LOVESICK

Prologue: The Night Everything Changed
Soleigh - Age 9
The smell of smoke was the first thing that woke me.
It wasn't the soft, familiar scent of Mama's Sunday biscuits or the lavender oil she rubbed on my forehead when I couldn't sleep. This smell was harsh, bitter, and thick enough to claw at my throat.
Then I saw it-orange flames dancing across my bedroom ceiling like demons set free.
"Mama!" My voice cracked, raw with terror as I coughed against the smoke. I stumbled out of bed, my bare feet hitting the cold wooden floor, my favorite stuffed rabbit clutched tightly in one hand. My tiny lungs burned as I screamed again, louder this time. "Mama! Daddy!"
The hall was already filled with smoke, swirling around me, thick and black. I could barely see, but I could hear-the violent crackling of fire, the house groaning like it was alive and in pain. Somewhere deep inside, I heard my father's voice, muffled and frantic
"Soleigh! Stay there, baby! I'm coming!"
I wanted to move toward him, but a piece of the ceiling collapsed, sparks flying like angry stars, blocking my path. I shrieked, stumbling back into my room as heat pressed against my skin.
"Daddy!" My scream was drowned out by the roar of the flames.
I backed into the corner, tears streaming down my face. My little heart pounded so hard it hurt. I thought about the bedtime story Mama had told me just hours before, her voice soft and warm, telling me about angels who watch over us.
"Please, angels," I whispered between coughs, "please help my mommy and daddy."
The last thing I remember was my father's silhouette appearing through the smoke-running, reaching for me-before everything went dark. When I woke up, the world was too bright. The sterile smell of antiseptic stung my nose. My body ached, my throat burned, and my stuffed rabbit was nowhere to be found. I blinked, confused,until it all came rushing back like a tidal wave. The fire

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