Reliving memories

Joseph: "Oh my god, look at you! You've barely been up for five minutes and you're already hurting yourself. What a self-destructive person."

Jacob hurriedly wiped his tears as he said, "Don't..... you'll hurt yourself. I'm fine see."

Aria smiled and the four of them continued to chat until Miss Anhao came over with a tray.

She said, "Now, you all should hurry off to breakfast. It will be over if you don't. And Aria, here. Tell me if you need help."

Miss Anhao propped up pillows so that Aria could sit up. She put the tray in front of her. Aria saw that the breakfast was completely liquid. There was glass of milk, a bowl of soup and a bowl of congee.

Aria looked up at Miss Anhao, "Did I injure my stomach or digestive system?"

Miss Anhao: "Yes you did. Now, let me help you. And you three, hurry along."

Aria stopped Miss Anhao as she scooped up a spoonful, "I can do it myself. My right hand is all right. And Helen, Jacob and Joseph.....?"

The three were on their way out and turned around. Aria said, "If you don't mind could any one of you get me a book from the library whenever you're free?"

Joseph asked, "Sure. The fights are going to continue today, and I already did mine. So I'm basically free. What kind of book would you like?"

Before Aria could respond, Helen cut in, "Oh she will read anything you give her. She is completely a bookworm."

Aria chuckled and said, "I couldn't have put it better."

After she was done with breakfast, Miss Anhao helped Aria lay down again. Aria did not protest. Her whole body was aching and it was hard work sitting for long periods.

Aria had always been a restless child. She could never sit down doing nothing. But now that she had to, Aria was so incredibly bored that her thoughts began to run wild.

She started thinking about the times she never let herself think. Reliving the memories she had pushed to the back of her mind. Aria thought about the day her parents had told her she was going to be a big sister, she remembered her seventh birthday, Penny had fallen from the bell tower.

Aria relived many memories as they flashed by before her mind settled on one. Her mother was cradling Aria in her arms as she sung her to sleep. Aria could hear the familiar tune she loved so much, but could not make out the words. What was her mother singing, was it really her mother? Aria wanted to put up a hand to touch her mother's face, but her hands were too heavy. But she wanted to meet her mom, see her. Aria opened her eyes and was horrified to see a woman with no face cradling her. The woman said, "What's wrong, my angel? Sleep peacefully. I'm here. It's all right."

But it was not all right. The woman had no face, but the voice was definitely her mom's. What was happening? Aria tried to squirm out of the woman's lap to get a closer look, but the more she tried, the more the woman began to vanish, until nothing but only her voice was left humming the tune.

Aria tried to shout, "No mom, don't go."