Chapter one: Nicole is diagnosed

I loved running…

I had been running literally all my life.

My favorite season for running was the summer, when the sun would rise up, pouring its beautiful rays on any and everything beneath.

When the days would be dry, dusty with unbearable heat, burning, stinging, choking, air and dried leaves everywhere. Those times I'd run with my best friends Jo and Sarah, it was truly magically.

And then came rainy season, where we would run in the rain, sometimes almost half naked. It was a feeling of freshness and tremendous relief. You won't be able to restrain yourself from shouting, screaming and dancing with reckless abandon.

Soon after Sarah and Jo deserted me. My passion went from peaceful to hooligan level, I became more like a peaceful fighter. I would get into school fights, street fights, bully fights, any kind of fights at all under any kind of weather. Heck! I even became my younger brother's and helpless peoples hero. Always coming to their rescue. Something I couldn't have in my time.

Finally, one black Monday, I got punched in the wrong side of the brain while trying to save an old lady from some men trying to steal her purse… which is weird cause I get punched in the head all the time, but this was a different case, and it changed my life… Now I'm the one who needs saving, who would save me?

I knew a relative of ours was once sick and now.

I got diagnosed with cancer of the left side of the brain due to overstress, overthinking, violence and interruption of the brain vessels… I guess it was a better excuse for just a simple punch.

Going back and forth to the hospital.

"She's all good for now, And can go for her trip." The doctor assured, putting down his Slit lamp and Ophthalmoscope, while also putting on a warm smile. My Mum smiled back, nodding then looked at her daughter. Brushing hairs off my face, and suddenly grabbed my chin.

"You hear that, nickie?."She said firmly.

She knows me well.

"Loud and clear."I replied and then smiled into her beautiful, youthful face. But no promises. She patted my cheeks.

"Let's go." I nodded and she pulled along by the arm.

"Don't forget to get the new drugs I prescribed for you, Nickie." Called the doctor after me, reminding. As if it was a good thing. Well, he also knew me too, forgetting a drug on purpose. I didn't reply.

"We won't." my Mum's sharp voice, cutting through as she was waving good by to him.

*

Okay, now! Let me brush you through really quick.

I am now transferring to the school of arts where Jo is and it's a long journey from Lambsville to Darksville. Sounds evil doesn't it? Darksville… maybe I deserve a place like that, I mean I'm not innocent after all, but I'll try to change. Anyway… I miss Jo, hope we make the most of our years together.

A cop car hit the lights and the car weewed startling us. That was a sign that we should stop.

Now I know why Mum and Ben decided to escort me. It had grown dark and our very first visit to Darksville was already becoming spooky.

"Now, what." Mum sighed, slowing down and turning down the volume on the car's Stereo. The car halted as we pulled up at the side of the road. "Alright, Everyone stay calm." Said while trying to remove the particulars of the car from the pigeon hole.

I and Ben just sniggered slyly to ourselves cause we knew she was the one loosing it.

The cop turned off the siren and turned on the alley light and got out. Slamming shut the door, he started toward us with a torch in hand and clicking shoes. The rain had started drizzling and he turned his flash light on my Mum, then at us sitting at the back.

"Put down the glass."He ordered, looking back at Mum.

"Oh!." She quickly wined down the glass, realizing. "I have my license and registrations right here." She immediately interrupted before he could say anything else. He just stared at her for a moment. I imagined what would have been going through his head. Before he stretched his hand and mum handed him the particulars.

He studied it quietly and had a hard glare the whole tim, as if displeased. He then suddenly diverted his gaze back to Mum.

"Why are you out here by this time?." He asked harshly or rather in a gruffly tone.

Or I think the main reason they came with me was because they where scared of what I might do in a situation like this.

"Wa- we just flew in- our flight got delayed, we're new here, is there a curfew?." She blabbed innocently. And his face softened at the sound of her confession.

"Well..." he shook un comfortably. "It's just that it's dangerous out here at night, like really dangerous." He explained while grabbing hold on his uniform belt `And I don't want you and your pretty little kids here getting harmed." It sounded more like a warning than an explanation this time "And besides, the rain falls really heavy around here at night, you wouldn't want any distractions or obstructions of any kind." He tried to calm the already tense atmosphere down by adding a little cold water to what he had earlier said, but it didn't make it any better, we only got more frightened.

"Oh, well." He suddenly smiled, which looked weirdly forced, revealing a pair of yellow teeth "Better hurry home now, have a nice evening Mrs Alison." He gave her back the particulars , waved goodbye and walked away to his Vehicle.

"You too officer." Mum yelled back at him. He weewed his siren to greet us one last time and sped off.

Mum flickered the starter as the car roared into life , placing her hand on the gear, she slowly turned to face us and we all bursted into laughter.

"Oh, wow! That was something." She said as we tore out on the road, leaving long, looping skid marks along the road.

*

Mum stepped off the gas as we drove into the compound. And Dad stood right there into the house with hands in his pocket.

"Dad!." I and Ben flew out of the car, giving him a hug.

"Oh! How I miss my little rebels." He teased hugging us back in what felt like the world longest hug. His hug was really welcoming and when we drew back, we realized Mum was still in the car, staring.

They stared at each other for an awkward moment, before Dad finally lifted up his hand in a wave. And she sighed in outmost relief. Blinking and breathing properly now. Her heart must have stopped and went out to him in that moment.

She popped opened the car door and gradually walked out, stopped some paces away, they where like strangers.

"Hey, Brion."

"Anna!" He nodded, they where indeed strangers now.

I groaned in disgust before he noticed. "You look beautiful by the way, how long has it been? Two…"

"Five years, Brion." She corrected softly. And he nodded again… Oh, yes! We all haven't seen since five years ago after the horrid divorce, all we saw since after that where just birthday gifts and celebration cards. "I- I just wanted to drop the kids off and maybe come back for Ben after the holid…"

"You can stay over too if you want." He interrupted and a smile crept onto her face. "I mean its late and I don't think you have a place to stay for the night. So till Ben goes back, I'm sure the kids and I won't mind you staying a night… or two." He sighed.

"I won't mind either." She whispered overwhelmed with so many emotions. They gazed again.

"Well, come on in." he invited.