The Heirloom

Isabella woke up with a start, gasping for air as sweat dripped down her forehead. She had the same dream again, the one that had been haunting her for months. In her dream, she saw a very handsome man asking for her help. He had piercing green eyes that seemed to look right through her and a strong jawline that made her heart race. But it was his words that terrified her the most.

"I need your help," he had said in her dream, his voice urgent and pleading. "Please, you're the only one who can save me."

Isabella had no idea who the man was or why he needed her help, but the dream had felt so real that it sent shivers down her spine every time she woke up from it. She rubbed her eyes, trying to shake off the feeling of dread that lingered.

As she got out of bed, Isabella couldn't help but wonder why she kept having this dream. Was it just a product of her overactive imagination, or was it something more? She made her way to the kitchen, hoping that a cup of tea would help calm her nerves.

As she sipped her tea, Isabella couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She had a sense of unease that she couldn't quite explain, and it made her feel on edge. She tried to distract herself by checking her phone, but she couldn't focus on anything other than the dream.

Isabella was scrolling through her social media feed, trying to distract herself from the recurring dream that had been haunting her. As she scrolled, her phone rang, interrupting her thoughts. She looked at the caller ID and saw it was her father.

"Hello?" Isabella answered, not expecting to hear from her father. It's been 5 years since her parents got divorced and her father wasn't her favourite person.

"Isabella, it's your father. There's been an accident," he said, his voice shaking.

Isabella felt her heart skip a beat as her mind raced through all the worst-case scenarios. "What kind of accident?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Your mother. She was hit by a car while crossing the street. The ambulance took her to the hospital. You need to come quickly," her father said, his words urgent and filled with panic.

Isabella's breath caught in her throat as she listened to her father's words. She didn't waste a single second. She jumped out of bed, quickly threw on some clothes, grabbed her car keys and raced out the door.

As she drove to the hospital, Isabella's mind raced with thoughts of her mother. She tried to stay calm, but the fear of what she might find when she got there was overwhelming. What if her mother was badly injured? What if she didn't make it?

Finally, she arrived at the hospital and ran to the reception desk. "My mother was in an accident. Where is she?" she asked, barely able to contain her fear.

The receptionist looked up and asked for her mother's name. Isabella gave it to her, and the receptionist quickly looked it up on the computer.

"She's in the emergency room. Take the elevator to the second floor, turn left and follow the signs," the receptionist said.

Isabella ran to the elevator and pressed the button. The doors opened, and she stepped inside. The ride-up felt like an eternity as her heart pounded in her chest.

When she reached the second floor, she quickly turned left and followed the signs to the emergency room. When she arrived, she saw her father pacing back and forth outside the door. He looked up when he saw her and rushed over.

"Is she okay?" Isabella asked, her voice shaking.

Her father shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "We don't know yet. They're still running tests," he said.

Isabella's heart sank as she realized the severity of the situation. She hugged her father, hoping that their embrace would bring them both some comfort.

Isabella was sitting in the hospital waiting room with her father, both of them anxiously awaiting news about her mother's condition. Suddenly, the emergency room doors opened, and a doctor in scrubs emerged.

"Who is Isabella?" the doctor asked, looking around the room.

Isabella's heart jumped into her throat. "That's me," she said, quickly standing up and making her way over to the doctor.

"Your mother is asking for you. She needs your presence," the doctor said, his tone serious.

Isabella felt a knot form in her stomach. What could be so urgent that her mother needed her right away? She didn't waste a single second. She turned to her father, who was also getting up.

"Come with me," she said, taking his hand and leading him towards the door.

But the doctor stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, sir. Only one family member can go in at a time. We need to keep the number of people in the room to a minimum."

Isabella's father looked crestfallen, but he knew the doctor was right. He squeezed Isabella's hand and told her to go ahead. "I'll be here waiting," he said.

Isabella nodded and took a deep breath before following the doctor into the emergency room. She could hear the beeping of machines and the hushed voices of nurses as she walked through the door. Her heart was pounding in her chest as she saw her mother lying on the hospital bed.

"Mom, what happened? Are you okay?" Isabella asked, rushing over to her side.

Her mother looked up at her with tears in her eyes. "I'm okay, sweetheart. I just needed to see you," she said, her voice weak.

Isabella felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at her mother's pale, tired face. She took her mother's hand and held it tightly, feeling the warmth and comfort it brought her.

"I'm here, Mom. I'm right here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Isabella's mother took the pendant from around her neck and held it out to her daughter. "Take this, Isabella," she said, her voice weak. "Take care of it."

Isabella took the pendant, feeling its weight in her hand. It was a beautiful piece of jewellery, intricately crafted with sparkling gems and a delicate chain. She had seen her mother wear it many times, but she had never thought much about it.

"Mom, what is this?" Isabella asked, studying the pendant closely.

"It's been passed down in our family for generations," her mother explained. "My mother gave it to me when I was your age. And now, it's yours."

Isabella felt a sense of pride and responsibility wash over her. She had always admired her mother's strength and wisdom, and now she felt honoured to be entrusted with this family heirloom.

"What am I supposed to do with it?" she asked, looking up at her mother.

"Keep it with you always," her mother instructed. "Wear it so that it's close to your heart. And when the time comes, you'll know what to do."

"The time for what?" Isabella asked, her curiosity piqued.

But her mother just smiled at her. "You'll know," she said, and then closed her eyes, as if exhausted.

Isabella watched in horror as her mother's chest stopped rising and falling. She called out to her, shaking her gently, but there was no response. Her mother had passed away, leaving her alone in the hospital room.

Isabella was devastated. She clutched the pendant to her chest, feeling its weight and warmth against her skin. She had never felt so alone in her life.

But as she looked down at the pendant, she remembered her mother's words. "When the time comes, you'll know what to do."

Isabella didn't know what the prophecy was or what her mother had meant by those words, but she knew that she had a duty to carry on her family's legacy.

Isabella stepped out of the hospital room and into the hallway, where her father was pacing back and forth. As soon as Isabella saw him, tears streaming down her face, she knew that she had to be the one to break the news to him.

"Dad," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mom didn't make it."

Her father stopped pacing and looked up at her, his face a mask of shock and disbelief. "What?" he asked, his voice trembling.

Isabella nodded, unable to speak. She held out her hand, showing him the pendant that her mother had given her.

"She told me to take care of this," Isabella said, her voice cracking. "She said it's been passed down in our family for generations, and that it's important. But she didn't tell me why."

Her father took the pendant from her hand, turning it over in his own. For a moment, they stood in silence, both of them lost in their grief. Isabella fell on the floor and wept bitterly.