"We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of a remarkable woman who was taken from us too soon," Pastor John says. "She was loved by many in our community, but the greatest love came from her daughter, Madeline." At the mention of my name I burst in to tears once again. I cannot believe my mother is gone. She took her own life.
I keep looking back at the past year wondering when she became so depressed and how I had not noticed it. Her very own daughter. The only person in her life had not even noticed. I had not been there when she needed me the most. As the tears continuously rolled down my face the Pastor ended the funeral. There was no need for coffin bearers as the coffin that lay at the front of the church was empty, empty like my heart.
Her body was so disfigured and mangled that after it went to the coroners it was sent to be cremated straight away. The last look I got of my mother was one week ago when I came home from school to find her lying on the couch surrounded in blood with the meat cleaver in her hand. I knew from that moment that that image would be in my head forever, haunting my dreams and waking thoughts.
As I exited the church I glanced at the house to the left that I used to call my home. Still covered in yellow crime scene tape I knew I was not going to step foot in that house again. The officer who came when I called in to report my mothers body had gone in yesterday and fetched a pile of my things from my room, which I was grateful for. Scanning the surrounding street I see the usual people arround.
The kids from the houses down the end are kicking a soccer ball around and the teenagers from up the road are lounging on the lawn playing on their cellphones. The old couple, Mr and Mrs Johnson from number four are sitting on their porch. Everything is just as it should be, except for me. Where usually I was one of these people, fitting in and just lounging around, I knew my life would never be the same. I had lost my mother.
There was nothing left for me in this town which is why I had booked a one way ticket to a little town 6 hours from here. There was nothing keeping me here except bad memories. I had no hesitation in uprooting my life and moving away by myself. I had enough money from my part time job at the diner to secure a one bedroom apartment for myself and enrol in the local high school. I knew life was going to be tough but I was willing to give it a shot. I have nothing left to loose anyway.
Walking to the bus station I check in and then hop on the bus waiting for the 6 hour journey to start. The 6 hour journey that would be the start of my new life. What waited for me, I had no idea. I'm scared and nervous, yet slightly excited. I couldn't wait to see what my new life has in store for me, anything could be better than this.
Leaving the bus station I had the shadow of a smile starting to form on my face. Little did I know my life was about to be completely turned upside down.
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So this is it. The beginning of my first story. Let me know how you like it!
~Mel x
