Love are Lies

~Rachael Wang :)

Chapter 14: Suffer

To me, I've been troubled by Damian's problem for the whole week. I couldn't even concentrate on normally going through high school. And before I knew it, I had to return to the hospital and stay because they're afraid of side affects.

I really regretted using all my time thinking and troubling myself… but to know you're dying at such a young age… its absolutely horrible.

"Hey what's up, you seem pretty down." Jaden said, "Don't like the school life?"

"It's not that," I shook my head, "It's something totally different…"

"Hmm… boy problems I presume?"

"Yeah, you can say that I guess."

"So what's up with the guy?" he asked, "Doesn't like you back?"

"Nah. That's not the problem at all. He does like me… Anyway, it's just that… he's going to pass away at a young age, so I don't know how to react."

"Sometimes, you can't do anything about it. All you can do… is watch. And I'm sorry to say that, but if no one can find a cure, he can't magically survive."

I lowered my head and sighed. What Jaden said was true and I really can't do anything about it, except spend time with him and cheer him on until his time comes. This was reality.

"You're right."

"I know it's hard, but it doesn't mean you should give up hope just yet." He smiled.

"Yeah… thanks." I smiled back.

"Hey, instead of sitting here the whole day, you want to go around the open field behind the hospital?"

"I would've never thought of that. Sure, let's go."

We both got off our beds and I grabbed the wheel chair for Jaden.

"Here, sit."

"Thanks."

I pushed him down the hall and went on the elevator to go downstairs. I don't think I've ever been to this natural wonder until now. It seemed bigger than the view of it from my window.

I pushed Jaden to the side, under the cool shade and then I ran around the grassy land, breathing the fresh air and allowing the sun to penetrate me.

"If only the world was like this without pollution, right?" I danced around.

He laughed, "I think you're over reacting."

"Why is that?" I asked happily.

"Because we need so many things that cause the environment we have now."

"True… but I do hope there are many places just like this. A world could be a happier place."

We always talked and hanged out with each other in the hospital. Although I did feel pity to his injured leg, he never seemed to regret anything or mention the fact of his disability. He was indeed, strong.

I felt that our friendship grew stronger each day as well. Sharing the same room and talking with each other everyday of our lives felt special. There was nothing I didn't know about him.

Damian also didn't visit often as he use to, but he never included Jaden in anything we did… and it felt really awkward because I didn't know him that well like Jaden. I felt more comfortable with all of us together instead.

(What happened to Alexander? I don't know because he never came again…)

"Hey Jaden, today I'm going to visit my mother now. Hope you don't mind being alone for a few hours."

"Its fine," he said, "I'll talk to you later."

"Yeah, bye," I waved, leaving the room in excitement.

Happily, my mother was waiting outside for me and I ran to the car. "Lucy!" she smiled.

I hugged her and hopped onto the car as it sped away after.

"Everyone is at home already and we're preparing dinner." She said.

"Isn't it like 4 something right now?"

"Well, today we decided to eat a little earlier than usual."

Sorry to not get into details, but I had a really great time at home with my brothers and my mom. We played some board games and ate dinner at the beginning of 5. I haven't tasted food like this for a really long time.

I laughed and smiled today so much, it was just too good to be true. And yet it really was real.

Suddenly, I smelled something weird. "Hey Tom… Leo… do you smell something?" I asked.

"No. Why do you say that?" Tom responded.

"You don't smell it?"

They stood up and walked over to the door, "Yeah, something smells awkward. Is it smoke?"

"Yeah… it smells like smoke." I said, "Is there a fire?"

I got up and quickly opened the door, there was smoke filling the air slowly. We all rushed over to the kitchen.

My eyes widened in horror.

My mother was hanging upside down in the kitchen, while the fire was creeping closer to her. I dropped to the floor in shock… who did this?

"Mom?! Mom!" Leo yelled. He tried to untie the tight rope… no use. He ran to the drawers to grab a knife to cut the rope, but the fire flamed and he dropped the knife… his hand burned.

Tom ran over and pulled Leo away, grabbing the knife. He cut the rope and lifted my mom up, grabbing a wet rag and placing it over her mouth to lessen the smoke inhale.

"Mom… what happened?" he asked as her eyes slowly opened.

"You're father… He just came in." she coughed.

"What?! Dad did this? What did he do…?"

"He…" she coughed, "He grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth so I couldn't breathe… Then when I woke up, he was tying me up and the blood rushing to my head really hurt… and I closed my eyes again, watching him set the fire…"

My father… did this. What kind of man was he? How did this happen?

The flame blazed through and we jumped out as the kitchen burned to a crisp. The intense flames began to spread so quickly, it covered up the walls.

It was hot in here and I didn't know why weren't running away.

"Come, we have to leave now!" Tom lifted my mom who seemed to look heavy.

Leo began grabbing all the money he could in case we needed it. The fire was out of control and I wiped the sweat off my hot face.

"Lucy, help me open the door, "he said.

I ran towards the door quickly, gasping for air… but all I inhaled was the polluted black smoke that surrounded the apartment.

I reached for the door, but the fire spread upward, causing me to fall back. Tom placed mom on the floor gently and kicked the door open.

"Go Lucy, you head out first, I'll carry mom out and Leo will follow."

Afraid, I leaped over and made it without a single burn. "Tom, Leo, Mom…" I said.

The flames crackled and Tom was carrying mom. I offered help but he said it was too dangerous. Leo then ran out of the room covering his mouth.

The ceiling piece fell unexpectedly on Tom and my mother.

I yelled in horror and thought of running in to help… but what could I do? I can't lift something so heavy and the flames were huge.

Leo was trying to go around the ceiling piece, but he looked weaker as he attempted an escape.

"Tom! Mom! Leo!" I screamed, "Please come out safe!"

"Don't worry… Lucy," Leo breathed heavily. "Don't-" he coughed.

The fire trucks were here right away, I could hear their sirens down the street.

"Don't worry," the tears ran down my face. "The firemen are here. It's alright… It's going to be alright…"

The heavy breathing from Leo frightened me and I could hear my mother yelping in pain as Tom was struggling to get her out.

I cried, "It's… going to be alright…"

I could see the struggling under the rock has stopped… and my hands were shaking at that point. Leo was breathing hard in the corner, fainting from lack of air.

I was scared and I couldn't do anything… the fire blocked the doorway completely and I didn't know how to get in… and even if I can make it into that room, I didn't know how to help.

Could I carry Leo? No.

Could I lift the block? No.

Could I clear the fire? No.

I punched the wall in sadness and anger.

My father… has made me suffer such a horrible pain.

Suffer…