READING
Ashen Heart
AventuraEveryone knew it was coming, but when it came, no one was prepared. The Yellowstone Volcanic eruption took out much of the Unites States, except for parts of the Eastern Coast which luckily took a minimal blow. Years later though, things have change...
