1 Prolouge

The moment I opened my eyes, my vision was hazy but I could still discern the night blanket above me, though there was something wrong. There were lumps of black smoke dancing around the air and I could faintly hear the breathing of those around me, next I heard crying sirens that sounded distorted along with the voices of unidentified individuals. Girl? Boy? Old? Young? I cannot comprehend as much due to the ringing in my ears that seemed to grow louder.

I then acknowledged the strong smell of fire. It was so strong that it hurt my nose. However, my mind was currently blank of confusion and concerns. Where was Mother? Father? My little sister?

Like bolts of lightning entering my veins in a sudden jolt of realization, I remembered. The road trip. I remember we were on our way to a happy little vacation.

Mother and Father were jovially singing songs, confidently, even if the lyrics were wrong at some point and their tone was a little off. While I and Juliet were seated at the back. Laughing and joking around per usual. Then. I remember the truck.

I remember the panic and fear crawling down my spine as the ear-piercing scream that left my mother and sister's lungs echoed throughout the four corners of the car. Hugging my sister tightly as I spared a glance at my father who's face has paled to an extraordinary extent as his arms and hands hurriedly swerving from left to right. The car was going on a frenzy and madness was happening, my shoulder felt moist from the tears that streamed down Juliet's face.

Soon enough, the only noise I could hear was the frantic honking of both vehicles and my hysterical heartbeats. My blood ran cold and I found it hard to breathe, the truck was drawing closer and closer.

I closed my eyes, tears trickling down as me and my sister clung to each other.

'Don't panic.' I tried to calm myself. But my attempt was futile seeing as I too began hyperventilating.

"Everything will be okay," I muttered. Though the intonation of my voice wasn't convincing at all. I was aware that my voice was shaking as much as how my body trembled but I try to stay optimistic.

Juliet clutched the fabric of my jacket, she was a smart girl. Quite mature for her age. "Everything will be okay." She repeated, hiding her tear-stained face.

"Everything will be okay." This time, it was my mother's voice. gentle, comforting. Mother was a brave woman too. So when she assured us that everything would be okay, we believed it. Because her tone did not falter like mine. She declared it with such confidence and pride. Despite that, I did not dare to open my eyes. I knew that if I did, I would see the actuality of the situation.

"Yeah, everything will be okay." It was father. Though, unlike mother, there was a slight tremble in his tone. But it's okay. I'm okay. We'll all be okay.

Hopefully. So I prayed. I prayed to all the Gods and Deities I know. I prayed, wished, hoped. Though I do understand that there's no logical way to escape this situation, but miracles can happen, right? Right, God?

So, please.

Give us one.

Grant us one miracle...

And that was the last of my memory.

I groaned, only now have I realized how uncomfortable my back felt. The numbing pain that gnawed different parts of my body and the warm liquid that was possibly blood, trickling down my temple and nose. My head is pounding. The crucial pain I felt was so agonizing that it was unexplainable.

I'm now losing consciousness. No matter how hard I try I could not get my mind to focus. The black circles eating away my view. I feel sleepy.

But I need to see my family.

Forcing my weakened body to move. Struggling to even turn my head. I need to hurry. My sight is getting blurrier. Fortunately, I was able to slowly turn my head to the side, the side I knew where my sister would be.

The moment I did, I swear I heard my heart shatter into a million pieces of broken glass. Icy talons of fear shredded the fabric of any drowsiness I felt. And I could feel myself tearing up again.

I can't move my arms. I no longer have the strength to move my head too. Opening my mouth to let my voice be heard. Though nothing left my lips. I want to say something. I need to call her.

My dear sister, what has happened to your eyes? The blood that seeped through the shatters that pierced through your eyes.

I could only cry....

Cry without a sound for my voice won't come out. I could only watch as the paramedics placed my sister on the stretcher and carried her to the ambulance.

And I was growing sleepy again.