You'd never know

Chapter 2

Song recommendation: Fire drill- Melanie Martinez

Lana's POV

"Lana! G-go! Run away! Don't come near me! RUN!!!" Mother screamed at the top  of her lungs but what was I supposed to do. I was only a child; 5 years old. Father's death anniversary was a curse. Every anniversary, something bad would happen. When I was 4 years old, I fractured my arm on his death anniversary. 

This time...the hospital caught fire. Mother attempted to commit suicide because she couldn't bear the news of Father's death. I took tiny steps towards Mother's room to check if she was home. She wasn't there. I heard soft sobbing coming from the restroom. Slowly, I swung open the restroom door, only to find Mother laying down on the floor with a pen knife in her hand. Blood was oozing out of her arms. I panicked and hence, started wailing loudly. What was I supposed to do...I was only a child. 

The neighbours barged into our house using the spare keys under our doormat. Thankfully, they had heard my cries. The moment I saw them, a wave of relief washed over me. Mrs Smith, my neighbour, carried me in her arms, protectively. She shushed me with a few pats and strokes on my head. Mr Smith checked Mother's pulses and called the police and ambulance. 

Soon enough, the paramedics rushed in while the police did some investigation. Mother was unconscious. Not dead. They took me away from my house, from my mother, from my memories. Would I ever see Mother again? I blinked away my tears and calmed down, still having no idea of what was going on. Only because I was a child. 

A day or so passed and Mr and Mrs Smith took me to the hospital to visit Mother. I smiled widely when I saw Mother resting on the bed in the hospital ward, with a few needles poked through her skin. She smiled back genuinely and started mumbling, "Oh, dear! You don't know how much I was worried. I am so sorry. I should not cut myself. What was I thinking?! I am so sorry dear. I would never ever leave you, my honey bun." She promised she would never leave me...but she left me.

Out of the blue, nurses, doctors and patients were sprinting around. I was confused. Why? What happened? Putrid smoke entered my airways. It felt as if all the oxygen from my body was suddenly snatched away. Fire! Red, orange, yellow and blue flames licked the cabinets and curtains hungrily. I was surely going to be its next prey. It devoured all the furniture that came in its way. It left people scalded and some even burnt to death before my eyes. 

Mother pushed me away and started gesturing frantically for me to find the exit. "Go! Please go! There is fire! Bye daughter...I won't be able to run! Please live for...m-m-ME!"her breathing was ragged. "No! Mom! Pweese! Don't leave honey bun alone. I love y-"Mrs Smith pulled me away from the fire and dashed towards the exit. 

"I love you too."A tear drop trickled down Mother's face as she closed her eyes forever. She left me. I turned my head away, not being able to bear the sight of Mother burning into ashes. 

Mrs Smith brought me out of the hospital safely. Mr Smith had died in the flames too. Mrs Smith didn't even cry. No. She didn't weep in grief. She remained silent throughout the car ride. She was paralysed with shock. She couldn't even react. 

I frowned deeply and looked out of the car's window, hoping that life would be back to normal, despite knowing that everything would never be fine.I would never be fine. 

Screeeech! The car swerved left and right before screeching to a halt. The driver, Mrs Smith herself, was having a heart attack due to her poor heart. I had no more tears left to cry. I didn't cry. At all. Mrs Smith didn't even try to gasp for air. She just wanted to die. She was left with nothing to live for. No husband. The love of her life was dead and so she wanted to meet him in heaven. There truly was no reason for her to live. Mrs Smith kicked the bucket and left me just like Mother left me...alone. All alone. All alone to fend for myself.

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Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep! I woke up, startled by the loud beeping of my alarm clock. "Ugh! Not again! I don't want to go to work!"I complained, not wanting to wake up early and do the same old job. Everyday, I go to the green screen for reporting news about death. Just the usual you know...well, you surely can't relate. Could life get more exciting? No. Definitely not. 

My pessimistic personality always makes me rethink every single decision. I don't live alone! Thank goodness! If I were to live alone, I would surely die of boredom. I live with my elder sister and her husband. My elder sister, Joanne is pregnant. It has been about 7 months of her carrying the small child in her body. 

"Lana! I'm glad you're awake. I was about to wake you up because you got a call.  " Joanne smiled warmly while placing her hand on her belly. Joanne is my foster sibling. After Mother's death I was given a place to stay in the orphanage. Then, Joanne and her family adopted me. They were the best family I could ask for at that point of time. I always felt loved. Joanne takes care of me like I am her actual sibling. 

I unlocked my phone and a missed call notification greeted me. A missed call from an unknown number? That too at exactly 3.00 a.m.? I dialled the same number and waited while the phone rang.

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Well...I came back to this book after finally being able to access my Wattpad account. Wattpad has been acting up lately (a couple of months). Books are getting deleted. Anyway, I am finally back but I kind of have to cut this chapter short because my train of thoughts have been disrupted from last year. Have a great day or night! 

~ Sandy